There's also the GW Instek GDS-1072B or GDS-1054B with excellent features - although I think they don't have serial decoders. Depending on the decoder you need, this can be solved with a very cheap logic analyzer.
1. I was looking at some models like Rigol ds1054z but i don't know if this scope is best buy for that money in 2018. (I will unlock to 100MHz if still can and all other things like I2C,RS232...)
2. My main interest is digital electronic/microcontrollers/serial comunications (I2C,UART,RS232....)
Also of note, the Digilent Analog Discovery 2.
Great pricing for students and it is like the kitchen sink or jack of all trades. Does a lot of stuff but not particularly the best at those thing - although it is perfectly decent and good for a student.
Please suggest me some oscilloscopes that will last.
So Rigol ds1054z is right choice?
Just don't want to rush and cry after..
The Rigol DS1054Z serial decoding is pretty limited and low performance. For one thing, it only operates on what is currently displayed. Still, it is enough for many users.
You did not mention SPI which requires 3 inputs for full decoding but some of the 2-channel DSOs can use their external trigger input for the 3rd input.
The Rigol DS1054Z serial decoding is pretty limited and low performance. For one thing, it only operates on what is currently displayed. Still, it is enough for many users.
True, but ALL oscilloscopes are a bit rubbish for decoding long sequences of data, they're really the wrong tool for the job (wrong user interface, not much memory, etc.).
You can use a DS1054Z to see if the signals are present and correct and get a $6 logic analyzer if you want to see long sequences of data.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=usb+logic+analyzerYou did not mention SPI which requires 3 inputs for full decoding but some of the 2-channel DSOs can use their external trigger input for the 3rd input.
Better to get 4 channels and not worry.
Better still to get two fast (>100MHz!) channels to spot voltage/timing violations, and then to use some form of logic analyser. But you know that
Better still to get two fast (>100MHz!) channels to spot voltage/timing violations, and then to use some form of logic analyser. But you know that
It's good to be able to decode a byte or two of data on screen though, along with the relative timing of each signal on the bus.
I'd pick 4 channels @100MHz over 2 channels @200Mhz for digital work, I often want to see another signal along with the data on the bus (devices usually respond to the data they receive).
Plus: You can do things like toggle an I/O pin in your I2C interrupt handler to see if it fired or not. Use the fourth channel for debugging.
More channels is good, you'll always find a use for them in digital work. Logic analyzers are good for debugging communication protocols but they don't tend to show things in real time like an oscilloscope does. Sometimes it's good to just hook up a probe and see the signal.
PS: DS1054Z is >100MHz in real life, but you knew that.
No oscilloscope will last; you will always want a "better" one
I bought a 1052E a few years back and don't regret it... the difference between not having a scope and having one is quite astounding! (For all analogue signals I used to rely on intuition!)
I love the 1052E but if I was buying now I would go for the 1054Z as having 2 channels is hard work... I do have 4CH envy.
The Siglents look like a potential alternative but if I was buying again I would get a 1054Z without hesitation. IMHO The Keysight doesn't have enough channels at our price point.
So Rigol ds1054z is right choice?Yes.
So Rigol ds1054z is right choice?Yes.I hate to burst your bubble (NOT! ) but I think the GW Instek GDS1054B offers better value for money when hacked (by loading a license file) nowadays. 4 channels, 10Mpts per channel, full memory decoding, 1Mpts FFT and probably many more features which the Rigol DS1054Z isn't good at or even doesn't have.
So Rigol ds1054z is right choice?Yes.I hate to burst your bubble (NOT! ) but I think the GW Instek GDS1054B offers better value for money when hacked (by loading a license file) nowadays. 4 channels, 10Mpts per channel, full memory decoding, 1Mpts FFT and probably many more features which the Rigol DS1054Z isn't good at or even doesn't have.I agree.
For a trainee EE looking for a DSO to go into the future there are better choices now than a 1054Z.
It all depends on how much future proofing is required or can be afforded.