OWON XDS3102A oscilloscope unpack review - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: OWON
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2016, 08:00:40 am
content: Hello, EEvbloggersThis is Robin Chan from OWON Marketing Group. We are pleased to share the information of OWON's product with you in this forum.These days, OWON will release video shows to exhibit you more aspects of OWON oscilloscope. The first one has release, the unpack review of XDS oscilloscope.https://youtu.be/ZRSYQywZ5jkIn the following chapter, we'll show you how to use the touch screen in XDS oscilloscope. Meanwhile, if you have any comments or suggestions about OWON's product you own, welcome to discuss with us below.RegardsRobin Chan from Fujian Lillput Optoelectronic Technology Co.,Ltd

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2016, 08:57:36 am
content: Welcome to the forum Robin.I like many others on EEVblog would like to know more about your products.Please share your product range with us.

author: GEuser
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2016, 09:38:04 am
content: Robin is a game one , good luck to him .The gadget looks good , hopefully it'll perform as good as it looks but confusing as the sds had a multimeter of sorts such as the voltage display but it might be a useful thing ?.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2016, 09:46:03 am
content: Quote from: GEuser on April 06, 2016, 09:38:04 amMy welcome is sincere, don't you want to know more about TE, any TE regardless of brand, hell I do.

author: GEuser
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2016, 09:52:24 am
content: Quote from: tautech on April 06, 2016, 09:46:03 amTech equipment? , ya got me foooked , if so yeh for sure , sincere me too btw ...

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 06, 2016, 10:29:04 am
content: Yes as others have said welcome to the forum, I am actually looking to purchase one of your multimeters the B35T Bluetooth Meter and if it's any good I will happily flog it to death around here, if it's no good then I will just flog it to death.I wonder if they ever sent Dave one of their scopes as there was a mention of it in another thread, be careful of their website though it caused my TV to freeze twice and I could not get rid of the silly popup thing that follows you around, just ridiculous.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/new-owon-xds-oscilloscopes/

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2016, 11:04:21 am
content: Hey Robin,The scope does look interesting. Is there or will there be a 4ch variant? I couldn't find a 4ch XDS3000A on the OWON website.

author: pxl
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2016, 05:46:37 pm
content: Quote from: OWON on April 06, 2016, 08:00:40 amThanks Robin, it is really appreciated that you've come here to help about these devices. Some thoughts first:- please make these videos in fullHD at least; it really matters to see the device in details, the screens, the quality, etc.- please change that horrid condensed Times font in the UI of the scope (which you can find on any boxes and users manuals come with the dirty cheap and low quality products from China). If it is a quality product, it does not help to prove that. Not to mention that this font actually bad as a UI font. Change that. Please.- please try to be more focused and concise. It is enough to show the back of the product, we can see all the inputs. This video was pretty long, yet hardly contain useful information.- please add more detail and high resolution images to the product page (including actual screenshots). The current page is far below any expectation - it rather discourages the potential buyers.Thanks and keep providing the videos.

author: OWON
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2016, 12:52:46 am
content: Quote from: tautech on April 06, 2016, 08:57:36 amAppreciate your welcome. OWON is specialized in Test & Measurement Equipment. Our product including oscilloscopes, signal generators, power supply, multimeter and clamp meter. More new kind of product is in research now, will release soon.

author: OWON
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2016, 01:06:21 am
content: Quote from: Muttley Snickers on April 06, 2016, 10:29:04 amThanks for your welcome. You could mail us atinfo@owon.com.cnif you have interest and intention to purchase our B35T. Yes, we've been discuss with Dave and Marmad in the forum about the possibilty to do the review of this XDS oscilloscope. Pleased to get the positive reply. Nowadays, we've arranged the oscilloscope for Marmad to review in this forum. After then, hope we have chances to send it to Dave and do the review.

author: OWON
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2016, 01:09:22 am
content: Quote from: Wuerstchenhund on April 06, 2016, 11:04:21 amYes, 4ch variant is taken into project now, haven't released yet but you will see it soon.

author: OWON
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2016, 01:18:49 am
content: Quote from: pxl on April 06, 2016, 05:46:37 pmThanks for your advise, we'll absorb your feedback and improve our video and products.

