| Products > Test Equipment |
| Try before you buy? |
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| joeqsmith:
Assuming for a business where you are planning to purchase several, I would expect any major company to have their sales team provide an on-site demonstration and leave the equipment behind for some length of time. Anytime I have done this, I provide them with feedback, especially for products we don't purchase. In some cases, we may only be looking at a single unit but the cost may justify that level of service. We used to rent more specialized equipment for short term projects. This worked out well. Recently we bought a Siglent Arb where I work to test the waters so to speak. It was less than impressive but we are only talking about a few hundred bucks and did not return it. For home, I don't expect that level of service and just do my homework for brand new equipment. If I were to buy a new Siglent scope for home, I would have to get a demo unit. After seeing how poorly the Arb worked and not getting any answer on if the problem existed with higher end models, the risk would be too high. Last thing I would want is a scope where I rotate the vertical gain knob in one direction and waveform gets smaller and then bigger. You laugh but after seeing that Arb, I have little confidence in their ability to get the UI right. Mostly I buy used, name brand equipment (all I can afford). If the seller states the product works and they offer a trial period, I will take that time to make sure there are no problems. If I find any, I'll try and work with the seller to resolve it. The problem with this is the seller assumes I am some wannabe tech with a degree from a box of Cracker Jacks. Getting over that hurdle quickly is a skill in itself. I did purchase a DMM from one of the major distributors mentioned often on this site. When the meter arrived, I it was missing screws, broken wires and such. Guessing it was one of the expert reviewers who can't tell a MOV from a PTC that wanted to try it out which included taking it apart. When you have the skills of an untrained monkey that doesn't always work out so well. I still have that meter. |
| tautech:
--- Quote from: joeqsmith on December 27, 2022, 02:34:47 pm ---Recently we bought a Siglent Arb where I work to test the waters so to speak. It was less than impressive but we are only talking about a few hundred bucks and did not return it. For home, I don't expect that level of service and just do my homework for brand new equipment. If I were to buy a new Siglent scope for home, I would have to get a demo unit. After seeing how poorly the Arb worked and not getting any answer on if the problem existed with higher end models, the risk would be too high. Last thing I would want is a scope where I rotate the vertical gain knob in one direction and waveform gets smaller and then bigger. You laugh but after seeing that Arb, I have little confidence in their ability to get the UI right. --- End quote --- Joe, there is a new firmware for these AWG's that had been reported to address encoder behaviour. https://int.siglent.com/upload_file/zip/firmware/Signal_generator/SDG2000X_V2.01.01.37R3_EN.zip |
| joeqsmith:
--- Quote from: tautech on December 27, 2022, 06:49:11 pm --- --- Quote from: joeqsmith on December 27, 2022, 02:34:47 pm ---Recently we bought a Siglent Arb where I work to test the waters so to speak. It was less than impressive but we are only talking about a few hundred bucks and did not return it. For home, I don't expect that level of service and just do my homework for brand new equipment. If I were to buy a new Siglent scope for home, I would have to get a demo unit. After seeing how poorly the Arb worked and not getting any answer on if the problem existed with higher end models, the risk would be too high. Last thing I would want is a scope where I rotate the vertical gain knob in one direction and waveform gets smaller and then bigger. You laugh but after seeing that Arb, I have little confidence in their ability to get the UI right. --- End quote --- Joe, there is a new firmware for these AWG's that had been reported to address encoder behaviour. https://int.siglent.com/upload_file/zip/firmware/Signal_generator/SDG2000X_V2.01.01.37R3_EN.zip --- End quote --- You may recall that was the story when I first reported it. I'll check this latest version next week. Maybe post another short video to show the improvement. Funny to see the user posting about their Siglent DSO's encoder. What's up with Siglent and encoders? |
| luudee:
Typically, all big brands will offer free demos and even loaner devices pre-sales. When I worked at SUN, the Tektronix rep would take us out to lunch, and bring and leave the latest and greatest test equipment for us to "evaluate" for up to 30 days. And so did reps from HP and other companies. Obviously, you need to be a "deep pocket" buyer, and that will mean only commercial buyers will be eligible, but the path does exist. luudee |
| jasonRF:
--- Quote from: nctnico on December 27, 2022, 05:59:18 am ---But the problem is that you don't know whether something really works until you tested it yourself. --- End quote --- As others have noted, if you are purchasing something with the intent of keeping it, then there is no moral issue with returning it if it doesn't really work or if it has some issue that is a big deal to you. The OP proposed purchasing multiple competing items with the intent of returning all but one of them, which is a completely different thing. That would go against my moral code, but to each their own. I do understand the folks who don't mind abusing the system if the only outcome is that it "sticks it to" Amazon. In my opinion, the best way to stick it to Amazon is to spend much less money on their site. While I still spend more money there than I should, these days I often purchase products from other stores when possible, even if it costs a little more or takes a few more days to arrive at my door. Jason |
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