oscilloscope buying guide

[m.m.m]

hi there, I know this question is noobie and there are a lot of guides on buying oscilloscopes. but I have a little money and want to buy the best I can and try not to waste my money. I have about 250$ in my hands available and I realized that digital oscilloscopes under 1000$ are useless, so trying to find an analog one. what about this one? is that good for beginning? I'm a 15 years old beginner.

Fluke 2 channel 100 MHz Oscilloscope, PM3065 - 199 EUR
this is the link but it's in german language: http://www.ebay.de/itm/SUPER-PREIS-Fluke-2-Kanal-100-MHz-Oszilloskop-PM3065-/230657349052?pt=Mess_Pr%C3%BCftechnik&hash=item35b43fd5bc

does anyone have a better choice?
thanks a lot.

[grumpydoc]

does anyone have a better choice?

http://www.amazon.de/Siglent-SDS1102CNL-Oscilloscope-Oszilloskope-Garantie/dp/B008LIRCWW/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1383917368&sr=8-11&keywords=oszilloskop

http://www.amazon.de/Rigol-Brandbreite-Oszilloskop-Probenahme-Speicheroszilloskop/dp/B005ZPGPI6/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1383917368&sr=8-16&keywords=oszilloskop

[madires]

Please set your country in your profile. Are you living in the US or Germany?

[madshaman]

Please describe what you would like to use the oscilloscope for today and also what you'd like to use it for a year from now.  It will help the forum better guide you.

[FaultlineAudio]

$250.00 can buy a really good analog scope.  For a beginner try to find a scope that has been in use recently and includes the power cord and probes.  The band width will dictate the price (along with the brand) I bought my nephew his first scope, a Hitachi 15 MHz 2 channel analog for $85.00, he love having it. 

[zapta]

...  I realized that digital oscilloscopes under 1000$ are useless, ...

What's wrong with these ones and similar ?

http://www.saelig.com/PSBEB100/PSBEB100013.htm

http://www.saelig.com/PSBEB100/PSBEB100005.htm

http://www.rigolna.com/products/digital-oscilloscopes/ds1000e/ds1102e/

[iNoxxam]

...  I realized that digital oscilloscopes under 1000$ are useless, ...

What's wrong with these ones and similar ?

http://www.saelig.com/PSBEB100/PSBEB100013.htm

http://www.saelig.com/PSBEB100/PSBEB100005.htm

http://www.rigolna.com/products/digital-oscilloscopes/ds1000e/ds1102e/

I have never used or even seen any Siglent oscilloscope except in Youtube videos so I can't comment it. But Rigol DS1102 is a good model for hobbyists, it suits most of their needs.
I absolutely do not agree that <$1000 are useless. For instance DS1052 (50Mhz version of DS1052) will clearly do the job for hobbyists. I now own a Rigol DS2072 that has som extra features that are really worth the price difference. Of course it is not the same as those super Agilent/LeCroy/Tektronix scopes that I use at work, but there's no point spending  $6000 (or more) for home use.

[echen1024]

I have used a Siglent before, and am about to upgrade to a Rigol DS1074Z, even though I REALLY WANT an Agilent 3024 (too expensive), however, the Siglent is a good solid scope, and is a bit slow though, Be sure to get the CML deep memory model. The CNL I have is very slow at high time bases.

[m.m.m]

thanks for quick reply.
sorry, I didn't see these Rigol and Saelig ones. I was always looking for unpopular brands like hantek, etc
Actually I'm in Asia and no posting company provides any service to here  , but I have some friends in germany so they can get it for me.
I can wait for it for about half a year.
and that DS1102E is too expensive for me again   
but about that rigol from amazon, I really like it, and haven't seen that before. can you please give me some more digital ones in that ranges? (less than 300$.) and the saelig one was again expensive for me. because I don't have function generator, power supply, and some more equipments yet and don't want to use all the money for the scope.
again, thanks a lot.

[echen1024]

I have a siglent SDS1102CNL if you're interested. PM me.

[m.m.m]

thanks, I'm confused, which one's better? rigol or siglent? siglent one seems to have different prices. can you explain more about the CML deep memory model and CNL? and what do you mean by 'slow'?
I guess the rigol one's price is rather for the brand, not for the quality. isn't it? because a 50MHz rigol is more expensive than a siglent 100MHz. am I right?
thanks for quick response.

[zapta]

m.m.m, there are threads in this forum about hacking Rigol scopes to get higher bandwidth, etc. I did not follow the details. You may want to search for them, they may affect your buying decision.

[m.m.m]

thanks, then does it work perfect after hacking? I didn't find the answer anywhere. also, for example can I upgrade a DS1052E from 50MHz to 100MHz without any new hardware?
do siglent ones have upgrade ability too?
again, thanks a lot folks.

[echen1024]

Siglents do not have the bw hack.

[AndersAnd]

thanks, then does it work perfect after hacking? I didn't find the answer anywhere. also, for example can I upgrade a DS1052E from 50MHz to 100MHz without any new hardware?

Yes and yes.
Identical hardware, works flawless after upgrading.
Read this guide:
changing the rigol DS1052E to DS1102E using USB , the dummy guide www.eevblog.com/forum/index.php?topic=553.0

Actually I'm in Asia and no posting company provides any service to here  , but I have some friends in germany so they can get it for me.

From Germany you can buy cheap Rigol scopes from Batronix who's a Rigol Premium Distributor: http://www.batronix.com/shop/oscilloscopes/index.html
They also ship to Iran via DHL according to their website: http://www.batronix.com/php/index.php?cmd=dispatch&loc=en&aid=581

[m.m.m]

thanks a lot.
the shipping costs USD 73.60 with DHL Premium Parcel  . and other two things:
1. DHL doesn't provide service to Iran in fact. it says it does in all websites but it doesn't in action.
2. the customs office probably doesn't allow it in! 
another question: how can I make sure my firmware is older than 00.02.05.02.00? it says first if it's newer than  02.02.SP2, we have to downgrade it and then upgrade it. and the downgrade is currently only possible for scopes who come with an firmware up to 00.02.05.02.00 .

[sfx]

Have a look at Gizmo's hacked firmware: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/changing-the-rigol-ds1052e-to-ds1102e-using-usb-the-dummy-guide/msg275388/#msg275388
I have just flashed my new DS1052E with this firmware and it works flawlessly (no downgrades, no hassle). So it takes only a minute and you have a DS1102E for the price of a DS1052E.

[zapta]

... the customs office probably doesn't allow it in!

Will not allow it or will ask for some custom tax?

[AndersAnd]

another question: how can I make sure my firmware is older than 00.02.05.02.00? it says first if it's newer than  02.02.SP2, we have to downgrade it and then upgrade it. and the downgrade is currently only possible for scopes who come with an firmware up to 00.02.05.02.00 .

Don't use the USB upgrade described in the first post. Just use the modified firmwares by Gizmo later in the same topic. Much much easier upgrade process, and works on scopes with the newest firmwares.
Read here: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/changing-the-rigol-ds1052e-to-ds1102e-using-usb-the-dummy-guide/msg187918/#msg187918
But instead download the newer modified firmware he posted here: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/changing-the-rigol-ds1052e-to-ds1102e-using-usb-the-dummy-guide/msg275388/#msg275388

[m.m.m]

... the customs office probably doesn't allow it in!

Will not allow it or will ask for some custom tax?

haven't tried it before but they don't allow it in, and if they do, the tax would be so huge. I have to first check the local stores. they may have it.
anyway, thanks for helping everyone, I maybe update the topic after checking local stores.