Recommendation for AWG...

[alank2]

Hi Everyone,

I usually like the most bang for the buck and I am a fan of Rigol stuff so I started looking at their lineup.  DG1022, DG1022A, DG1032Z, DG1062Z, DG4062, etc.

Any comments good or bad on these or other manufacturers units?  Are any of these easily unlockable to have more features?

Thanks!

[alank2]

And while we are at it, how does something like the 1074Z-S's built in generator compare to a DG1022/A ?

[tautech]

Any particullar functionality you are focussed on?

BW
Risetimes
Waveform types
Channels

Some fixed requirements that you need would be a good starting point. 

[alank2]

That is the thing, having never had one, I'm not really sure what I want/need.  I'm sitting down to playing around making a front end for an AVR based frequency counter I've been playing around with for years and it occurred to me that having the ability to make a signal to test with (frequency, amplitude, etc.) would make the job easier.  In this case the price is probably king, I don't want to spend too much.  I've got one of those dds boards form ebay that goes up to 5mhz, but it is pretty limited.

[nbritton]

Some fixed requirements that you need would be a good starting point. 

I want to be able to do this:

[tautech]

Some fixed requirements that you need would be a good starting point. 

I want to be able to do this:

Then check out GK's thread:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/2-inch-video-monitor/

[tautech]

That is the thing, having never had one, I'm not really sure what I want/need.  I'm sitting down to playing around making a front end for an AVR based frequency counter I've been playing around with for years and it occurred to me that having the ability to make a signal to test with (frequency, amplitude, etc.) would make the job easier.  In this case the price is probably king, I don't want to spend too much.  I've got one of those dds boards form ebay that goes up to 5mhz, but it is pretty limited.

Many reasonable units will do the basics but probably the most desired feature is isolated channels.
These are not normally found in low priced units eg SDG5000 series starts at US$ 718 (80 MHz).
Other features like copy channel, equal channel drive capability and high current outputs all are not always found in lower price units.
But as I often say, horses for courses and only you will have to determine the specs you require.

Post some links of those that interest you and no doubt members will hold your hand while you make your decision. 

[alank2]

I guess mostly I'm looking at the DG1022 and the DG1022A or U.  There is a company on eBay selling the U for $335.

[Performa01]

Even though the Rigol DG1022(A) appears to remain fairly popular, the new DG1032Z offers a significantly better price/performance ratio in my book.
The new Siglent SDG2024X also looks very promising and might give you even more bang for the buck.

[alank2]

Maybe I'll wait a bit until I can pay more, it sounds like a little more $$$ may get you more bang for the buck.

[Howardlong]

And while we are at it, how does something like the 1074Z-S's built in generator compare to a DG1022/A ?

It's not half bad actually. If you compare raw specs with the DG1022A it fairs pretty well except for amplitude which is relatively limited on the -S.

The downside comes in the fact that its connectors are at the back and at you have to battle through the scope interface to use it. If you don't use an AWG that much and are short on desk space, or perhaps need a neat field solution, it's really rather good. It is a compromise, but it certainly ain't a toy, it has real value.