Tektronix TBS1062 vs. Owon SDS6062 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: pradipkhare
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 24, 2013, 04:44:36 pm
content: Hi,I am going to use Oscilloscope first time, and looking to buy an oscilloscope in the range of 60MHz. I searched and narrowed down two products/ models namely; Tektronix TBS1062 and Owon SDS6062. Requesting your view/ opinion, suggestion, which one should I go for (Tektronix vs Owon)?I understand that Tektronix is one of the world leader in this domain, but not sure about their 1000 series, hence confused.Thanks.

author: Lukas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2013, 05:28:57 pm
content: Quote from: pradipkhare on September 24, 2013, 04:44:36 pms/is/has been/ They haven't come up with anything new in the budget-range for a long time...You may also want to take a look at the RIGOL DS1052E /1102E

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2013, 05:47:09 pm
content: No. By simple comparison, a comparable Rigol comes with 1mpts memory and is 50Mhz, hackable up to 100, for $330. A Siglent SDS1072CML with the long memory is the same price, with the same specs as the Rigol, but a larger, 7" screen. The Rigol DS1074Z, is 70Mhz, 4 channels, 12Mpts memory for only $585. Since you're willing to drop the money on the TBS, than just go buy a comparable Rigol.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2013, 05:53:34 pm
content: Tek low-end scopes are a complete joke these days compared to what you can get from the competition for the same money.

author: AndrejaKo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2013, 06:15:27 pm
content: I have Owon SDS7102, the 6062's bigger brother and I must say that there have been problems with build quality. If you take a look at the SDS7102 thread, you'll see that the SDS series had numerous problems in the past. It is said that new units are fine though, but you must first check the serial number. It should go something like SDS6062YYWWNNN, where YY is the year number, WW is the "week" number or in this case number of manufacturing lot and NNN is the number of the scope. If the scope is from 2012 or even earlier, don't buy it!Main plus sides for Owon are large screen with 8" diagonal and 800x600 resolution and 10M memory for each channel. The SDS6062V has VGA output as well. There's also a battery available, should you need it. Models from 2012 and later also have network port, so you can access the oscilloscope remotely, but the software isn't very good and data transfer has bugs. There's also SCPI support for newest scopes, but it's been recently added in a non-documented update, so there isn't much information about it. Screen update frequency is around 35 Hz for newest models, while those from early 2012 have around 25 Hz. 3On the other hand, the Tektronix is obsolete, as everyone else says. You can expect pretty good build quality with it though.So my advice is to try to see if some of the competing scopes are available. If they are, research them. If they aren't, then it's up to you to decide if you'd rather want proven quality with Tektronix or new features with Owon.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2013, 06:26:21 pm
content: I agree with Mike. The low end Tektronix scopes have been a joke for the last 20 years and seem to continue to do so tomorrow.I'd take a serious look at the scopes offered by Siglent (OEM for low end Lecroy gear) and Rigol.

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2013, 09:11:41 pm
content: The low end Tektronix scopes are good for school use. They can last long. But the technology is from year 1996. Later they added a color display and USB, but the funny 2,5kpoints memory remained.

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2013, 09:18:54 pm
content: Quote from: AndrejaKo on September 24, 2013, 06:15:27 pmWell, you never know how old the scope you buy really is, especially when shopping online.My DSOX2002A was manufactured in June 2012 (25th week of 2012). And I bought it from Farnell in April 2013 asnew, never used unit. No problem with that, but I find it funny. Here's my label.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/my-new-toy-%29-agilent-dsox2002a-sex-on-a-stick!/?action=dlattach;attach=48861;image

author: AndrejaKo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2013, 01:06:22 am
content: That's why I pointed out that there is a need to ask. If the supplier can't provide that information, then simply skip the supplier! Problem solved.On the other hand, a better definition when something goes from new to new-old stock should be clearly posted on distributor web sites.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 25, 2013, 01:19:28 am
content: Apart from calibration equipment does not expire if it sits on the shelves for a year. Especially if the manufacturer applies the obscure technique to release a mature product called 'testing a product before releasing it'. So I don't see a reason for distributors to label this as new old stock. It would also be helpful for manufacturers to add some distinguishing mark to fixed equipment. For example calling it SDS6062a, or put a 'new, improved version' sticker on the box.I'm not familiar with Agilent's production facility, but many manufacturers produce relatively low volume products (a DSO is low volume compared to most consumer electronics products) in batches. So they might make DSOX2000 scopes until they have enough stock, then switch to DSOX3000, etc. Depending on the size of this batch, this might account for months delay between production and reaching the sales channels.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 25, 2013, 01:36:02 am
content: The Tek TBS1000 series is an industry joke, it is essentially an almost 20 year old design. Get anything but that.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 25, 2013, 01:38:28 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on September 24, 2013, 06:26:21 pmNot so. Back in it's day, this was THE groudbreaking leading edge portable DSO. The first one that was truly affordable and real-time.It defined and drove the entire market for a long time. But not 20 years!

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 25, 2013, 01:41:38 am
content: Quote from: echen1024 on September 24, 2013, 05:47:09 pmI agree. The Rigol 1000Z is almost certainly the new leader in bang-per-buck in that price range.

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2013, 02:19:26 am
content: I love how even Tek's multi thousand dollar 3000 series only has a skimpy 10k points of memory. Hell, even my Siglent can do better than that!

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 25, 2013, 03:48:00 am
content: Note that they also sell plenty of more modern multi thousand dollar scopes with deeper memory. The only reason why they're still selling the TDS3000 series must be because customers keep buying them: the new Danahar overlords would discontinue it in a millisecond if it wasn't profitable.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 25, 2013, 05:10:23 am
content: Quote from: alm on September 25, 2013, 03:48:00 amYes, the same reason why Rigol will continue to sell the DS1052E. it'll only get pulled once demand drops off the bottom line of some KPI.

author: lemon
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2013, 07:32:04 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on September 25, 2013, 01:41:38 amIf the price of 550$ US isn't problem to you, the Rigol DS1074Z is the best in this price category.The Owon SDS6062 is 200$ US less expensive that Rigol DS1074.It is a cheap oscilloscope, good value of money with good technical characteristics, but less options and functions on fw vs Rigol.If the money is the most important limited factor to you, the SDS6062 is fine for you.I don't think that the newer model of SDS6062 (with lan and vga output) has the same problems like older production of SDS7102, don't think about this.

author: heavenfish
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 25, 2013, 01:35:40 pm
content: If you just need a tool for visualization, TBS1062 probably is still OK. It's an old design but with proven quality and reliability, many of its first generation TDS200 are still working. It's a bit more expensive, but consider the time it will work for you, the $/year would be similar or even cheaper.If you need a tool for debug, choose a scope with long record length. SDS6062 should be a good choice.Quote from: pradipkhare on September 24, 2013, 04:44:36 pm

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2013, 02:12:44 pm
content: If you're willing to pay $830 for the TBS1062, just go pay $839 for the Rigol DS2072. It's $839, comes with a whole crapload of features, and also, can be hacked to unlock all the features, such as serial decode, 56Mpts memory(?). It's significantly better value for money.

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2013, 10:04:38 pm
content: TBS1062 is suitable for people, who want a very simílar scope as they bought in 1996. Many people are used to this scope.But TBS1000 series is definitely not good choice for (young) hobbyists.