need advice choosing instrument, Hantek DSO2D15 as signal gen & logic analyzer

[ErwinsCat]

Hi,
I need (like) to bye an arbitrary waveform generator and logic analyzer for very light use probably doing some experiments and learning as a hobby nothing really seriously. I used one of those eBay kits with 1 IC with sin and sawtooth and squarewave output I find it very limiting and think maybe get one of these DSO2D15 oscilloscopes or dso4102c.
it seems people use to hate the DSO2D15 because of its UI and software. my questions are,

is it still buggy as it should be a couple of years old by now?
is it a good value for money around 360 AUD? 
am I being too greedy (as I have a hantek DSO5102P with very little use and yet thinking of getting another oscilloscope in the name of a signal generator and logic analyzer?
any help would be appreciated!

[DavidAlfa]

- As logic analyzer, it works like breaking concrete with a soft cloth, horribly, if it works at all. $6 Saelae clones work 100000 times better, 8ch, 24Mhz...
- The generator is very simple, forget about sending data streams or something like that, you can make arbitrary waveforms but very short in length.
- Got mine for 170 a year ago, only that price can justify all the bugs and limitations.
- $360? Not even with stolen money. I'd go for something better in the $400-500 range.

[ErwinsCat]

thanks mate, so seems the Hantek is out of the question then, and Saelae takes care of the logic analyzer, wondering if you have any suggestions for cheap allrounder arb gen?
thanks

[DavidAlfa]

Can't say, didn't need any complex wavegen.
For the digital stuff I just use a stm32, and for simple signals the dso2c15 is enough.

[rstofer]

I don't like the new 'improved' pricing but I do like the Analog Discovery 2.  It's kind of pricey but it provides a lot of capability for the money.

https://digilent.com/shop/analog-discovery-2-100ms-s-usb-oscilloscope-logic-analyzer-and-variable-power-supply/

I guess it would be even more pricey in AUD.  That's unfortunate because it is my favorite piece of test equipment.  Particularly for educational projects...

[rstofer]

I have the Siglent SDG2082 AWG and I like it a lot.  It's pretty pricey compared to the SDG1032 and the 1032 is highly regarded.

https://www.amazon.com/Siglent-Technologies-SDG1032X-Arbitrary-Waveform/dp/B01LECZU98/ref=asc_df_B01LECZU98

It doesn't get much more 'arbitrary' than this:

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/a-valentine_s-day-activity-for-your-scope-and-function-generator/

[ErwinsCat]

These are all good instruments I assume, but all over my budget. I already have an oscilloscope, and already ordered the clone analyzer. now I just need an arb-signal gen. I'm not going to use it for any serious work and it is just for learning and experimentation, I might use it for audio repair or something like that but that's the extent of it. wondering if anyone has any recommendations the 150-200 (AUD) range?
thanx

[rstofer]

The tone() function in an Arduino generates a square wave of the desired frequency.  A low pass filter will remove the harmonics.  It's not a great signal source but it is a cheap signal source.  With a little imagination, you can make it into an AWG (more or less).

Sound cards can generate very nice waveforms but I don't know how they work with modern PCs or laptops.  Maybe Google around.  Perhaps search for 'sound card waveform generator'

A Raspberry Pi Pico can make a decent AWG for < $5 (if you get good pricing).

https://www.instructables.com/Arbitrary-Wave-Generator-With-the-Raspberry-Pi-Pic/

[ledtester]

I don't like the new 'improved' pricing but I do like the Analog Discovery 2.  It's kind of pricey but it provides a lot of capability for the money.

I've been watching ebay listings and the going rate for a used 1st gen AD is around $100 USD.

I think the only material difference between the AD1 and AD2 is with the power supplies. The oscilloscope and waveform gen capabilities are the same.

[rstofer]

I don't like the new 'improved' pricing but I do like the Analog Discovery 2.  It's kind of pricey but it provides a lot of capability for the money.

I've been watching ebay listings and the going rate for a used 1st gen AD is around $100 USD.

I think the only material difference between the AD1 and AD2 is with the power supplies. The oscilloscope and waveform gen capabilities are the same.

I get nervous buying things from eBay and I would want a return guarantee.  A novice could destroy features of an AD with very little effort and then try to dump it on eBay.

OTOH, a lot of AD2s were bought by students to get their lab work done during the pandemic.  I expect these to show up used at some point.  Digilent was essentially out of stock for quite a while.

As to the power supplies, yes, those on the AD are fixed voltage, on the AD2 they are variable. But there are many ways to get voltages including using the function generator output.  These Power Bricks are pretty neat:

https://digilent.com/shop/powerbricks-breadboardable-dual-output-usb-power-supplies/

These breadboard supplies are all over the place:

https://www.amazon.com/JBtek-Breadboard-Supply-Arduino-Solderless/dp/B010UJFVTU

[Doctorandus_P]

Some time ago I bought the lowest frequency variant of the JDS6600. I think it goes upto 10MHz or so, but it's already more then I need.
The UNI-T UTG932E  seems to have a pretty nice performance to price ratio. That is, if you can live with the BNC's on the side and the (I think) external power supply.