Sigilent  1104X-E  vs MicSig STO1104C   Big dilemma.  Help :) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: matmatmat
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 21, 2020, 09:40:10 pm
content: Hi everyone,I'm thinking about buying a new oscilloscope.My favorites so far:-Sigilent 1104X-E(hacked by me to 1204X-E)-MicSig STO1104CI can not make my mind. I'm thinking about this constantly. It drives me crazy(I'm thinking about this every day). Eventually, I will buy both in protection from getting mad.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2020, 10:53:37 pm
content: You add nutthing about yourrealrequirements of a DSO.The STO1004C range is limited to 150 MHz max which is understandable as they seem to use just a single 1 GSa/s ADC whereas the 4ch X-E use 2 ADC's and 14 Mpts memory depth for each.

author: maginnovision
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2020, 10:59:59 pm
content: Quote from: matmatmat on April 21, 2020, 09:40:10 pmThat makes it easy then, buy both.

author: stafil
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2020, 11:24:10 pm
content: Quote from: matmatmat on April 21, 2020, 09:40:10 pmIt will not stop with just these two

author: TK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2020, 11:24:38 pm
content: Buy the SDS2104X plus

author: matmatmat
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 21, 2020, 11:57:22 pm
content: I do not have special requirements for BW, but I would like a responsive oscilloscope.Is MicSig STO1104C a proper oscilloscope ? Any weak point?

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2020, 03:25:08 pm
content: Quote from: matmatmat on April 21, 2020, 11:57:22 pmAFAIK the MicSig has touchscreen operation too which is handy. Actually MicSig started with touch-screen only scopes so their user interface is fully optimised for a touch screen.

author: matmatmat
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 22, 2020, 04:21:24 pm
content: Ergonomy is better than in traditional osciloscope ?Do you know how long take to save 14Msa(from single shot) to USB on Micsig and on Siglent ?

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2020, 09:05:13 pm
content: Quote from: matmatmat on April 22, 2020, 04:21:24 pmA second or 2 to a USB stick with the SDS1104X-E. Saving screenshots to your download folder from within the webrowser is faster still.Ergonomy is a matter of personal preference as many don't like touch displays or even shared vertical controls for that matter. Traditional oscilloscope could mean an old boat anchor with all its functionality tied up in knobs and buttons, so without the menu structure of a modern scope and minus all their capability.IMO the best of all worlds is a DSO that can be controlled with a combination of front panel, touch display and mouse inputs and with keyboard capability if available, further enhancing use.At this time scopes with these features are $1k or more.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2020, 10:11:26 pm
content: Quote from: matmatmat on April 22, 2020, 04:21:24 pmI think so because you are not limited to knobs. The entire screen becomes an input device which allows for far more flexibility. The MicSig scopes can also be operated using a mouse.QuoteThe Micsig needs about 10 seconds to save the data from a channel in binary format. A screenshot is faster; near instant and all you have to do on the MicSig is drag 4 fingers down the screen.

author: modoran
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2020, 05:44:54 am
content: If you broke the Micsig tablet screen ( much more likely to do it than a bench oscilloscope ) good luck finding any replacement for it. The question is, do you need portability then buy Micsig, if not buy a bench oscilloscope, like Siglent.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2020, 07:59:18 am
content: Quote from: modoran on April 23, 2020, 05:44:54 amNonsense. The MicSig is perfectly useable as a bench scope. Also TFT screens are easy to find & buy.

author: TK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2020, 12:57:20 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on April 23, 2020, 07:59:18 amYou can get the LCD and the touch glass from micsig (contact the sales team) if you break it

author: jacklee
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2020, 08:37:56 am
content: MicSig STO1104C would be a better choice even though I don't have it. I have TO1104, touch screen is awesome, it could help our work more effectively. Since I have TO1104, my old bench scope has under my desk for a long time...

author: Powernun
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2020, 12:41:16 pm
content: I was wondering what you ended up buying? I am in the exact same dilemma and after reading countless forum posts, reviews etc. I just can't figure out how the SDS1104X-E can be justified over the STO1104C, it just seems like the STO1104C is better in every way for around the same price point (at least in the UK).

author: sharktank1
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 06, 2020, 01:12:57 am
content: Because of the STO1104C being portable does that mean it can float? That could be an advantage depending on what you are doing.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2020, 10:29:27 am
content: Quote from: sharktank1 on June 06, 2020, 01:12:57 amIt can only be used floating for low voltages (say <48V) but the inputs are not isolated between eachother. The grounds of all channels are connected together. You can not use this oscilloscope floating for measuring mains voltages!

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2020, 11:04:01 am
content: Quote from: Powernun on June 05, 2020, 12:41:16 pmI think it mostly comes down to form factor. The MicSig is more powerful but many people may prefer the Siglent's traditional form factor.PS: You might want to look at this if you're buying an oscilloscope right now:https://www.tequipment.net/Instek/GDS-1054B/Digital-Oscilloscopes/?search=true(For future readers, it's a GW-Instek GDS-1054B for 310 US$...)

author: TK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2020, 05:42:44 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on June 06, 2020, 11:04:01 am6% discount when using the EEVBLOG discount code during checkout... $291.87!!!I received my unit yesterday... it came with firmware 1.26 and hack still works... then upgraded to 1.27 to get new serial decoding options enabled. Tested -3dBm @ around 150MHz with the 200MHz hack... even when you can enable 200MHz option, the front end is designed for 100MHz.

author: Powernun
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2020, 04:21:27 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on June 06, 2020, 11:04:01 amIf it comes down to form factor then personally at least I lean more towards the Micsig (then again I'm still in the research period of what I want from a scope so I haven't 100% decided yet).As for the GDS-1054B I have seen it before but it is unfortunately too big for my bench (which is like a corner on my desk). I can definitely see though someone preferring it due to the separate knobs per input.

author: Martinizhr
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 27, 2021, 05:59:35 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on June 06, 2020, 10:29:27 amHi,Can you elaborate on that? I mean if you are using it on the battery power and using only one channel, why couldn't you use it to measure main voltages?Thanks

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2021, 07:13:32 pm
content: Quote from: Martinizhr on April 27, 2021, 05:59:35 pmYoucanuse it but it's (slightly) dangerous for the user.eg. If you connect the ground clip to a live wire then all the BNC connectors at the top are now live as well as the ground clips of any other probes that you have connected. Keep fingers away!The BNCs on the Micsigs are recessed and not as easy to touch as on most other 'scopes, but it's something to bear in mind.

author: electr_peter
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 27, 2021, 07:37:11 pm
content: I use Micsig STO1104E (almost the same as C version). It is really usable scope with many features. It is pretty fast, UI with touchcreen with knobs is great. I have not seen major bugs.Looking at the specs both Siglent SDS1104X-E and MicSig STO1104C look very similar as basic scopes. I would suggest to go with MicSig STO series as it has battery power advantage - you can easily transport it, use it places without mains, etc. Price is very similar as well. Form factor is smaller for MicSig, for bench use it may not make a difference.MicSig STO1104C can be only battery powered, but it's input channels are not isolated. I would be very careful about probing mains or using differential probes with it floating. Just don't do it if you have limited experience.Main danger is touching live chassis or shorting low impedance circuit via ground. See example of what can happen even for floating scopes (The Signal Path video on scope repair, from 6:51)

author: rvalente
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2021, 12:06:17 am
content: Quote from: matmatmat on April 21, 2020, 09:40:10 pmSo, after all, what was your choice of scope?