I just took delivery of a used Tektronix TDS-220, from a shady-looking character on eBay.
After having spent the last hour-or-so playing with it... I then decided to TAKE IT APAHT!
Initial observations, versus the Rigol DS-1052E--
1. The TDS-220 is a noticeably lighter-- maybe 2/3's the weight of the Rigol. Light is good. But my anxiety over losing either unit to a fall off-of my bench is high. (I have a hole pre-dug in my backyard just in case the cat knocks it over.)
2. The Rigol actually feels sturdier and more solid than the Tektronix.
3. The spinning action of the dials actually feel better on the Rigol, especially with the tactile 'bumps' on the v/div knobs.
4. The knobs themselves are better on the Tektronix-- the Rigol knobs are all a little off-axis, which causes the spin to be off-axis. (Shitty molding-job on the knobs-- the rotary encoders are good units.)
5. Color display on the Rigol, versus monochrome on the Tektronix-- I would choose color, of course! Much easier on the eyes.
6. Teeny-tiny sample depth on the Tektronix. Massive sample depth on the Rigol, but you need to navigate a menu to activate it.
7. Back-lit buttons on the Rigol, not lit on the Tektronix. Excellent for low-light environments. However, I find the bright-red run/stop button, when stopped, to be very annoying. It's simply too bright.
8. No relays clicking (ever) on the Tektronix. Better for those days when you decide to work on your electronics projects in bed, without fear of waking your spouse.
9. More dedicated buttons on the Tektronix, in more 'traditional' locations. I did not have to read the manual to understand the basic operation of the Tektronix-- function is very much like the CRT analog oscilloscopes of yore. It took a fair amount of time to understand the Rigol-- a lot of nested menus.
10. USB-stick and USB-pc interface on the Rigol-- No challenge here-- advantage definitely Rigol.
11. NO output on my 'new' Tektronix-- I don't have the interface module.
12. The Rigol is faster on the display and menu navigation. However, there is less need to use the menus on the Tektronix... So in use, the Tektronix is faster and more convenient (for me.)
14. There appears to be MORE noise on the low v/div on the Tektronix than the Rigol. (Take that, Simon!)
15. Better rubber feet on the Tektronix-- My Rigol has harder rubber feet that don't grip very well. It slides-around more readily.
Observations after taking it apart--
1. The design is more efficient on the Tektronix--very little shielding in use, far less cluttered mainboard.
2. Although the interior plastic on the Tektronix is metalized, there is no over-all metal shielding-can like the rigol.
3. As expected, the build quality is higher on the Tektronix-- built by techs with cotton gloves, no after-the-fact soldering, no fingerprints, etc. In fact, my used Tektronix looks cleaner and newer on the inside that my new Rigol!
4. Much easier to take apart the Tektronix, than the Rigol-- less than a minute for the Tektronix, more than 1/2-hour (the first time) for the Rigol.
5. Better hardware, better materials on the Tektronix, but the Tektronix but it feels like an older design-- like the difference between a high-end VHS-VCR versus a cheap Blue-Ray player.
6. No rust after 7+ years on the Tektronix, but the shielding (edges) are already rusting on the new Rigol.
7. MOST IMPORTANTLY-- no loud-ass fan on the Tektronix.
So Trent's final analysis--
1. Advantage Rigol 1052E! For all of its faults, $400 US ain't bad, especially for all those great features!
2. HOWEVER-- what I'll probably end-up using more-- the Tektronix TDS-220, because-- 1.) it's SILENT, and I wouldn't have to clean it like I do with my PC's every year; 2.) it's more convenient to use, especially for quick measurements, where I don't need to document the results of my tests.
3. What I'd actually tell other EE-types (and EE-groupie chicks) I use-- the Tektronix TDS-220. The intrinsic confidence is higher with the Tektronix. I would never tell the guys at the EE-Peninsula Club (downtown) that I actually own a Rigol.
4. IF I could only have ONE, I would probably choose the Rigol 1052E.... Or ditch both and get a new LeCroy WaveAce 212.
-Trent