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2016, 02:08:08 am
content: Thank you for the review.

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2016, 02:11:42 am
content: Quote from: pxl on April 06, 2016, 05:46:37 pmThe video is 720p HD, it is quite OK.

author: The Electrician
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2016, 11:33:25 pm
content: Did anybody else notice that this scope is available with 12 bit vertical resolution:http://www.owon.com.hk/products.asp?ParentID=57&SortID=87Does anybody else in the low cost scope market have that?

author: rf-loop
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2016, 06:59:25 am
content: Quote from: The Electrician on April 08, 2016, 11:33:25 pmAs you can see this thread name have XDS3102Aand it is 12 bit version.Also herehttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/new-owon-xds-oscilloscopes/25/is handled more about 12bit. Using forum search you can find more.

author: OWON
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2016, 12:56:51 am
content: Quote from: rf-loop on April 09, 2016, 06:59:25 amThanks for explaining.

author: pascal_sweden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2016, 02:39:39 am
content: Hello Robin,Please consider to move the buttons below the screen of the oscilloscope a bit more up towards the screen.It seems that the buttons below the screen are almost touching the ground.Why are they not vertically centered between screen and bottom, or at least closer to the screen?

author: rf-loop
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2016, 04:38:12 am
content: Quote from: pascal_sweden on April 11, 2016, 02:39:39 amHow much you have used it in practice? I have used it quite lot, several months and I do not feel any kind of problems with buttons under screen. Also used with and without front legs. Also after your message I have tested it with many kind of situations and try also some different way to position my hands and fingers because different users. Personally I do not find any problem. I have never feel "why they are not bit more upper".I do not know how much this, "optional 1024 x 768 pixels IPS display", has contributed to the design.What feels bad is cosmetic things. Front panel "figures" are just terrible. Who hell have used his pen for these lines and angles. Please do not copy anything from Rigol. If want some kind of professional serious tool outlook please ask help from some. These "modern" deasigns looks like from toyfactory. And there Owon is not alone. In this toylook group there is many starting from Keysight, Tektronix etc. Sad. I really do not want my lab is like hongkong market street with thousends of different colors and figures. Clothes marketing may need fashion trends. Is is same with test and measurement lab equipments. Imho - No, no and no.Attached one image. No need quess which one do not never come inside my workshop or house.

author: F5D
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 11, 2016, 05:53:06 am
content: Quote from: rf-loop on April 11, 2016, 04:38:12 amI fully agree. I actually find it a little bit strange how different people feel about some product's design. I am really surprised that for example Dave prefers the Rigol design over many simpler designs. I would never ever buy any Rigol, no matter how good specs, because they look just too messy overall. The new Siglent 2000-series on the other hand is quite close to perfect in looks. I really care about how my equipment looks. I simply do not want ugly equipment on my bench. The button layout does not need to be too complicated. Avoiding too many colors and shapes leads to more professional look. This Owon has potential to look great. It is not a Rigol yet, luckily, but I would possibly remove the blue stripes from the knobs and the grey "corner grapchics" of various sections. In some cases they do not have any function, even a printed title in them. Otherwise, quite ok.

author: radhaz
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2016, 06:25:11 am
content: I will be a user of this scope in a week or so. I'll let you know how I like those bottom buttons.

