Should I buy a BK Precision 4017A Function Generator?

[rstofer]

I see AD and AD 2.  Which one to get?  I see some used AD for $187.  But who knows if they blew up some sub-component of it or not.  I probably wouldnt' be smart enough to test all the features in the amount of time needed to be able to return it if it is defective.

The AD2 has two additional features that make all the difference:  First of all, the power supplies are adjustable and, more important, an external wall wart can provide additional power that the 1 version just couldn't deliver.  This is a really big deal because the 1 version didn't deliver much current at all and would often trip on overload just charging the bulk capacitors.  I have the first version (had it a long time) but I sure wish is was AD 2.  I might buy one just because...

Again, you save some money buying used but lack such refinements such as a warranty.  The Pro version will cost about $300 and that's a reasonable price considering it is guaranteed to work.

[rstofer]

A sales video that does a pretty good job of discussing the features


Dave's review:


Examples (really practical stuff):


These videos are all using old software and perhaps AD 1.

[JenniferG]

So of everything mentioned with respect to function/signal generators, the Rigol dg1022a offers the most and is the best choice?  It's all digital right?  Hence the "DG" in the model number I presume.

I can afford it, assuming I can get it for $200 or less.   Is it better in every way to the HP 3312a?

I think I rather have standalone pieces of test gear, vs the AD.  AD would require me to purchase a notebook computer as my only computer is a PC in the living room at my desk there.  My workbench is in the kitchen.

Something like this wouldn't be sufficient?  (A $10 cheap alternative to save some money?)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AVR-DDS-Function-DDS-Signal-Generator-Module-Sine-Triangle-Square-Wave-KITS-/331878771542

EDIT: I'll probably need a computer for the workbench regardless, for arduino development and other things.   Do you guys find a notebook computer sufficient for your electronics workbench or do you like a full PC case so you can stick in addon cards to the bus?  If I had some sort of wireless USB I could use that to communicate to my PC in the other room.  Walk over to my desk in living room and alter the code and then send it via wireless USB to arduino in the kitchen.. then run back to the kitchen and test the circuit.

[usagi]

for my electronics workstation, I have an intel nuc NUC6i5SYH attached to the back of an ASUS VS228H-P on an articularing monitor arm.

but a laptop would be perfectly sufficient too.

[JenniferG]

Been watching the vids on AD and AD2.  They look impressive.  As long as I can use the logic analyzer with arduino with that array of transistors, with no problems.  Would the static IO also work with 3.5 to 5v with transistors?   Seems a bit of a pain though.  Would it make sense to get a logic analzyer that is made to work with 5V?

The WaveForms software is what is used with AD & AD2 from what I saw.  Will this software work on a Windows 7 PC made around 2010?  I see I can buy older laptops for around $100 or so that run windows 7.  I presume arduino IDE works well with this older PC and windows 7 as well.   I run Mac OS X in the living room.

I am jealous students can get AD for $159 heh.  I am a student, but self educating, does that count lol?  I wonder if they can get AD2 for $159 as well.  I'd totally buy an AD2 for $159.

[JenniferG]

for my electronics workstation, I have an intel nuc NUC6i5SYH attached to the back of an SUS VS228H-P on an articularing monitor arm.

Nice setup!

[rdl]

I've run the WaveForms on a 3 GHz Core2Duo machine with 2GB RAM I made in 2008.

In my work area I have a Gigabyte Brix attached to the back of an ASUS 24". It was the second from the cheapest Brix model and I paid $99 on sale from Newegg. All I had to add was 4 GB of RAM for $25 and a $45 Kingston SSD. It's not super fast, but it's adequate, was cheap, and doesn't take up any space.

