Hantek DSO2000 Master Thread (DSO2C10 DSO2C15 DSO2D10 DSO2D15)

[DavidAlfa]

Continuation of https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/new-hantek-dso2x1x-models/

»  Readme first!  «
Before following any instructions described here, please read:
This information was obtained based on my own testings and forum users feedback.
I've put my best efforts on making this information accurate and valuable, but it might not be 100% correct.
Having said that, I don't take any responsability, if you proceed, it'll be at your own risk.


Before doing anything, save your important data!
- Make a flash backup (Check DSO Flash Tool below).
- Run Backup Builder (In Mods section)

Also, it's always a good idea to take a picture of Utility->System info screen.
Some updates might erase and/or break some features, and you'll need to restore the system.

Read carefully: There's a big difference between "FW version" and "SW version".
SW version refers to the software running inside the CPU(Phoenix).
FW version refers to the firmware running in the internal FPGA.

Higher FW version doesn't mean it's compatible or better!
Do not change your FW version unless specifically told you to do so!
Some updates can do it, so don't update with anything you find over internet unless you have a backup!
Check the section "FW versions" for more details.


»  Quick glance  «
This section summarizes few quick references.

»  For scopes coming with FW30xx-31xx, update to FW3102.
»  For scopes coming with FW320x, update to FW3209, try older 32xx versions if having issues.
    FW3204 seems to break the decoder, avoid it.
»  Latest software release is 2024.03.26.

»  If USB is not working properly (Drive not being recognized until pressing update), apply Hantek's USB fix.
    »  The system only has one USB interface, shared with 2 ports. So you can't use both at the same time!
»  If the scope isn't being recognized properly in IO Lib Suite, uninstall it and install the latest version from Keysight.
    »  Also using Rohde & Schwarz Driver seems to work (Tested v5.12.8 ). (Link to original post).
»  If the scope is randomly crashing when handling the controls, ensure you have latest FW (B102/3102 or B202/3202).
»  Additionally, if calibration fails with an error, probably your FW version is incorrect, check "FW versions".
»  You can upgrade and downgrade to any FW and SW version you want, i.e. you can apply an older version if the newer one isn't stable or compatible, there's no known risk of permanent damage.
»  Sometimes the settings get corrupted and the scope gets stuck in the boot logo or the interface becomes unresponsive. If this happens, check "Recovering" section.
»  Rotating encoders unresponsive but buttons working? Check this solution.
»  To quickly upgrade to 2D15, run 2D15 conversion, available at the bottom of this FAQ.
     Ensure to make a backup first with Backup builder!

»  What not to do  «
»  Screwing up your system because you thought you were smarter than anyone, so no reading of any kind was needed.
»  Coming here to blame us for your fuck-up because of the above.

»  DSO Flash Tool  «
This tool can backup and restore the flash without opening the scope.
- Download DSOFLASH
- Open the readme and folllow the instructions.


»  Firmware versions  «
It's not a good idea to change it unless stated to do so.
Calibration will fail if the wrong version is used, but else than that, there's no  risk of permanent damage.

Available FW versions
They're UPK packages, you can install them like a normal update.
If your version is not listed there, please make a backup using Backup Builder (In Mods section) and send me the file dso3kb_CNxxx_FPGA.tar.bz2.
You can upload it to my public writable folder, please add some txt describing yor upload!


»  2013_A013
»  2015_A015
»  3000_B000
»  3101_B101
»  3102_B102
»  3200_B200
»  3202_B202
»  3203_B203 (3202 fix for noisy signal in higher memory depts, ex. 4M, 8M)
»  3204_B204 (Seems to break decoding, try FW3202 if having issues)
»  3205_B205 (Supposedly it fixes the decoding problems from 3204)
»  3208_B208
»  3209_B209

»  Updating  «
There are two kind of updates: Regular system updates and low-level firmware packages.

»  Regular system updates are the UPK files. These are installed from the usb drive.
»  Low level firmware packages are flashed using platform-tools. They will overwrite the whole filesystem.
    »  Check "Recovering" section.


»  System Updates  «
This is a collection of the up-to-date known updates.
If your version is not listed there, please make a backup using Backup Builder (In Mods section) and send me the file dso3kb_CNxxx_Software.tar.bz2.
You can upload it to my public writable folder, please add some txt describing yor upload!

