How good is the Rigol DS1102E? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: MarkS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 30, 2012, 05:57:17 pm
content: I was greatly surprised to find that I can get this new for $400 USD. While I know that there are better oscilloscopes on the market, the price is too good to pass up. This would be my first oscilloscope. Is there anything I should know before I buy?

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2012, 06:26:51 pm
content: As a new owner of the DS1102E I can say that I like it.It is infinitely better than no oscilloscope, and it is not as nice as more expensive instruments. (Obviously.)What I like about it is that it seems to have a design, a functionality, a build quality and a usability that is proportionate with its price. Sometimes you buy a cheap thing and you end up thinking, "this is crap, it was a waste of money". I don't get that feeling with the Rigol. Within its design limitations, the design is sound and the functionality is good. It's a solid piece of kit.If you want a first oscilloscope, and your needs are not extremely demanding, then I think you will like it. (If your needs were demanding, you probably would already have an oscilloscope.)So if you buy it I think you will be satisfied with it.

author: wkb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2012, 06:57:54 pm
content: Quote from: MarkS on January 30, 2012, 05:57:17 pmWell, I have a DS1052E modded to an 1102E. It works just fine, no complaints. I also own a very nice Tek, a 2465 4-channel 300MHz unit. Some things the Tek can't do the DS can. And the other way around. But I can sure recommend the Rigol.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2012, 07:29:48 pm
content: please find complaints that have been made around here. psu/signal noise, screen flickering, broken knobs/encoders etc. my advice, make sure from who you will be getting the unit, ask them about the model, test it before shipping, is it gray market or what?

author: MarkS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 30, 2012, 08:42:57 pm
content: Thanks everyone!Quote from: Mechatrommer on January 30, 2012, 07:29:48 pmI'll look around, but I would be buying this new directly from Rigol. I figure the bigger risk will be buying any other scope used.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 30, 2012, 09:24:08 pm
content: It's probably been the most popular entry level DSO on the market for several years now.There are other lesser brands that may have slightly better bang-per-buck specs on paper, but they just don't have the widespread support that the Rigol has. It's a proven performer.You won't regret it.Dave.

author: MarkS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 30, 2012, 10:42:02 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on January 30, 2012, 09:24:08 pmAwesome! Thank you!

author: MarkS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 01, 2012, 02:15:50 am
content: Well, this is embarrassing! I was looking through the episode list for something about bench multimeters (*ahem!* Dave?) and accidentally found three episodes on this scope.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 01, 2012, 02:43:25 am
content: Quote from: MarkS on February 01, 2012, 02:15:50 amDave has expressed multiple times that he dislikes bench multimeters for general purpose use and only uses them for the occasional measurement where its accuracy/resolution/features are important, like with the resistor test (until he switched to the handheld because he couldn't be bothered to set-up GPIB connectivity to the bench meter) or the voltage reference. His video about the HP 3478A (a very early one) is the only one if I remember correctly.He has done plenty (only three?) about the Rigol scope, though. All of his videos about scopes, like the triggering tutorial, featured the Rigol DS1052E until he was bought by^W^W^Wgot a free Agilent scope.

author: Bomber18
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2012, 04:01:37 am
content: I posted this on slickdeals but you can actually get it for 315 shipped if you live anywhere but OH through Rigolna. Mine arrives tomorrow!http://slickdeals.net/f/3874648-Rigol-DS1052E-50MHz-Oscilloscope-315-shipped-tax-in-OH

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2012, 04:11:59 am
content: It was a better scope a year or two ago.Now we have the infinvision Agilents which, although more expensive, really are awesome.And there's been some issues with newer Rigols performing badly and developing faults.The Rigol is still a good scope for the price, but not as good as it used to be.

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2012, 07:58:02 am
content: Quote from: alm on February 01, 2012, 02:43:25 amI seem to remember there is also the minor issue that Rigol doesn't really talk to him any more after the Rigol got hacked and he happened to make that hack popular. I.e. Rigol delivering their typical non-service.

author: shebu18
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2012, 10:13:37 am
content: It was not his fault that the Rigol could be hacked, its their fault. I see it as a deficient for Rigol not talking to Dave any more.

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2012, 11:55:43 am
content: Quote from: shebu18 on February 01, 2012, 10:13:37 amI am not saying Rigol is right, just that I seem to remember that Rigol doesn't talk to Dave any more. Which doesn't surprise me much, because Rigol hardly talks to customers.I have recently been told Rigol has now a support organisation in Europe. If I understood it correctly they hiredtwo guysthree persons, a technician to do the support for all of Europe, someone for administrative tasks, and a manager to manage the technician and the admin. Now that is what I call real commitment.