Dear loki42,
I have the R&S FPC 1500 (COM2 3Ghz bundle) and am very happy with it. When I purchased it, I remember extensively looking at the SSA3000X Plus models as well.
Surely both devices will have their strengths and weaknesses, but let me highlight a couple of items that were relevant for me:
- The FPC bundle has a full VNA, which is something quite instructive if you like to get a better understanding of HF and the behaviour of components, cables etc.
- To measure S11-related parameters such as return loss, reflection coefficient and VSWR, the SSA3015X Plus requires you to purchase an external, physical bridge (plus the required software license, sold as a kit as RBSSA3X25). The FPC has a bridge built-in, and the FPC bundle has all licenses on board. See also reply #1 at this post.
- Having about half a dozen Siglent products and about half a dozen R&S products, my general experience is that the R&S documentation and manuals are very good and helpful. Moreover, R&S user manuals are updated when there are significant firmware upgrades or corrections (The FPC1500 manual is now in its 11th revision, for FW 1.70). The documentation of Siglent devices is generally not so good (and sometimes simply poor), which leads to loss of time (having to figure things out and/or speculate), and, at times, leading to inefficient and ineffective use. Documentation is an aspect that often seems overlooked, but especially with such complex instruments as scopes and SA's I believe it is a really important aspect when purchasing new gear.
- The FFC has excellent (and free) computer and mobile device (phone and tablet) software for creating measument documentation, storing results sets, life screen, etc.
While the FPC does not have a touch screen, I do like its user interface quite well, its logical, streamlined, responsive, and provides sensible information such as showing the measurement configuration overview:
On the more critical side, I am not so happy with the viewing angle of the FPC screen. As long as the instrument is right in front of you, no problem, but should you put it somewhere higher up on the bench, it starts to lack contrast (and you might even want to make something so it 'bends over' to you a bit...
Let me also refer you to a series of excellent Element14 reviews of the FPC1500, as well as of the FPC1000 (the version without tracking generator and VNA).
Element14 RoadTest review FPC1500 by shabaz Element14 RoadTest review FPC1500 by geralds Element14 RoadTest review FPC100 by rachaelp Element14 RoadTest review FPC100 by Instructorman Element14 RoadTest review FPC100 by gpolderI'm sure there must be good SSA videos out there as well, allowing you to find out what suits you best, also in terms of user interface.