Long ago large companies didn't pay "list" price for HP and Tektronix products, they had massive discounts. At these companies the total cost of ownership must be considered, and the learning curve for unfamiliar equipment was expensive, so the use of HP and Tek equipment became a standard. Certification in-house and external also played into this. The USG had strict rules on test equipment and certification, they even had evidence of "cheating" on production equipment (know of one instance at a unethical company that modified an SMA attenuator to pass a power test).
This cost of equipment ownership became the basis for the founding of the USF University WAMI program, which exposed students to quality, modern test and measurement equipment. I was able to get significant $ contributions to this program over a decade long participation by "selling" this to senior company executives that held the purse strings. The "sale" was simply, "it's way cheaper to have new grads learn how to use the latest equipment while in school rather than on your payroll" 
HP and Tektronix donated significant equipment to this program (we donated $), later followed by R&S and others. CAD tools spotted this and followed, later including Cadence. Early on we tried to get a program that allowed grad students to design their own chips, get them fabricated (IBM was a candidate fab), then get to test them. Unfortunately the lack of university management vision squandered this opportunity 
Anyway, I don't believe that Keysight and Tektronix are the same as in the past, which has opened the door for "others" to move up.
Nevertheless, they (and Rohde) still have the best support networks and are able to meet all the procurement rules for .gov type customers. I don't think anyone else is going to muscle into that space anytime soon, at least in the west.
It's plainly obvious that certain people in this thread are some combination of (1) never worked in a higher end professional lab or (2) have never done procurement for said environment or (3) are being willfully ignorant of the points I brought up in my post above. The shiny new models from Siglent are a great value for the hobbyist of some means (they are getting expensive but manageable for someone who has a good paying day job and has disposable income), but they (and others) are not "there yet" in many ways. Product support matters. If it breaks, the big name companies will get it fixed and in the meantime can often quickly get you a loaner to keep you moving. Optics matter, too. Visiting clients and sponsors are NOT going to be favorably impressed when they see you cheaped out on your equipment. Is it prejudiced? Maybe, but it's the way it is.
Let me first start with the fact that I'm aware of your vast experience and consider you excellent engineer. I read your posts with utmost respect.
But it this particular case you missed the
whole point.
Topic is not "How Boeing choses R&D" equipment.
It was started by a person that has small consulting business. His business is similar in size to mine, Mike's , Sighound36, Nico's etc.
I absolutely don't know how it is when USA manufacturer makes a deal with USAF. I'm not from USA and cannot know that.
Also it is quite obvious that USAF can simply request that Chinese equipment cannot be used for a project for them, for security reasons. Perfectly valid argument for them.
Heck, if a customer comes with a 150000 USD project to me, but insists that it should be done only with Keysight equipment worth 20000 USD, off I am ordering it right away.
That is not the point. Point is is it necessary? For a small company?
Not anymore for general purpose work, in my experience. Specialized tools and niche products are exception.
But you are correct. I don't know how it is in USA, and what cultural prejudices are and how important they are.
OP asked for experiences, to help him make a purchasing decision. And experiences came back that Rigol MSO8000, while not super high end equipment, does a decent job and is well worth the money and is comparable to A brands in how useful it is for the money. MSO8000 is NOT a hobby scope. It is not high end, but it is not amateur hour.
Also it was hinted that Siglent might come out with something even better soon..
When they release new products, all will see how well it does. But it also won't be hobby product.
So answer to OP is that they should try to get test scopes in question and see if it works for them.
As for support, if it breaks, Rigol and Siglent will replace it too. And give you loaners if you need. And support you.
I agree the Tek or Keysight are not the same as they where ... I don't even think they are worse somehow, but different. They made a decision to be different type of companies.
And I agree, that did open space for others. And they jumped in..
Way I see it, A brands don't even care. They are only interested in super high profit T&M markets, and don't care for what used to be their bread and butter...
In their own parlance they "evolved" and "repositioned" themselves.
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