Which oscilloscope you recommend if the budget below $450?

[jacklee]

My younger friend want buy an oscilloscope, he's just graduated from school, so his budget is really limited. He ask me which one is better, I thought I couldn't answer him optionally.
So here I'm asking this question, maybe someone can give good advice for him. His major is Automotive engineer. And just a new guy in this field.
(I also don't know if this subject is right at here, if not, please just delete this post, thank you and sorry for the trouble.)

[Fungus]

For en Electronics engineer the answer is easy - the Rigol DS1054Z.

For an automotive engineer it's a bit harder. A lot of automotive engineers use Picoscopes, they even make special versions of Picoscopes for automotive engineers. The budget will be tight though.

https://www.picotech.com/products/oscilloscope

(note that there's an 'Automotive' section at top-left...but the special automotive 'scopes cost more than $450)

[MrW0lf]

Cheapest "real deal" from Pico is 2206B: 2ch 50MHz 32MSa memory US$349.00, below that is low-memory legacy stuff. Looking at my 2408B then bandwidth is probably more like 70MHz, especially with square signal. Due to large memory and full-memory decoding might be good for automotive.
Then there is Digilent Analog Discovery 2 2ch which has interesting tricks in bag BUT beware of bandwidth, anything above 10MHz takes great care and its pushing it a bit, also memory max 2x16kSa.
From knobbed scopes GW Instek 1054B 4ch is quite good and very properly engineered, but no decoding at all.
As for mentioned Rigol D1054Z 4ch then it has lots of listed features and ok bandwidth, but some features may not work as expected so not suitable to volt/timing accuracy nut, ok if youre more a hacker type.
Then there is Siglent SDS1102X 2ch.
Think got it more less covered (minus Owons/Hanteks)?

[Fungus]

but some features may not work as expected so not suitable to volt/timing accuracy nut

Some features may not work as *you* expect them to. Most other people are perfectly happy.

[MrW0lf]

Well it depends on your diagnosis, recently diagnosed at least for BCCS, BNP, CAFE, COFFEE, DPI, EMI, FUSS, GAS, GPSDO, HFO, IMD, LATTE, LED, LSUG, SAD, SCOPE, TEA, TEE, TN, VN in group therapy thread:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/test-equipment-anonymous-(tea)-group-therapy-thread/
One of the most severe conditions is TN (time nut), with fast evolving VN (volt nut). Cannot full exclude I need help, not new testgear every week 

[JPortici]

it depends on what kind of autumotive stuff he does, but i'd say Picoscope.

In current job i design aftermarket car electronics, to me it's more important to be able to look at and decode canbus, lin and SENT. then the pico caaaaan save and export decodes from all buffers (around 1000 at a time) but at some point a protocol analyzer is best (like kvaser + busmaster for canbus)

plus the fact it's a usb scope means that it's battery powered (from your laptop) and floating (again, laptop on battery). both inputs share the same ground though!

beware: the input voltage rating is not so high. he needs to be careful if he has to work with injection systems and the like (but then, he would need correct probes anyway)

can't say to be an expert in this field but for what i have to do the best all around tool is either the pico or a keysight/lecroy + options that starts at 10 times the price. of course we have the pico.

[Andreas]

it depends on what kind of autumotive stuff he does, but i'd say Picoscope.

Cheapest "real deal" from Pico is 2206B: 2ch 50MHz 32MSa memory

Hello

But I would use a real automotive scope from pico. eg 4225.
The 2000 series has only +/-20V input range.
So you will need a 1:10 divider already for measuring the injector coil voltage. (50V free wheeling)

The 4225/4425 has direct input capability for +/-200V and protection up to 250V.
So you can measure directly at the break out box / with steel needles backwards on the connector.

with best regards

Andreas

[MrW0lf]

The 2000 series has only +/-20V input range.

Well... "below $450"... At least protection is +-100V. Must say that I messed around low power high voltage a lot (HV flyback etc) with my old 2205, employing 100x probes. All inputs intact. Naturally did take care with proper grounding points etc. Briefly messed with high-energy stuff also but already w differential probe. Would not poke in high-energy directly even with more protected inputs...

[jacklee]

Thank you for all of your guys kindly replies. My younger friend still pending on choice.....

[EEVblog]

Then there is Siglent SDS1102X 2ch.

Hold off on that! Trust me...

[pascal_sweden]

Maybe we have to wait until Dave reveals that new low-end scope today

[nctnico]

Then there is Siglent SDS1102X 2ch.

