Help me choose an oscilloscope - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: MUDGEL
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2017, 02:31:11 pm
content: Hey guys, first time here so please be gentle. I'm a geriatric newbie hobbyist after my first Oscilloscope.Such a huge market to find your way. Anyway I've found 2 Siglents that may serve my purpose. Siglent because I watched the interview that Dave did with the Siglent CEO and I thought he seemed like a nice bloke. Bothe these models are newer release1. Siglent SDS1702CML+ @AUD$358 or2. Siglent SDS1202X-E @AUD625 the absolute top of my budget.Obviously the dearer one has some extra features but as a beginner, is it worth me spending nearly double. Dave didn't give the second one such a great review and his tear down comments didn't inspire either. But then he's seen and no doubt works with scopes that cost much much more.So thanks to anyone who can help. I promise I'll bake cookies for everyone. I won't really but it's the thought that counts hey.Cheers Mudgel (Mike Vogel)

author: borjam
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 27, 2017, 02:46:45 pm
content: it's difficult to sayAre you going to tinker with controllers such as Arduinos or Raspberries? Intending to use peripheral ICs with them?In that case the ability of the 1202X-E to decode i2c. SPI and UART can be really useful. The 1202X-E has a much larger memory,which helps a lot at least in my most frequently used operating mode: single shot, capture and examine the captured buffer.In case anyone asks me, I actually mention two models. I own both, no vested interest on any of the manufacturers:- Rigol DS1054Z. Main advantage, four channels. 50 MHz but can be hacked in order to upgrade to 100 MHz and enable decoders, advanced triggers, etc.- Siglent SDS1202X-E. Main advantages: more responsive UI, much better FFT if you need it, the protocol decoders are not limited to the screen although at least the UART one needs some work (tried with firmware version 5.1.3.13). No need to hack nor to purchase options. It's already maxed out from the factory. 200 MHz and decoders/advanced triggers enabled. Also, the analog hardware quality seems to be better than the Rigol. It's more sensitive and the sensitivity ranges seem to be real, no digital zooms. However, depending on what you do it may be irrelevant.Whatever, I would recommend these models over lower offerings from both. Depending on what you do, these models are quite versatile. And, being a hobbyist, I am sure you don't have a set of requirements, so it makes sense to cover a broad spectrum of applications.

author: MUDGEL
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2017, 04:13:58 pm
content: Hey Borja: Thanks so much for your quick reply.The answer to your first question is a resounding yes.As mentioned I'm a beginner hobbyist brought about by the necessity to tackle a fairly complex project.I'm going to create a MIDI to Arduino interface to drive a timecode display that can show the various codes used in an audio production environment, namely a project recording studio.If I buy an external timecode display (8 digit, 7 segment) I still need to convert the data (MIDI TIME CODE) that leaves my DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) to a format that can be read by a display controller. For me that's about USD$1000. I might as well give myself an education and learn something really practical and spend the money on gadgets (I'm an audio guy and I loves me some gadgets) and build it myself.I've found a variety of projects on the net that can help me 70% tie all this together but I have a ton of research still to do.I do know I need some tools and because I'm working with all sorts of micro controllers and such I figure a scope would come in handy. Did I mention I have to learn enough C programming language to make it all work. Yeh big job for a rank amateur but I'm retired and this will keep me out of trouble and give me an opportunity to make some new friends on this forum.So thanks again. I'm sure I'll see you around. It looks like the 1202X-E is going to be it.

author: Jim Kwik
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 29, 2017, 09:29:57 am
content: Siglent SDS1702CML+

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2017, 09:34:11 am
content: The X-E blows the pants off any CML, plain or Plus versions.2x the cost for 10x the scope.

author: MUDGEL
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2017, 09:45:31 am
content: Thanks guys.I've ordered the SDS1202X-E. Really looking forward to it now the decisions been made and the money's been paid.Woohoo. That's 1 new thread and 2 posts. Do I get the T-Shirt?

author: borjam
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 29, 2017, 09:50:48 am
content: Quote from: MUDGEL on September 29, 2017, 09:45:31 amGreat. I forgot to tell you, the UART decoder should be able to display MIDI messages. It won't interpret the MIDI messages but at least it will give you a hexadecimal dump.Only thing is, @tautech (I don't have the oscilloscope with me right now), can it be set to decode a 31,250 bits per second, or just the typical 19200, 38400, etc? If not, please poke Siglent to add that bit rate to the menu.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2017, 10:00:46 am
content: Quote from: MUDGEL on September 29, 2017, 09:45:31 amLucky bugger, I wish I had something like this for my first scope.You'll look very hard in current offerings to find anything better in this class of scope.There a few members that have them so if you get yourself in a pickle be sure to come here first seeking advice.Enjoy, there's lots of features to get to learn also alongside normal use.Quote from: borjam on September 29, 2017, 09:50:48 amIIRC you can set Custom baud rates, I think it was added in the firmware update but might be mistaken....it's not in the changelog.QuoteWill do....looking at that other one as you know so I'll check that too and add to the report if required.Feedback always welcomed.

author: MUDGEL
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2017, 10:24:43 am
content: My DAW has an inbuilt Hex editor so I can easily check out any MIDI data if needed. I'll really just be working on the MIDI timing side and then have some box with hardware/software read it and pass it onto an 8 digit 7 segment display.I only have to build the box to acquire the MIDI data, deal with it in the Arduino way, and send it out for display. Sounds so easy when you say it like that, hey.I have an elaborate project that has an 8 digit display that acquires its display data wirelessly from the internet to display various bits of data like post counts, current outdoor temp and such numerically.By comparison my data requirements are simple. I just need a new input module based on MIDI, running different and much simpler code.