author: rf-loop
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2016, 06:33:09 am
content: Quote from: F5D on April 11, 2016, 05:53:06 amExactly.Perhaps there is also some cultural things. Chinese figure and specially color world is very different. Of course they are blind to these, same as we are blind for things where we have born. Now they have loosed totally road because they do not know what to do. Some times they try mix chinese and western. Some times they think western want some "fashion trend". Perhaps with clothes etc but not laboratory equipments. They are tools, they are working tools, they are not for "decorating" working room. Agen, I do not want my lab is like Shanghai or Honkong market street with thousends of different screaming images and colors and blinking lights etc.Perhaps I'm too conservative. I have born over 60 year ago and live with 70, 80, 90 era Hewlett-Packard and Tektronix (where I like HP outlook design bit better than Tek. Also both have made big mistakes some times. There are also many other good designs.Also this outlook/ergonomy design is not money question nearly at all. But it need experiece, it need more experience - also knowledge about human physiology and so on. But, chinese do not have experience. Because they do not have history with developing higher grade equipments. Who ever read whole set of HP journals may understand how long road it is... But in China nearly total lack of experience about good industrial useability design. Why. Just because they have just 10-20 years ago born and with new bit more quality electronics they have been even less time. Also lack of real product quality thinking is - where. Something is started going better but far away from real ok (but there come also price). They are like young "childrens" in these things. I hope they do not feel bad with my words. It is not only negative. Old fox can learn but do not easy change... young children can learn and very flexible develop better.

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2016, 11:44:13 pm
content: This older Rigol looks OK.http://www.rigolna.com/products/dc-power-supplies/dp1000a/dp1308a/

author: KL27x
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 05:13:56 am
content: Hmmm... I like color-coding. Colored buttons are a lot easier to see and remember than sometimes arbitrary labels. Everytime I use, say, my scope, I end up squinting and re-learning what "F7" means.I like the tri-colored Rigol PSU, personally... But if it ever malfunctioned, I'd curse it out for being overly complicated, simply based on the display.

author: pascal_sweden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 12:03:40 pm
content: Yes, I also agree that the older design of the Rigol power supply looked much better and much more professional!If Rigol is reading this, please move back to your old design!

author: MrSlack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 12:48:06 pm
content: Quote from: pxl on April 06, 2016, 05:46:37 pm+1 for this. There is nothing that says cheap Chinese shit more than Times New Roman slathered all over everything

author: OWON
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2016, 01:26:20 am
content: Quote from: MrSlack on April 12, 2016, 12:48:06 pmI suppose it is because that many softwares in China offers Times New Roman as the default font in English input.That cause many Chinese manufacturers thinking it is good to use this font. Anyway, we'll take your advice and improve the UI. Thank you.

author: pascal_sweden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2016, 09:01:31 am
content: Hello OWON,How about the position of the buttons below the screen?Don't you think they are a bit on the low side?Why are they almost at the bottom of the oscilloscope?Could have been a better design decision to have them more centered vertically, or at least not so low

author: OWON
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2016, 02:28:52 am
content: Quote from: pascal_sweden on April 13, 2016, 09:01:31 amHiThanks for your advise.

author: radhaz
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2016, 03:46:17 am
content: I just got this scope with every option available.It's been running on the battery since I received it, been playing around with it. The low battery notification just came up, telling me "the battery is not enough" Firmware 2.4.0.0. It soon would not boot until I plugged it in to mains power. About 4 hours.Seems like a pretty nice package physically, no creaking sounds when I grab it and twist the case. Boot time is a bit longer compared to the SDS 7102 I have, but there's a lot more stuff going on. It's probably on par with the Keysight 3000t I have at work.The fonts for the display don't bother me much, they are clear and tell me what I want to know.The bottom buttons! I haven't used them much, I have been using the touch interface. The physical buttons seem OK, my fingers reach them without problems.As I begin to actually use the scope, I may give further impressions.

author: rf-loop
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2016, 05:02:24 am
content: Quote from: radhaz on April 15, 2016, 03:46:17 amWhat model exactly. XDS3102A ?I ask because this is strange: Firmware 2.4.0.0 ??What are these all Options what was now available.I have find that mixed use with touch panel + knobs together is quite nice after short time training.If you have 2 channel 25MHz Function/Arb generator it is nice if you tell how it works.Time when I get my XDS3102A there was quite limited amount of options available.(Only Touch, Wi-Fi and VGA)

