Siglent SDM 3055A $629 or Agilent 34461A $1097 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Docholiday
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2015, 07:05:50 pm
content: Which one to purchase - The Siglent SDM 3055A or the Agilent 34461A? Is the accuracy of the Agilent really that much better? Seriously is there that much difference that would impact your circuit design? Or perhaps in trouble shooting repair scenerio? The Agilent is a 6 1/2 digits and the Siglent at 5 1/2 can that full digit difference be that important?Thanks,Nicholas

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2015, 07:35:31 pm
content: Guess which one I bought.I thought I would never want/need a bench DMM but the ability to do dual A & V measurement was a clincher. I'm still learning the features of the Siglent, new FW in the last few days should have fixed the reported bugs.Whats the boot time for a 34461A?Absolute measurement accuracy is for volt-nuts IMO and 5 1/2 digits is plenty IME.

author: dadler
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 23, 2015, 07:55:28 pm
content: The good news is that they have the exact same UI

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 23, 2015, 08:01:12 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on April 23, 2015, 07:35:31 pmAbout 29 seconds on the latest firmware.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 23, 2015, 08:17:09 pm
content: Do you really want to pay almost $100 for GPIB of 3055A?

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 23, 2015, 08:35:10 pm
content: The non A version actually looks like a nice meter for the money. I don't think I would pay that much extra for GPIB.

author: Docholiday
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2015, 10:26:22 pm
content: Thanks Lightages! Did not catch that! The SDM 3055 is $469 that saves me two hundred dollars.

author: LaurentR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2015, 05:40:38 am
content: Quote from: Docholiday on April 23, 2015, 10:26:22 pmBoth the Keysight and the Siglent can be had at Tequipment with the discount (and free shipping on the Siglent), so actual prices are even lower.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2015, 06:44:37 am
content: Quote from: wraper on April 23, 2015, 08:01:12 pmSiglent SDM3055A with latest formware... 24 Seconds.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 17, 2015, 09:27:47 pm
content: The case and UI looks identical to Keysights, anybody got a side by side of the internals? Is the SDM3055 a clone or is it made by keysight (or vice versa)? Price Seems a bargain but guess it comes down to to do you "trust the instrument".

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2015, 09:50:38 pm
content: Quote from: bartdinger on July 17, 2015, 09:27:47 pmWould you think Agilent and Siglent make their own cases in todays world. I very much doubt it.Much new TE is now housed in very similar looking cases.Photos and links here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-new-bench-dmm-sdm3055/msg637615/#msg637615

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 17, 2015, 09:57:30 pm
content: Thanks for link, I know we somebody would have taken it apart somewhere.Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

author: rosbuitre
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2015, 11:31:51 am
content: The circuits are completely different, they are not the same DMM with different brand.I think Siglent copy the front of Agilent, the Keysight BenchVue of software is very useful and very comprehensive, newcomers have Siglent (SDG805 and SDP3303D) I do not use the technical support, but the Keysight (34461A) is excellent, they respond in minutes any doubt and they provide a customized solution, you attends and follows the case one support engineer, for example send email to DER EE (DE-5000) more than a month ago and never answeredRegards

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2015, 11:47:34 am
content: I think you can not beat the quality and reliability of the Keysight 34461A. The first one I got in 2013 and it just works perfectly every day.And if you have a problem, Keysight will help ultra fast with their customer service.I got a scratch on the polycarbonate display of my 34461A and the first answer from Keysight was, that I had to send the instrument in for service, since that part is not being sold at all. After I complained, they investigated and made it available for very little money. There is still some HP spirit left inside of Keysight and I really appreciate this fast reaction to customers need.

author: Docholiday
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2015, 01:17:12 pm
content: Thank you for all your replies. After careful thought and speaking with Keysight I opted for 34465A with the discount from Tequipment. It came down to two reasons. 1. The support from Keysight and sales. 2. The meters accuracy (over time). I must have called Agilent/Keysight a million times both tech support and pre-sales with every call or email Agilent took the time to answer my questions, no matter how stupid my questions were. Even sales followed up with phone calls and email. Just for a $1500 dollar sale! Can you imagine if I were going to purchase a $10,000 scope or something? I think my door bell would be ringing at that point.Now that is a company that is making it about you. There may be other tech equipment available just as good or cheaper but its not an Agilent. So, I will save for a little longer from now on to get that Agilent sitting on my work bench. Next, puchase will be the Agilent U1253B.Nicholas

author: rosbuitre
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2015, 02:08:10 pm
content: Quote from: Docholiday on July 18, 2015, 01:17:12 pmExcellent, you will not regret it, it's like you say, you are treated like a real customer, not as if they do you a favor selling you an instrument.Clarify, my experience is with Keysight not opine of Siglent because still not in use, recently received the two Siglent.RegardsOsvaldo