These can be applied safely:
»  2020.11.18 (These older versions had trouble at triggering on fast and small spikes)
»  2020.11.21
»  2020.12.07
»  2021.01.05 (Zoom bug started from this version, not fixed)
»  2021.02.23
»  2021.03.04
»  2021.03.11
»  2021.04.16
»  2021.07.05
»  2021.07.14
»  2021.07.26
»  2021.08.14 (Has a bug in the generator, DC offset not applied in real time)
»  2021.11.08 (Also includes USB fix)
»  2021.12.17
»  2021.12.21
»  2021.12.30
»  2022.01.05
»  2022.01.18
»  2022.01.24 (Starting this version, gnd coupling offset calibration was added, needs running a new calibration)
»  2022.02.10
»  2022.05.17
»  2022.08.19
»  2022.09.21 (Only fixes Russian translation?)
»  2022.10.28
»  2023.03.27
»  2023.08.31
»  2024.02.02
»  2024.03.26

These will update the fpga FW version:
»  2020.12.21_fpga_3000 -> Sets FW3000
»  2021.05.10_fpga_3202 -> Sets FW3202
»  2021.06.01_fpga_3102 -> Sets FW3102
»  2021.06.30_auto_update_fpga(3102-3202) -> Auto-updates 3000->3102 or 3200->3202, else leaves it unchanged
»  2022.02.18_fpga_3203 -> Sets FW3203 (2022.02.10 sw, fpga fix for noisy signal in higher memory depts, ex. 4M, 8M)
»  2022.09.21_fpga_3205 -> Sets FW3205
»  2024.02.02_fpga_3208 -> Sets FW3208
»  2024.03.26_fpga_3209 -> Sets FW3209

There's a Hantek solution for the USB problem:
»  USB_fix    -> Resets the system settings and deletes a small file causing the issue, FW and SW versions remain untouched.


»  FEL mode and driver installation  «
- Connect the scope to the computer, hold FEL button down and turn it on, keep holding the button for 2 seconds and release.

 

Automatic installer
- Download FEL / Fastboot Driver Installer and follow the included instructions, also available here.

Manual method
- Install PhoenixSuite_CN.msi.
- Download Zadig and follow this steps:


-After that, you should see the device driver installed:



»  Recovering  «

In the case anything went wrong and the system cannot longer boot or run normally, normally this is caused by corrupted settings, there're several options to recover:
There's a mod, "Factory Reset Daemon", that will do this automatically when doing a sequence of several power-off actions manually.

System shell
If you have access to the serial port or the USB Console is working, enter the shell and run these commands:

Code: [Select]

pidof dbus-daemon phoenix | xargs kill -9
rm -rf /data/setup/last.pho /dso/etc/aslf/*
reboot -f
If still not working, use Platform-tools method.

SCPI
- Install latest IO Lib Suite.
- Connect the scope to the computer.
- Open the Device Manager, if the scope appears under "USB Test and Measurement Devices" proceed with next step.
- Open Keysight Connection Expert, click Interactive IO, write "PRIVate:FACTORY:RESET" in the command and click "Send Command"
- All setting will be erased, the scope will reboot automatically.
- If not working or not recognized, then Platform-tools will be the only way of recovering.




Platform-Tools system flashing
This will completely wipe your system, erase serial, model and signal generator calibration!
So better you have a backup, otherwise you might lose the generator calibration.
Newer versions of the scope store the calibration values in the eeprom, while older versions didn't had them.
There's a calibration script in Mods section that will both calibrate and update the eeprom, so it never gets lost again.

Boot into FEL mode (Check upper section), then run "cmds.bat" or "recover.bat" depending on the version downloaded.
The screen will appear distorted, and/or with random colors, that's normal!
After a moment the process will finish and the scope will boot normally.
Important: Connecting it to usb 3.0 ports seem to cause some issues. Use a 2.0 port when possible.
Always apply the USB fix after recovering using this method!

If getting “api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll missing” error, install Update for Universal C Runtime in Windows.

Platform-tools versions:
»  Unified platform-tools package
    - 2020.12.21, FW3000
    - 2021.01.29, FW3101
    - 2021.05.17, FW3102
    - 2021.07.26, FW3202
    - 2022.07.07, FW3205
    - 2024.03.26, FW3209

The tool will automatically detect and show the flash type, flash compatibility is described for each version.

