Entry level oscilloscope

[tine]

Hi everybody,

I have to buy a "cheep" oscilloscope with decent performance (4ch 200MHz).
Anyone have tested the Rigol DS4000 series? It is in the EDN 2012 Hot 100? Here is the link:
http://www.rigolna.com/products/digital-oscilloscopes/ds4000/

What do you think? Anyone have it? 

[phasetek]

For the prices shown in your link the Rigol is not too cheap, you can get a tektronix for the same price if you get the rep to wiggle a little, tektronix's pricing policy allows them to move on price ONLY when there is a competing product in the bid, even for quantity 1.  If you want the best bang for the buck 4channel scope with tons of bandwidth and memory, look at the tektronix DPO3034 (300Mhz 4ch),  if you can get away with 100Mhz analog bandwidth (most applications can), look athe tektronix DPO3014.  if you want something cheaper and want to give up some memory/cpu horsepower look at the DPO2000 series for a great 4 channel advanced hobbiest scope.  Sorry but I have been doing this long enough to buy a tektronix over Rigol any day even if the Rigol had better specs, the tek will deliver for years to come.

Rigol DS4014 $2399
Tektronix DPO2014B $2330
Tek DPO3014 around $4k

Rigol DS4024 $2899
Tektronix DPO2024B $2750

Rigol DS4034 $4299
Tektronix DPO3034 (Lists around $7500, but I paid $5500 for mine through tek rep)

[Gallymimu]

I've used the Rigol 4000 series.

It's MUCH MUCH better than the tek DPO3000 series (which I have also used.)

One of my customers had been using a Rigol 4000 series that he had borrowed.  He just bought one of his own without a second thought because he liked it so much.

I haven't compared the feature set, but I "THINK" a Rigol $4000 is more comparable to a Tek DPO4000 series.

I actually hate the Tek DPO3000 and would rather have a Rigol 1000 series instead (which I have at home)

[sarah90]

I'm no expert in this area that I do not regard as entry level scopes. The opinions I have read about recent teks all come down to the conclusion that they have trouble keeping up with the competition. I think rigol is a fine choice esp 2000+, if you would go for a more major brand I would choose agilent. No hands on experience, just impressions from blogs.

[Captain J.H]

Does not recommend the entry-level oscilloscope.
Around people were buying low-end products in China.

Good price compared to the specification. Various languages ​​are also supported.
LCD display size is also good.

Operability, functionality is good.

Actually tried using after purchase.
Graph representation is not smooth.

Seems to be missing the required signal information.
Less reliable the information that is displayed on the screen.

I have a few years at Agilent DSO1024A use
LCD display is smaller than the latest oscilloscope

Performance is still good.

If I have the opportunity to purchase new products,
Agilent DSOX series.

[mare69]

I have DSOX2024. I've got fair price fully loaded with DMM and signal generator. DMM has limited usability due to 8 bit vertical resolution. Signal generator is OK, but it is only 20MHz.

[tyrion]

Hi,
I have a Rigol DS1104B (it's basicaly an Agilent ) and I recommend it 100%.
Had minor problems with screen flickering for a while, after being exposed to cold.
Great value for the money.

[bigmaurizio]

Hi, I have a Rigol and I'm fully satisfied. It was a right choice for my low budget

[miserable]

Hi,

We have used Agillent DSOX-3014A and price was competitive. DSO-X-2000 series are much more cheap. I strongle recommend this product, please see the comparison video below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ngr0cP7D7g

Best regards.

[solutions]

Hi,
I have a Rigol DS1104B (it's basicaly an Agilent )

Having gotten ICs designed into the Rigol, I can assure you it's not an Agilent, unless you are referring to the look and feel of the GUI

[Mentor]

I've heard a lot of people saying that there is a connection between Rigol and Agilent. An old example here: http://mightyohm.com/blog/2009/11/agilent-dso1000-firmware-update-confirms-rigol-connection/

Anyway, for a little more than $300, the Rigol DS1052E is so much better as an entry level oscilloscope as the usb scopes from ebay, for instance.

[Gallymimu]

I've heard a lot of people saying that there is a connection between Rigol and Agilent. An old example here: http://mightyohm.com/blog/2009/11/agilent-dso1000-firmware-update-confirms-rigol-connection/

Anyway, for a little more than $300, the Rigol DS1052E is so much better as an entry level oscilloscope as the usb scopes from ebay, for instance.

Yep,

Riogol is OEM for the Agilent low end scopes.  I've owned both and UI's are the same (plus or minus a feature here and there).  As you noted, the firmware even has ascii Rigol and Agilent in both firmwares.

[kukumar]

I found: ADS1102C 2 Channel 100MHz Storage Digital Oscilloscope  for 333$
Price is fine, but... ,anybody have it?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ADS1102C-2-Channel-100MHz-Storage-Digital-Oscilloscope-/230860914999?pt=BI_Oscilloscopes&hash=item35c0620137

[sarah90]

I found: ADS1102C 2 Channel 100MHz Storage Digital Oscilloscope  for 333$

I don't have it. The atten is the same as the LeCroy WaveAce 112. Major setbacks are a relative low sample rate and very small sample memory (4k).

[hacsx]

I am saving money for the agilent msox3000 right now.  that would be my first scope.
you can get the 2000 one for cheap if you don't care about being new.  Agilent has it refurbish too.

Did you end up getting something?

[senesazi]

I am a cheap guy, so I'm getting by with a Hitachi V-660 (2ch, 60MHz). Analog, too. Works very well. Got it from eBay for about $100 a couple of years ago. The same model as the one they sell here: http://www.recycledgoods.com/product/44830_hitachi_v-660_60mhz-oscilloscope

If you can accept the hardware specs, for this amount of money there's no better one.

[Danish]

Unless you need it to be a DSO, look on ebay for a Tektronix 2465B. 4ch 400MHz. Best analog scope ever IMHO.

[nPn]

Update for digital scopes is Rigol DS1054Z, 4 channel 50MHz DSO with 7 in screen: $399.

I know OP ask for a 200 MHz bandwidth, and even with riglol firmware crack (http://gotroot.ca/rigol/riglol/) it only upgrades to 100 MHz, but can you believe how much value they sell for $400? This cheap scope even has deep trace display like Tek digital phosphor (Rigol calls it Ultra Vision). This is the new "entry level!" Incredible. 

I wish I am a newbie engineer today and use this, but with this bandwidth and 8 bits ADC, I can't use it for my favorite projects.

[PICker]

Virtins DSO are very cheap but with a great performance:
http://www.virtins.com/VT-DSO-2810.shtml
http://www.virtins.com/VT-DSO-2820.shtml
Cheers.

[LzEn]

Not to be compared with the other suggested scopes, but you might want to take a look @ Red Pitaya.