new killer scope in town - a true game changer from R&S - RTB2002 & RTB2004

[TK]

As for blighty customs, I've taken 2k USD worth of electronics into the UK a number of times (eg laptop, camera, USB scope) without even thinking about it, but nothing like a full sized scope. Does anyone know how much they care about something like this? Could declare it but have already paid sales tax and would rather not be taxed twice on one item!

A bit of a gamble at least. If you decide not to declare it, and customs somehow pick up on it, they might get annoyed. As you would be exceeding the free allowance (390 GBP) significantly, they might even charge an extra penalty.

Why did you pay sales tax in the US, by the way? Didn't you mail order and have it sent to another state?  If you did pay US sales tax, you should be able to get a refund for that if you declare the export, so you won't be taxed twice. But the UK tax is higher, of course... 

EDIT: Allowance amount; tax refund comment added.

Most distributors in the US are charging sales tax regardless of which State they ship to because they usually have a nationwide operations

[Robaroni]

Thanks for the helpful replies!

DHL seemed very expensive when I used their online calculator, plus would have to insure it and pay a bunch of import fees. I think I'll just give myself plenty of time to go through security and keep the cord with it.

As for blighty customs, I've taken 2k USD worth of electronics into the UK a number of times (eg laptop, camera, USB scope) without even thinking about it, but nothing like a full sized scope. Does anyone know how much they care about something like this? Could declare it but have already paid sales tax and would rather not be taxed twice on one item!

As a precaution, don't pack anything with it that would indicate it was bought in US - invoice, manuals, original packing etc. I don't recall if it came with a screen protection film but definitely remove that, maybe add plenty of fingermarks!
 

Right, plug it in and now it's used like your laptop.

[nctnico]

Bring the scope as luggage (in a carrying case) and put the box + manuals in the post.

[TK]

Bring the scope as luggage (in a carrying case) and put the box + manuals in the post.

There are no manuals in the box and the box itself is not worth keeping

[Howardlong]

To the UK I seem to have better experience with FedEx than DHL

Just today I got about $350,- worth of items via FedEx from US - and it went through customs without a charge. I think that is now about 50/50 if I have gotten charged....

With DHL I get charged every time without exception - and their UK office is absolute terrible to deal with if you have to pay.  Online Gateway is often down - and DHL drivers do not by default have card reader with them. But FedEx DOES. So never had any issues with FedEx so far

FedEx bill any tax and admin charges due separately after delivery.

[kaz911]

I have never had FedEx charge me after delivery - it is private - not company - and they only do cash on delivery to the best of my experience.

The 6 other parcels that have gone through without charge has not had any invoices/requests for payments. The 5 I have paid for - they charged on the spot on delivery.

[LaserEng]

Can someone give me an idea of the dimensions and weight of the box the scope ships in ? I tried to find this information online but no luck yet, I'm looking at shipping one internationally soon so would be good to get this information.

Also is the outside box covered in R&S branding or is it shipped double boxed with no external branding?

[JPortici]

FedEx bill any tax and admin charges due separately after delivery.

as with every other courier.

[mikeselectricstuff]

Can someone give me an idea of the dimensions and weight of the box the scope ships in ? I tried to find this information online but no luck yet, I'm looking at shipping one internationally soon so would be good to get this information.

Also is the outside box covered in R&S branding or is it shipped double boxed with no external branding?

Box is R&S branded. Approx 4 inches bigger than the scope in all dimensions. Packing is foam rubber type so moderately heavy, Label on mine says 10kg.

[Robaroni]

Bring the scope as luggage (in a carrying case) and put the box + manuals in the post.

There are no manuals in the box and the box itself is not worth keeping

I think it's a good idea to keep original boxes from equipment for reselling later. If the instrument has a problem it also gives you the original packing.

[TK]

Can someone give me an idea of the dimensions and weight of the box the scope ships in ? I tried to find this information online but no luck yet, I'm looking at shipping one internationally soon so would be good to get this information.

Also is the outside box covered in R&S branding or is it shipped double boxed with no external branding?

Box is R&S branded. Approx 4 inches bigger than the scope in all dimensions. Packing is foam rubber type so moderately heavy, Label on mine says 10kg.

Box received from US distributor is 11 lb (5kg) and the dimensions are 19x14x10 inches.

