DS1054Z

[adam.sage]

I've been looking at the the DS1054Z for a couple years now and am thinking about finally buying it. My fear at this point is they will come out with a new version right after I buy it. Does anyone here know what their release cycle is, or if I should even worry about it? I looked at a couple competitors that were released recently but the DS1054Z still seems to be the best buy. Would anyone disagree with that? I'm not looking to do anything major with it, I'm mainly buying it to learn more about electronics.

[bd139]

Iwouldn’t worry. It’s been around a while so most of the horrible bugs have been worked out and there have been a few small hardware revisions now which is probably a good plus over even a new model.

As for obsolescence, don’t worry. Electrons are electrons. A lot of people, me included, use equipment that is 30 years+ old on a regular basis.

I am a DS1054Z owner for ref.

[Jeroen3]

My fear at this point is they will come out with a new version right after I buy it.

Yes. Someone probably will. With your state of mind you will be in perpetual indecisiveness.

^{*owns DS1104z-s}

[Old Printer]

Right now they are having a fire sale and it looks to be a great opportunity. I am thinking of grabbing one myself. Siglent is about to release a 4 ch scope in that general price range. We have not had a good look at it and everybody is wondering the same thing you are. The 1054z is well known and at $325 or so is a steal. I am one of those who always wants the latest and greatest, but first adopters pay a price. Dave

[Brumby]

This:

My fear at this point is they will come out with a new version right after I buy it.

Yes. Someone probably will. With your state of mind you will be in perpetual indecisiveness.

^{*owns DS1104z-s}

The 1054 has earned its stripes - and is destined to be a "classic" in the low end scope range.  As said, it's been around long enough for the firmware to become pretty stable and mature.

Will there be a new version?  Possibly.  Will there be a whole new model released?  Undoubtedly - but when is the million dollar question... and there will be 10,000 $100 questions as well.

The thing is, you've waited 2 years already - so the next in line is now 2 years closer to release.  It may be tomorrow or it may be in another 2 years ... ... ... or more.

Make a decision - and if it is to buy now, be brave enough to accept the possibility that a new model might appear before Christmas.

[bitseeker]

If a new model comes out tomorrow, you probably shouldn't buy it. New stuff has bugs and it takes time (maybe a long time) to be discovered and fixed. Unless you enjoy discovering and reporting the bugs, you're better off with a mature product (regardless of brand) so that you can focus on your projects.

And welcome to the forum, Adam.

[rstofer]

I've been looking at the the DS1054Z for a couple years now and am thinking about finally buying it. My fear at this point is they will come out with a new version right after I buy it. Does anyone here know what their release cycle is, or if I should even worry about it? I looked at a couple competitors that were released recently but the DS1054Z still seems to be the best buy. Would anyone disagree with that? I'm not looking to do anything major with it, I'm mainly buying it to learn more about electronics.

It is probably true that the DS1054Z is the king of the entry level scopes - today.  We know for a fact that Siglent has released the SDS1204X-E in China and expect it to be released worldwide in the near future.  It has a couple of advantages over the DS1054Z - it comes fully featured, no unlocking required and it has 200 MHz of bandwidth.  What we don't know is whether it works and, if it doesn't, how long it will take Siglent to fix it.

You can be absolutely positive there will be a better scope coming along at some point.  The only question is do you want to wait or do you want to get on with things.

BTW, the SDS1204X-E may be priced somewhat higher than the DS1054Z but nobody knows for sure.  Suppose it was $500, would you be interested in twice the bandwidth for the extra money?

[2N3055]

BTW, the SDS1204X-E may be priced somewhat higher than the DS1054Z but nobody knows for sure.  Suppose it was $500, would you be interested in twice the bandwidth for the extra money?

Prices I'we seen so far as recommended are SDS1104X-E (100MHz) - 429 € (without VAT) and SDS1204X-E (200MHz) 659 € (without VAT)...

And hopefully with necessary capacitors already installed..
If it works well software and hardware quirks wise, it will be better deal than Z spec wise..

Regards,
Sinisa

[tautech]

BTW, the SDS1204X-E may be priced somewhat higher than the DS1054Z but nobody knows for sure.  Suppose it was $500, would you be interested in twice the bandwidth for the extra money?

The official price will be released soon but indications from ex-factory pricing will put the 100 MHz version ~$500 or maybe just under.

