Choosing between entry-level 12-bit DSOs

[KungFuJosh]

DIY VESA mount has been made for the SDS800X HD series. That's no longer a win for the other win. 😉

[tautech]

You always revolve around the same, different things.
There is a kind of “general quality / excellence”. This is not always easy to define, but it exists in every area of life.
I am Swiss, a cheese matured for 14 months is considered “superior” to a young cheese.
Does that also mean that it necessarily tastes better to me?
Of course not, but it is still the more valuable cheese.

And that's always the point here.
I also think that the Siglent is technically superior to the Rigol and my Hantek anyway. You can hardly doubt that.

Nevertheless, there are always individual points that can be decisive for a person.
If you want HDMI, you buy the Rigol.
If you can't stand long boot times and fan noise, you might even stick with the Hantek, etc.

That doesn't change the fact that the Siglent is generally the better scope, but perhaps not for your purpose.

IMO HDMI instrument connectivity is overrated. 


If you must port the display to a big screen for any need, a good and powerful webserver is the better solution.

I have SDS6204A and SNA5004A both with HDMI and never used it other to check if it works....big deal 

For 20+ yrs I've had a PC at the bench for PCB CAD, device datasheets and general electronics research, therefore what's another browser tab or 3 adding to the 20+ that are already open. 

With the webserver I have full mouse and keyboard control without needing to touch the instrument along with capture of any files I might need to capture directly to the PC.

For EDU and presentation use the webserver wins again as EDU PC's or laptops can port to a large display via a projector or HDMI connection and provide full instrument control with a mouse.


At the 3 day EMEX exhibition in Auckland a few months back we used a 40" display in conjunction with a mini PC, smaller than a box of chocs and had all instruments connected to it via a private LAN using an old 4 port router and another switch or 2.
We could show each instruments connectivity in browser tabs with just a mouse click, 5x scopes and a few analyzers but sadly we at that time didn't have the recently released PSU's or Arbs with webservers.

No pissing about with $ $ HDMI cabling when a cheap LAN cable offers a much more powerful display porting solution.

[Fungus]

For EDU and presentation use the webserver wins again as EDU PC's or laptops can port to a large display via a projector or HDMI connection and provide full instrument control with a mouse.

How do you get it fullscreen instead of like this?

[KungFuJosh]

For EDU and presentation use the webserver wins again as EDU PC's or laptops can port to a large display via a projector or HDMI connection and provide full instrument control with a mouse.

How do you get it fullscreen instead of like this?

By clicking the expanding arrows in the bottom right corner next to the display image.

[mawyatt]

For EDU and presentation use the webserver wins again as EDU PC's or laptops can port to a large display via a projector or HDMI connection and provide full instrument control with a mouse.

How do you get it fullscreen instead of like this?

Like Josh said

Best

[Grandchuck]

Here is an example on a 28 inch PC.

[Fungus]

Like Josh said

Alright, I'm just asking... no need for everybody to take it so personal.

[vcor]

On the Rigol fan noise, it seems like a non-issue today. Perhaps Rigol improved the design.  My scope was manufactured in October 2024. In a silent room, being 18" from the front, I can't hear any fan noise.  From 12" from the back, I can hear the fan, but not annoying or noisy.

I used a sound meter, and from 2" away from the back at the location with the highest reading, it was only 57 dB.  At 3" it drops to 53 dB.  This is a very quiet device and shouldn't be a factor in deciding which scope to get. 

[KungFuJosh]

Like Josh said

Alright, I'm just asking... no need for everybody to take it so personal.

In my old SDS1104X-E review, I showed it full-screen on a 32" monitor: https://youtu.be/HI7DGjgl2tw?feature=shared&t=378

[mawyatt]

Alright, I'm just asking... no need for everybody to take it so personal.

Nothing personal here, we've got no "Skin in the Rigol/Siglent game" 

We do have both DSOs, altho the Rigol was acquired for a client that has fallen on financial woes!!

Note: Our comments are from an actual use standpoint rather than speculation.

The Rigol is a very good all around DSO, nothing serious to complain about, does what it's supposed to do and does it very well, great value!!

However, the Siglent is what we reach for most of the time, it's performance, features and value are just outstanding IMO

As we've said, don't know how Rigol and Siglent can offer these at this price point, remarkable values!!

Of course as always, YMMV!!

Best
 

[ebastler]

[...] the Rigol was acquired for a client that has fallen on financial woes!!

Unrelated events, I trust? 

[mawyatt]

[...] the Rigol was acquired for a client that has fallen on financial woes!!

Unrelated events, I trust? 

Yeah, client over extended themselves on their design side of the product. Went thru multiple mechanical product designs/redesigns with different resources and could never get things right, eventually burning up all their R&D funds. They have a superb PCB (no changes in 1st iteration) that's almost unbreakable with abuse (intended for unskilled users), but can't seem to get their act together wrt to packaging

We tried earlier to help them realize their situation (lack of electrical/mechanical skills), even offering to take over the entire project, but fell on deaf ears

Best,

[KEY_HAT]

Hello KunFu Josh! I just bought my first Siglent SDS804 with your recommendation after debating between the Rigol.  Unfortunately it looks like the hack videos and scripts were removed . Would you be able to share it with me? Thanks!

[mrisco]

Can anyone confirm that the SDS804X hides one trace under another as in the picture unlike the DHO804 which has semi-transparent traces allowing both traces to be seen? I just saw it in a Youtube video.

[mawyatt]

Yes, the SDS824X HD does not show one trace section behind another. However you can select which is the top trace and viewed in full.

Note how the highlighted channel gets front row!

Best