[JenniferG]

Another one I see about same price as the cheap gigabyte brix is the following nuc (celeron based as well) :

https://www.amazon.com/Intel-NUC5CPYH-Graphics-2-5-Inch-BOXNUC5CPYH/dp/B00XPVRR5M/ref=sr_1_3

[JenniferG]

Any recommendations to which used laptop I should purchase in the $100 to $150 range?   I see there quite a few options.  Dell, HP etc.. various models.  I don't know which model(s) are the most reliable and compatible.

e.g. I have my eye on HP 6550b .. around $150.

[rsjsouza]

If you are still considering older but goodies function generators, the HP units are really good for the price range you are considering. I have an HP3314A that is a great unit and has very clean waveforms throughout its frequency spectrum, is programmable and has modulation inputs. Others in the threads below recommend also the 3324A and 3325A or B. 
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/recomendations-for-digital-function-generator/
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/good-analog-function-generator/
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/hpagilent-3324a-teardown/

If you are looking for sinewave cleanliness (for distortion measurements) I would look at a Krohn Hite 4400A or even a Keithley 2015 (DMM + low distortion sinewave gen).

[djnz]

Any recommendations to which used laptop I should purchase in the $100 to $150 range?   I see there quite a few options.  Dell, HP etc.. various models.  I don't know which model(s) are the most reliable and compatible.

e.g. I have my eye on HP 6550b .. around $150.

That laptop does not seem to have USB 3.0, I'd recommend getting something with USB 3. The new Saleae Logic analyzers, for example, need USB 3 for reaching full specified performance. Any laptop should be fine I guess, but I like thinkpads (particularly when buying used) because they are generally built a little better and the hardware tends to work well with linux. If you can stick an SSD into whatever you buy, even better.

[rstofer]

So of everything mentioned with respect to function/signal generators, the Rigol dg1022a offers the most and is the best choice?  It's all digital right?  Hence the "DG" in the model number I presume.

I can afford it, assuming I can get it for $200 or less.   Is it better in every way to the HP 3312a?

There is a thread around here discussing the difference between the DG1022 and DG1032 and the author preferred the DG1032.  Around Reply 18 here:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/rigol-dg1022a-function-gen-frequency-counter-function/msg949417/#msg949417

I think I rather have standalone pieces of test gear, vs the AD.  AD would require me to purchase a notebook computer as my only computer is a PC in the living room at my desk there.  My workbench is in the kitchen.

Something like this wouldn't be sufficient?  (A $10 cheap alternative to save some money?)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AVR-DDS-Function-DDS-Signal-Generator-Module-Sine-Triangle-Square-Wave-KITS-/331878771542

EDIT: I'll probably need a computer for the workbench regardless, for arduino development and other things.   Do you guys find a notebook computer sufficient for your electronics workbench or do you like a full PC case so you can stick in addon cards to the bus?  If I had some sort of wireless USB I could use that to communicate to my PC in the other room.  Walk over to my desk in living room and alter the code and then send it via wireless USB to arduino in the kitchen.. then run back to the kitchen and test the circuit.

FG085 will probably be sufficient.  It actually works pretty well.
https://www.amazon.com/Function-Generator-DIY-Tech-FG085/dp/B00C5UO8U6

I have a separate room dedicated to 'my stuff'.  At the moment, I am using a Microsoft Surface Book for everything!  I have other workstations (Win7,Linux,etc) but the Book is fast and spacious.  I usually have it connected to a 27" monitor.  At "homework central" on the kitchen bar, I have 2 such monitors so my grandson can use one with his Surface Pro while I use the other.

[edavid]

I see AD and AD 2.  Which one to get?  I see some used AD for $187.  But who knows if they blew up some sub-component of it or not.  I probably wouldnt' be smart enough to test all the features in the amount of time needed to be able to return it if it is defective.

Keep shopping, I got a used AD for $100 not long ago.  Students sell them at the end of the semester.  (Or maybe you know someone who can order an AD 2 with the student discount?)

[rdl]

For a computer, if you don't mind used and don't really need mobility, consider buying a refurbished off-lease business PC. You can get these all the time for under $100. They are generally SFF (small), ready to run, and from decent brands such as Lenovo and HP.

