Rigol DS1054Z  vs  Xminilab - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2015, 01:57:28 am
content: Just ordered a Rigol DS1054Z from Tequipement for:399.00 - 23.94 (eevblog discount) + free shipping = 375.06to test my Xminilab so I can find out if the Xminilab meets the following specs:- less than $100- good documentation- not used-- not AC based(because the Rigol cannot meet these specs)

author: dadler
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 06, 2015, 02:01:27 am
content: What?

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2015, 02:07:25 am
content: Quote from: dadler on May 06, 2015, 02:01:27 amMust be this thingy -

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2015, 02:15:12 am
content: Hmm, 2Msps vs 1Gsps and 200KHz vs 100MHz bandwidth, that Xminilab is not even in the same zipcode let alone the same ballpark as the RigolBut I guess it has features that the Rigol doesn't have, like a very low end AWG and LA features.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2015, 02:24:14 am
content: I'll follow up with a comparison of my car against a child's tricycle.

author: V8Snail
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 06, 2015, 02:34:44 am
content: Noted!

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2015, 02:38:15 am
content: Well ez24, you're correct on one item - the Rigol cannot beat the $100 spec of the xminilab.

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2015, 03:45:37 am
content: Quotewhat is AWG and LA ?- Nice picture of the Xminilab, the current ones only have amber display- If I have to follow a spec between a Cadillac and a tri-cycle, to go from here to the grocery store and the specification was I had to use a 3 wheel vehicle - what could I do ? (I do not have the ability to take off one wheel and make the cadi work on 3 wheels)I have put up some topics with specs and no one follows them. I do not understand, maybe a specification is not what I thinks it mean. For example if I spec that I want a scope under $100, everyone will say buy a $400 scope. What am I doing wrong? Any suggestions on what I can do ?Quotethank you - someone understands a spec (this is about another topic - not this one)

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2015, 03:51:02 am
content: Quote from: ez24 on May 06, 2015, 03:45:37 am(AWG) Arbitrary Waveform Generator(LA) Logic Analyzer

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2015, 04:39:19 am
content: BTW, why didn't you link your other post?https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/xscope____xmega-xminilab-oscilloscope-cheap-small-not-as-good-as-rigol/Your question would have made more sense (well kind of more sense because even that thread is a bit of confusing).So, you want a self contained (as in no computer needed) scope that is under $100 that is new and it's to teach on high school some fundamentals.I would say that at $69 the xminilab is a bit overpriced for what it does, but it has a better screen than its little brotherhttp://www.gabotronics.com/development-boards/xmega-xprotolab.htmBut be aware you need a power supply or at least a USB wall wart plus USB cable to power it up, and some jumper cables for either one of those cheap scopes.Only other alternative but you won't have an arbitrary wave generator or logic analyzer is to purchase cheap android tablets that uses the audio input as a scope, not sure if those programs can use the speaker output as a wave generator.Also, because of the confusion on both threads I would think you are teaching in a language other than English, right?So other than those gadgets the only other alternative I could think of is to contact some vendor to promote your class, it would be good publicity for them and the kids will get exposed early on to their brand, and we all know how strong brand loyalty is.So maybe contact all the major and medium manufacturers to see if they have some kind of educational discount or even donated equipment for a couple of pictures to go on their website and tax deductible for them.

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2015, 05:27:29 am
content: QuoteI once thought about this then forgot. Will look into this - thanks

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2015, 05:44:35 am
content: Just be aware that you can only use them with audio levels, so only use it with audio sources.Still I think your best bet is to contact Tektronix, Keysight, Siglent, Rigol, etc to see if they would supply your class with equipment for a fraction of the cost.Edit: Also to note that one scope like the Rigol DS1054Z you got instead of 4/5 of those boards would be worthwhile for them to share them.