[Joel_l]

If I did that for everything I bough, my Fort would be bigger than my house 

Joel


[quote ]
I think it's a good idea to keep original boxes from equipment for reselling later. If the instrument has a problem it also gives you the original packing.
[/quote]

[fonograph]

( patiently waiting for someone to hack it ) 

[kkessler]

Can someone give me an idea of the dimensions and weight of the box the scope ships in ? I tried to find this information online but no luck yet, I'm looking at shipping one internationally soon so would be good to get this information.

Also is the outside box covered in R&S branding or is it shipped double boxed with no external branding?

Box is R&S branded. Approx 4 inches bigger than the scope in all dimensions. Packing is foam rubber type so moderately heavy, Label on mine says 10kg.

My FedEx Tracking information says the box is 19x15x10 inches and weights 10.4 lbs.

[Joel_l]

Someone asked for some scope shots of audio with FFT, here are some. They are just listing to Pandora through the computer. I could also do sin, triangle, square wave at a set frequency if interested. settings are on screen.

Joel

[thanasisk]

Someone asked for some scope shots of audio with FFT, here are some. They are just listing to Pandora through the computer. I could also do sin, triangle, square wave at a set frequency if interested. settings are on screen.

Joel

Can you please also try peak search?

And also is fft phase info available somehow?

Many thanx!

[Robaroni]

Hi guys & girls,
I'm just starting to play with this scope. I do a lot of embedded uC's and serial bus work and this scope really shines. So far it's turning out to be my go to scope, we'll see as time passes. Very intuitive and easy to use and learn.
The FFT's will come in handy for my audio work ,the 10 bits really make a difference.
Rob

[kkessler]

Hypothetically, I could end up with a second one of these scopes, so I look into shipping the shipping costs to Europe for obvious reasons.  I checked several carriers, going to different cities, and they all cost between $300 and $400, which seems crazy to me.  I'm going to London this fall, and it would cost less to buy the scope the seat beside me on that flight.  Is there something I'm doing wrong, or are these expected prices for shipping to Europe?

[TheSteve]

If you're paying book/list rate shipping is crazy expensive. It would cost me about 100 USD to ship it with the discount I can get from UPS.

[edavid]

Hypothetically, I could end up with a second one of these scopes, so I look into shipping the shipping costs to Europe for obvious reasons.  I checked several carriers, going to different cities, and they all cost between $300 and $400, which seems crazy to me.  I'm going to London this fall, and it would cost less to buy the scope the seat beside me on that flight.  Is there something I'm doing wrong, or are these expected prices for shipping to Europe?

If you don't get a special discount, the 2 viable options I know of are USPS and ParcelMonkey

The problem is insuring the scope for full value...

[TheSteve]

Indeed, insurance is expensive and generally whatever you insure a shipment for is the amount used for tax collection.

[edavid]

Indeed, insurance is expensive and generally whatever you insure a shipment for is the amount used for tax collection.

That's the beauty of 3rd party shipping insurance... it has no relation to the declared value... but e.g. insurepost.com has a $1000 limit.

[nctnico]

Hypothetically, I could end up with a second one of these scopes, so I look into shipping the shipping costs to Europe for obvious reasons.  I checked several carriers, going to different cities, and they all cost between $300 and $400, which seems crazy to me.  I'm going to London this fall, and it would cost less to buy the scope the seat beside me on that flight.  Is there something I'm doing wrong, or are these expected prices for shipping to Europe?

Assuming you are in the US: USPS is much cheaper.

[LaserEng]

I have a Shipito account and I just checked their shipping calculator for a 19x15x10 box with 10.4 lbs weight and declared value of $200 and it was coming up as $82 Fedex Economy to London SW7 with insurance included.

When I increased the declared value to $2080 the price increased to $111 Fedex Economy with Insurance. Not bad versus listed Fedex or DHL prices

[Hydron]

I checked several carriers, going to different cities, and they all cost between $300 and $400, which seems crazy to me.  I'm going to London this fall, and it would cost less to buy the scope the seat beside me on that flight.

This is why I'm planning on flying back to europe with one in my carry-on early next month - I got the same insane prices when I checked, vs an extra bag on the flight at ~30 USD. Could have gone with a shipping re-seller but was a good excuse for a holiday anyway.