First Time Oscilliscope Purchase

[wattson]

Hi all, this is my first post, and I would appreciate some advice concerning the aforementioned topic. I'd like to purchase an o-scope for home hobby/repair but also for learning so as to stay relevant/increase skill in my field of industrial maintenance. After watching o-scope reviews by Dave, seems like Rigol would be a decent purchase. As I have the funds I could purchase the Rigol 2702A for 800 US, but this is my first scope and don't know if that is more than I can handle or would have a use for. Should I begin more humbly and get a 1000 series Rigol for half the price? Or since I can currently afford better, should I buy the 2000 series and consider it an investment for the future , expecting to grow into the expanded features in the future? Thanks in advance for those who take the time to reply....

[wilheldp]

I'm a big fan of the DS1000Z series scopes.  They aren't quite as well-spec'd as the DS2000 series, but they are hard to be for a 4-channel scope at their price point.

[8086]

Rigol DS1074Z. $585.

I'm expecting one on Monday. 

[AG6QR]

I can't say what YOU should do, but I'll point out that digital oscilloscopes, like computer gear, have been coming down in price rapidly (maybe because they ARE largely computer gear).

Suppose you have $800.  Do you spend it all on an $800 scope today?  Or do you spend $400 on a cheap scope today, put the other $400 in the bank, and wait five years to upgrade?  Five years from now, your $400 plus interest will probably buy much more scope than it would buy today.  On the other hand, you'd be stuck with a lower quality scope during those intervening five years.

I'd suggest it's probably not a great idea to invest a large amount of money in a scope you don't have a good current use for, because scopes lose value quickly, so they don't make good investments.  But it's also not a good idea to eternally postpone the purchase of gear that you could be using, on the theory that the gear will soon be cheaper.

The way I see it, you should buy just a little more scope, not a lot more, than you currently need.  And probably plan to buy another one in a few years.  In this way, it's not that much different than buying computers.

[cellularmitosis]

If you bought the $400 scope, several months from now you'll happily discover that you "need" a $200 used 6.5 digit meter, a month later you'll discover you need a function generator, then another bench supply...

I think spending $800 will bring you the most enjoyment, but that doesn't necessarily mean an $800 scope

[wattson]

I'd like to thank everyone for their posts so far and let you all know I am currently digesting your advice. What made me look at the 2000 series was the superior display on those scopes, after all the basic function of scope is to view the signal.

[ovnr]

My 2 cents:

As a somewhat unhappy owner of a cheap (specs and feature-wise, it cost me more than $2300 - GW Instek GDS-2104) scope, I'd say go for something nice.
I'd have been much happier spending a bit more on a decent scope at the outset, compared to now wanting to buy a new one and set fire to the old one. Which will cost $3-$4k, because I'm not going to buy another cheap ("cheap") turd.

At the sub-1k range you're going to get nicer stuff over time, sure, but you're never going to get the equivalent of a scope that costs $5k now. Maybe in some performance metrics, but the $5k scope will be nicer.

[bithead9]

In my opinion...If its for hobby/repair there is next to no reason to spend big $$$ unless you just have extra cash lying around that you need to get rid of...Lots of decent scopes made in China under $300.00 these days.  Rigol, ATTEN, Siglent, etc.  Pick the bandwidth you need and pull the trigger.

[wattson]

Well I couldn't drop more than 1k US, so I settled on a Rigol brand based of the reviews/teardowns. As a beginner I can't make us of an advance feature set as I start out, so is a better display worth it as in the Rigol 1000 series vs the 2000 series? Thats the root of my question, I have the 800 to spend...just wanted to make sure it is spent well...

[EEVblog]

After watching o-scope reviews by Dave, seems like Rigol would be a decent purchase. As I have the funds I could purchase the Rigol 2702A for 800 US, but this is my first scope and don't know if that is more than I can handle or would have a use for. Should I begin more humbly and get a 1000 series Rigol for half the price?

The 1000Z is almost as good as the 2000 for less cost, and it's 4 channels which can be handy.
Neither is "more than you can handle".

[EEVblog]

As a beginner I can't make us of an advance feature set as I start out, so is a better display worth it as in the Rigol 1000 series vs the 2000 series? Thats the root of my question, I have the 800 to spend...just wanted to make sure it is spent well...

The 2000 screen is better, yes, certainly, plus some other features. But worth it? - for a beginner you should probably get the 1000Z and spend the rest on other tools.

[wattson]

Right, thanks for your posts EEBlog Admin(Dave?). So I don't see the 1000Z, but the 1074Z I do see which is 4 channel...http://www.tequipment.net/RigolDS1074Z.html?v=7233. This is the one you recommend? Thanks again.

[idpromnut]

This may sound silly, but I was in much the same position as you (perhaps less knowledge, and certainly not willing to spend 800$+) on buying a scope a couple of years ago.  I decided to take Dave's advice and bought an analog scope (the Tek 2225).  I realized after using this scope for a year or so two things:

- I was much more comfortable coming to a problem and figuring out how to use the scope to try and troubleshoot it (how to set up, what I was looking for, what to expect, etc)
- I also knew that I could really use the missing features of the analog scope (i.e. that were present in a DSO)

After that, it wasn't a huge leap to go out and purchase a "better" DSO. In short, I was able to answer your question for myself

[8086]

Right, thanks for your posts EEBlog Admin(Dave?). So I don't see the 1000Z, but the 1074Z I do see which is 4 channel...http://www.tequipment.net/RigolDS1074Z.html?v=7233. This is the one you recommend? Thanks again.

DS1000Z is shorthand for the series that the DS1074Z, DS1104Z, etc fall into.

http://www.rigolna.com/products/digital-oscilloscopes/ds1000Z/

They're all alike aside from the bandwidth spec and optional AWG on the -S models.

Personally, although the AWG is very good value, I have decided to get the model without it. I think it's better to buy individual tools over time than put all your eggs in one basket, so to speak. So if you want a function gen/AWG or a counter or whatever else, you can shop around and get one with the spec you need, and it's own set of controls etc.

[wattson]

THanks everyone, buying the Rigol 1074z.