author: radhaz
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2016, 05:39:48 am
content: I have the XDS3102A.The firmware is reported as 2.4.0.0This is a unit sold by an Ebay seller. Right after I pushed the BUY button, I got an email telling me that they had tried to update the firmware, but there was a problem, and the unit needed a new main board. They asked me if I still wanted the unit, I said yes. They said it would have new firmware.Owon is very vague about firmware updates. Their update site only tells you your firmware is up to date, they never tell you what has been fixed, or what the firmware progress is.I too like the touch plus knobs interface. I think I will learn it pretty fast. It is not the same as a Keysight 3000t, which I have been using at work, but I can learn to use it.I haven't used the function generator, except to see traces on the scope. I have only had this scope for about 6 hours. My first impressions are it is a nice scope for the price. As I use it more, I may update my impressions.

author: pascal_sweden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2016, 04:20:46 pm
content: Nice to know about the battery option!In case of using the battery, the scope can be used to make floating measurements.But what about the ground connection on BNC1 and BNC2. Are they isolated or connected with each other?What about the external trigger input and external pass/fail output? Do these have isolated ground, separate from BNC1 and BNC2?

author: rf-loop
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2016, 05:11:55 pm
content: Quote from: pascal_sweden on April 15, 2016, 04:20:46 pmAll together reliable connected to common GND (just also for human safety) as normally in nearly all table top oscilloscopes.Isolated probes are for work where need isolation with table top scope. Hand held scopes are bit different.There is available example Fluke Scopemeters and other brand isolated models. If isolation is not "carp toy" they are mostly also much more expensive than non isolated models. Because it is not very cheap to do so that they also meet all safety standards.

author: pascal_sweden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2016, 01:23:18 am
content: Can OWON provide more details about dealers in the following countries?- Belgium- Netherlands- Sweden- NorwayDo all of them already carry the OWON XDS3102A oscilloscope?Thanks in advance,Pascal

author: OWON
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2016, 02:52:43 am
content: Quote from: pascal_sweden on April 19, 2016, 01:23:18 amYes, OWON Does have dealer in those countries. For privacy sake, you could contact us at info@owon.com.cn to know more information about these dealers.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2016, 10:44:07 am
content: Quote from: OWON on April 13, 2016, 01:26:20 amPerhaps I'm the only person who doesn't really care about how it looks? As long as it's functional, high quality and easy to use, I don't care how it looks, within reason of course.You could change the font but then someone else may prefer the old Times New Roman font and same with the use interface colour scheme.If you want to please as many people as possible, if it's not too much trouble, you could include a setting to change between several different fonts.I haven't use the XDS3102A. I have a DS7102V and would like the option of being able to hide the menus and just view the waveform full screen.I'd like to be able to use a higher screen resolution, when connected to an external monitor.A four channel oscilloscope with a battery option would be nice too.

author: Carrington
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2016, 01:19:59 pm
content: Another review:http://blog.goo.ne.jp/electronics_diy_5

author: rf-loop
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2016, 04:18:29 pm
content: I do not know how this Japanese people have exactly measured wfm/s speed.Here are tables what I have measured using original XDS model first FW.One channel in use! (In table there is mistake in text. This is with ONE channel in use.Agen: Note, in this taable is one channel in use and text CH1 + CH2 is wrong. There need read CH1 alone.Here two channels in use.I have also documented measurement method using second oscillosope connected to trig out.These speeds in tables are average speeds what include also processing and display update time cap.Inside one TFT update period, burst speed reach very close Owon advertised 75kwfm/s but personally I do like that max burst speed is used as normal maximum wfm/s speed.After I made these tables I get new FW from Owon and there was small improvement also in wfm/s speed.Strange but also after this FW update scope show same FW version. But I know it is new because Serial trigger one bug is sure repaired.I have not (yet) made new tables (it IS time consuming work when do all with douple or triple check etc)Here also one example about documentation how these are measured, with every single different settings. In this case used Siglent scope connected to Owon Trig/out. (Also wfm/s speed values checked using Agilent 53131 counter when values are accepted to tables. Counter need use carefully manually adjusted trigger levels. auto trig leveling can not always trig reliable)(in this image there is new FW) There can see average speed and also burst peak speed in second scope. Zoom window show separate trig out pulses. )