Now, your scope will show "undefined" under model, hardware and serial number, also the generator calibration will be gone.
You should now apply the backup package "dso3kb_CNxxx.upk" to restore them.

If you didn't made backup, the FW version might not be correct for your model.
Check "FW Versions", "Quick glance" sections to apply the correct FW.

To manually restore the HW, Model and serial check Scripts and Script Launcher in "Mods" section.
If you have lost your Generator calibration, it's gone forever, there's no known way to calibrate it.
You can try "Generator calibration fix", which will restore a calibration taken from another scope, it will be better than nothing.


»  Model modification  «
You can "upgrade" the scope ex. from a 2C10 to a 2D15 by simply modifying the model strings.
Keep in mind not all 2C1x models have the wave generator parts mounted.
Some do, other doesn't, the only way to know is to open it, or simply upgrade it and check if the generator works.
There's the package "2D15 conversion", available in Mods section, to make the conversion in a very simple manner.

Alternatively, you can also do it by yourself with these simple SCPI commands.
The SCPI commands are applied instantly, not requiring rebooting to take effect.
Remember to use your PCB number, modifying only the last digit to "1".

Code: [Select]

PRIVate:SET:MODEl1 DSO2D15
PRIVate:SET:PCB "000.000.000.000.000.000.000.001"

You can also modify the Serial and other strings:

Code: [Select]

PRIVate:SET:SERIal CN2101029000000
PRIVate:SET:VENDor Hantek


What we know so far is the software reads both the model and the PCB versions to check whether to enable the generator or not.
It willl enable the generator if the model contains 2D10 or 2D15, or if the last number of PCB model is "1".


»  Mods  «
Ensure to read Readme.txt before doing anything!

»  Backup Builder: Backups all important system data and builds three main update packages, so you can quickly restore them:
    »  dso3kb_CNxxx.upk: Restores Model, Serial, HW, FW, Generator calibration, preserving the existing software.
    »  dso3kb_CNxxx_FULL.upk: Restores Model, Serial, HW, FW, Generator calibration and dso, overwriting the existing software.
    »  dso3kb_CNxxx_EE.upk: Restores system EEPROM.

    Extra packages:
    »  dso3kb_CNxxx_FPGA.upk: Restores only the FW (fpga).
    »  dso3kb_CNxxx_Calibration.upk: Restores only the Generator calibration.
    »  dso3kb_CNxxx_Model.upk: Restores only the Model, Serial, PCB.
    »  dso3kb_CNxxx_Software.upk: Restores only the software.

    Additionally, it will create a tar.bz2 for each package to allow easy inspection of the files.
    All packages include the USB fix, also the builder itself will apply the fix before making the backups.

»  2D15 conversion: Sets your model as 2D15.
»  bmp2png: Automatically convert the screenshots into much smaller pngs.
»  Doom: Needs further explanation? Yes, you can run Doom!
»  Factory Reset Daemon: Daemon that detects early reset/power off, will trigger a factory reset on the third time the system is quickly resetted. Video.
»  FW Changer: To change any FW version. Run backupFW and send me the bin file if you FW version is not there!
»  Generator calibration: If you lost the calibration and didn't back it up, this package will restore it.
»  Overclocking: Applies overclock to the system for better response, without any overheating issues.
»  Patched english font: Original font is bulky and ugly, this font is patched and uses a smaller font already present in the file.
»  Patcher: At the moment, it's able to enable uart ascii decoding and change plot colors.
»  Theme for visually-impaired: Changes the default Yellow/Green plot colours to Yellow/Purple. Math is Cyan. See included picture.
»  RTC mod: Mod adding DS1307 or DS3131 RTC to keep the date, so the screenshots aren't always dated to 1970.
»  Date daemon: Mod adding track of the date while the scope is on, restored at boot and updated every minute. Date doesn't increase while the scope is off.
»  Scripts: Script collection. Use Script launcher to run them.
»  Script launcher: Runs any bash script in the usb drive called "do_other_update".
»  Static compiled binaries: Custom cross-compiled binaries that can be run in the hantek system. For the hacker only!
»  USB Console: Creates a USB serial port to access the Linux shell, keeping all the original functionality.

»  UPK Build / Extract tools: Scripts to decrypt/encrypt update packages.
»  source code: Kernel/uboot source code.
»  Live Linux: A compiled version of linux made to be loaded in FEL mode. Just a proof-of-concept.
»  Debian Virtual machine: Debian 10 Virtualbox machine for compiling stuff for this device, arm-gcc-linux-eabi and lots of build dependencies already installed, ready to use.


