**** Even as a newbie to this forum, I understand that this is a question which can generate religious fervor and inflammatory rhetoric. I would really, really like to avoid that, and just get some straightforward input. Note that I did not say "objective" or "unbiased," because I assume each person will have some bias towards one or another, but if the input could be focused on features and tradeoffs rather than ad hominem attacks on the character of those who dare to differ, that would be most helpful. ****
On to the question: I am planning to buy my first DSO in the next couple of months, either to supplement or replace my beloved but massive Tektronix 465M. I have been reading extensively (here in the eevblog forum and elsewhere) and watching YouTube videos, seeking to gain a good understanding of the options. For the very modest budget and modest needs that I have, it seems clear that either Rigol or Siglent are the brands to consider. My sense is that a year ago, the choice between the brands was partly driven by price, with the Rigol 1054 slightly less capable than, but also cheaper than, the Siglent 1104. My sense from six months ago is that the then-new Rigol DHO804 was the unit to beat. Today, however, we have competing 804's (Rigol DHO804 and Siglent SDS804) that appear to be appear to be priced identically at $USD 439.
This is where I am thus far in my research, reflecting the fact that the Rigol 804 has been out longer than the Siglent 804:
Rigol DHO804: compact size, possible use on battery, extremely hackable, easily available (e.g., via Amazon); unclear to me how many bugs remain in the firmware or how serious / limiting they are; noisy fan.
Siglent SDS804: brand seems to be slightly more highly regarded, higher sampling rate; not yet as easily available; unclear to me how it compares feature-to-feature with the Rigol; unclear how readily hackable it is; some bugs reported, but again unclear how serious / limiting they are.
What I really could use would be an extended side-by-side comparison of the two, ideally as a YouTube video, ideally with the reviewer offering transparency concerning any bias. I've been searching, but so far I haven't found such a thing.
I am guessing that the definitive answer is always, "it depends on what you need to do." Since I have never used a DSO before, I honestly don't know what I may find useful down the road, but at this stage, I am looking for the basic DSO capabilities to capture and view waveforms in detail. I don't know that I will ever need to use an FFT - maybe? - and I don't even know what a Bode plot is, so pretty sure I won't need that any time soon.
So ... hoping not to open yet another flame war ... can anyone offer some point-by-point comparison or point me to a review? Or does anyone know if such a review is due to arrive "any day now"?
**** Even as a newbie to this forum, I understand that this is a question which can generate religious fervor and inflammatory rhetoric. I would really, really like to avoid that, and just get some straightforward input. Note that I did not say "objective" or "unbiased," because I assume each person will have some bias towards one or another, but if the input could be focused on features and tradeoffs rather than ad hominem attacks on the character of those who dare to differ, that would be most helpful. ****
On to the question: I am planning to buy my first DSO in the next couple of months, either to supplement or replace my beloved but massive Tektronix 465M. I have been reading extensively (here in the eevblog forum and elsewhere) and watching YouTube videos, seeking to gain a good understanding of the options. For the very modest budget and modest needs that I have, it seems clear that either Rigol or Siglent are the brands to consider. My sense is that a year ago, the choice between the brands was partly driven by price, with the Rigol 1054 slightly less capable than, but also cheaper than, the Siglent 1104. My sense from six months ago is that the then-new Rigol DHO804 was the unit to beat. Today, however, we have competing 804's (Rigol DHO804 and Siglent SDS804) that appear to be appear to be priced identically at $USD 439.
Neither Rigol and Siglent models you mention are the best choice for every possible use case.
Also consider both have 'bugs & issues' threads on this forum for almost every product they put out. That should count as a red flag.
Even as a newbie to this forum.......
Since I have never used a DSO before, I honestly don't know what I may find useful down the road, but at this stage, I am looking for the basic DSO capabilities to capture and view waveforms in detail.
Few pointers to help you with process:
- decide what you need.
- if you are such a beginner you don't really know what you need, start small.
- decide how much money you are prepared to give.
- based on needs and budget create small list of possible candidates.
- from list of candidates, decide on device that has local support in your country, and has minimum bugs. That is important because you want device to actually work as expected.
- all the fuss about hackability is mostly irrelevant if you don't need all the features. See the "how much features I need" point. Hackability means nothing if it unlocks features you don't need. And most of the "usual suspects" are hackable anyways.
1) Can anyone comment on support for either product in the US?
easily available (e.g., via Amazon)
The last two items raise a couple of follow-up questions: 1) Can anyone comment on support for either product in the US? and 2) How many folks here have found it helpful to hack for higher bandwidth or other features?
What I really could use would be an extended side-by-side comparison of the two, ideally as a YouTube video, ideally with the reviewer offering transparency concerning any bias. I've been searching, but so far I haven't found such a thing.
