Seriously, why would anyone consider anything else than Rigol?

[MichalPL]

Hi, it's time for a new 200 MHz oscillosope and I have a serious question, that is, I really don't know.
Why would I consider other brands than Rigol, if Rigol is good, time proven, and cheap?
Why woult it be worth to pay more to get a Rohde&Schwarz, GW Instek or something like that?

[tautech]

Must have features required might be a good place to start for best recommendations.

[MichalPL]

Currently even a basic model would satisfy my needs. But it may turn out that I need some more advanced features in the future. I just can't imagine what it might be.
For sure, I need stable and bug free firmware.

[tautech]

2 or 4 channels ?

[MichalPL]

I can live with 2

[tautech]

I can live with 2

Decent memory depth or only enough for basic tasks ?
1 or 2 GSa/s ?
MSO capability ?

[MichalPL]

I don't need MSO/DSO. 1 GSa/s seems to be enough. Simple I2C/SPI/RS232 decoding would be nice. 1M or so memory depth as well.

[tautech]

I don't need MSO/DSO. 1 GSa/s seems to be enough. Simple I2C/SPI/RS232 decoding would be nice. 1M or so memory depth as well.

OK, just a basic DSO with decoding.
Look up SDS1202X-E or the new Rigol equivalent released as competition for it.

[pascal_sweden]

The only viable alternative would be Siglent.

But not the A-brand manufacturers.

Keysight, Tektronix, LeCroy, R&S are all overpriced for the hobbyist.

So where do the A-brands come in then?

If your boss or your school pays.
If you have money to spare.
If you don't do your homework.
If you just want to show off with your A-brand, and you really don't know what you are doing with an oscilloscope.
If you are dumb.

It's like those photographers who have an expensive Nikon or Canon camera, and they don´t even know the basics of photography.

If you can do a good deal on a second hand A-brand oscilloscope, then it's a different story of course!

[MichalPL]

Thanks, Guys.

[Rerouter]

The primary point I would give to the modern siglents is really fast SCPI processing, but if you don't use it, then its not really a factor for you,

e.g. throwing 8 thousand commands at the thing at line speed, and have it feed back the answers in a few seconds (way overkill, but I was testing to see what broke first)

[SmokedComponent]

I chose SDS1104X-E over similar Rigol (was considering it also) purely because of... looks. 
I know Siglent isn't a looker, but at least it doesn't look toy-like like Rigol. </rant>

More seriously, all things being more or less equal for my needs, I liked Siglent more because of 200Mhz hack and web server which allows me to make screenshots directly to PC easily. Maybe Rigol has that, too, but then again... the looks...

[MichalPL]

Can SDS1202X-E  be unlocked to a higher bandwith?

[tautech]

I chose SDS1104X-E over similar Rigol (was considering it also) purely because of... looks. 
I know Siglent isn't a looker, but at least it doesn't look toy-like like Rigol. </rant>

More seriously, all things being more or less equal for my needs, I liked Siglent more because of 200Mhz hack and web server which allows me to make screenshots directly to PC easily. Maybe Rigol has that, too, but then again... the looks...

Yes well the SDS1104X-E does have a few more features than its 2ch sibling however it's ~50% more $ and just 100 MHz unless you hack it. 

Can SDS1202X-E  be unlocked to a higher bandwith?

No, it's all out @ 200 MHz.....well ~225 MHz is it's -3dB point.

[nctnico]

For sure, I need stable and bug free firmware.

Well, there is your number 1 reason not to choose for Rigol. 

[tv84]

Michal, 1st decide your budget! Then these people will help. 

[Ctrlocti]

It's like those photographers who have an expensive Nikon or Canon camera, and they don´t even know the basics of photography.

Flagship Canon/Nikon is entry level A-brand scope prices. I think the Canon one is less than 7k USD.

Don't get me wrong, I get your point and agree with it. Just emphasizing how crazy expensive (relatively) the A-brands go for. It's really aimed a professional/corporate environment. You are not buying just good tech, you are buying the support (most of the time anyway).

The hobbyist market is an insignificant speck for the A-brands.

[pascal_sweden]

If your number 1 reason is an oscilloscope with a toy look, then you can go for GW-Instek

For sure, I need stable and bug free firmware.

