Siglent or Hantek

[Hp35]

After much reading and research, I've narrowed my sub $400 DSO search to the following 2 models:

Siglent 1102CML
Hantek DSO5102BM

My initial thought was to go with the Hantek because of the hires 7" display but after reading about issues with buggy firmware, and poor documentation, I'm a bit hesitant to go this route. Also the large warning in the manual about the use of non RoHS approved materials leaves me a bit concerned.

The Siglent seems to have everything going for it. ( deep memory, rs-232) etc. but the display while being 7" wide is only 480 x 240. (Basically a wide version of the Rigol 1102)

Looking for honest opinions from those who have tried both. Of course reliability and accuracy are important too. (Features that the Rigol seems to have)

I also did consider the Rigol 1074Z but the higher bandwidth of the previous are more important to me than 4 channels.  Also while the 1074Z seems very powerful, the interface looks crowded and confusing to me.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

-Steve

[echen1024]

You can hack the 1074Z up to 100MHz... and then it can display the signal reasonably up to 170MHz.

[KL27x]

I have about 2 hours of experience on a Hantek MSO5074FG. See the "Hantek Hack" thread for a more detailed review.

The buggy firmware crashed my scope, seemingly permanently. AFAIK, the 5102B has a known fix for this, if you aren't afraid to open the scope and use the UART to reset the scope and/or update the firmware. This would be rather crippling, if it happened with any regularity, of course. But it seems like most of the bugs are able to reset by turning the scope off and back on, at least.

The control layout and firmware is otherwise pretty nice, IMO. You don't need instructions to use the scope. The controls and menus are very sensible and intuitive, at least on the 5074.

The higher resolution display really allows you to get a lot of good info on the screen. I loved that ability of the Hantek. Also, the viewing angle was pretty much infinite. The screen is great. I am not sure if it's the exact same as on the 5102BM.

I really didn't like the wacky 2/4/8 timebase settings on the Hantek. That was really weird. But I suppose I could get used to it if the scope worked.

[tautech]

While I can offer no comment on the Hantek, I can say I have sold several dozen CNL/CML in the NZ market with NO failures, no warranty issues.....nil problems. 
If you are looking at lower cost DSO's you can be confident with a Siglent SDS1102CML. 

[rf-loop]

While I can offer no comment on the Hantek, I can say I have sold several dozen CNL/CML in the NZ market with NO failures, no warranty issues.....nil problems. 
If you are looking at lower cost DSO's you can be confident with a Siglent SDS1102CML. 

I have same experience with fresh versions of CNL/CML.  mainly SDS1102CML/CNL and 1072CML/CNL.
I have also tested with 48h burn in + check/test every unit before sell.  Problems zero.
After sales, not yet meet any warranty time failure in main unit.

Probes: In my tests after arrive one bad probe after I start also check these. I have meet one after sales warranty issue with broken probe (before I start check every probe)


Siglent have real dual timebase when use ALT trigger mode. Both traces can use different t/div setting (this is rare in this scope class).
Front of TFT surface is real glass. Fan is quite silent and overall building quality and construction is good. (of course related to price)


Hantek. Previously I sold Hantek before I find too many warranty fail issues and stop  (5000B models). One time it was so terrible that nearly 40% of arrived scopes have problem/fail. Also units what have no issue in my burn in test have failed (and warranty repaired) after sales, but only 4 cases.  After this all hassle I stop selling Hantek.
But this happend long time ago (mainly 2011-2012). It was one very sad HW version previously. Today this very sad HW is only history and I believe these  problems have solved.

[M0BSW]

I own a siglent SDS1102CNL, I have NO issues with it, It is my first DSO and I'm more than  pleased with it.

[tautech]

Probes: In my tests after arrive one bad probe after I start also check these. I have meet one after sales warranty issue with broken probe (before I start check every probe)

That's good to know, I will "up" my pre-sales checks to include probes.
They are probably bought in by Siglent and therefore another manufacturers QC problem.

[jokkydee]

I read somewhere that the viewing angle on the 7" screen on the SDS1000 siglents aren't too good from below horizontal, i.e. when looking up at the screen when it is above eye level (e.g. placed high on a shelf), can anyone confirm this? My current scope sits just above my eye level on a shelf above my bench so I'd want it to be well visible from that angle.

Also read about trigger jitter not fairing too well. Judging from various youtube videos of these siglent SDS1000 scopes, it appears that some units have more trigger jitter than others of the same model. Is it any worse than other scopes in this price range?