I am guessing that the definitive answer is always, "it depends on what you need to do."
unclear to me how it compares feature-to-feature with the Rigol
Since I have never used a DSO before, I honestly don't know what I may find useful down the road
but at this stage, I am looking for the basic DSO capabilities to capture and view waveforms in detail. I don't know that I will ever need to use an FFT - maybe? - and I don't even know what a Bode plot is, so pretty sure I won't need that any time soon.
I had meant for my post to address the first several items - I have decided I need (desperately need, if my spouse asks - desperately) a 4-channel DSO; 70MHz is probably more than enough, though I wouldn't object to more; I'd like to spend in the $400 range; thus I have narrowed my focus to the Siglent SDS804 and Rigol DHO804.
The last two items raise a couple of follow-up questions: 1) Can anyone comment on support for either product in the US? and 2) How many folks here have found it helpful to hack for higher bandwidth or other features?
I had meant for my post to address the first several items - I have decided I need (desperately need, if my spouse asks - desperately) a 4-channel DSO; 70MHz is probably more than enough, though I wouldn't object to more
Basically, both would be suitable for you.
What I like better about the Rigol is the UI, which makes it a bit easier to use.
It is also more compact due to the external power supply.
But that's all the subjective advantages.
The SDS800X HD is even better equipped than the DHO800, especially in terms of FFT, but also Bodeplot
Logic Analyzer, frequency generator control (last two as options).
I'd like to spend in the $400 range; thus I have narrowed my focus to the Siglent SDS804 and Rigol DHO804.
The last two items raise a couple of follow-up questions: 1) Can anyone comment on support for either product in the US? and 2) How many folks here have found it helpful to hack for higher bandwidth or other features?
Would you trade that for the Rigol UI/display for "AVR work"?
What I really could use would be an extended side-by-side comparison of the two, ideally as a YouTube video, ideally with the reviewer offering transparency concerning any bias. I've been searching, but so far I haven't found such a thing.
Never going to happen. EVERYBODY is biased.
@Fungus:QuoteWould you trade that for the Rigol UI/display for "AVR work"?I don't know what exactly you mean by that, but I stand by the fact that I think the rigol user interface is "better" in the sense that you can see and access everything almost simultaneously instead of having to scroll down.
**** Even as a newbie to this forum, I understand that this is a question which can generate religious fervor and inflammatory rhetoric. I would really, really like to avoid that, and just get some straightforward input. Note that I did not say "objective" or "unbiased," because I assume each person will have some bias towards one or another, but if the input could be focused on features and tradeoffs rather than ad hominem attacks on the character of those who dare to differ, that would be most helpful. ****
On to the question: I am planning to buy my first DSO in the next couple of months, either to supplement or replace my beloved but massive Tektronix 465M. I have been reading extensively (here in the eevblog forum and elsewhere) and watching YouTube videos, seeking to gain a good understanding of the options. For the very modest budget and modest needs that I have, it seems clear that either Rigol or Siglent are the brands to consider. My sense is that a year ago, the choice between the brands was partly driven by price, with the Rigol 1054 slightly less capable than, but also cheaper than, the Siglent 1104. My sense from six months ago is that the then-new Rigol DHO804 was the unit to beat. Today, however, we have competing 804's (Rigol DHO804 and Siglent SDS804) that appear to be appear to be priced identically at $USD 439.
This is where I am thus far in my research, reflecting the fact that the Rigol 804 has been out longer than the Siglent 804:
Rigol DHO804: compact size, possible use on battery, extremely hackable, easily available (e.g., via Amazon); unclear to me how many bugs remain in the firmware or how serious / limiting they are; noisy fan.
Siglent SDS804: brand seems to be slightly more highly regarded, higher sampling rate; not yet as easily available; unclear to me how it compares feature-to-feature with the Rigol; unclear how readily hackable it is; some bugs reported, but again unclear how serious / limiting they are.
What I really could use would be an extended side-by-side comparison of the two, ideally as a YouTube video, ideally with the reviewer offering transparency concerning any bias. I've been searching, but so far I haven't found such a thing.
I am guessing that the definitive answer is always, "it depends on what you need to do." Since I have never used a DSO before, I honestly don't know what I may find useful down the road, but at this stage, I am looking for the basic DSO capabilities to capture and view waveforms in detail. I don't know that I will ever need to use an FFT - maybe? - and I don't even know what a Bode plot is, so pretty sure I won't need that any time soon.
So ... hoping not to open yet another flame war ... can anyone offer some point-by-point comparison or point me to a review? Or does anyone know if such a review is due to arrive "any day now"?
Are you suggesting that there's no point of a Bode plot with AVRs?