So this scope seems really really amazing for $400 so I would love to know, what makes the $800 DS2000 better, or say the $3000 agilent X3000? When does those scopes become worth it?
I will consider the case of hacked DS2000A vs hacked DS1054Z as this is "what's inside the box" you buy.
1. Bandwidth : DS2000A has 300MHz bandwidth vs 100MHz
2. Sampling : DS2000A has 2GS/s vs 1GS/s
3. Channels : DS2000A has 2 channels plus a dedicated EXT Trig input, that can be used for the hardware counter and some other stuff. DS1054Z has 4 full channels and no EXT Trig input, that will cost you a channel. 1054Z wins hands-down here.
4. Probes : DS2000A includes 2x RP3300 300MHz passive probes. DS1054Z includes 4x RP2200 150MHz probes. 300MHz probes are usually quite expensive.
5. Display : DS2000A has 8-inch screen with 800x480 resolution and 116dpi. DS1000Z has 7in screen with 800x480 resolution it is sharper at 133dpi but everything (fonts mainly) is a bit smaller. Still a HUGE screen for an entry scope.
6. Decoding : Serial options are the same. Protocols using more than 2 wires (some SPI mainly) are obviously only possible on DS1000Z so it wins here if you use them.
7. Triggers : DS2000 has USB, CAN and Video trigger on top of the very complete set present on the DS1000z.
8. Memory : DS2000 has 56Mpts vs 24 (both are HUGE, I have no use case where 56M would make a difference vs 24 for a single channel but more is more I guess)
9. Hardware : From the teardowns, the DS2000 has 2 FPGAs whereas the DS1000Z has only one.
10. Update : The DS2000 has a faster maximum update rate (50k waveforms per second peak vs 30k).
11. Performance : DS2000 maintains a faster update rate under heavier use
12. Small signal : DS2000 has a working 500uV per div vertical setting
13. DS2000 can show 14 divisions horizontal on the screen (the menus hide) vs 12 divisions. 10 divs was standard for 30 years.
14. DS2000A has a switchable 50ohm input mode
15. DS2000 has 256 levels "digital phosphor" intensity graded display vs 64 levels (still awesome!)
More/better physical controls on the DS2000
-segmented memory controls
-separate vertical controls
-large knob for fast navigation
-7 soft buttons on each side of screen vs 6 on DS1000Z
DS2000A is a better scope generally, but DS1000Z is AMAZING for its PRICE POINT.
That is the important thing.