Rigol DS1102Z-E - alernatives in this price point?

[YurkshireLad]

I'm curious, from what I can see, the Rigol DS1102Z-E seems to be a good, cheap scope. It's currently C$314, which is a good price as I think it used to be C$390 until recently. I don't think it has I2C/SPI decoding or FFT, though the datasheet does list I2C/PSI but it doesn't say which models has them.

What alternatives are at this price point? I'm a beginner and I'm enjoying playing with audio/basic guitar pedals and learning about microcontrollers with various sensors etc. Not saying I'm definitely buying, just curious when I saw the price for this scope. It's almost low enough it's worth considering.

[tautech]

What alternatives are at this price point?

SDS1202X-E

[YurkshireLad]

What alternatives are at this price point?

SDS1202X-E

That's about C$525 according to Amazon. Not in the same ballpark.

[tautech]

That's about C$525 according to Amazon. Not in the same ballpark.

You'd do better contacting your local Canadian agents than Amazon.
https://siglentna.com/how-to-buy/

Not knowing where you are here's a couple of random ones:
https://rcce.com/siglent/siglent-sds1202x-e-super-phosphor-oscilloscope?page=2
http://catalogue.techno-test.com/products/1-Test___Measurement/8-Oscilloscopes/324-Siglent___NEW___SDS_1000X_Series__100Mhz____200Mhz_/

[Fungus]

I'm curious, from what I can see, the Rigol DS1102Z-E seems to be a good, cheap scope. It's currently C$314, which is a good price as I think it used to be C$390 until recently. I don't think it has I2C/SPI decoding or FFT, though the datasheet does list I2C/PSI but it doesn't say which models has them.

It definitely has FFT and SPI.

See manual: https://www.batronix.com/pdf/Rigol/UserGuide/DS1000Z_UserGuide_EN.pdf

The Rigol DS1102Z-E is basically a Rigol DS1054Z but with only two channels and an External trigger input (the 'E' in the name). Anything the DS1054Z does, it will do too.

[YurkshireLad]

That's about C$525 according to Amazon. Not in the same ballpark.

You'd do better contacting your local Canadian agents than Amazon.
https://siglentna.com/how-to-buy/

Not knowing where you are here's a couple of random ones:
https://rcce.com/siglent/siglent-sds1202x-e-super-phosphor-oscilloscope?page=2
http://catalogue.techno-test.com/products/1-Test___Measurement/8-Oscilloscopes/324-Siglent___NEW___SDS_1000X_Series__100Mhz____200Mhz_/

C$466 AND US$379 for the two you listed, which is quite a jump from the Rigol.

[YurkshireLad]

I'm curious, from what I can see, the Rigol DS1102Z-E seems to be a good, cheap scope. It's currently C$314, which is a good price as I think it used to be C$390 until recently. I don't think it has I2C/SPI decoding or FFT, though the datasheet does list I2C/PSI but it doesn't say which models has them.

It definitely has FFT and SPI.

See manual: https://www.batronix.com/pdf/Rigol/UserGuide/DS1000Z_UserGuide_EN.pdf

The Rigol DS1102Z-E is basically a Rigol DS1054Z but with only two channels and an External trigger input (the 'E' in the name). Anything the DS1054Z does, it will do too.

I saw them in the manual but I didn't want to assume the base 2 channel scope would have them. C$314 is very cheap after all.

[nctnico]

I'm curious, from what I can see, the Rigol DS1102Z-E seems to be a good, cheap scope. It's currently C$314, which is a good price as I think it used to be C$390 until recently. I don't think it has I2C/SPI decoding or FFT, though the datasheet does list I2C/PSI but it doesn't say which models has them.

What alternatives are at this price point? I'm a beginner and I'm enjoying playing with audio/basic guitar pedals and learning about microcontrollers with various sensors etc. Not saying I'm definitely buying, just curious when I saw the price for this scope. It's almost low enough it's worth considering.

GW Instek GDS1054B (can be hacked to a higher bandwidth as well)

[YurkshireLad]

I'm curious, from what I can see, the Rigol DS1102Z-E seems to be a good, cheap scope. It's currently C$314, which is a good price as I think it used to be C$390 until recently. I don't think it has I2C/SPI decoding or FFT, though the datasheet does list I2C/PSI but it doesn't say which models has them.

What alternatives are at this price point? I'm a beginner and I'm enjoying playing with audio/basic guitar pedals and learning about microcontrollers with various sensors etc. Not saying I'm definitely buying, just curious when I saw the price for this scope. It's almost low enough it's worth considering.

GW Instek GDS1054B (can be hacked to a higher bandwidth as well)

Thanks but it's US$345 direct from their own site. Their gds1102b is nearer and only about C$40 more expensive.

[Fungus]

GW Instek GDS1054B (can be hacked to a higher bandwidth as well)

Thanks but it's US$345 direct from their own site. Their gds1102b is nearer and only about C$40 more expensive.