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 18, 2015, 02:23:22 pm
content: @.....DocholidayIt's late here and I wasn't going to post but your last comment woke me up, we purchased a U1272a off ebay many years ago and it was listed as used but basically new in the box and it was about the time that people were having troubles with the early versions, I rang the distributor Trio Test and all they wanted was our details and the serial number.Two days later I got a phone call from the rep who notified me that he would be out that afternoon with the USB to IR cable for the firmware upgrade free of charge, so we got the ring on the door bell and didn't spend a cent, impressive is an understatement, we now own three...To Keysight and Trio Test and Measurement (I have no association with either)PS: apparently Keysights warranty is transferable and not limited to the original purchaser, dont quote me on this but lately I have been reading up on various manufacturers policies.Muttley

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2015, 02:50:37 pm
content: Quote from: Muttley Snickers on July 18, 2015, 02:23:22 pmThat is very true!I had about three items repaired, free of charge by Keysight Germany, which I bought in the UK, US and Spain.All they cared about was the serial number and then I sent it to them for service.Less than 10 days, each one was repaired perfectly and returned free of charge.

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 18, 2015, 03:08:29 pm
content: Thanks HighVoltage for confirming, all these warranty statements are open somewhat to interpretation and I've been trying to clarify a couple of points, particularly goods purchased from auction sites such as Ebay since Trio also list equipment on such sites.I'm not here to bag the other manufacturers policies and there is currently another thread for this discussion but I must say that Keysight seem to be a step ahead in this regard, just my thoughts by the way.Many ThanksMuttley

author: tombi
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2015, 03:11:31 pm
content: A Secondto Trio and Keysight. Trio found me a nearly half-priced (refurbed) MSOX2024A a month back! I like this device very much!I note that element14 in Australia have the 34461A right now for $1204 AUD (which is $887USD!). Amusingly if you open an ABN account with them they offer you a discount code that brings it down more.http://au.element14.com/keysight-technologies/34461a/multimeter-bench-6-5-digit-true/dp/231106201No I don't work for element14 or trio. Yes I spend too much money on toys.

author: dadler
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 18, 2015, 10:25:15 pm
content: Quote from: Docholiday on July 18, 2015, 01:17:12 pmYou will be very happy with the 34465A. It is an excellent instrument.And thanks for the info, I did not realize that Tequipment would special order Agilent/Keysight. I bought my 34465A from Newark, and got no discount and had to pay 8.5% sales tax

author: Docholiday
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2015, 01:46:36 am
content: I can hardly wait for it. As there is a 4 to 6 week delay from Agilent. So, perhaps 2nd or 4th week August - I'll just wait for now!

author: LaurentR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2015, 03:55:46 am
content: Quote from: Docholiday on July 19, 2015, 01:46:36 amI am not sure how the 34465A is different from the 34461A, but Tequipment seems to stock the 34461A but the 34465A is custom order from the factory and the factory has no stock. Mine took a little less than 3 weeks to ship (for the same 4-6 weeks announced).

author: LabSpokane
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2015, 06:05:09 am
content: Quote from: tautech on July 17, 2015, 09:50:38 pmI can virtually guarantee you that AgilSight has their own tooling. HP traditionally was VERY particular about their plastics. And when the tool reaches its life, they make the molding shop destroy the core and cavity with a stick welder and will send an engineer to witness it. That way no one else can clone their product as easily.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2015, 11:04:22 pm
content: Quote from: LabSpokane on July 19, 2015, 06:05:09 amThat maybe how things were done in the past.However we under estimate how much influence Asians now have in products today:Check out the range of stuff from these guys:http://www.enclosures.com.cn/en_showP.php?id=445

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 20, 2015, 04:13:47 am
content: I can accept 'similarities' but I think if you took the badges off you would be hard pressed to tell them apart, even powered on since the UI looks identical too. You'd think there would be some kind of copyright infringement here. Siglent 3055 seems good value regardless of where they got their IP from.

author: LabSpokane
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2015, 01:45:00 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on July 19, 2015, 11:04:22 pmThanks for the link. Those are interesting facsimiles. But not identical.