Author Topic: oscilloscope recommendation for hobby use  (Read 10260 times)

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Offline AurgelmeTopic starter

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oscilloscope recommendation for hobby use
« on: June 19, 2023, 06:22:24 pm »
Hello everyone, first post here in the forum.
I need a new hobby scope as my old scope Tektronix 2213 which I have had since 1982 is completely worn out.

The choices I'm left with after a lot of reading here in the forum (a lot of confusion, since the threads usually get very long with a lot of opinions)
There is a small price difference between these, which is not decisive

MICSIG TO3004
Sealant SDS2104X
Rigol DHO924S

Which is the eventual first choice?
 

Offline james_s

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Re: oscilloscope recommendation for hobby use
« Reply #1 on: June 19, 2023, 06:30:24 pm »
This has been discussed to death and then discussed some more.  :horse:

Nothing has really changed here in the past 5-10 years, just search for the dozens of "which oscilloscope should I buy" threads and read those, there is no need to start yet another one.
 
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Offline nctnico

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Re: oscilloscope recommendation for hobby use
« Reply #2 on: June 19, 2023, 06:37:02 pm »
This has been discussed to death and then discussed some more.  :horse:

Nothing has really changed here in the past 5-10 years, just search for the dozens of "which oscilloscope should I buy" threads and read those, there is no need to start yet another one.
Agreed. Step 1 is to get a clear picture of the requirements and select an oscilloscope that fits best given the budget constraints. The answer can also be to buy two oscilloscopes...  >:D At the moment I have 5 oscilloscopes and each one of them has a unique feature the others don't have.
There are small lies, big lies and then there is what is on the screen of your oscilloscope.
 
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Offline AurgelmeTopic starter

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Re: oscilloscope recommendation for hobby use
« Reply #3 on: June 19, 2023, 08:34:59 pm »
As I wrote above here, I have read through many threads regarding the choice of scope, and the threads get long with lots of discussion about whether one is better than the other.

2 of the choices I presented are probably not officially for sale yet, but all are roughly in the same category, low budget oscilloscope.

Since I haven't bought a scope for over 40 years, this is not so easy for an older man.

So it would have helped me a lot to answer the question instead of criticizing it. You could even just ignore what I asked.
 

Offline nctnico

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Re: oscilloscope recommendation for hobby use
« Reply #4 on: June 19, 2023, 08:41:01 pm »
With all respect: what is better for you depends on what you are doing. You might as well have asked us 'what is the best mode of transportation for me?'. Without telling us whether you have a driver's license, live near public transport, like to cycle, etc, we can't provide you with an answer.  8) So please tell us a bit more about the measurements you like to make and what kind of projects you are working on.

All your options would be great replacements for your old Tektronix. But they can also do a lot more. But the 'lot more' is not the same for any of the models. It would be a shame to skip a model that has a feature that is particulary helpful for the projects you work on.

And then there is also the matter of buying a new product that might have bugs (with Rigol it is pretty much a given that their products need at least a couple of years to mature) or buy a product that has been on the market for a while which has several firmware updates. Although my experience with MicSig is that they deliver on their promises; their products work out of the box as speficied. I would not worry so much with buying the TO3004 when it is introduced.
« Last Edit: June 19, 2023, 08:45:59 pm by nctnico »
There are small lies, big lies and then there is what is on the screen of your oscilloscope.
 
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Online tautech

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Re: oscilloscope recommendation for hobby use
« Reply #5 on: June 19, 2023, 09:31:31 pm »
As I wrote above here, I have read through many threads regarding the choice of scope, and the threads get long with lots of discussion about whether one is better than the other.

2 of the choices I presented are probably not officially for sale yet, but all are roughly in the same category, low budget oscilloscope.

Since I haven't bought a scope for over 40 years, this is not so easy for an older man.

So it would have helped me a lot to answer the question instead of criticizing it. You could even just ignore what I asked.
Yes not a very good welcome to this forum from 2 experienced members.  :palm:

nctnico does have a point about your needs, exactly what are they as it's something we also try to flesh out with our customers.
However coming from what you had, those old Teks are nowhere as well featured as the modern DSO.
Currently SDS2104X Plus and all SDS2000X Plus models are under worldwide promotion where you get a free BW update = SDS2204X Plus < lots more scope than anything you have previously used.
Avid Rabid Hobbyist.
Some stuff seen @ Siglent HQ cannot be shared.
 
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Offline AurgelmeTopic starter

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Re: oscilloscope recommendation for hobby use
« Reply #6 on: June 19, 2023, 10:21:25 pm »
Thank you both for your kind replies.

Then it seems that the order of the scopes I wrote in the first post agrees with what you know about them.

Micsig TO3004 is already in stock at the supplier, so I think I'll go for this, even if it will possibly be a challenge to learn how to use the touch screen.
 