»  Links  «
»  DSO2x1x hacking thread
»  Everything is available in my Google Drive folder
»  Hantek DSO2000 schematics , thanks @pcprogrammer!

[EEVblog]

NOTE: I spun this post out from this thread:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/new-hantek-dso2x1x-models/msg3290532/#msg3290532
Because obviously it's super detailed and useful and deserved to not be buried away in another huge thread.

[OLderDan]

Where am I?!!!

[Aldo22]

@EEVblog: Thanks, good idea!
Maybe we should also start using the real name of this series to make it easier to find. It doesn't have an "x" in it:

Hantek DSO2000

[pcprogrammer]

@EEVblog: Thanks, good idea!
Maybe we should also start using the real name of this series to make it easier to find. It doesn't have an "x" in it:

Hantek DSO2000

But it does have a D or a C and a 0 or a 5 where the X's are.

[Aldo22]

As thread starter you can edit the OP however you like.
Dave just made a new thread using your previous post.

I'm neither Dave nor DavidAlfa and I can't change anything.
But this thread title is new and I'm wondering why we don't start using the correct name of this series.

[Aldo22]

But it does have a D or a C and a 0 or a 5 where the X's are.

Yes, but the name Hantek has given this series is DSO2000 and not  DSO2X1X or DSO2?1? or DSO2*1*.
How can you search for it if you don't know about the X?

[DavidAlfa]

Better now?
Yeah I asked Dave to take ownership of the first message of the original thread to place the FAQ there (To avoid the same questions and mistakes from happening again and again), but wasn't possible, so a new thread was made.

[Aldo22]

Better now?

Excellent! 
There is a name for the series and four model names.
None of them have an "X" in them. 

Thank you!

[DavidAlfa]

Yeah definitely better for google search!

[OLderDan]

When I adjust the trigger hold off is there any way to change the granularity? It seems to have some random jump in spacing so that my choices are a compromise and not exact.

[Aldo22]

When I adjust the trigger hold off is there any way to change the granularity? It seems to have some random jump in spacing so that my choices are a compromise and not exact.

Yes, I didn't get that either.
I'm sick of turning knobs anyway, so I do more complicated setups via PC->SCPI, which works “spot on”.
I made a little Linux tool for myself (image), but it should also work with the official Windows tools (afaik).
The SCPI commands are listed here.

[Elextro]

Hello everyone, I am new to these forums and I recently bought a Hantek DSO2D15. My question is for DavidAlfa. The oscilloscope originally came with software 1.03.0.0 (230831.00) and firmware 3205. It did some strange things to me that were not very important and I decided to update with the latest firmware available on the Hantek website thinking that updating would not break anything. So I downloaded the latest version from their website. When installing the firmware, it also updated the software at the same time, which went to 1.0.3.0.0 (240326.00) and the firmware to 3209. The fact is that everything seemed to be going well but this afternoon when trying new functions it started to go very slow. When you moved the signal with the vertical knob it left a trail that did not go away and even stopped and all the functions had a lot of lag, although without completely blocking. I tried doing a default setup but it was still wrong. So I downloaded again just the software from the repository that you uploaded and loaded it. I haven't touched the firmware and now it seems to be working fine, at least for now. Do you think I also have to downgrade the firmware or leave it as it is with the 3209. Thank you very much for your help.

PD: The USB connection program (DigitalScope) has stopped working and as you suggested, you updated Keysight IO Libraries and it now works fine. I don't know if it's a coincidence but after installing all the software on the oscilloscope I now notice the trigger is much more stable.

[DavidAlfa]

I can't tell as mine uses 3102, but from what I've read 3209 seems a bit unstable, try 3208, or just the original 3205.

I'm not the master of Hantek scopes, I just put everything together to make it easier for everyone, your question should be targetting the whole Hantek forum/community, not me.

[Elextro]

Thanks for your answer, I will ask the questions to the entire forum from now on. I imagine you are tired of being asked. In any case, I am considering selling this Hantek and paying the difference to get a low-end Rigol DS1102Z-E, which I imagine will be infinitely better than this oscilloscope. Greetings

[Aldo22]

I am considering selling this Hantek and paying the difference to get a low-end Rigol DS1102Z-E, which I imagine will be infinitely better than this oscilloscope. Greetings

The most important question with the DSO2000 is the price.
If you bought the DSO2D15, it was probably too expensive.
If you got it for ~$150, then it's fine.
You have a few Wow! moments and a few WTF? moments with it.
I'd keep it for the AWG alone until I get a better one.

