Advice on first oscilloscope - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: regmigrant
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 29, 2016, 09:25:46 pm
content: I've read as much as I can handle about what features to look for in a beginner scope and was aiming for a Rigol when I can justify the cost, but I've got a decision to make in the next 12 hours or I miss a deal:- A Siglent SDS 1052 for £200 delivered seems almost to good to be true BUT- A Hantek 5202 is available for a similar price and offers 200Mhz against the Siglent 50Mhz- A Rigol DS1052e was the one I was saving for but is £90 moreI'd already decided to go for the better brand in Rigol, dismissing the Hantek despite the Mhz, but the Siglent seems a major bargain at that price despite the lesser bandwidth - is it 'better' than the Rigol or should I just bide my time?As I am a genuine beginner at this I doubt I'll miss more esoteric features, especially as I will be mostly Digital, but I don't want to make a significant investment if I'm likely to need an upgrade within the yearThanks for any adviceReg

author: alin_im
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2016, 09:44:28 pm
content: Save up and take a Rigol DS1054Z you will not regret it, its about 350 on Rigol UK !!!I was like you about 2 years ago and my budget was limited, but think of it as an investment in yourself and it will be worth to save a little bit more. I have the one that I have recommend it and trust me it is worth it !If you don't care about warranty or wait to expire after 2 years i think, you can upgrade it to 100 MHz with a hack.Anyways this is 4 ch (if you are into MCU stuff and you want to decode I2C, SPI comms you can and the 4 ch will be helpful too see all the data ch at once) and is so much better than the rest.Hope it helps. Good luck.

author: regmigrant
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 29, 2016, 10:10:19 pm
content: I hadn't considered 4 channel because of the cost but that sounds interesting, thanks

author: alin_im
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2016, 10:26:42 pm
content: it is the successor of Rigol DS1052e and it is much more capable and the value for money cannot be beat !If you have time have a look on the review...It is a very good investment for home use and for the beginners the help menu is very good, you will learn a lot.

author: ayrex
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2016, 12:49:38 am
content: There's also the opportunity to buy oneof those scopes which can be hacked.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/hantek-tekway-dso-hack-get-200mhz-bw-for-free/

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2016, 12:59:06 am
content: Quote from: regmigrant on December 29, 2016, 09:25:46 pmProbably a SDS1052DL and yes they're bottom of the barrel, so much so that I won't stock them. Not that they're a dud or anything, they just have limited capabilities.My best seller and the lowest spec Siglent I'll stock is SDS1102CML (now a + version) and they're my best seller and the minimum I'd recommend to a hobbyist.http://www.siglentamerica.com/pdxx.aspx?id=4656&T=2&tid=1These are the authorised UK distributors if you prefer to support your local suppliers:PASS Ltd1 Alberto Street, Stockton on Tees, TS18 2BQ UK44 800 247 1600info@tester.co.ukwww.tester.co.ukLabtronix7 Durrell Close, Loughborough Leicestershire, LE11 5FA, UK44 (0)791 5695867enquire@labtronix.co.ukwww.labtronix.co.uk