Scope recommendations

[Bagpuss]

Hi All,

I've come to the conclusion that I'm never going to fix the faults in my remaining Beebs without a scope.
I had a quick chat with Mark@Retroclinic (thanks for your time, Mark. Much appeciated.), but I don't think I can reasonably justify the expense for a Tektronix or Keysight model.

My current front runner is the Rigol DS1054Z. From what I can see, this can be hacked to get all of the advanced features and 100MHz capability. There also seems to be a thriving community creating addon software modules.

Are there any other models I should be considering? Budget is up to £400.
Also, can anyone recommend a reliable reseller to actually buy from?

Thanks,

Andy.

[hoglet]

Also check out the recent Siglent models:
https://www.siglent.eu/sds1202x-e.html
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevb ... -teardown/

[1024MAK]

In early 2015 I bought a Rigol DS1052D (2 channel MSO with 50 MHz bandwidth, 1 GSa/s, 1 Mpts memory and 16 channel logic analyzer) from Batronix.com

Quick efficient service

Their website is here

Mark

[cmorley]

I bought a 1054Z from https://www.rigol-uk.co.uk/ a couple of years ago and have been very happy with it.

[fordp]

I have a Hantek MSO5102D which has a good spec for the cash. It is by no means up to professional standard ones I use at work but I only use it every now and then!

[RobC]

I bought my Rigol from Batronix and didn't have any issues.

I used to have an old Tek that was an eBay bargain and great for Beebs (but not very portable).

[Prime]

I have both the Rigol DS1052 and later upgraded / complemented it with the Rigol DS1054, both have been execellent and would recommend them. I have both hacked to 100MHz, and both seem to perform ok.

Cheers.

Phill.

[jonb]

I went through the same process as you and bought the Rigol 1054Z, again from Batronix.

I'm a newbie to 'scopes but as far as I am concerned it is the biz. Especially after applying the "hack" and considering its relatively low price, I think you cannot go wrong. The feature list (post hack) is amazing. I didn't know this at the time but it can even decode RS-232 signals (which would've been handy when I was debugging the P2000C's serial line with Hoglet).

The Rigol 1054Z is an oscilloscope purchased without regret.

[Bat]

Hi,
What sort of spec do your need for this type of work?
Dual trace?
50mhz?
Cheers

[1024MAK]

Minimum spec is dual channel type (with external trigger input), bandwidth at least 25MHz (if analogue, a bit higher if digital). If digital, watch out also for the sampling rate and sample memory size.

Keep in mind that an inexpensive logic analyser may be more useful for a lot of fault finding on a 1980s computer.

Mark

[KenLowe]

I was recently given a new Rigol DS1054Z (as a birthday pressie ) which I've subsequently 'fully expanded'. It replaced my old (ancient?) 2 channel 20Mhz CRT based scope. I've not used any other scopes in recent years to be able to make a useful comparison, but I must admit, the Rigol DS1054Z has been quite impressive, and has able to do everything I've asked of it.

[daveejhitchins]

@Bagpuss

Just in case you missed my pm - I still have the 'scope listed here.

Dave H

[Bagpuss]

Thanks for all feedback. Much appreciated.

[boba]

I too have a Rigol DS1054Z upgraded (hacked ) as usual to the full spec. and a Fluke (Phillips?) PM3084 analogue 'scope. The Rigol is excellent but the lack of individual controls for the different channels and forever squinting at the tiny screen writing is a real irritation. The PM3084 is getting on a bit now and takes up a lot more space on the bench but it's much quicker and easier to use. User interface is just as important as feature richness.

[jonb]

"And, of course, when Bagpuss gets his 'scope out, all his friends do, too!"

Good point on the user interface, boba, it can be a little bit annoying but what a 'scope.

[eXne]

I use the Siglent SDS1102X, 100MHz, dual channel scope.
As an option I have decoding I2C, SPI, UART's.
Also it offers a 16bit MSO, which is a 16bit logic analyser as an option.

[Bagpuss]

Been meaning to update on this, but currently got some personal issues going on, so not been around.
Went with the Rigol 1054Z, as Rigol-UK (aka Telonic) offered me a reasonable discount.

[Elminster]

Link to the scope primer doc that MartinB posted, might not be easily findable otherwise

scope primer

My current favourite for a replacement of my rigol 1102 is the heavily discounted Siglent 2000x series (guessing they have replacement coming out for this soon), failing that (I.e. can’t get funds) then the cheaper siglent 1204x-e.