Has Micsig changed their product direction with the MHO series? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: BillyGo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 04:37:52 pm
content: Micsig was well known for producing the largest and perhaps most responsive handheld oscilloscopes in the last 10 years.They called their product 'tablet scope', which is kind of fair with the ARM A9 processor they used in the early TO and STO series. The only thing I could complain about is their love of TN displays.However, with the release of the MHO series, it seems there might be a change in direction.The form and interface of new models resemble a portable version of a benchtop oscilloscope, similar to the latest offerings from Tektronix and Rigol.I am not sure if they will be the best choices to bring to the site, as all connectors are no longer on the side...

author: abeyer
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2025, 12:47:55 am
content: All of them besides the MHO1 essentially are bench scopes... you're not gonna hold a 16" display like a tablet!Personally I think the more traditional connection layout makes more sense most of the time, even for "the site." The couple times I tried the older micsigs before I found the combination of top + side connections really awkward. But I suppose that depends a lot on whatyoursite looks like.

author: egonotto
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2025, 06:41:19 am
content: Hello,I think the answer to that question is yes. Micsig is expanding its product range to include benchtop oscilloscopes.I like the layout of the "BNC" (Mic-OPI™ probe interface with BNC adapter) connectors. However, I don't understand why the trigger out connector has a Mic-OPI™ probe interface. That doesn't make sense to me.I'm interested to know if anyone else owns an MHO3 or even an MHO6.Best regardsegonotto

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2025, 11:24:41 am
content: I personally think MicSig has NO product direction...In last 10 years they kept stumbling left and right.I still have Micsig STO1104C and love it. I hoped they keep developing in that direction. They didn't, in fact they kept experimenting.At this moment I don't understand where they are going.

author: Sorama
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2025, 11:44:48 am
content: Quote from: 2N3055 on June 03, 2025, 11:24:41 amAin’t the new MHO1 a step in that direction you want?For me (no experience with Micsig), the MHO1 looks like a successor of the STO1104C.

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2025, 03:48:44 pm
content: Quote from: Sorama on June 03, 2025, 11:44:48 amNot really.I don't care for Multimeter..I don't care for front BNC. When handheld it is problem.I don't like knobs layout. Knobs are bigger and scope is overall bigger for same screen size.12 bit is not important for the purpose.I use it for portability. This MHO1 is larger.So no it is not a replacement or upgrade.It is new product type.Like a scopemeter but with wrong form factor..A carry it around the lab something.I don't really know.Replacement for STO1104C is STO1004, which has stupid joystick-y thingies.

author: Sorama
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2025, 03:54:48 pm
content: I'm sceptical that it is a whole other platform (way more entry level) then the MHO3 or indeed even the out of production STO1104C.I don't even trust the (very) low price as Micsig is topping up their prices in general.

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2025, 04:04:32 pm
content: Quote from: Sorama on June 03, 2025, 03:54:48 pmTheir prices are not low.Those Micsig are VERY basic scopes.DHO800 has more capabilities and SDS800xHD even more and prices of those two are smaller.

author: Sorama
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2025, 04:12:49 pm
content: I don't think we should compare benchtop scope with a field scope.Handhelds will always be more expense , have lesser specs and less features.And a battery is not available for the Siglent 800.I'm now taking our 2104X plus into the field and it is just not the right device for field analysis, where the (new) Micsifg will be way more suited.You call the Micsig VERY basic: is that in terms of features or performance?

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2025, 04:48:31 pm
content: Quote from: Sorama on June 03, 2025, 04:12:49 pmIn terms of features.An as I said, it is worse handheld scope than the old one.At this point if I had to replace it with something, it would be one of the full tablet ones without knobs whatsoever.At least it is compact.Or I would go with one of real scopemeters. In practice it was very rarely that I used 4 CH.I would rather go with some 2 ch scopemeter type with isolation.I did miss that on occasion.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2025, 06:42:43 pm
content: Quote from: Sorama on June 03, 2025, 04:12:49 pmThe latter is the reason why you shouldn't put the MicSig scopes in the 'handheld' category. IMHO it is not very sensible to place any kind of product / piece of equipment into some kind of category from a technical perspective. Categories are there so sales droids have some clue as to what to offer to a poorly informed (prospective) customer. If you know your needs, you'll know which kind of product / equipment will fullfill your needs.

author: electr_peter
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 03, 2025, 07:16:08 pm
content: I think Micsig scopes are pretty good. However, I just wish Micsig would keep same product line for longer while adding improvements along the line rather than just forgetting everything and changing form factor, GUI and input connector every 6 months.Micsig STO1104E Plus (with knobs; regular BNCs on top; handle on the left so you can hold it left hand and operate with right hand) still has some potential in terms of GUI/FW, but development was abandoned in favor of newer models.The new MHO14 looks similar with knobs, but handle location (on top instead of left side) and BNC location change may be significant in practice, difficult to tell without seeing device in real life. IMO MHO14 is expected to be either on the desk or on your neck with some strap.In short, if you think it's good for your needs, get it as "one-hit wonder". But don't expect any consistency in the future.

author: BillyGo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2025, 08:29:58 pm
content: Quote from: abeyer on June 03, 2025, 12:47:55 amThat's trueStill, I see the MHO1 as the natural successor to the STO series—a hefty, meter-shaped handheld scope. Maybe they changed the layout due to the full 4 pin socket for the multimeter function.Personally, i perfect the layout of traditional handheld scope , like holding a meter. Which is really helpful when you get one knee down trying to probe two RS485 pinouts

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2025, 08:40:13 pm
content: Quote from: 2N3055 on June 03, 2025, 04:48:31 pmSHS1000X offers this however proper HV isolation and quality probes safe for that purpose does cost......

author: BillyGo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2025, 10:33:44 pm
content: Quote from: Sorama on June 03, 2025, 04:12:49 pmThe retail price of MHO1 was quite close to the STO series while STO was launched in 2019.I haven’t tried any of their newer scopes since then. My STO1152C is still running the old Linux based OS...Its feature set is fairly basic but solid. Smooth ui(way faster than any other entry level scope) + real time digital lowpass high pass filter, that covers what I need for most of the time. I reach for it whenever i am not sitting on the front of my desk with the MSO7000.

author: BillyGo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2025, 10:56:36 pm
content: Quote from: 2N3055 on June 03, 2025, 04:48:31 pmI tried the original TO series from Micsig, but I never got comfortable driving everything from the touchscreen alone. The buttons and Knobs on STO has improved those exprence a lot, and still allow you to tuin the cursors via touch scream (frequently need due to lake of basic auto marker function)I still hang on to my Tek THS730, which is optically isolated. But it frequently picks up the mains hum on some vertical scale with no reason