The DS1102Z-E is certainly better, but not "infinitely" better.
And it doesn't have an AWG.

If I were to buy a new scope today, it would probably be a Siglent SDS804X HD
I think this scope is closer to "infinitely better". 

[Elextro]

I've seen the Siglent and it looks fantastic...but I don't know if I'll use it enough to get any use out of it. I often move on impulse and most of the time I buy things that I don't get the most out of later. I'll think about it though. I have asked Hantek about the firmware and am waiting to see if they respond. In the case that concerns me, at the moment, from the tests I have done, the "older" software gets along well with the more modern firmware. I notice better behavior with the signal and above all a great improvement in the trigger. We will continue testing to see. By the way, I have ordered the heatsinks for the integrated ones on the board and most likely, if I keep it, I will put a fan on it. Greetings.

[Aldo22]

By the way, I have ordered the heatsinks for the integrated ones on the board and most likely, if I keep it, I will put a fan on it. Greetings.

I don't know if that is necessary.
So far I've only had sporadic problems when it's cold, 1 or 2 minutes after switching it on.
When it's warm, it works fine here.

[Elextro]

I wanted to ask you why I see the signal from the Hantek DSO2D15 as dirtier and more unstable than other oscilloscopes. I don't know if it's because it has less digital processing or what. What do you think? Could it be a problem of insufficient filtering of the power supply itself? Greetings

[Aldo22]

I wanted to ask you why I see the signal from the Hantek DSO2D15 as dirtier and more unstable than other oscilloscopes. I don't know if it's because it has less digital processing or what. What do you think? Could it be a problem of insufficient filtering of the power supply itself? Greetings

I don't know exactly what you mean. Noise?
Do you have a picture or video of it?

[Elextro]

I mean that the lines look not very clean, with small artifacts, and if we raise the frequency the wave is not stable. If we look at the reviews of, for example, the Rigol, these waves are much cleaner and more stable. Which makes me suspect that the filtering of the built-in power supply must not be very good.

[Aldo22]

I mean that the lines look not very clean, with small artifacts, and if we raise the frequency the wave is not stable. If we look at the reviews of, for example, the Rigol, these waves are much cleaner and more stable. Which makes me suspect that the filtering of the built-in power supply must not be very good.

As I said, without a picture I don't know what you mean.
It looks good here.

And "beautiful traces" don't necessarily show more information.
It may well be that Rigol is better, it is also more expensive.

[Elextro]

Anyone can see the Rigol images in online reviews. They are clean, very clean. I have put several examples of my Hantek oscilloscope, all of them with the 20 Mhz filter disabled, if I activate it it lowers the noise a lot and improves stability, but of course I limit the bandwidth a lot. They also increase if I increase the memory depth to 400 Kpt. However, at 25 Mhz the wave is not stable in any way. Which makes me reaffirm that the filtering of the power supply must be quite poor. Has anyone increased the value of the power supply capacitors or added ferrites to the cables? The video that I cannot upload, although it is only a few seconds, due to server storage limitations, shows a wobbly sinusoidal image at 25 Mhz. By the way, I just saw that the noise is greater with the oscilloscope cold and of course if you have the probe at 10x that amplifies the signal noise more. Greetings

[Elextro]

I've tried to emulate their generator signal and I can't get it to resemble yours even remotely. I have recorded the signal at 5Mhz with ohmic load and without ohmic load. And I have also recorded it at 1x without ohmic load. Thanks for your interest

[Elextro]

I have observed that if I plug it in directly without the alligator cable that comes with the oscilloscope, the peaks on the sides of the signal improve, but I do not get a clean signal like yours.
Activating the 20Mhz filter improves the upper and lower ripple of the signal

[Aldo22]

I have observed that if I plug it in directly without the alligator cable that comes with the oscilloscope, the peaks on the sides of the signal improve, but I do not get a clean signal like yours.

Yes, the noise and all that doesn't originate in the scope, it's from the cable or the probe.

You can minimize all that with a short/better cable.

In the attachment you see the short coax from the TinySA or NanoVNA and a 50Ohms LR.

