Rigol DG1022 vs. Modern Budget Signal Generators

[DoorVb]

Hello everyone,

I've been in the market for a basic signal generator for a while now. I've been considering cheap options like the Feeltech or Owon models, typically around the €150 price range.

Yesterday, I came across a Rigol DG1022 listed for auction on a local marketplace, starting at €150.

After doing some research, the Rigol seems like a solid choice that more than meets my needs frequency- and spec-wise. However, I noticed it's quite an ancient model. Some reddit posts from almost a decade ago calling it 'rather old'. so I'm left wondering:

• Have modern budget signal generators surpassed the DG1022 in terms of specs, ease of use, or overall quality?
• Would it still be a good buy today, given its age?

I'd appreciate any advice or insights you might have!

Thanks in advance.

[egonotto]

Hello,

Batronix offers the UNI-T UTG932E for € 141.61. It is better than the Rigol DG1022 in almost all respects. The only difference is that the NI-T UTG932E only has a maximum amplitude of 10 Vpp in 50 ohms up to 10 MHz.

However, the second channel of the Rigol DG1022 is very limited.

The Rigol DG1022 is not bad, but 150 € is way too much these days.

Best regards
egonotto

[J-R]

I wouldn't classify the DG1022 as "ancient", more like an "older model".  If your needs are truly "basic", then whatever you choose will probably be fine, but you didn't mention any specific use cases or requirements.

Many hobbyists select older gear for various reasons, such as nostalgia, more direct interaction, performance per dollar, etc.

Side note, typically the DG1022 would be called a function or (arbitrary) waveform generator, not a signal generator.  When shopping for older AWGs, be sure you can actually get the software working necessary to build or capture the waveform and send it to the generator.

I might suggest getting something quite a bit less expensive, then upgrading later once you know what you need.

Or if you can stretch your budget, the Rigol DG1022Z or DG811 might be reasonable options.  They can both be "upgraded" to higher performance levels following instructions here on the forums.

[DoorVb]

Alright, that UNI-T model costs €120 in Belgium. So I think it will suit me fine! I don't know why Rigol keeps their old stuff so expensive...

Many thanks!

[Aldo22]

Imo, it is best to define what is important to you before you buy.
Example: UTG932E has slightly better THD than Feeltech FY6900, but the FY6900 has more than twice as fast a rise time as the Uni-T.
A device is sometimes better and worse at the same time, depending on which characteristic you look at.

[J-R]

Yes, for sure it's ideal to state what you need before you buy, but if you're truly a beginner I suppose you have to start somewhere.  For the price, the Uni-T seems like a reasonable beginner's choice, considering it's new vs. the DG1022 which I assume is used.

But, some of the UTG932E specs are a bit optimistic, and the AWG functionality is extremely limited.  You only have 24 internal arbitrary waveforms, and only one 4kpts user waveform which is lost at power off.  The DG1022 has 48 arbitrary waveforms, plus 10 slots in non-volatile memory for 4kpts user waveforms.  The DG1000Z series and DG800 series take things quite a bit further with 160 arbitrary waveforms and a TON more waveform points, such as 8Mpts or 16Mpts, compared to the 4kpts for the UTG932E and DG1022 (1kpts on channel 2 of the DG1022).

There is also the Owon DGE2000 series: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/owon-dge2035-dge2070/

[Aldo22]

Yes, for sure it's ideal to state what you need before you buy, but if you're truly a beginner I suppose you have to start somewhere.

That's true, but do you have to buy something “serious” as a beginner if you don't know what it's all about?
Sometimes the desired range of functions can be achieved by buying several cheaper devices.

My first function generator was an XR2206 kit for a few dollars.
It's pretty bad, but it does something. I still use it for certain things because it's analog.

Then I have an FY3224s as a 2 channel / 20Vpp AWG.
It's cheap and not particularly pretty, but does the job. Phase, offset, pulse width, sweep etc. and you can control it completely from the PC. That's all you really need as a beginner.

Then I have a TinySA, which can generate sine waves up to 350MHz and AM / FM. If you need more amplitude, you can use a cheap amplifier.

Then I have the AWG built into the DSO2000.
This also has its specialties. For example, it has an amazingly short rise time for this category. This allows you to generate single, short, crisp hand-triggered pulses, for example. (Attached Screenshot 20ns).
It can also do AM / FM with different modulated signals (sine, square, ramp).

And so all these cheapos have their place and together they actually provide all the functionality I need as a beginner. And all this doesn't cost much.
If I need more, I buy something better. But at least then I know why and what for. 

[tautech]

Accuracy is everything.

A good AWG can be used for calibrating old CRO's where at one time that was only the domain of Mark/Space generators.
A friend had such a beast that I borrowed a few times until I got my 1st AWG after having a Phillips FG that could be called anything but accurate. 

A 2ch AWG providing equal outputs is a valuable instrument when both channels are used together, one triggering output on the other to provide the likes of a series of defined pulses in bursts.

You never know when you need such functionality until you do.....

[NE666]

Accuracy is everything.

Stability and repeatability have entered the chat

[J-R]

So you don't know you need it until you know you need it?  OK, glad we got that cleared up!

I think many hobbyists here like myself don't "need" anything; we buy things to tinker with.  If something looks interesting and is within the slush-fund budget, we buy it on a whim.

The tinySA Ultra and the NanoVNA H4 are great budget purchases.  https://nanovna.com/?page_id=121

[lightman]

Hi, I have the DG1022, i purchased new like 14 years ago, and serve me well, i still use it.
I think it's far better than the uni-t, because of the options it has, like input and output of 10mhz reference, trigger input which i use a lot for when i need to send a burst signal triggered by an external event, the sync out option also use it a lot to synchronize with the oscilloscope for certain uses, like sweep.
it is old but has a lot of features.

the only downside is that when you are in sweep mode, above 10 Mhz it will not compensate amplitude amplification and will attenuate, it is a software bug and they said that since the unit is too old they won't patch it, but if you don't sweep above 10 Mhz it's all good.

after 13 years in service mine now has a 400 mvDC offset in Arbitrary DC mode, everything else is excellent, i never calibrated it.

[J-R]

I'll say one notable negative of the DG1022 compared to "modern" units is the small screen, which limits the amount of information visible at once.  This is also a problem with my old HP33120A which made an Owon AG1022 purchase very attractive during a fire sale (less than $100).

My very old JDR DFG-600 generator only requires a glance to see what it's set to, and also having all those knobs makes things very quick and handy when you're trying to monkey around, especially with audio.  It only goes to 2MHz and accuracy/precision are not features you'll find on it, however.

A while back I got a deal on the Rigol DG1022Z and unlocked it to the DG1062Z.  It should hold me over for quite some time.  One reason I selected it over the DG1022 and the DG811 was due to the ethernet port.

Also, to be clear why I recommended them: the tinySA Ultra can generate sine waves up to 800MHz, square up to 4.4GHz and an RF test signal up to 5.3GHz.  The NanoVNA H4 can also generate signals and be flashed with the tinyPFA firmware to offer other functionality.