Example: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883795221

[rstofer]

Something like this wouldn't be sufficient?  (A $10 cheap alternative to save some money?)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AVR-DDS-Function-DDS-Signal-Generator-Module-Sine-Triangle-Square-Wave-KITS-/331878771542

That kit will give you a chance to work with a 3 output power supply, not included...   Kind of a pain when compared to just using a wall wart.

[rstofer]

Just for giggles, I used 3 signal generators at 200 kHz for the image below.  Channel 1 (top) is the FG085, Channel 2 (middle) is the Analog Discovery 1 and Channel 3 is the Siglent SDG2082X

The FG085 is a little noisy...

[MasterBuilder]

I bought a used GW Instek GFG-8020H function generator recently, also for audio work. Ebay item number 142233140407 its about £20 used. There are more still available on Ebay. I'm very happy with this purchase, features and condition are excellent. I did a thorough search of what is available and this was by far the best value for me. There is a lot to be said for having a dedicated piece of test equipment as opposed to something like the Analog Discovery.

[JenniferG]

I bought a used GW Instek GFG-8020H function generator recently, also for audio work. Ebay item number 142233140407 its about £20 used. There are more still available on Ebay. I'm very happy with this purchase, features and condition are excellent. I did a thorough search of what is available and this was by far the best value for me. There is a lot to be said for having a dedicated piece of test equipment as opposed to something like the Analog Discovery.

I see one seller selling many of those; part of the ITT bankruptcy.   Around $40 shipped.   Are they pretty stable?  If I recall, Dave suggested a cheap $50 Instek function generator as part of a starter setup, but it moved around a bit on the scope?  Like it was shifting left and right over time.

[unimorpheus]

for my electronics workstation, I have an intel nuc NUC6i5SYH attached to the back of an SUS VS228H-P on an articularing monitor arm.

but a laptop would be perfectly sufficient too.

I strongly second the NUC idea. Running a NUC5i7RYH as my primary workstation due to serious space limitations. Very underrated systems in my opinion.

[usagi]

for my electronics workstation, I have an intel nuc NUC6i5SYH attached to the back of an SUS VS228H-P on an articularing monitor arm.

but a laptop would be perfectly sufficient too.

I strongly second the NUC idea. Running a NUC5i7RYH as my primary workstation due to serious space limitations. Very underrated systems in my opinion.

i got the NUC partly for the space savings but also because it this specific model is  totally silent. passive cooling, no fans.

[MasterBuilder]

The stability seems fine, I haven't seen any movement on the scope

[bitseeker]

I see AD and AD 2.  Which one to get?  I see some used AD for $187.  But who knows if they blew up some sub-component of it or not.  I probably wouldnt' be smart enough to test all the features in the amount of time needed to be able to return it if it is defective.

Keep shopping, I got a used AD for $100 not long ago.  Students sell them at the end of the semester.  (Or maybe you know someone who can order an AD 2 with the student discount?)

Or if there's an interesting class at the local community college that you'd like to take...

[tautech]

Just for giggles, I used 3 signal generators at 200 kHz for the image below.  Channel 1 (top) is the FG085, Channel 2 (middle) is the Analog Discovery 1 and Channel 3 is the Siglent DGSDG2092X SDG2082X

The FG085 is a little noisy...

Fixed that for you. ^ 

[rstofer]

Just for giggles, I used 3 signal generators at 200 kHz for the image below.  Channel 1 (top) is the FG085, Channel 2 (middle) is the Analog Discovery 1 and Channel 3 is the Siglent DGSDG2092X SDG2082X

The FG085 is a little noisy...

Fixed that for you. ^ 

When I make a typo, I throw in the whole thing!  Thanks!
I fixed the original as well...

[bitseeker]

And here I thought you were just being facetious. The model numbers do get to be a bit much to keep straight. Sometimes they start to look like DGSDSRSTUVWXYZ.