Scope recommendations
Scope recommendations
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.
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.
"A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools." - Douglas Adams, Mostly Harmless.
Re: Scope recommendations
Also check out the recent Siglent models:
https://www.siglent.eu/sds1202x-e.html
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevb ... -teardown/
https://www.siglent.eu/sds1202x-e.html
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevb ... -teardown/
- 1024MAK
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Re: Scope recommendations
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
Quick efficient service

Their website is here
Mark
For a "Complete BBC Games Archive" visit www.bbcmicro.co.uk NOW!
BeebWiki - for answers to many questions...
Fault finding index • Acorn BBC Model B minimal configuration • Logic Levels for 5V TTL Systems
BeebWiki - for answers to many questions...
Fault finding index • Acorn BBC Model B minimal configuration • Logic Levels for 5V TTL Systems
Re: Scope recommendations
I bought a 1054Z from https://www.rigol-uk.co.uk/ a couple of years ago and have been very happy with it.
Re: Scope recommendations
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!
FordP (Simon Ellwood)
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime, doubly so!
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime, doubly so!
Re: Scope recommendations
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).
I used to have an old Tek that was an eBay bargain and great for Beebs (but not very portable).
Re: Scope recommendations
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.
Cheers.
Phill.
Re: Scope recommendations
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.
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.
Re: Scope recommendations
Hi,
What sort of spec do your need for this type of work?
Dual trace?
50mhz?
Cheers
What sort of spec do your need for this type of work?
Dual trace?
50mhz?
Cheers

- 1024MAK
- Posts: 9377
- Joined: Mon Apr 18, 2011 4:46 pm
- Location: Looking forward to summer in Somerset, UK...
- Contact:
Re: Scope recommendations
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
Keep in mind that an inexpensive logic analyser may be more useful for a lot of fault finding on a 1980s computer.
Mark
For a "Complete BBC Games Archive" visit www.bbcmicro.co.uk NOW!
BeebWiki - for answers to many questions...
Fault finding index • Acorn BBC Model B minimal configuration • Logic Levels for 5V TTL Systems
BeebWiki - for answers to many questions...
Fault finding index • Acorn BBC Model B minimal configuration • Logic Levels for 5V TTL Systems
Re: Scope recommendations
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
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- Contact:
Re: Scope recommendations
Parts: UM6502CE, GAL22V10D, GAL16V8D, AS6C62256A, TC514400AZ, WD1772, R6522, TMS27C512, AT28C256
Products: ARA II, ARA III, ABR, ATI, AP6, MGC, AP5 . . .
For a price list, contact me at: Retro Hardware AT dave ej hitchins DOT plus DOT com
Products: ARA II, ARA III, ABR, ATI, AP6, MGC, AP5 . . .
For a price list, contact me at: Retro Hardware AT dave ej hitchins DOT plus DOT com
Re: Scope recommendations
Thanks for all feedback. Much appreciated. 

"A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools." - Douglas Adams, Mostly Harmless.
Re: Scope recommendations
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.

Re: Scope recommendations
"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.
Good point on the user interface, boba, it can be a little bit annoying but what a 'scope.
Re: Scope recommendations
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.
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.
Acorn BBC + 6502 and Z80 2nd proc and CoPro, Master 128, 512 + 80186. Atom Prophet
Re: Scope recommendations
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.
Went with the Rigol 1054Z, as Rigol-UK (aka Telonic) offered me a reasonable discount.
"A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools." - Douglas Adams, Mostly Harmless.
Re: Scope recommendations
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.
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.