Online Martin72

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Re: oscilloscope recommendation for hobby use
« Reply #7 on: June 19, 2023, 10:27:58 pm »
MICSIG TO3004
Sealant SDS2104X
Rigol DHO924S

Pros/Cons from my point of view:

Micsig:
+ Portable
+ 1M/50 Ohms inputs
+ Hdmi output, high resolution screen (1280x800)
+ Active probe support (of course only micsig ones)
- No Eres
- Only 100k FFT
- A little bit meager trigger functions
- No bode plot function
- No inbuilt awg

Siglent:
+ 1M/50 ohms inputs
+ Low noise frontend
+ 2M FFT
+ Math functions incl. formular editor
+ Bode plot
+ Power Analyzer
+ Inbuilt 50Mhz awg
+ Matured software/UI, continous firmware updates
+ 10 bit mode (software)
+ Eres
+ Accurate timebase (1ppm)
+ Easy to hack with full options and 500Mhz bandwith (max 2ch)
- No video output
- No active probe support
- Math on 2ch max.
- No manual memory control ( for those who need it)
- Inbuilt awg got meager features
- Lower screen resolution (1024x600)

Rigol:

+ Small, lightweight, portable use possible
+ Native 12 bit resolution
+ Fresh, innovative UI
+ Low noise frontend
+ Hdmi output
- Rigol is known for it´s buggy software plus slow debugging time
- Only 7" screen
- Only 1M inputs
- No bode plot
- No inbuilt awg
- No autodetection probe capability
- Only vector mode (display)

If you don´t need a portable scope, no 12 bits and no video output, the siglent could be your choice.
At work we´re very confident with the siglent.
Otherwise try the micsig, the rigol I won´t recommend actually (plus it´s not launched yet)

 
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Offline nctnico

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Re: oscilloscope recommendation for hobby use
« Reply #8 on: June 19, 2023, 10:43:35 pm »
The MicSig might not have Eres but it has configurable input filtering (high pass / low pass) which is more useful than Eres where it comes to filtering.
There are small lies, big lies and then there is what is on the screen of your oscilloscope.
 

Online Martin72

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Re: oscilloscope recommendation for hobby use
« Reply #9 on: June 19, 2023, 10:56:50 pm »
It could save one the capacitor at the input.... ;)
(1µ and everything is gone)

Offline MMMarco

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Re: oscilloscope recommendation for hobby use
« Reply #10 on: June 19, 2023, 11:09:17 pm »
- Rigol is known for it´s buggy software plus slow debugging time

+1 for that one. I own a DS1054Z and I'm not blown away by its software ; wouldn't buy again.
27 year old Software Engineer (mostly JavaScript) from Switzerland with a taste for low level stuff like electronics 😊

 

Offline skander36

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Re: oscilloscope recommendation for hobby use
« Reply #11 on: June 19, 2023, 11:10:22 pm »
Thank you both for your kind replies.

Then it seems that the order of the scopes I wrote in the first post agrees with what you know about them.

Micsig TO3004 is already in stock at the supplier, so I think I'll go for this, even if it will possibly be a challenge to learn how to use the touch screen.

- I wouldn't be so hurry in your place going to Micsig. It is too loud. Check here before buy: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/micsig-new-oscilloscopes-on-website/msg4767260/#msg4767260
Also FFT settings are so limited that Rigol seem high end one. Beside FFT it has only Double wave, AX+B and advanced Math (which let you input some simple expressions). Attached is Micsig math tab. And indeed the touch interface is awfull, at least at the begining.
- Rigol with DHO1000 has quickly fixed the firmware so you may have luck also with the new DHO9xx. I am pretty satisfied with my DHO 1000 with the lates fw.
... but if you are coming from Tektronix 2213, I guess you will be a match for Siglent ... old, stable, polished.
 
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Offline Fungus

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Re: oscilloscope recommendation for hobby use
« Reply #12 on: June 19, 2023, 11:15:59 pm »
I need a new hobby scope as my old scope Tektronix 2213 which I have had since 1982 is completely worn out.

What did you use it for most?
 

Online Martin72

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Re: oscilloscope recommendation for hobby use
« Reply #13 on: June 19, 2023, 11:24:00 pm »
Quote
I am pretty satisfied with my DHO 1000 with the lates fw.

That´s good to hear, but then why are the rigol threads "dead" ?
Keep them up to date, fill them with life.

Offline Fungus

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Re: oscilloscope recommendation for hobby use
« Reply #14 on: June 20, 2023, 01:17:41 am »
- Rigol is known for it´s buggy software plus slow debugging time

+1 for that one. I own a DS1054Z and I'm not blown away by its software ; wouldn't buy again.

What are you using as a reference point when you say that?
 

Offline AurgelmeTopic starter

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Re: oscilloscope recommendation for hobby use
« Reply #15 on: June 20, 2023, 01:24:46 am »
What did you use it for most?


Before I retired, I used the scope mostly for low frequency, since I was doing repairs on welding equipment and plasma cutters. In the early eighties I had to build a storage device that used the 2 channels on the tektronix to draw curves. Capturing the disturbances and getting them stored for analysis was not easy, but it was achieved after much trial and error. Since then I have wanted a fast storage scope.

I'm not so sure that I need a scope of over 100 MHz today, but maybe in the future.

