Siglent MSO2000 vs SDS2000 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: mojoe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2016, 12:13:52 am
content: Can anyone clarify the difference between these two series of scopes? The specs look to be the about the same, although the pricing is a bit different. It also looks like with either series, you have to pay extra for the serial decoding (software), the logic analyzer feature (software) and the logic analyzer pod (hardware).I saw the thread on the SDS2000 series, but it doesn't look like anyone has bought one yet. Comments from owners of either series scope is welcome. Also, recommendations of similar scopes from other vendors is welcome (with similar pricing).

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2016, 12:51:01 am
content: They are the same.Pricing will be applicable to your region only and additional taxes may apply.When publically released options included Decode, AWG, MSO (Software and HW 8 channel probe assembly) and Power Analysis.All software is installed and available for trial 30 uses before permanent licensing need be purchased.They are now shipped with V2 FW that has delivered improvements to the published datasheet and websites specs that have not yet been updated.http://www.siglentamerica.com/pdxx.aspx?id=25&T=2&tid=1V2 FW discussion:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-sds2000-new-v2-firmware/Further improvements to the SDS2000 series by way of a recent HW update also have been made with release of the updated series SDS2000X that has further performance improvements:http://www.siglentamerica.com/pdxx.aspx?id=1488&T=2&tid=1Thread:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent's-new-product-sds2000x-series/AFAIK there will be reviews coming soon.

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2016, 06:41:57 am
content: Quote from: mojoe on January 19, 2016, 12:13:52 amHave another look, there are a few current and former SDS2000 owners in this forum.I had a SDS2000 (a SDS2204 with MSO option) for a few months and quite frankly it really was the worst scope I've ever seen (and I've seen a lot!). The hardware itself is quite good actually but the firmware is so bad it's not even funny. This scope is on the market for roughly two years now and even in the new v2 firmware (which is also used on the 'new' SDS2000X which is just a SDS2000 with more sample memory and a new housing) there are major bugs which make the scope pretty much useless for real work. The fact that two years after introduction the scope is still suffering from this many silly bugs is embarrassing and shows that Siglent is completely incompetent when it comes to software. On a positive note, at least the user interface of the v2 firmware has improved somewhat over the horrible v1 UI, but that's pretty much it.In the end I passed the scope on and bought a 2nd hand big brand scope (R&S RTM1054, I didn't need MSO) which is has overall better specs and is absolutely reliable.There's also another former owner of a SDS2000 (nctnico) who had his scope for a lot longer and who has written quite a lot about his experience. I guess the only positive comments on the SDS2000 you'll see will come from the forum members who also happen to sell Siglent gear.Seriously, I'd rather buy something (anything) else than a SDS2000. If you want new and inexpensive and if 2ch are enough then look at the Rigol DS2000 which seems to be a lot more mature than the SDS2000. As an alternative, there's also the 2nd hand market, and scopes like the Agilent/Keysight DSOX2k are a much better buy than a SDS2000. Some people may tell you to be patient and that Siglent will eventually fix the issues, but even after two years the scope firmware is still a mess, and it's unlikely the SDS2000 firmware will ever be somewhat mature. Also, paying full price for a scope that has major functional impediments which may or may not be fixed at some point in the future is a gamble, especially with a B-brand like Siglent. If you invest that much money then buy something that works now.Just my 2c.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2016, 09:20:45 am
content: Currently I have a GW Instek GDS2204E on loan which doesn't look bad at all. I'm waiting for a firmware update from GW Instek before I decide to keep it because there are a few issues I'd like to see fixed. I hope to post a detailed review soon.Regarding the SDS2204 I used to have: I more or less gave it away because it was utterly useless.