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2016, 04:38:04 pm
content: Well, I prefer when the motherboard is hidden in a metal cover, as common in many scopes, like Rigol, Siglent, Keysight...

author: pxl
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2016, 07:27:57 pm
content: Quote from: Hydrawerk on April 19, 2016, 04:38:04 pmHmm, I cannot spot any traces of fans. Does it have? My distributor said, it has.

author: rf-loop
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2016, 09:01:17 pm
content: Quote from: pxl on May 03, 2016, 07:27:57 pmYes it have. And very silent one.

author: pxl
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2016, 09:45:18 pm
content: Nice, thanks!Now we just need to reach that they implement measurement statistics, raise the FFT points from 8192 (as per the manual) for exampleAnd when the 2 GS/s 200 MHz version is expected to show up?

author: OWON
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2016, 12:53:28 am
content: Quote from: pxl on May 03, 2016, 09:45:18 pm2GS/s 200MHz version will show up soon (this summer if possible).

author: hexpope
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2016, 06:14:56 pm
content: I have just found out about the XDS3000A series scope. I owned a SDS7000V series before and it sucked. I vowed never to go back to OWON for a scope again, after selling the other one and purchasing a Rigol 4 channel scope and I was extremely happy with it and I still am !After seeing this new design version, it looks very promising.Anybody in Europe selling this version of scopes ?

author: radhaz
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2016, 10:33:37 pm
content: Quote from: Carrington on April 19, 2016, 01:19:59 pmUpdated linkhttp://blog.goo.ne.jp/electronics_diy_5/e/1be4bdb5f573b00e76701b950b422269?fm=entry_awp

author: radhaz
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2016, 10:45:55 pm
content: Quote from: hexpope on August 21, 2016, 06:14:56 pmhttp://www.messgeraete-chemnitz.de/OWON-Oszilloskope/OWON-XDS2102A-100MHz-2-Kanal-12bit

author: hexpope
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2016, 10:51:39 pm
content: Thanks buddy for the updated link for the review. I clicked on the link that the other user posted, but I was bringing me to a Siglent review instead.

author: fonograph
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2016, 01:08:58 am
content: I need low noise oscilloscope,Siglent SDS 1102X seems to have lowest noise in this price range,are these 12bit Owons better? Siglent have 500uV range,Owon only 1mv minimum

author: radhaz
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2016, 03:16:47 am
content: What 12-bit gets you is better resolution of small signal or large signal details. I don't really know about the noise figure.

author: rf-loop
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2016, 04:14:35 am
content: Quote from: fonograph on December 19, 2016, 01:08:58 amSiglent win (noise) clearly without any doupt.(and also Owon 2mV/div and 1mV/div they are forced bandwidth rejected. )Even when Siglent is good I hope they do better.It is not reason for keep this level just because Rigol or Keysight or Tektronix is much worse. Better can still do better. High end or state of art front end linearity, 1/f noise, noise, bandwidth shape and enough sharp band stop is still very far away. Also (for many scope manufacturers) need note that 50 ohm DC resistance is NOT same as 50ohm impedance over whole frequency band. (yes I like perfect in these things. I do not care bells and whistles. Base things need be - just as good as possible (but in some relation to price)I have both (and some times some others) and I have compared these previously face to face.But it need note that Owon (also if look noise) is not bad. Also it have some advantages. It need always remember that there is not universal best. What is best for single individual user depends what he need, what he like and what is important and what is less important "feature". Owon screen (TFT) is best what I have seen in any scope in this class. (perhaps becaause inside house there is knowledge, due to Lilliput)

author: patrik96
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2017, 06:09:40 pm
content: Please so kind to help:I have a OWON 3102A and want to firmware upgrade, but I have no upgrade button on the Function menu! That is serious?

author: baoblackcoal
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 18, 2017, 02:23:24 am
content: Hi patrik96You could contact OWON directly through mail at : info@owon.com.cn