Now there are mostly esp32 circuits with various sensors and can-bus, for use in my mobile camper, as well as some transmitters and receivers in the 433mHz band and LoRa nRF24L01P on the 2.4GHz band.
 

Offline skander36

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Re: oscilloscope recommendation for hobby use
« Reply #16 on: June 20, 2023, 07:27:15 am »
Quote
I am pretty satisfied with my DHO 1000 with the lates fw.

That´s good to hear, but then why are the rigol threads "dead" ?
Keep them up to date, fill them with life.

Really ...? :D
 

Offline nctnico

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Re: oscilloscope recommendation for hobby use
« Reply #17 on: June 20, 2023, 08:30:50 am »
Thank you both for your kind replies.

Then it seems that the order of the scopes I wrote in the first post agrees with what you know about them.

Micsig TO3004 is already in stock at the supplier, so I think I'll go for this, even if it will possibly be a challenge to learn how to use the touch screen.

- I wouldn't be so hurry in your place going to Micsig. It is too loud. Check here before buy: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/micsig-new-oscilloscopes-on-website/msg4767260/#msg4767260
That sounds loud but without knowing how far and from what angle the measurement is made, it is hard to judge. Still it seems the fans are running at full speed where I expect MicSig to be using temperature controlled fans (just like in the TO1004 I have). Have you contacted MicSig about this? I can't imagine they release an oscilloscope that is so loud as they got quite a bit of flack for the fans they used in the TO1004 being noisy from time to time.
« Last Edit: June 20, 2023, 08:40:18 am by nctnico »
There are small lies, big lies and then there is what is on the screen of your oscilloscope.
 

Offline skander36

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Re: oscilloscope recommendation for hobby use
« Reply #18 on: June 20, 2023, 11:12:11 am »

That sounds loud but without knowing how far and from what angle the measurement is made, it is hard to judge. Still it seems the fans are running at full speed where I expect MicSig to be using temperature controlled fans (just like in the TO1004 I have). Have you contacted MicSig about this? I can't imagine they release an oscilloscope that is so loud as they got quite a bit of flack for the fans they used in the TO1004 being noisy from time to time.

It is loud wherever is placed. I have contacted vendor (Batronix) and they confirmed that all are making same noise. They offer me to return and get money back. I keept it just because I need a portable 4 channel scope that do CAN/LIN decoding.
It has two fans, and the second is the noisier. It start with the scope and is not modify his speed anytime so I don't think is temp. driven.

For the OP: A user which has TO2004 (which has the same hardware) say that it's scope doesn't make this sound which mean that 200MHz version does not need this level of cooling. As you say that you will not need a scope over 100 MHz, this model can be a choice if you like Micsig.
 
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Offline james_s

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Re: oscilloscope recommendation for hobby use
« Reply #19 on: June 20, 2023, 07:18:43 pm »
So it would have helped me a lot to answer the question instead of criticizing it. You could even just ignore what I asked.

It wasn't meant to make you feel unwelcome, it just seems like every other day there's yet another thread about "what oscilloscope should I buy" and every time these threads repeat previous threads with exactly the same discussion so I see them and think "here we go again". The same discussions with the same points happens over and over and over again in dozens of threads.
 
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Offline BillyO

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Re: oscilloscope recommendation for hobby use
« Reply #20 on: June 20, 2023, 09:23:51 pm »
The MicSig has being compact and portable going for it.  That will always come a with cost, and not always in $$.  However, if that is important to your use case, then likely you won't mind giving up the clear benefits of the Siglent WRT to generally better bench scope specifications.

BTW, you can always equip any scope with active probes.  Tektronix make a power supply for just that purpose, that will work with their "Tekconnect" active probes of which their is a pretty good selection.  You can get the power supply and a couple of probes in very good condition on the used market for less than the price of a typical new active probe.
Bill  (Currently a Siglent fanboy)
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Offline Fungus

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Re: oscilloscope recommendation for hobby use
« Reply #21 on: June 20, 2023, 09:59:35 pm »
The MicSig has being compact and portable going for it.

Plus the awesome user interface.
 

Offline BillyO

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Re: oscilloscope recommendation for hobby use
« Reply #22 on: June 20, 2023, 10:01:46 pm »
Plus the awesome user interface.
I'll have to take your word for that.  No hands-on experience here.
Bill  (Currently a Siglent fanboy)
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Offline Fungus

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Re: oscilloscope recommendation for hobby use
« Reply #23 on: June 20, 2023, 10:31:45 pm »
Plus the awesome user interface.
I'll have to take your word for that.  No hands-on experience here.

Touch screen is a killer feature for any UI with a lot of sub-options.

You can also plug in a mouse if you want pixel-perfect control.

 

Offline BillyO

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Re: oscilloscope recommendation for hobby use
« Reply #24 on: June 20, 2023, 10:33:32 pm »
Touch screen is a killer feature for any UI with a lot of sub-options.

You can also plug in a mouse if you want pixel-perfect control.
Good stuff  :-+

The Siglent has all that too.  Plus regular controls, plus web interface.
« Last Edit: June 20, 2023, 10:35:32 pm by BillyO »
Bill  (Currently a Siglent fanboy)
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