Hi guys,
I know this question has probably been beat to death but I'm looking to buy my first oscilloscope and I'm torn on what to get. Budget is around the ~$400 range and I want something I can use for a while.
I tinker with RPI/Arduino projects and do repairs of Arcade video game PCB's (maybe some monitor drive circuits too) and game console PCB's.
I am a video game collector with a fairly good sized collection which has been growing quite a bit the past two years.
As I've moved on to more rare systems and began getting into the Arcade machines especially I'm doing more and more repair work. Up to now I've just been using a volt-meter, tracing out lines and using some trial-and-error but would like to take a more technical approach moving forward.
All that said, I've come down to two units:
- Rigol DS1054Z
- Siglent SDS1202X-E
I've read and watched numerous reviews and I even stumbled across an 11-page thread on here from a few months ago with a lot of back and forth commentary.
What I've gathered is this:
- The Rigol is pretty tried and true, and for someone just starting out it is/was a great place to start.
- The Siglent just plain has newer/better technology in it... but only has 2 channels. It's also a pretty new contender and has been buggy at times even if only minor things. Hopefully that changes with FW updates... but I'm tempted to say "ain't nobody got time for that!".
The extra power, response and bandwidth of the Siglent is just plain attractive - BUT - thinking about all of the potential uses long-term I have to wonder if the Rigol is still better all around for me.
The primary use will be doing board repair on the Arcade/console machines I mention. Testing input and output on NAND gates, possibly CPU (Z80, etc.) signals and amps such as the LM377/LM1877, capacitors and diodes, boards for switching PSU's, etc..
Anyways, I think you guys can get the picture. I'm ready to pull the trigger on a purchase... I just can't decide what would better suit me - more bandwidth (and better hardware) or convenience of 4 channels with lesser specs.
Since the newest thing I can find on the debate between these two is from a few months ago I was hoping more people have had a chance to really work with the Siglent SDS1202X-E given that it was still so new at the time of what I've been able to find.
Right now my gut is telling me to ignore the flashiness of the Siglent and go with the Rigol.
Your thoughts are greatly appreciated!