Thinking about buying a Rigol dm858e

[threephase03]

I've noticed on here there was some not very good posts about it on here, and I was wondering if it is better now
with newer firmware.

I like the form factor and the abilty to mount it on an arm so i can get it off my bench as I have limited space.

Just chasing feedback on if there any good or not.. 

[J-R]

What newer firmware?

[threephase03]

Sorry thought I read somewhere there was newer firmware, maybe not

[PushUp]

This is from "TheSignalPath" latest youtube video:

"TSP #341 - Absolutely Amazing RF Instrumentation! IMS Microwave Symposium Exhibition, Boston 2026"

...reporting from the exhibition with its high end equipment, but also showing entry level devices for the beginners:





However, it was funny to watch, that the DM858 was off and was only turned on during the video session at 39min. 58s so that you can still see the boot session, which probably reveals, that even from Rigol there was not that interest in showing this product live and from the beginning... 

[Salient666]

If you take a look at the video series from"Marcel Mostert" on YouTube about this meter you're cured from wanting it, even with the latest hardware revision and firmware.

[J-R]

The DM858(E) "works", but it's essentially more of the same that we've seen from Rigol in the past, although the UI is a bit worse IMHO.

At first glance things seem OK, but once you dig in a bit you see the shortcomings.  Big example is the dual display feature.  Rigol provides a huge chart attempting to show which measurements can be done at the same time, but when you look closely you realize they only allow AC voltage or current combined with Frequency or Period.  Nothing else, no DCV/ACV or ACV+DCV, etc.

The UI is really obnoxious for basic tasks, such as requiring you to use pull down menus or Off/On sliders when there is a vast area of free space available in the menu where buttons would be a far more logical choice.  And while it has a couple free user-configurable buttons on the bottom, you can't actually use them for anything meaningful, such as toggling graphing on/off, resetting stats or loading a custom configuration.

There are some bad design choices, such as the shift function text under the buttons being basically invisible, and not automatically enabling the 2nd display when using Relative.

Speaking of relative, there is a major bug when using it with Auto Range.  For example, apply a DC voltage such as 10V, select Relative, then reduce the input to 0V.  It will display -010.000mV instead of the correct value.  It also gets confused if you bring the voltage back up a little bit, such as 100mV, where it displays 090.000mV.  When you get past 100mV, it displays "-OVERLOAD" until you exceed 1V, at which point it starts behaving again.  (This also happens with negative voltages, then going to 0V input.)

Another odd aspect is that they gave it an extensive list of supported Temperature sensors, plus you can create up to 10 custom sensors of your own.

[Kleinstein]

The relative function issue is a software issue, that may get fixed. However when and of firmware updates come is hard to tell - they may or may not come and usually only fix some parts. Rigol has not the best track record with updates. It is not a Rigol exclusive feature though.

From the reports show so far there is likely also a hardware issue with the input protection: when out of range with DC voltage, the input current can be relatively high and cause issues - possibly even damage. I very much doubt this could be fixed by software.

Even without the bugs, the claimed performance is not very good - unless you need the large screen (AFAIK still no good use of the extra area) and odd form factor.
In the current version, it is a meter I would avoid - maybe consider the XDM1041 instead.


p.s.:
They seam to have fixed the problem with input current with a changed hardware. So at least that issue seams to be solved.

[EEVblog]

Does anyone actually like a multimeter in a scope form factor?

[EEVblog]

If you take a look at the video series from"Marcel Mostert" on YouTube about this meter you're cured from wanting it, even with the latest hardware revision and firmware.

OMG, he's got a whole playist 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxwCcTcNR7vZK939pwofQxmvKpnRzubh4

[Fire Doger]

I did the support script in TestController for DM858.
They tried to copy siglent and keysight but even their SCPI are half baked.
I also wanted to use it with WIFI dongle but for some reason only their scopes support it, they have different cpu and kernel.

I like it because it takes less space in bench compared to the classic long form factor, but I also bought the full version brand new at 350€ incl tax & shipping at black Friday. 
For 400+ I wouldn't buy it...

[Darkover]

Hi, I have the newest firmware, because Rigol send it to me.

Software Version 01.01.00.00.02

DO NOT BUY THIS THING. NEVER EVER!

At first, it is unbelievable slow in booting. So slow you did not like to use it!
At second whenever the screen shows a "-" or not, the number are jumping on the screen from left to right. After some time you develope a deep feeling to put it in a garbage bin.

Now let me copy chapter 8.4 from the manual:

8.4 Application of the Analog Filter
The analog filter of DM858/DM858E can be used to reduce the impact of the AC
component in DC measurement. For most measurements, the filter is not necessary,
but sometimes it can be used to improve the DC measurement. For example, if the
DC source under test has a big AC ripple, the analog filter can be used to reduce it.

The analog filter cannot be used to filter the internal noise of the multimeter. It does
not work for open-circuit in DCI measurement, short-circuit in DCV measurement or
in measurement of the output from a precise DC calibrator. If used, it may result in
extra noise and large reading offset. To reduce the offset, the multimeter should be
cleared under the selected range and reading speed when using the analog filter. If
you cannot clear the multimeter, additional errors may occur in the measured results,
as shown in the following tables. For ranges and reading speeds not specified in the
table, the generated additional analog filter error can be omitted.

NOTE
By default, the analog filter of DM858/DM858E is enabled. You are not allowed to disable the
filter.

  The filter made the mutlimeter worse and I it is not allowed to switch if off?

Olaf

[threephase03]

I love the fact it can be mounted on a monitor arm, I got my scope on one and id love to put a multimeter next to it.   