Well, there is your number 1 reason not to choose for Rigol. 

[Ctrlocti]

If your number 1 reason is an oscilloscope with a toy look, then you can go for GW-Instek

For sure, I need stable and bug free firmware.

Well, there is your number 1 reason not to choose for Rigol. 

I was going to say that you are exaggerating but then.... yikes



That's a terrible layout. The screen looks so small and cramped while the controls are so spaced apart. It looks bizarre

[SilverSolder]

The only viable alternative would be Siglent.

But not the A-brand manufacturers.

Keysight, Tektronix, LeCroy, R&S are all overpriced for the hobbyist.

So where do the A-brands come in then?

If your boss or your school pays.
If you have money to spare.
If you don't do your homework.
If you just want to show off with your A-brand, and you really don't know what you are doing with an oscilloscope.
If you are dumb.

It's like those photographers who have an expensive Nikon or Canon camera, and they don´t even know the basics of photography.

If you can do a good deal on a second hand A-brand oscilloscope, then it's a different story of course!

A second hand A brand can be a good choice for a hobbyist...  often simpler (just from being older), and generally does what it says on the can in a stable and professional way.

[SilverSolder]

If your number 1 reason is an oscilloscope with a toy look, then you can go for GW-Instek

For sure, I need stable and bug free firmware.

Well, there is your number 1 reason not to choose for Rigol. 

I was going to say that you are exaggerating but then.... yikes



That's a terrible layout. The screen looks so small and cramped while the controls are so spaced apart. It looks bizarre

Given that modern scopes have added so much more information on their screens compared to traditional models, it is outright ridiculous that they attempt to keep the same screen size as the old ones.  Any modern scope should have the biggest screen that reasonably fits the front panel - anything less is simply not good enough!

[nctnico]

If your number 1 reason is an oscilloscope with a toy look, then you can go for GW-Instek

I don't get why tools need to look good. It's not a fashion accessory.  Tools just need to get the job done in an efficient way. In fact, the shinier the tool, the shitier it usually is to work with.

[Elasia]

If your number 1 reason is an oscilloscope with a toy look, then you can go for GW-Instek

I don't get why tools need to look good. It's not a fashion accessory.  Tools just need to get the job done in an efficient way. In fact, the shinier the tool, the shitier it usually is to work with.

I would normally agree with you on that.... but wow what an eye sore that thing is lol..  too much color clashing making it hard to look at; biggest detractor though would be all the empty space unused and wasted where that could have been given to screen size if not trying to do the 4 control alignment over the inputs

[Sighound36]

I know Rigol doesn't keep up with Siglent's light speed addressing of software bugs and glitches mainly thanks to Tautech's  ability to badger the factory into action 

However if you look back through the threads for bugs on these machines you may find the differenices are not so many.

Like Rigol a lot, six units of various abilities I own plus a dedicated R&D scope which is pretty good but its costs were significantly more make no mistake. Does it perform better than the Rigol yes no question, however the Rigol does not disgrace itself in any way and for an everyday mid range scope is rather good and I use it every single day it is accurate enough for 85% of my requirements. But with everything in life the last few percents of performance cost the most.

Bug wise I understand NCTNICO position completely if you are running sensitive experiments that require stability accuracy and repeatability for a company then Keysight/Lecroy/R&S are where you need to be. Hence why I have Wavepro for those VIP investigations no argument. That said the MSO8000 I have only found one annoying bug (now Reg has left the room) and its been 100% spot on even giving some of the A brand boys more than a run for their money in certain areas of scope performance. Yet it is feature rich and pretty good reliable and dependable results.

The 5000 is a great scope, as is the Siglent alternative,  both scopes have a good fan base here you will not go wrong with either one imho

[SilverSolder]

If your number 1 reason is an oscilloscope with a toy look, then you can go for GW-Instek

I don't get why tools need to look good. It's not a fashion accessory.  Tools just need to get the job done in an efficient way. In fact, the shinier the tool, the shitier it usually is to work with.

I think that's basic human nature (I think many men are related to the Peacock species, feeling a strong need to put on a display!).

E.g. why does a car has to look good, instead of just being utilitarian?

Why do we like art?

Complicated discussion!