[Mr. Scram]

I've been looking at the the DS1054Z for a couple years now and am thinking about finally buying it. My fear at this point is they will come out with a new version right after I buy it. Does anyone here know what their release cycle is, or if I should even worry about it? I looked at a couple competitors that were released recently but the DS1054Z still seems to be the best buy. Would anyone disagree with that? I'm not looking to do anything major with it, I'm mainly buying it to learn more about electronics.

Siglent is about to release a four channel competitor, but is appears the prices are going to be higher.

P.s. maybe I shouldn't read the whole thread before responding.

[rstofer]

BTW, the SDS1204X-E may be priced somewhat higher than the DS1054Z but nobody knows for sure.  Suppose it was $500, would you be interested in twice the bandwidth for the extra money?

The official price will be released soon but indications from ex-factory pricing will put the 100 MHz version ~$500 or maybe just under.

A 100 MHz version is not interesting.  That corner of the market is already satisfied, in my view...
The only conceivable reason for me to add the Siglent to the Rigol is to double the bandwidth.  And maybe the FFT will work better - not that I ever use FFT.

[nanofrog]

The only conceivable reason for me to add the Siglent to the Rigol is to double the bandwidth.

Technically true OTB.

But it's easy to use the Riglol 1.03d keygen page and get the 1054Z to 100MHz, as well as double the memory and all of the software decode options for zero additional cost. 

[bitseeker]

I think that's what rstofer was referring to. The 100 MHz Siglent isn't interesting because the Rigol can easily be made 100 MHz. So, only the 200 MHz Siglent is a potentially worthy prospect for purchase.

[rstofer]

The only conceivable reason for me to add the Siglent to the Rigol is to double the bandwidth.

Technically true OTB.

But it's easy to use the Riglol 1.03d keygen page and get the 1054Z to 100MHz, as well as double the memory and all of the software decode options for zero additional cost. 

Of course and already done.  I have a 100 MHz Rigol with decoding.  The only way the new Siglent is interesting (to me) is if it doubles the bandwidth to 200 MHz.  Otherwise, what's the point?

[Old Printer]

The only conceivable reason for me to add the Siglent to the Rigol is to double the bandwidth.

Technically true OTB.

But it's easy to use the Riglol 1.03d keygen page and get the 1054Z to 100MHz, as well as double the memory and all of the software decode options for zero additional cost. 

Of course and already done.  I have a 100 MHz Rigol with decoding.  The only way the new Siglent is interesting (to me) is if it doubles the bandwidth to 200 MHz.  Otherwise, what's the point?

There is quite a debate going on in the Test Equipment forum under the Siglent name, about some additional differences beyond bandwidth. Rigol fans vs Siglent fans and a few innocent bystanders. I am not DSO knowledgeable enough to take part, but it is a bit interesting. Still looking to understand why I should pay an extra $100 for otherwise similar scopes. Stay tuned . Dave

[bitseeker]

Even the Siglent 100 MHz has some advantages such as higher sampling rates under certain configurations. Of course, whether they matter depends on how and what you use the scope for. For many, either will be more than enough.

[nanofrog]

The only conceivable reason for me to add the Siglent to the Rigol is to double the bandwidth.

Technically true OTB.

But it's easy to use the Riglol 1.03d keygen page and get the 1054Z to 100MHz, as well as double the memory and all of the software decode options for zero additional cost. 

Of course and already done.  I have a 100 MHz Rigol with decoding.  The only way the new Siglent is interesting (to me) is if it doubles the bandwidth to 200 MHz.  Otherwise, what's the point?

Hadn't even realized that a 200Mhz version of the Siglent would be released. 

[tautech]

The only conceivable reason for me to add the Siglent to the Rigol is to double the bandwidth.

Technically true OTB.

But it's easy to use the Riglol 1.03d keygen page and get the 1054Z to 100MHz, as well as double the memory and all of the software decode options for zero additional cost. 

Of course and already done.  I have a 100 MHz Rigol with decoding.  The only way the new Siglent is interesting (to me) is if it doubles the bandwidth to 200 MHz.  Otherwise, what's the point?

Hadn't even realized that a 200Mhz version of the Siglent would be released. 

When Dave first looked at the 2 ch X-E he had a pre-release SDS1102X-E and in true EEVblog fashion the previous vid he did he went straight for the JTAG connector and IIRC it was a KS 1000X.
Everybody spotted this including Siglent I suspect and next we know Dave was asked to hold his vid on the SDS1102X-E. He had to add into the opening of his vid that only a 200 MHz model was to be released....SDS1202X-E.

This time around we dealers are already offered 100 and 200 MHz 4 channel X-E's....retail pricing yet to be officially announced.
Those that think the 1054Z can be compared with either of these new 4 ch X-E's are mistaken, these new Siglent's offer several more and new features.