But I think ill give this one a miss, Thanks for the responces saved me a few hundred dollars

[NE666]

Does anyone actually like a multimeter in a scope form factor?

Form factor, yes. I have the DG 822 Pro arb. gen. mounted on a swiveling VESA arm and find that useful to me on my workbench. If this DMM had been a good implementation of a bench meter in the price class I may have sprung for one of them too. I think there was great potential for a really useful instrument, given the 7" screen real estate they gave it and that it's touch sensitive. Sadly though I have to concur that the cake once baked tasted like dog s**t.

Now, the 'faux-Nixie' font that's quite another thing. I have no idea why they thought that was a good idea.

[Darkover]

Form factor, yes. I have the DG 822 Pro arb. gen. mounted on a swiveling VESA arm and find that useful to me on my workbench.

I like this idea, but have not done myself. But is it not a problem that it will wobble around when you press a knob?


About the firmware. I have seen today that on Rigols homepage they offer still V1.00.
I have V1.02. Someone from Rigol send ot to me in March. He said they will release it soon.
So for Rigol "soon" meens a time distance bigger than 3month? Hm....

I don't remember that it change something, but have not switched on the DM858 in the last months because I can not accept the slowlieness.
But if some can offer an upload space I can send it. It is 75MByte.

BTW: 75Mbyte of firmware for a multimeter? This alone tells us something. The good old day with a 8k MCS51 and reliable hardware are gone.

Olaf

[Kleinstein]

Many modern meters use some kind of Linux and thus quite some size.

[coromonadalix]

75 mb  size  loll    you haven't seen  Windows Ce deployments / Fw  or else  loll

[PushUp]

But if some can offer an upload space I can send it. It is 75MByte.

You may use something like limewire, which gives "freeusers", who don't have an account, an acceptable download speed. The uploader also does not need an account and the file will be deleted automatically in a week or so, so that in the meantime other users could download and share the file on further or their own platform or private upload space...

With an account you have some more features like "send file per E-Mail" or so and if you pay for it, which I wouldn't do for this purpose only, you even have more options...

https://limewire.com/

[NE666]

Form factor, yes. I have the DG 822 Pro arb. gen. mounted on a swiveling VESA arm and find that useful to me on my workbench.

I like this idea, but have not done myself. But is it not a problem that it will wobble around when you press a knob?

I imagine that it depends on both the quality, and with that, the adjustment potential of the particular VESA mount you use. The spring strength in the one I have has a good range of adjustment, which can be set to allow it to be both relatively easy to position but also quite resistant to being moved by the force of keyboard or touch screen actuation.

I also find that, given the form factor depth is really quite low, when I'm pressing the physical buttons I tend to do so with a 'pinch' action. That is, pressing a button with the thumb whilst supporting the unit from behind with two or three fingers of the same hand. To me at least, it feels quite natural.

[Doctorandus_P]

Does anyone actually like a multimeter in a scope form factor?

I have been looking for years for a benchtop DMM that is less then 250mm deep. I don't care much whether the front is 88x213mm or the bigger scope format (although the big screen is nice for logging graphs and showing tables). All those 88x213 meters have a depth of over 300mm, and I don't have room for that. I seriously thought about buying a Siglent and sawing the case in half (It's got two PCB's inside with a flat flex in between). But sawing a new DMM in half is also a bit too weird. These days most benchtop DMM's are mostly empty boxes with just one PCB in them (and room for scanner cards). But the whole formfactor is from the era in between the dinosaurs and the boat anchors.

I had a serious look at this Rigol dma858, but it's utter crap because of a lot of reasons, so that is a no go.

My compromise was to buy a BM869s It's among the top of the handhelds (for an affordable price) and has a serial port for logging and thus also drawing graphs on the PC.

[EEVblog]

I have been looking for years for a benchtop DMM that is less then 250mm deep. I don't care much whether the front is 88x213mm or the bigger scope format (although the big screen is nice for logging graphs and showing tables). All those 88x213 meters have a depth of over 300mm, and I don't have room for that. I seriously thought about buying a Siglent and sawing the case in half (It's got two PCB's inside with a flat flex in between). But sawing a new DMM in half is also a bit too weird. These days most benchtop DMM's are mostly empty boxes with just one PCB in them (and room for scanner cards). But the whole formfactor is from the era in between the dinosaurs and the boat anchors.

This OWON has an amazing form factor.

[J-R]

I'll say one feature of the DM858(E) that could be considered somewhat decent is the web GUI, but this isn't really helpful if it's mounted on an adjustable arm.

[Darkover]

I'll say one feature of the DM858(E) that could be considered somewhat decent is the web GUI, but this isn't really helpful if it's mounted on an adjustable arm.

I agree, the Webgui is nice and well done. At least one positive aspect of this thing.

Olaf

[Doctorandus_P]

This OWON has an amazing form factor.

Indeed, that Owon has a very nice form factor. I almost bought it when it just came out.
It is however not a benchtop meter. It has just a handheld DMM chipset, meaning slow sampling and slow autoranging. Owon is also afraid that this (quite cheap) meter would eat sales from their more expensive meters, so they removed a bunch of functions such as drawing graphs.

This meter is also very hackable. The DMM with optocouplers is on one PCB, while another PCB has the display, and front panel interface.

Owon also has a few power supplies with built in DMM. The DMM is not great, but both can be connected to a PC, meaning you can build a measurment and control system with just one box.

[BillyO]

Does anyone actually like a multimeter in a scope form factor?

Not me.  It's not stackable and it offers nothing to warrant such special consideration.  Not an option in my lab.

[BillyO]

This OWON has an amazing form factor.

What can you put on top of it?

Vertical space in my lab is of a lower priority than the very limited horizontal space.  I need to be able to stack.