What does your choice of oscilloscope manufacturer say about you?

[Zodiac]

So I need a new oscilloscope. I have an old but good analog Tek2246. I am wanting a new DSO to take measurements and post screenshots to my blog and on forums.

Now I have this bias that if I see a Tek or Agilent screenshot I immediately associate that with someone who knows what they are doing. If I see a Rigol or other mfg then I think...hmmm...this guy is an amateur.

Do you agree or disagree?

[Chet T16]

It's hard not to agree when you look at pricing

But the rigol really is a great bit of kit and deserves to be on anyones bench. Forgetting the machine itself the fact its so popular has lead to a great community around it and lots of support

Fwiw I'm a (mature) ee student and i have a rigol and tek2225

[Mechatrommer]

another tool vs skill (craftmenship) thread. actually... i'm tired of this.

[Time]

Just because you own a ferrari it doesn't mean you know how to drive it.

[alm]

Absolutely, getting an expensive tool doesn't make you any more skilled. On the other hand, you rarely see a professional racing driver competing in an SUV.

[johnboxall]

So I need a new oscilloscope. I have an old but good analog Tek2246. I am wanting a new DSO to take measurements and post screenshots to my blog and on forums.

Now I have this bias that if I see a Tek or Agilent screenshot I immediately associate that with someone who knows what they are doing. If I see a Rigol or other mfg then I think...hmmm...this guy is an amateur.

Do you agree or disagree?

Actually yes I agree to a point. From my own experience posting images to my site people either like the wide Agilent screen dumps or scorn me for having such a great MSO. If you are writing a book the Rigol screen dump size is not good enough for publishing.

[EEVblog]

So I need a new oscilloscope. I have an old but good analog Tek2246. I am wanting a new DSO to take measurements and post screenshots to my blog and on forums.

Now I have this bias that if I see a Tek or Agilent screenshot I immediately associate that with someone who knows what they are doing. If I see a Rigol or other mfg then I think...hmmm...this guy is an amateur.

Do you agree or disagree?

In reality there could very well be a slight stigma associated with cheap scope screen shots.
e.g. if you looked at a datasheet and saw Rigol 1052E screen shots then you'd almost certainly go "wow, THAT'S the scope those pros are using?"
But as others have said, it shouldn't really matter a rats arse.

I wouldn't let stigma drive any buying decision, you should buy the right tool for your needs and your budget.

If you are genuinely after good quality screen shots for documentation though, then the Rigol doesn't really cut it compared to some others, like the Agilent X series for example.

Dave.

[joelby]

You could always save the waveform to a USB drive from the Rigol and then plot it in Matlab or similar. Or Photoshop the Agilent screen interface into the image?

[Zodiac]

People make judgements all the time based on their filters. Measurements taken with a Rigol and an Agilent may be exactly the same but people may interpret them different and give more credibility to one over the other based on the brand name associated with it.

[slateraptor]

What does your choice of oscilloscope manufacturer say about you?

I've come to a decisive conclusion that my choice of oscilloscope manufacturer is a tell-tale indication that I'm the type of person who actually enjoys instant coffee and looks forward to the holidays for the opportunity to purchase seasonal liquid creamer at a price significantly less than what Starbucks would charge.

Let's be honest with ourselves now: the 50MHz analog bandwidth of a Rigol is more scope than most non-specialists would know what to do with. The overwhelming majority of hobbyist applications out there fall anywhere between DC and sub-25MHz digital anyways.

[slateraptor]

...people may interpret them different and give more credibility to one over the other based on the brand name associated with it.

I'm liable to question the credibility of an individual who weighs his judgement heavily based on brand name rather than sound science and sound engineering. We're not talking about RF applications here...we're talking about sub-200MHz economy class scopes.

[Zodiac]

...people may interpret them different and give more credibility to one over the other based on the brand name associated with it.

I'm liable to question the credibility of an individual who weighs his judgement heavily based on brand name rather than sound science and sound engineering. We're not talking about RF applications here...we're talking about sub-200MHz economy class scopes.

True true, but the average consumer IS influenced by brand name.

For my application a 20mHz scope would be fine (powerline quality measurement).

In any event I can buy almost four 50mHz Rigols for the price of one 2000 series Agilent.

[slateraptor]

True true, but the average consumer IS influenced by brand name.

I feel like you've convinced yourself that the misinformed disposition of fools ought to dictate what you know is sound and within reason.

For situations like this, a "quick review of prerequisite theory" is in order. If you know what you're talking about, then it won't phase anyone that matters, and it's a good way to discourage the unqualified opinions of those that don't.

