Keysight 1200A X Series standard serial decoding only for newer units

[TK]

What is the reason behind making free serial decoding available only on new units sold after March 1 2020?

From the 1200A X Series firmware 1.20 update document:

Serial decode and trigger is now standard for DSOX and EDUX models purchased on or after March 1, 2020, with the following exceptions:
o DSOX1204A models with a serial number less than CN59356100 will require serial option license(s) (D1200EMBA, D1200AUTA)
o DSOX1204G models with a serial numberl ess than CN59357100 will require serial option license(s) (D1200EMBA, D1200AUTA)

Other new enhancements were enabled on all models (like screen update rate, max memory, etc), but not standard serial decoding.  Why?

[TK]

It is a different case, as the standard serial decode functionality offered after March 1 2020 does not require any license code.  KS is most probably checking the serial number to activate the standard option on new units.  They added some functionality like 200,000 wfm/s and 2Mpts memory even for older units, but not serial decoding. 

This is very cheap trick, as smaller companies like GW Instek released new firmware with serial decoding for the 1000X series and it activates it on all units, new and old.

[2N3055]

It is a different case, as the standard serial decode functionality offered after March 1 2020 does not require any license code.  KS is most probably checking the serial number to activate the standard option on new units.  They added some functionality like 200,000 wfm/s and 2Mpts memory even for older units, but not serial decoding. 

This is very cheap trick, as smaller companies like GW Instek released new firmware with serial decoding for the 1000X series and it activates it on all units, new and old.

It is not different. When you bought the scope you bought it as it was. With whatever options it had at the time. Anything the enable afterwards is their good will.  But I agree they should enable basic decodes on all scopes. It's just pathetic not to have UART, SPI, I2C trigger and decode..

[TK]

What I wanted to say with "different" is that in this case, there is no license code involved, so no extra work for Keysight having to regenerate codes or something like that.  They just enabled the option by firmware upgrade.  Why limit it to new scopes, is beyond my comprehension.  They are not going to sell new scopes to existing users only because they are offering 2 options priced at $149 each for free...

[Mr. Scram]

The same applies to the missing Bode Plot function on the 2000X and 3000A series the 1000X and 3000T series both have. The 1000X got upgraded waveforms and other unlocks which inches it close to the 2000X. Not also upgrading the 2000X and 3000A feels like loyal customers are left in the dust, especially considering they've been the best selling models.

[stafil]

It is a different case, as the standard serial decode functionality offered after March 1 2020 does not require any license code.  KS is most probably checking the serial number to activate the standard option on new units.  They added some functionality like 200,000 wfm/s and 2Mpts memory even for older units, but not serial decoding. 

This is very cheap trick, as smaller companies like GW Instek released new firmware with serial decoding for the 1000X series and it activates it on all units, new and old.

It is not different. When you bought the scope you bought it as it was. With whatever options it had at the time. Anything the enable afterwards is their good will.

While you are technically correct, that's a very short-sighted way to see it, as it's a good way to lose customer trust.

But honestly, Keysight and Tek have lost the war on the entry-level/low end, and the future doesn't look that bright for them on the mid-level either. Rigol, Siglent and GW Instek offer you features on sub $1000 models that are not there even on models that cost 3x-10x more in Tek.

For example, in order to get segmented memory on a Tek scope you have to go with the MDO4000+ series. Even their brand new MDO3000 with a starting at $3500 doesn't have it.

Similarly for Keysight in order to get statistics you have to go with the DSOX3000 and above.

Siglnet, Rigol, GW Instek give you these features on their entry-level scopes.

[Mr. Scram]

While you are technically correct, that's a very short-sighted way to see it, as it's a good way to lose customer trust.

But honestly, Keysight and Tek have lost the war on the entry-level/low end, and the future doesn't look that bright for them on the mid-level either. Rigol, Siglent and GW Instek offer you features on sub $1000 models that are not there even on models that cost 3x-10x more in Tek.

For example, in order to get segmented memory on a Tek scope you have to go with the MDO4000+ series. Even their brand new MDO3000 with a starting at $3500 doesn't have it.

Similarly for Keysight in order to get statistics you have to go with the DSOX3000 and above.

Siglnet, Rigol, GW Instek give you these features on their entry-level scopes.

The 2000X has statistics. Tek is gone. Keysight still has a fighting chance but it can't compete if the quality and support go but the price can't follow.

[stafil]

While you are technically correct, that's a very short-sighted way to see it, as it's a good way to lose customer trust.

But honestly, Keysight and Tek have lost the war on the entry-level/low end, and the future doesn't look that bright for them on the mid-level either. Rigol, Siglent and GW Instek offer you features on sub $1000 models that are not there even on models that cost 3x-10x more in Tek.

For example, in order to get segmented memory on a Tek scope you have to go with the MDO4000+ series. Even their brand new MDO3000 with a starting at $3500 doesn't have it.

Similarly for Keysight in order to get statistics you have to go with the DSOX3000 and above.

Siglnet, Rigol, GW Instek give you these features on their entry-level scopes.

The 2000X has statistics. Tek is gone. Keysight still has a fighting chance but it can't compete if the quality and support go but the price can't follow.

Does it? I have been told otherwise:

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/new-keysight-dsox1200x-and-edux1052-scopes-with-extended-capabilities/msg2992900/#msg2992900

[apblog]

Similarly for Keysight in order to get statistics you have to go with the DSOX3000 and above.

Siglnet, Rigol, GW Instek give you these features on their entry-level scopes.

The 3000T does have some statistics, but it lacks histograms which are very important for jitter characterization. 

The 3000T also has a very limited number of data points in it's measurement trend function.  Try to do a measurement trend of frequency on a zoomed out waveform and the measurement trend line only makes it halfway across the screen.

You need to go to the 4000X series to get histograms and a decent number of points for the measurement trend.

[Mr. Scram]

Does it? I have been told otherwise:

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/new-keysight-dsox1200x-and-edux1052-scopes-with-extended-capabilities/msg2992900/#msg2992900

I thought that statement wasn't accurate so I checked when I was playing with one the other day. That unit has both a static statistics overview as a measurement option and a running statistics overlay of the four measurements you can enable through the "Meas" menu. It may have been added from a specific firmware version on as the manuals I checked don't reference it.