Instek GSP-730 3GHz spectrum analyzer

[FrankenPC]

Does anyone have any experience with this SA?  It's on sale for $899 at Tequipment.net before the 6% discount.  Granted it doesn't have a tracking generator, but still...that's really inexpensive.

http://www.tequipment.net/InstekGSP-730.html?idevd=f1d73e45a4554c07b60e7fe457a66e0b&idevm=eaa2f28a40864dc49118a4e2dce18aff&idevmid=663693&utm_source=idevmail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Discount+on+All+Instek+Products+-+Click+for+Price

[Alexei.Polkhanov]

Only 150 kHz Bandwith - that is the trick I guess. I'd say it is useless for many kinds of measurement. I think RBW should be 1KHz.
Read this before shopping for SA - there are lots of units that look like a good deal if you don't know what to look for in specs. I mean how much would you value 3 digit DMM or 50 MHz oscilloscope - with Spectrum Analyzers it is just a little bit more complicated but nothing you cannot catch up in 1-2 hours of reading with.

I think this is good guide: http://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5952-0292.pdf.

It is written by Agilent so if you cannot find certain parameter in spec for another, non-Agilent unit, it does not mean it worth than comparable Agilent unit you just have to convert values before comparing. RBW, video bandwidth, noise floor and frequency range are pretty much universal I think.

[Hydrawerk]

It has a slow user interface. The general performance is poor. It is designed for basic school use, not for hobbyists or even professional use. And it has no tracking generator.
Even no demodulation feature. 

[Mr Simpleton]

To me it looks like a non-locked local oscillator, hence the wide 150 kHz span as minimum and 30 kHz RBW.
You do not get the accuracy when sweeping an unlocked VCO.
And then it only got 80 dB range on screen.
In this case you DO get what you're paying for.... a cheap and simple spectrum analyzer that you will outgrow fast! 

[FrankenPC]

Only 150 kHz Bandwith - that is the trick I guess. I'd say it is useless for many kinds of measurement. I think RBW should be 1KHz.
Read this before shopping for SA - there are lots of units that look like a good deal if you don't know what to look for in specs. I mean how much would you value 3 digit DMM or 50 MHz oscilloscope - with Spectrum Analyzers it is just a little bit more complicated but nothing you cannot catch up in 1-2 hours of reading with.

I think this is good guide: http://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5952-0292.pdf.

It is written by Agilent so if you cannot find certain parameter in spec for another, non-Agilent unit, it does not mean it worth than comparable Agilent unit you just have to convert values before comparing. RBW, video bandwidth, noise floor and frequency range are pretty much universal I think.

AH!  I saw the span as well, but I didn't understand the implication.  So, the Rigol DSA800 series with tracking generator really is one of the best deals you can get?
http://www.rigol.com/prodserv/DSA800/

[Alexei.Polkhanov]

What exactly are you going to do with tracking generator?

Frequency range of 1.5GHz covers ... all sorts of radio, 315 MHz 465 and 918 MHz industrial (remotes, garage door openers) and 900/800MHz GSM bands.

Unfortunately that EXCLUDES 2.4 GHz (WiFi, Bluetooth etc.), 1800 GSM and many other things in terms of RF. Also I am not sure if -80 dBc/Hz is Phase Noise is good enough, but DSA800 is definitely practical and useful Spectrum Analyser.

There are no "deals" only COMPROMISES 

[Hydrawerk]

I am not a Rigol fan but that DSA800 is said to have a decent user interface.