How much would it cost you here?

https://www.testequipmentdepot.com/instek/oscilloscopes/digital/50-mhz-4-channel-digital-oscilloscope-gds-1054b.htm

Price varies a lot by country but the Instek is a nice little 'scope if you can get it cheap (or cheap shipping from USA).

I saw them in the manual but I didn't want to assume the base 2 channel scope would have them. C$314 is very cheap after all.

FFT is always available on the Rigols. SPI is an option but it comes as standard these days. Even if it wasn't included you could easily unlock it using Riglol.

(and all other features as well, except 200MHz bandwidth which seems to be hardware-limited)

[YurkshireLad]

GW Instek GDS1054B (can be hacked to a higher bandwidth as well)

Thanks but it's US$345 direct from their own site. Their gds1102b is nearer and only about C$40 more expensive.

How much would it cost you here?

https://www.testequipmentdepot.com/instek/oscilloscopes/digital/50-mhz-4-channel-digital-oscilloscope-gds-1054b.htm

Price varies a lot by country but the Instek is a nice little 'scope if you can get it cheap (or cheap shipping from USA).

I saw them in the manual but I didn't want to assume the base 2 channel scope would have them. C$314 is very cheap after all.

FFT is always available on the Rigols. SPI is an option but it comes as standard these days. Even if it wasn't included you could easily unlock it using Riglol.

(and all other features as well, except 200MHz bandwidth which seems to be hardware-limited)

C$400 before shipping, so more expensive.

[rvalente]

Get a 4 channel scope, you won't regret it.
Even if you don't use 4 channels now, just the ability to have a "poor mans diff probe" with channel subtraction sometime is worthwhile.

With your budget I'd go for a used 1054Z  but, I'd definitely save up the the double value and get a SDS1104X-E or if you can't wait to save the X-U which is the equivalent for DS1054Z

Anyway, I'd go for the Siglent because the FFT on the 1054Z is a joke/toy

[YurkshireLad]

It's practically impossible to buy a used Rigol DS1054Z here in Ontario. The GW Instek GDS1054B and Rigol DS1054Z appear to be about the same price. Is the GW Instek a lot better than the Rigol? How do they compare in build quality and reliability?

[Fungus]

If they're the same price then I'd get the Instek.

[YurkshireLad]

How many probes are included with the GW Instek 1054B? Their website doesn't seem to clarify this.

[Fungus]

You get four probes.

[YurkshireLad]

Based on current prices, the best options for 4 channel scopes in my price range are the obvious ones.  They're all within a few bucks of each other. My favourite might be the Siglent based on what I've read on these forums.

• Rigol DS1054Z
• Siglent SDS1104X-U
• GW Instek 1054B

[Fungus]

Based on current prices, the best options for 4 channel scopes in my price range are the obvious ones.  They're all within a few bucks of each other. My favourite might be the Siglent based on what I've read on these forums.

• Rigol DS1054Z
• Siglent SDS1104X-U
• GW Instek 1054B

Beware: The SDS1104X-U is probably NOT the 'scope you've been reading about on these forums. The one you've been reading about is probably the SDS1104X-E.

I'd get the Instek.

[YurkshireLad]

Based on current prices, the best options for 4 channel scopes in my price range are the obvious ones.  They're all within a few bucks of each other. My favourite might be the Siglent based on what I've read on these forums.

• Rigol DS1054Z
• Siglent SDS1104X-U
• GW Instek 1054B

Beware: The SDS1104X-U is NOT the 'scope you've been reading about on these forums. The one you've been reading about is the SDS1104X-E.

I'd get the Instek.

I'm aware of that, but thanks for checking.

[Fungus]

I'm aware of that, but thanks for checking.

If all three are "within a few bucks" then don't get the Rigol.

The Siglent has higher bandwidth.

The Instek has better UI (separate channel controls, a proper button for menu selections, etc. It's also the fastest.

[YurkshireLad]

Thanks. I read some comments from last year here that Instek scopes suffer from UI slowdown. But I hadn't seen any comments to say this has been fixed. So I wasn't sure if it was something to be wary of.

[Fungus]

Thanks. I read some comments from last year here that Instek scopes suffer from UI slowdown.

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/to-all-siglent-sds1104x-e-owners-is-this-normal/

[YurkshireLad]

Thanks. I read some comments from last year here that Instek scopes suffer from UI slowdown.

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/to-all-siglent-sds1104x-e-owners-is-this-normal/

Thanks I'll read through that. The Instek is also much bigger than the others and desk space is kinda at a premium for me.

[YurkshireLad]

For reference, the SDS1104X-E is C$100 more than the SDS1104X-U, which is why I didn't Iist it.

[tautech]

For reference, the SDS1104X-E is C$100 more than the SDS1104X-U, which is why I didn't Iist it.

To be fair the X-E easily has $100 more value in both better HW and a greater feature set.
They look much the same however the X-E is certainly the better choice for the advanced user.

X-U have been steady sellers in NZ however not as strong as we expected as I believe most buyers see the additional investment to get the X-E as money well spent.
Still, for the budget conscious X-U is a sound choice.