Rigol Scope Software Time Limit?

[MrAl]

Hello there,

I was looking at a Rigol scope today and noticed that they had written that some of the functionality goes away after 2000 hours use.  What the heck does that mean?  Does that mean you have to buy software after 2000 hours?
They say it is 'trial' software.

Any ideas?

[Martin72]

Does that mean you have to buy software after 2000 hours?

When time is over, you have to...

[Brumby]

Yep.  That's what trial software is all about.  You get to use it for a limited time so you can find out what it can do.  Really, it's no different than taking a car for a test drive before you part with the cash.

However, 2000 hours is a fair time - long enough that you start integrating some of these extra features into your workflow.  Then, when your time is up, an urgent purchase is necessary.

[Fungus]

Does that mean you have to buy software after 2000 hours?

Yes.

They say it is 'trial' software.

Yes.

[Mechatrommer]

If you can limit the usage of the feature to 1 hour a day average, thats 5 years. enough time rethinking about a new scope,.. but if only by turning on the scope, the time is counting down, even if we dont use the feature, then that sux.

[Fungus]

It's the amount of time the 'scope is powered on, not usage of each individual feature.

This isn't anything new or exclusive to Rigol. Most modern oscilloscopes come this way.

[Martin72]

Most modern oscilloscopes come this way.

Except Siglent.
You got for every option 30 days trial time, it´s decreasing only when you really use the option.
Example you try power analyzer option then you got 29 days left.
It stays on 29 days even when you got the scope for a year or longer until you use the option again.
Same for the other options.

[MrAl]

Hi,

Yes i know what trial software is, but just how much functionality do you loose after the 2000 hours or 30 days or whatever the time limit happens to be for that scope?
If i buy a scope, i expect that i have just bought a scope, not an empty box after the time limit.

Thanks.

[Martin72]

You bought a scope except the options...
So for a time long you got everything and when time is running out you still got this what you payed for.
That´s it..

[Fungus]

Yes i know what trial software is, but just how much functionality do you loose after the 2000 hours or 30 days or whatever the time limit happens to be for that scope?

You'll have to read the names of the options to know that.

[tautech]

Most modern oscilloscopes come this way.

Except Siglent.
You got for every option 30 days trial time, it´s decreasing only when you really use the option.
Example you try power analyzer option then you got 29 days left.
It stays on 29 days even when you got the scope for a year or longer until you use the option again.
Same for the other options.

Correction if I may.
Not 30 days but 30 free trial uses for all options before requiring purchase of permanent licensing.

If you want you can use up all 30 trial uses in 30 seconds ....hopefully most users are smarter than that.
Analyzers are different and provide 120hrs free option run time, that is all options are active for three 5 day 8hr weeks

Siglent SW is free to download, install and use in perpetuity.

[Martin72]

Sorry 
Had 30 days in my mind because of the number - Me I always see "permanent" .