[rstofer]

This time around we dealers are already offered 100 and 200 MHz 4 channel X-E's....retail pricing yet to be officially announced.
Those that think the 1054Z can be compared with either of these new 4 ch X-E's are mistaken, these new Siglent's offer several more and new features.

From what little I have read over in Test Equipment, the new features may, for me, be at the margins.  Things that are neat to have but for which I may never have an application.  An example would be improved FFT.  For me, that is pretty meaningless.  It's nice to be able to display the FFT but again, for me, it just won't get used beyond a couple of "gee whiz" moments.

A more responsive UI will be nice but if I am putting out money to duplicate a scope I already have, I want something in return.  More bandwidth!  Since I am only interested in digital signals, bandwidth is king.  Right after channels...

I really hope Dave gets his SDS1204X-E soon and that he has the time to do a comprehensive review and comparison against the DS1054Z.  I'm looking forward to it!

Depending on price, the SDS1204X-E could become king of the entry level scopes as soon as it is released.  Assuming there aren't any fatal glitches in the firmware.

[Messtechniker]

I always base my purchasing decision on my specific needs
reviewed at the specific point of time.

Do I need the equipment for a specific purpose now? Then purchase it.
Do I not need the equipment for a specific now. Then don't purchase it.

It's as simple as that.

[Inverted18650]

I’ve been using older Tek scopes for years and just two weeks ago ponies up the money for the 1054. Go to the TEquipment thread, request the discount code, then go to their website and buy direct. It’s worth the cash mate. I pondered the same update cycle question but who cares right. The scope is still going to worthwhile, retain its value due to the popular hacks and support from the community. As a novice, it’s a no brainer. As soon as the free trial runs it, install the codegen upgrade. The scope is powerful enough to handle any project you may have for the next several years which is all that really matters. (Unless your one of the people who ‘has to have’ the very newest products). Check the ‘Buy/ Sale’ thread, there’s a link about the discounts.

[tautech]

I really hope Dave gets his SDS1204X-E soon and that he has the time to do a comprehensive review and comparison against the DS1054Z.  I'm looking forward to it!

Dave's had a SDS1104X-E for a good few days. He posted a pic of the box on his Twitter A/c some days back. He's probably shot a vid already but it's all under embargo until release date.

Vid is up for some of us to see in the Supporters lounge:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/supporters-lounge/latest-pre-release-video/msg1358512/#msg1358512

[nanofrog]

I’ve been using older Tek scopes for years and just two weeks ago ponies up the money for the 1054. Go to the TEquipment thread, request the discount code, then go to their website and buy direct. It’s worth the cash mate. I pondered the same update cycle question but who cares right. The scope is still going to worthwhile, retain its value due to the popular hacks and support from the community. As a novice, it’s a no brainer. As soon as the free trial runs it, install the codegen upgrade. The scope is powerful enough to handle any project you may have for the next several years which is all that really matters. (Unless your one of the people who ‘has to have’ the very newest products). Check the ‘Buy/ Sale’ thread, there’s a link about the discounts.

It's not as simple as just asking for it any longer.

Pls read the following:

Hi,

Please understand, we need to verify you're a genuine human & contributing to the forum first for a bit via posts (questions, answers, comments); it
doesn't matter so long as it's not worthless fluff just to increase a post count for example). The verification isn't automated, so expect it to take some  time.  It's also a means of urging new members to participate, as in the past, we had to manually purge over 17k dormant accounts of those that only  signed up to get the code and were never heard from again.

The reason behind all of this, is the code was just changed recently to solve a breach of TEquipment's main rule, which is don't post it publicly (it was found on a coupon site). And since most members do have to watch their pennies, this is a very big deal to EEVBlog members as well as TEquipment (small margins on the type of stuff most hobbyists buy, so they aren't willing/able to lose 6% of it across the board). Self-policing to keep the code active in a nutshell. 

All we ask, is please be patient and follow the participation requirement (don't be afraid to post as we don't allow the hostility/personal attacks you tend to see elsewhere), and someone will distribute the code to you in the very near future. 

If you don't get it, re-submit a post requesting the code again after participating for a bit (we're human, and things do get buried/forgotten). If this does happen, please realize it's a mistake, not a snub (a new member =  ).   

You're patience is appreciated. 

[adam.sage]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I made up my mind Friday and the 1054 was delivered yesterday so it's a done deal 

[bitseeker]

Enjoy all the wiggly lines.