[PetrosA]

A while back I wrote a comment about what type of DMM I need. In it, I stated that I need a good, TRMS meter because I sometimes have to call the power company and report problems. With my U1272A, my DMM credentials are well beyond just owning some no-name TRMS meter, but that's fine. One phone call from me might set into motion multiple power company trucks, a few line crews and tens of thousands of dollars for replacement gear. I don't want to be in a situation where the power company questions my diagnosis because I'm using a no-name meter although I could probably make the same diagnosis with the cheapie. If you have someone looking over your shoulder, then maybe you need the really expensive scope. If not, get what you need as cheaply as possible and to hell with what others might think.

[vk6zgo]

...people may interpret them different and give more credibility to one over the other based on the brand name associated with it.

I'm liable to question the credibility of an individual who weighs his judgement heavily based on brand name rather than sound science and sound engineering. We're not talking about RF applications here...we're talking about sub-200MHz economy class scopes.

You mean all those big hairy,MF,HF,& low band VHF transmitters I worked on over 40 odd years aren't RF?
Thank you for the enlightenment,Oh Great One!!

VK6ZGO

[slateraptor]

You mean all those big hairy,MF,HF,& low band VHF transmitters I worked on over 40 odd years aren't RF?
Thank you for the enlightenment,Oh Great One!!

You forget that the propagation medium itself makes an RF application, not the operating frequency, Oh Sage Master.

[vk6zgo]

Indeed,Oh Honorable One,
If you made a large enough antenna,you could radiate 60Hz.

VK6ZGO

[slateraptor]

Indeed,Oh Honorable One,
If you made a large enough antenna,you could radiate 60Hz.

VK6ZGO

I leave you in charge of engineering an antenna that stretches half the distance of the equator as a 1st-order approximation.

[vk6zgo]

I am unworthy of such a task,Oh Thrice Anointed One!

VK6ZGO

Gee this is fun!,but I guess we'll attract some Moderator type attention.

[wkb]

What does your choice of oscilloscope manufacturer say about you?

I've come to a decisive conclusion that my choice of oscilloscope manufacturer is a tell-tale indication that I'm the type of person who actually enjoys instant coffee and looks forward to the holidays for the opportunity to purchase seasonal liquid creamer at a price significantly less than what Starbucks would charge.

Interesting comparison...  I own both a Tek 2465CTS and a Rigol 1052E.  I also own a nice Jura F50 espresso machine  , while at the same time I drink the Nutrimat(...) junk from the machine at the office

So what does this say about me?

[EEVblog]

In any event I can buy almost four 50mHz Rigols for the price of one 2000 series Agilent.

Sure. But the Agilent has about 50 times the update rate, is up-gradable in bandwidth and function gen, and has a bigger and better screen among other things.
Comparing scopes ain't just about the bandwidth.
The Agilent is of course a MUCH better scope than the Rigol in most respects, and has a higher price to match.
It's probably not even fair trying to compare the two.

Probably a majority of individuals buy based on price range - "what's the best scope I can $xxxx"
The Rigol is a top pick in the sub $500 category, and the Agilent is a top pick in the $1000 to say $3000 category.

Dave.

[joedevola]

Here you go, a reasonably respected Australian-based EE who provides audio advice and PC boards has posted the response of his Linkwitz-Riley active crossover boards on his site with a Rigol screen shot

http://sound.westhost.com/project09.htm

[ivan747]

Indeed,Oh Honorable One,
If you made a large enough antenna,you could radiate 60Hz.

VK6ZGO

I leave you in charge of engineering an antenna that stretches half the distance of the equator as a 1st-order approximation.

Technically... the length of the antenna must be 4500km, or the US from coast to coast, in 1st order approximation.

[slateraptor]

Technically... the length of the antenna must be 4500km, or the US from coast to coast, in 1st order approximation.

Approximation was guesstimated from an antenna whose length is 1/4 of carrier frequency wavelength as a rule of thumb, and wave traveling in a vacuum...so yeah, that equatorial distance was a bit of a fib.

[Alex]

So I need a new oscilloscope. I have an old but good analog Tek2246. I am wanting a new DSO to take measurements and post screenshots to my blog and on forums.

Now I have this bias that if I see a Tek or Agilent screenshot I immediately associate that with someone who knows what they are doing. If I see a Rigol or other mfg then I think...hmmm...this guy is an amateur.

Do you agree or disagree?

Some of us agree, some disagree. But I think we can all agree that you should buy an 'established brand' scope if you are to feel good about your purchase. For some, the tool is as important as the measurement.