Spend ~$330 now, and get a DSO1052
in 3-5 years, upgrade to something better if needed, maybe recouping some part of my ~$330 by selling the 1000 series. Or save a bit longer, buy something higher end (the 2000 series) and have something that will last me longer, but may be way overkill, in which case I got something nicer, but spending way more.
It's the "buy a radioshack dmm vs buy a fluke". Sure, the 'Shack DMM probably will do everything you want, but if you need a Fluke in the future, you're stuck with a Shack DMM that you either have to sell, or just look at thinking "why did I buy that?"
But, I'm a tinkerer, so the 1000 series will probably work fine for me for everything I want to do. *sigh*

in 3-5 years, upgrade to something better if needed, maybe recouping some part of my ~$330 by selling the 1000 series. Or save a bit longer, buy something higher end (the 2000 series) and have something that will last me longer, but may be way overkill, in which case I got something nicer, but spending way more.
Are you 100% you will be into electronics for more than 3-5 years? If you are like me you change hobbies every once in a while. My only exception is electronics because there are half a dozen of fields I can alternate between.
Now the issue with the DS2072 is that if is twice the price and is not yet proven, although it's quality suggests it can overlast a DS1052E. And don't forget software will contain more bugs than usual for now.
It's the "buy a radioshack dmm vs buy a fluke". Sure, the 'Shack DMM probably will do everything you want, but if you need a Fluke in the future, you're stuck with a Shack DMM that you either have to sell, or just look at thinking "why did I buy that?"
Not quite, because the Radio Shack meter will have the same features (or often more) as the Fluke.
With Fluke you are paying for a bare-bones reliable well built and well proven design, not extra features.
That's not the case with the Rigol DS2000, you are paying for a big host of extra features and potential expandability with the options.
Hmm... true, except the count increase.
So, what KILLER "app" or feature does the 2000 series do that the 1000 series won't? Obviously physical differences aside (I know the screen is much bigger, etc).
Hmm... true, except the count increase.
Not so.
You can get a 50,000 count Uni-T or other brand for under $100.
The closest Fluke with 4 1/2 digit is the Fluke 80 series, and it's only 20,000 count, for what, 3-4 times the price?QuoteSo, what KILLER "app" or feature does the 2000 series do that the 1000 series won't? Obviously physical differences aside (I know the screen is much bigger, etc).
Off hand:
- 14 times the memory standard
- Segmented memory (effectively amplifying that 14Mbit by several orders)
- Waveform replay
- advanced PC control (see the awesome firmware a forum member has written)
- Ethernet standard
- Low noise 500uV front end
- intensity graded display (analog-like display)
- order of magnitude better waveform update speed
- a whole host of advanced measurement capability
Plus more.
All for double the price.
IMO, it's a no-brainer.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned.. The 1052 is still "Upgrade-able" to an 1102... Like I said my scope is 1 month old and came with the latest firmware. I upgraded it no problem.. A little extra savings!
[DS2072] does look like a great piece of kit but for many hobbyists who value their savings and marriages I think the 1052 will continue to be the Model T of the oscilloscope world for a while yet!
If you decide for the DS1000 series, you could get a logic analyzer as well, as you go along. A Saelae Logic as Dave reviewed, is a good idea if you ever want to program microcontrollers.
Thus, the Owon SDS7102V remains of interest to me. At €489/$627 it sits under the middle marker between the 1052E and 2072 (and qualifies for free shipping, unlike the 1052E). Forgetting the 2072 for a moment, don't you get very interesting features in the Owon for the extra 70% over the 1052E? (10x longer memory, larger screen, one ADC, lower noise, portability, better probes...)
I'd be interested in trying to highlight the candidates in this €400-500/$500-600 range and judging by some of the other comments in this thread, I am not the only one.
* Prices from batronix.com, the cheapest source in Europe.
Siglent have also developed they after sales customer care (Of course distributors need be main role for after sales care). Example public FW updates, service manuals and also spare parts available.
Siglent have service manuals?
Genuine downloads, or pirated copies?
(These old 5.7" display models are going Obsolete and Siglent stop them after 30.April.2013).Quote
Yes, no more SDS1000C/D/CM/CN/CF/CE
http://www.siglent.com/en/news/detail.aspx?id=100000050523437&nodecode=119002001
Pirated from where?
I thought you said 8 months ago in the TrioSmartCal video that Siglent is the single largest OEM who design and manufacture for BK Precision, Lecroy, Atten etc?
Pirated from where?
I thought you said 8 months ago in the TrioSmartCal video that Siglent is the single largest OEM who design and manufacture for BK Precision, Lecroy, Atten etc?
I'm talking about service manuals.
If Siglent service manuals exist, then they are either:
a) An official version from Siglent designed for either public or limited deaer/service centre release
or
b) Some sort of pirated or leaked schematic or documents etc, or maybe even some revere engineered thing?
Available officially. Named as Service manual (limited public verdsions of course) and yes, no schematics. Just like also many others today. Explanation about specs, calibration check, calibration procedure using equipments and computer, simply diagnose and something about mechanical construction.
Available officially. Named as Service manual (limited public verdsions of course) and yes, no schematics. Just like also many others today. Explanation about specs, calibration check, calibration procedure using equipments and computer, simply diagnose and something about mechanical construction.
Blah!
Agilent have those too:
http://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/75019-97039.pdf
staze, you keep mentioning that you also need to get a bench PS. Do you not have one at all? If not, then IMO that's a pretty darn critical piece of equipment for most of us - on par with having a scope and only slightly less important than having one or two DMMs and a soldering iron. I would do some homework on that and pick out what you think will suffice for your needs, and keep that in mind as you consider budget for the scope. Bench PSU costs can vary greatly depending on what you need out of them.
FWIW, I was strongly considering the 2000 series too when I decided to go for a 1052E. The money actually isn't a problem for me in general - it's just that overall I have poured a ton of cash into this hobby over the past 6 months. At least $3,000 - not including the new scope - on things from PSU to solder and hot air stations, assorted power and hand tools, furniture, books, educational kits, mcu boards and modules, countless online orders for parts from Digikey/Adafruit/Ebay, PCB fabrication for circuit designs, and even a mid-size 3D printer to handle creating custom mechanical parts and project enclosures. All those little things add up very quickly.
Thus, the Owon SDS7102V remains of interest to me. At €489/$627 it sits under the middle marker between the 1052E and 2072 (and qualifies for free shipping, unlike the 1052E). Forgetting the 2072 for a moment, don't you get very interesting features in the Owon for the extra 70% over the 1052E? (10x longer memory, larger screen, one ADC, lower noise, portability, better probes...)
One thing I haven't seen mentioned.. The 1052 is still "Upgrade-able" to an 1102... Like I said my scope is 1 month old and came with the latest firmware. I upgraded it no problem.. A little extra savings!
Only issue is, seems a lot easier to spend 30% more and get the 2072 if it's only 30%. 100% more, however.