New Rigol DS8034-R vs Siglent SDS6054L

[swmcl]

Price for Rigol is $3499 US on TEquipment.  Price for Siglent is $8280 US on TEquipment.

Is the difference in the devices worth the shekels ??  How 'bad' is the Rigol ??  Is Siglent worth 2x the Rigol ??

[tautech]

How does the datasheet specs fit your needs ?

AFAICT the Rigol does not have:
All the decode protocols the Siglent offers
No MSO capability
No BW upgrade path
350 vs 500 MHz < which can become 2 GHz
Or 8ch versions......

[swmcl]

The DS8000 series has a 350MHz option, a 1Ghz option and a 2GHz option all of them are 4 channels.  So maybe there is a hack path to 2GHz ?  I wouldn't hack anything myself.

There will be more features on the Siglent but ...

The reason I look at these is because I think this is where the future is.  Web server scopes that is.  And I want something that has a good selection of scope probes.  I come from an old Tek TDS that went all shaky on the screen a couple of days ago.

[tautech]

The DS8000 series has a 350MHz option, a 1Ghz option and a 2GHz option all of them are 4 channels.  So maybe there is a hack path to 2GHz ?  I wouldn't hack anything myself.

That's the thing, there might a upgrade path or might not be, do you feel like a Guinea pig ?
The 350 MHz model seems overpriced considering you can get a 350 MHz SDS5034X with front panel, display and controls for $3,690 and it has MSO and BW upgrade capability too.

There will be more features on the Siglent but ...

The reason I look at these is because I think this is where the future is.  Web server scopes that is.

I don't share your view that these are where the future is just yet considering what you can do with existing instruments whereas I believe the market for these headless DSO's is more oriented towards larger production facilities rather than for personal use as they offer limited benefit for private or even professional lab use as webserver capability is already in many scopes so you can port to a larger display other that a PC but that's additional cost too.

And I want something that has a good selection of scope probes.  I come from an old Tek TDS that went all shaky on the screen a couple of days ago.

Most manufacturers offer a range of active probes. What exactly do you need ?

BTW, had you found the SDS6000L thread ?
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-sds6000l-2ghz-12bit-8-ch-(china-only)/
As everyone knows it's now been released to the west.

[rf-loop]

Siglent have 0.5mV/div full resolution sensitivity when Rigol have 4mV/div (more sensitive ranges 1 and 2mV/div are derived from 4mV/div  (just changing vertical scale and digital zoom)
Siglent have 5GSa/s (10GSa/s ESR) for ALL channels including also 8ch versions..  Rigol samplerate is 10GSa for single channel, 5GSa for 2 channel and 2.5Gsa for >2 channels.
Note: Siglent ESR do not rise f_Nyquist
With 5GSa/s it can support 2GHz max frequency for all channels.

[swmcl]

The reason I think headless is the way to go is because they have so few things to go wrong.  I come from a failing scope with buttons, pots and switches and screens going awry.  If you have an instrument that does not have a screen or buttons or plenty or potentiometers then there is a strong probability you have a much more reliable machine over the longer term.

There are downsides too for sure, one being convenience of being able to just twiddle a pot or switch!  I like my traditional scope for sure.

Given that the headless scope should be a lot easier and cheaper to manufacture they are way too pricey at the moment.

[tautech]

Then why not a Pico or something ?

[2N3055]

The reason I think headless is the way to go is because they have so few things to go wrong.  I come from a failing scope with buttons, pots and switches and screens going awry.  If you have an instrument that does not have a screen or buttons or plenty or potentiometers then there is a strong probability you have a much more reliable machine over the longer term.

There are downsides too for sure, one being convenience of being able to just twiddle a pot or switch!  I like my traditional scope for sure.

Given that the headless scope should be a lot easier and cheaper to manufacture they are way too pricey at the moment.

You have the wrong sense what is expensive in a scope. Few buttons and a screen cost few peanuts. Superfast ADC, large FGA and all scope plumbings and development of that  is where all the magic (and cost) is...

[tv84]

scope plumbings

   Like the concept.