You can measure signals below 1mVpp cleanly this way (second picture, the resolution starts to show, but not so much the noise).

With a probe, you probably pick up most of the noise from the screen. Stay away from it.

The scope does not "invent" the noise. If it's there, it shows it.

However, it has no “intensity grading” like newer Rigols.
So:
- Take the cable away from sources of interference
- Turn on the 20M bandwidth limitation if possible.
- With Acquire Mode “Average” repeating signals may also appear more stable.
- In 1x mode of the probe you will have less noise.
- If the noise is so bad that it cannot trigger stably, you can adjust the holdoff of the trigger for periodic signals.
  This is best done via SCPI, as it is sometimes not possible to make fine adjustments with the rotary knob (bug).

[RobtP]

AliExpress had an offer of £15 off spending over £129. Found a DSO2C10 with an extra probe for £129.05 including delivery. -£15 +20% tax (VAT) = £137 all in, which seemed pretty good to me.
Nothing new on the SW/FW front, seems latest of those available.
Working through some of the suggested mods. Function Generator works!
@DavidAlfa ... I can't thank you enough for the work you put into this.
 

[ereides]

Hello and thanks for your very detailed post.

I have a simple question, what can I do if the USB port in the front of the DSO2D10 isn't operative, there is some another manner of doing updates or trying to repair software problems? I have my instrument freeze after power on and no button of the interface is working.
I try reset factory and this does not help.

Have you some suggestion? 

Thank you and have a nice day!

[Aldo22]

If you have tried everything listed under "Recovery" on the previous page, then I would contact the vendor or Support@hantek.com or zhangqiang@hantek.com.

P.S. The front USB only works when the rear one is unplugged.

[ereides]

Thank you for your kindly response,
In my case the front USB isn’t working even when the rear USB is disconnected. May be some hardware trouble?
Thank you again!

[Aldo22]

I don't quite understand your situation.
Is your problem that the device is freezing or that the front USB is not working?
Is it immediately freezing or is it running for a while?
Does it freeze again when you restart it immediately?
If it freezes immediately, how do you know if the front USB is working?
Did you do anything special before the problems occurred?

[Elextro]

 Well, after a short period of time with the oscilloscope 2D15 I changed it for the Rigol DHO802 and the change has been like overnight. The only bad thing about the Rigol is the startup time, otherwise it is another world. There are no shaky images and the response is much smoother than the Hantek. Not to mention the touch screen that makes everything much simpler and more intuitive. Very happy with the change, the 12bits are very noticeable. I move to the Rigol section. Greetings

[Aldo22]

Well, after a short period of time with the oscilloscope 2D15 I changed it for the Rigol DHO802 and the change has been like overnight. The only bad thing about the Rigol is the startup time, otherwise it is another world. There are no shaky images and the response is much smoother than the Hantek. Not to mention the touch screen that makes everything much simpler and more intuitive. Very happy with the change, the 12bits are very noticeable. I move to the Rigol section. Greetings

Congratulations!
I just always wonder why you don't buy a Rigol / Siglent right away if the price doesn't matter.
Where I live, I can get three DSO2000s for one DHO802.
Of course the Rigol / Siglent is better, anything else would be very strange.

[Elextro]

Well, it turns out that price does matter, because first I had to sell the Hantek and something else to be able to buy the Rigol. Otherwise my wife kicks me out of the house.

[MentalFloss]

AliExpress had an offer of £15 off spending over £129. Found a DSO2C10 with an extra probe for £129.05 including delivery. -£15 +20% tax (VAT) = £137 all in, which seemed pretty good to me.

Hi, could you point me to the £15 off if it's still valid?

Also did you get charged any import taxes to UK? I thought max was £125 before they started to charge you import tax. Thanks

[Aldo22]

AliExpress had an offer of £15 off spending over £129. Found a DSO2C10 with an extra probe for £129.05 including delivery. -£15 +20% tax (VAT) = £137 all in, which seemed pretty good to me.

Hi, could you point me to the £15 off if it's still valid?

Also did you get charged any import taxes to UK? I thought max was £125 before they started to charge you import tax. Thanks

One of the cheapest stores is this one:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006350502458.html

At Aliexpress there are often "Welcome deals" or "Choice days", where it gets even cheaper.

