Products > Test Equipment
DSO + Saleae or MSO? (Rigol DS1102E/2072, Agilent DSOX2002A/MSOX2002A, etc)
Electro Fan:
Hi,
I've been using a Tektronix 2247A for several years. I've been thinking about upgrading for enthuisast-level electricitly/electronics and IT related projects - primarily for experimenting and learning. (I find Arduino projects therapeutic, go figure.)
For a while I was thinking about a Rigol DS1102E ($399) plus a Saleae Logic16 ($299). Then I saw the Rigol DS2072 (~$850) and scope creep (figuratively and literally) began to set in. Then I saw the Agilent DSOX2002A ($1258?); with the Logic16 (if we really want it/need it) we're at about $1600. Then there is the Agilent MSOX2002A (only 70MHz) at about $2k or the MSOX2012A (100MHz) at about $2300 - both with 8 logic channels.
I know the question coming back to me will be "Well, what are you going to use this stuff for?" If I knew that I could probably answer my own question. What I'm hoping is that someone here who has more skill, knowledge, experience, and wisdom will be able to net out some of the likely migration paths users experience as they learn to increase their abilities to examine and harness analog and digital signals.
I don't want to overbuy but I'd also like to avoid having to start over sooner than later; sometimes making a bigger investment last longer is the better approach.
Having said all that, my sense is that for various reasons the test equipment market might be on the cusp of some especially good continued innovation. Moore's Law should continue to help price performance and as we see the continued integration of software, firmware, and hardware (including display technology) along with more feedback from users at all experience levels (on blogs and forums, etc.) to the test equipment manufacturers I think we are likely to see lots of cool stuff coming. The ability to visualize and analyse and manage information signals is only going to get better - probably a lot better. If this is correct, it might make sense to go with the 1102E and Logic16 and in 2-3 years when I've maybe figured out how to use half the features and capabiltities there might be a great new wave of entry level and next level products. But if anyone wants to suggest that spending more now to move up the food chain will notably help with ease of use and the ability to learn and apply, or if you think some feature is particularly cool, or if you just think the sheer joy of using some particular product or combination of products is the way to fly, I'm open to any suggestions.
Thanks!
lgbeno:
After watching Dave's video about the Rigol 2000 series, it seems to me the best bang for your buck is that plus a Saleae. The reason that I say that is that it looks like rigol gas all and possibly more analog features than the Agilent. Wrt the digital stuff, you need to keep in mind that the bus decoder options in Agilent are extra and included in Saleae.
The only real reason that I can see paying for Mso in a scope would be I'd you need to synchronize capture of analog and digital but I don't know if you'll need this.
Logic 8 is probably sufficient too and it will save you 150 bucks unless you debug a lot of large parallel interfaces.
grego:
I'm kind of with Igbeno for the most part - there are two reasons to go with a MSO - convenience and triggering.
In my case I just got a new Instek 2204A which has a full MSO option. Which is another scope to look into. Mind you I want to be able to sync between my analog and CAN bus stuff so I have a "need" for a MSO.
Then again I also have a Salae - can't beat the form factor!
ben_r_:
And something else to add to your calculations:
Agilent sells refurbed in brand new condition with all accessories and full 5 year warranty (basically exactly like buying brand new) MSOs via their eBay store AgilentUsed. I just bought an MSOX2024A for $1850 USD. That model is still listed on eBay. Find the listing and use the Best Offer at $1850 and theyll accept. They will also heavily discount those accessories/add-ons listed in the description section of the listing. Thats the best deal youre going to find on a seriously nice professional entry level digital scope.
grego:
--- Quote from: ben_r_ on April 13, 2013, 10:11:26 pm ---And something else to add to your calculations:
Agilent sells refurbed in brand new condition with all accessories and full 5 year warranty (basically exactly like buying brand new) MSOs via their eBay store AgilentUsed. I just bought an MSOX2024A for $1850 USD. That model is still listed on eBay. Find the listing and use the Best Offer at $1850 and theyll accept. They will also heavily discount those accessories/add-ons listed in the description section of the listing. Thats the best deal youre going to find on a seriously nice professional entry level digital scope.
--- End quote ---
Agreed, but the decode options will still set you back about $400 per decode -- so if you want I2C/SPI, RS232 and CAN that's another $1200 right there. Plus $200 to get to 1M memory. So yes, it's a SIGNIFICANT discount on a new agilent but there's still a bunch to buy on top of that price.
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