I'm far from an expert but looking at the oscilloscope landscape right now based on what people are saying on these forums:
Tektronix seems to be a brand to be steered clear of for many reasons. However, I think the 3 series form factor is pretty much the perfect scope (for me). I REALLY like the big screen and its layout. I think form factor wise, it's what a modern scope should be like!
Keysight seems to be the brand to go to on the basis of what is inside the scope and the software, however the small screen is a big turn off for me. When Keysight released their current line up, my first reaction was, "how do you fit all the stuff on that screen?". Maybe it's a non issue. But then there's rumours of non business customers being left in the dark in terms of servicing/support.
R&S has some quirks and similarly small screen to the Keysight.
Lecroy is just a rebranded Siglent or some other scope? Sure people are saying Siglents are good hardware wise and Lecroy fills in the gaps with its good software. Even still, I don't know if I can forgive it for being a rebranded scope.
So based on all this, personally, I give the large screen a big weight and Tektronix comes out on top. But the fact that its just a freshened up MDO 3000 (released in 2014) and as some forum members have suggested that it's not even an MDO is just... how? what? why? The price just doesn't make sense to me.
I guess there's no perfect scope.
Keysight are the next in line to release the next gen stuff and maybe it'll have a more modern form factor. I'd be interested in that.
But again, I know very little about this stuff, so take my bumblings with a big pinch of salt.
Yes there are no perfect things in general...
First, what BW are we talking about?
Second, I'm sorry to break the news to you, but lower end devices (3000 series class or down) are nowadays being better served by non big names.
Fact that LeCroy is charging much more for a Siglent made device is not an insult to LeCroy but a testament that you should buy that class of devices from Siglent. Rigol used to be OEM for Keysight for lower segment scopes.
Those two companies make decent products for affordable money in that device class.
Nowadays you only need to buy from the Tek, Keysight, LeCroy and R&S only when you transition into mid and higher end devices. A brands have wealth of knowledge and experience in making T&M solutions. But they are very meticulous to make sure NONE of that even trickles to their lower end devices. They need you to pay for it.
So you might end up with, for instance, a Keysight scope that is (deliberately) made to be crippled so you have to buy their higher class scope. While still being much more expensive than better scopes from the likes of Rigol and Siglent.
For the price Tek asks for 3000 series , you can get 2 GHz scopes from Rigol and Siglent..
Keysight recently released new EXR and MXR series, their latest iteration of 1000 series that actually makes old 2000 series look bad, and new MSOX3000G, that is same old 3000T with black case and few software options for free.
And that is all innovation you'll get. Why? Because they really don't care about 3000 range and down. They will happily sell you the old one for as long as there are buyers, but they really want you to buy MXR/EXR. Those replaced both 4000 and 6000 and upper models... They are modular, support up to 8 ch, and all use same ADC acquistion architecture in many permutations. And those are serious upgrade to models they replaced, on market they care for.
Same logic prevails in LeCroy, Tek and R&S.
Meaning, there is lots of innovation form them, but only at market segment you (and me) cannot afford.
On market segment we are interested in, innovation comes from newcomers fighting to get recognized. And those usually put much more effort and work harder to prove themselves. My personal choice is that I decided to give them a chance.
Because with big brands I started to feel like a poor man in a expensive restaurant: what was supposed to be a special treat to me for special occasion ended up me feeling stupid that I gave my whole monthly salary for a meal that wasn't that special (because i couldn't afford any of really fancy stuff) and they couldn't wait for me to go away, because I wasn't spending nearly as much as those rich people do and I was taking up a table....
Home
Help
Search
Login
Register
