the FFT on the GW Instek is 1Mpts versus 128k.Yes, but the R&S is 10bit so it'll be better.
Long buffers are used to compensate for lack of bits.
Haha, that's true. But I do like the idea of it. More than that I like the idea of not being limited by the DS1054Z. If I ever need more, I have to replace the Rigol. With the Siglent, I might not need to add to it, but if I want to, I can.
Have you seen the price of the Siglent logic analyzer option? It costs nearly as much as the 'scope. You can buy an Analog Discovery 2 for much less than that 'upgrade'. An AD2 will do 16-channel logic analysis and be much, much better for Audio work (it has 14 bit ADC, AWG, can do Bode plots, etc.). In fact: For your stated needs you might want to forget the 'scope for a while and get an Analog discovery instead.
https://store.digilentinc.com/analog-discovery-2-100msps-usb-oscilloscope-logic-analyzer-and-variable-power-supply/
Wow, I'm looking at the specs on the AD2, my interest is certainly piqued. This might be useful regardless of what bench scope I stick with. It's certainly a bargain for what it does.
Here's the remaining question between the Rigol vs. Siglent: some of you have convinced me that I will end up using 3 or 4 channels at a time eventually. Even if I'm only using 2, the Siglent does support double the sampling ability when running any level of multi-channels. It seems to me like this should be important in my decision making between the two models?
Have you discovered the UI latency in the 54Z ?
You won't experience that in the X-E !
It seems to me like this should be important in my decision making between the two models?
Have you discovered the UI latency in the 54Z ?
You won't experience that in the X-E !
Have you discovered the UI latency in the 54Z ?
You won't experience that in the X-E !
No, but I'd love to.
Don't miss the Siglent UI apologetic thread above
Don't miss the Siglent UI apologetic thread above
Between the two of you I can't decide which way to go, but at least it's entertaining.
Question: If YOU were running 3 or 4 channels at 100Mhz or better, would you really be satisfied with 250M per channel? I know I'm generally not doing that, but this is a theoretical question.
OTOH: If you're going to hack the Siglent to 200MHz and look at four simultaneous signals with 100MHz base frequencies then it will come into play (though maybe not as much as you might think - Nyquist theory works, bitches!)
I'll have to test the Windows remote software for the Rigol and see if I hate it or not. If it's okay I suppose that neutralizes the web server on the Siglent...not that I think I'd use either too much.
I'll have to test the Windows remote software for the Rigol and see if I hate it or not. If it's okay I suppose that neutralizes the web server on the Siglent...not that I think I'd use either too much.DSRemote is Linux based, but I find it a lot faster and more useful than the Windows tools by Rigol. Especially when exporting large amounts of data from the scope. I use a virtual box of linux to run it. https://www.teuniz.net/DSRemote/
Siglent Pros:
Higher multi-channel sampling
...
Reading the Siglent thread I see two big plusses in the Rigol's favor:
1. the side buttons like you mentioned
2. firmware update simplicity
In the Rigol you just dump the file on the USB and poop it in. The Siglent sounds like extra work for every update.
Updates are easy.
The zip or rar is unpacked to find a changelog, instructions and the update. Pop the update onto a USB stick, insert into the scope and navigate to it and install.
Done hundreds of them as I dispatch every unit with the latest FW. Only stuff that's been shipped after a new FW version is released needs this treatment.
For the reasons (I tried to explain) above, I wouldn't get too hung up on that number if you're not planning on hacking it to 200MHz.
Updates are easy.
The zip or rar is unpacked to find a changelog, instructions and the update. Pop the update onto a USB stick, insert into the scope and navigate to it and install.
Done hundreds of them as I dispatch every unit with the latest FW. Only stuff that's been shipped after a new FW version is released needs this treatment.
I don't doubt that they're simple enough, but they require more effort/thought than Rigol.
I'm gunna call 'Myth busted' !
I'm gunna call 'Myth busted' !
No myth. From your own description of the process, I'd have to go look for, and select the update files on the USB stick on the scope.
On the Rigol you place the firmware in the root of the USB and it auto-detects the file and does the rest after asking you if you want to update. That's less effort.
I don't really care one way or the other, that's not going to sway my decision that heavily.
However, reading through that Siglent thread, a lot of people had issues with updating their firmware or OS.
Guess how that's fixed: RTFM !
Guess how that's fixed: RTFM !
nobody does that....actually, I did read (almost) the whole Rigol manual. That crap was long as hell.
EDIT: I read a lot of the Siglent manual too. They're both equally boring.
Nah, the FW manual ! It comes in the FW rar/zip package and for an OS update it's a different install process to FW.
Nah, the FW manual ! It comes in the FW rar/zip package and for an OS update it's a different install process to FW.
Oh, see, now that is more effort.
The most common error is to use a USB stick incompatible with the OS, hell even Dave struggled getting one seen with the new DS7000 he looked at. FAT32 and under 8Gb and there's generally never a problem.