[RobtP]

The offers come and go. You catch them when you can.
VAT is always payable and is taken by sellers and remitted to UK government. After some figure, I don't know what it is, it becomes your responsibility to pay on import. Some goods have import duties, or other taxes apply (such as alcohol) additional to VAT. I don't know what happens if we purchase something in one of those categories.
The VAT is calculated when you have the goods in the cart. Some product listings are shown without shipping, some are inclusive. Either way, they tend to come out at roughly the same price once in the cart.

[MentalFloss]

Has anyone updated to the latest firmware  from 2024-05-07 I can find on their website?
What are the outstanding problems with this scope with the latest firmware?

[MentalFloss]

With a probe, you probably pick up most of the noise from the screen. Stay away from it.

OK but in practice most people need to use the scope probe. So how would you stay away from, or at least minimise, the screen noise?

[Aldo22]

Has anyone updated to the latest firmware  from 2024-05-07 I can find on their website?
What are the outstanding problems with this scope with the latest firmware?

The scope sometimes freezes within 1-2 minutes directly after starting.
However, this is not related to the firmware version (afaik).
If this happens, let it continue to run briefly and then restart it. After the second boot, it will run "forever". I have never had it crash during a measurement.
You can avoid this to a large extent by setting it to default settings before switching it off, so that it is not immediately overloaded at the next cold start (memory depth, persistence etc.).
The good thing is that it starts in 12 seconds. Other scopes need up to a minute for this.

Otherwise it has a few bugs and shortcomings, because it is an extremely cheap scope with a wide range of functions (AWG, protocol decoding, FFT etc.).
In principle it is a $150 scope. You shouldn't pay much more for it.
If you adjust your expectations, it's an amazing device for hobbyists.
Take it for what it is. It doesn't compare to modern Siglents or Rigols, but they don't have anything for $150, not even used (where I live).

If it were a car, I'd say it's perfect for driving to the mall twice a week.
For other requirements, I would go for a more expensive one.

[Aldo22]

With a probe, you probably pick up most of the noise from the screen. Stay away from it.

OK but in practice most people need to use the scope probe. So how would you stay away from, or at least minimise, the screen noise?

Yes, but this only becomes visible at low voltages.
The picture below is measured with probes on an Arduino. No problem.
If you are looking for a "perfect" scope, you will have to spend more money.

[MentalFloss]

Yes, but this only becomes visible at low voltages.

I was impressed by your picture of the 1mV signal. Are you saying that this sort of low level measurement is not possible with a probe, even a better probe than that supplied by Hantek?

[Aldo22]

I was impressed by your picture of the 1mV signal. Are you saying that this sort of low level measurement is not possible with a probe, even a better probe than that supplied by Hantek?

It depends.
Not with the probe in the 10x setting anyway, because at 1mV at the tip only 100uV would reach the scope (Min. V/div at 10x ist 20mV)
In 1x mode with an adapter it looks good (Maybe with a ground spring too).
The crocodile clip with its cable acts as an antenna and 300uVRMS is not much.
But this is generally the case with all probes/scopes.

[MentalFloss]

Not with the probe in the 10x setting anyway, because at 1mV at the tip only 100uV would reach the scope (Min. V/div at 10x ist 20mV)
In 1x mode with an adapter it looks good (Maybe with a ground spring too).

Right, so I get myself a decent probe that has 30MHz bandwidth in x1 mode because I don't want to be limited to 6MHz bandwidth.

So then, other than the correct use and positioning of the probe, what scope settings are needed to minimise noise on the signal? I saw your list alongside the 1mV picture but which settings are you applying exactly?

Also, going back to screen noise, is that specific to this scope because it is insufficiently shielded? Or is it common with all DSOs?

[Aldo22]

I saw your list alongside the 1mV picture but which settings are you applying exactly?

It is Hi-Res acquisition mode with 20MHz bandwidth limitation.

But look, the DSO2000 is a $150 entry level general purpose scope.
For many it is the first DSO. There is still no cheaper one with this range of functions.
It's for people who don't yet know exactly what they need, want to understand what DSOs are all about and perhaps want to experiment with Arduino, etc.

It is well suited for this and the financial risk is low in any case.

But you know that you want to measure microvolts @30MHz.
That's really pushing the limits of the DSO2000 and for that I would buy a better scope.
Maybe a 12-bit scope like the Siglent SDS804X or the Rigol DHO804. However, I'm not sure whether these devices are ideal for your purpose.
Just ask in the relevant threads.