Hold off on that! Trust me...

Is a release date set?

[jacklee]

If Dave can give any recommend, I think my friend will really appreciate of your kindness, and will rather follow your suggests.
 

[Carrington]

I found this today:
http://www.siglent.com/oscilloscope/SDS1000X-E%20Series

[ebclr]

Only 2 smart options

Rigol DZ1054Z  full featured 4 chanels easy hackable TO 100mHZ all options

https://www.amazon.com/Rigol-DS1054Z-Digital-Oscilloscope-Channels/dp/B012938E76

Limited 2 chanels, but brand name can't be hackable at present time, Very expensive options

http://www.keysight.com/en/pdx-2766390-pn-EDUX1002A/oscilloscope-50-mhz-2-analog-channels?cc=US&lc=eng


Risk option

https://pt.aliexpress.com/store/product/Digital-Tablet-Oscilloscope-100MHz-2CH-4CH-handheld-oscilloscope-automotive-scopemeter-oscilloscope-osciloscopio-TO1000M-series/1293611_32767101226.html?spm=2114.12010608.0.0.vZLgVu

[TheAmmoniacal]

Then there is Siglent SDS1102X 2ch.

Hold off on that! Trust me...

I suspect this Siglent launch will become another minor disappointment.. The prices that have appeared on Chinese websites are (converted from CNY):

SDS1202X-E (200 MHz): $937 USD
SDS1102X-E (100 MHz): $821 USD
SDS1072X-E (70 MHz):  $763 USD

These prices are crazy, why would the US/EU prices be much different? (<$400). Hard to imagine.

[tautech]

There's every likelihood they'll be very different pricing for western markets, several models we've spotted before release have been much much cheaper than Chinese website would have us believe.
Another of Daves clues from another thread:

Yep, most likely a Hameg. Let's see if they do a promotion with free decode options as they have done in the past. 800 bucks for UART, I2C and SPI is insane.

It's nuts when a new sub $400 scope has them built in as standard. It's sitting in my dumpster, wait for it...

[nctnico]

Only 2 smart options

Risk option

https://pt.aliexpress.com/store/product/Digital-Tablet-Oscilloscope-100MHz-2CH-4CH-handheld-oscilloscope-automotive-scopemeter-oscilloscope-osciloscopio-TO1000M-series/1293611_32767101226.html?spm=2114.12010608.0.0.vZLgVu

Judging from the reviews from others the MicSig tablet scopes work as advertised so it might actually be a very sensible option. I'm very tempted to buy one myself as a bring-along scope.

[Carrington]

Seem that the new sds1000x-e series are based on ZynQ: http://www.yongdadianti.com/html/1226.html 

[nctnico]

Seem that the new sds1000x-e series are based on ZynQ: http://www.yongdadianti.com/html/1226.html 

Interesting move because that would mean Siglent has obsoleted all their other scopes in one go.

[saturation]

Nice.  Being the second DSO brand using Zynq as I know [ any more ??], would be very interested to see how it fares against against the GWInstek 2000E.

The Siglent write up shows a lot of spec and functional similarities.

I found this today:
http://www.siglent.com/oscilloscope/SDS1000X-E%20Series

Seem that the new sds1000x-e series are based on ZynQ: http://www.yongdadianti.com/html/1226.html 

Interesting move because that would mean Siglent has obsoleted all their other scopes in one go.

[rf-loop]

Nice.  Being the second DSO brand using Zynq as I know [ any more ??], would be very interested to see how it fares against against the GWInstek 2000E.

The Siglent write up shows a lot of spec and functional similarities.

SDS1000X-E do not compete at all with chinese GoodWill 2000E or any other.

Only need compete with itself.   

Buyer think what he need, what he like and what he do not need and what not like and budget.
Buyer have money in his pocket and he make decision what is bes for him. Who buy what is best for some other needs and other peoples. Only peoples who do not  know what they are doing and why.
Example: And now I think only and alone my own needs, if I think some other people possible needs then it is other game...
oh but now this trivial  Example: If I, for me,  need waveform history buffer. And it is mandatory for me and I have quite low budget and I do not want any USB gadgets (never ever). Just after then all compete is -game over.

Commonly there is many other similar things what may turn selection to other model or other brand.  Only hobbyist have problems to know what they need and then they try select all-in-one box what is "overall best" or "popular" but perhaps not very good in anything.
I have never purchased most popular anything. I walk own roads, I know what I need and in this case I do not care anything what some other people need admire or keep best. Just result after decades of experience.