Buying new Rigol scope

[j.a.mcguire]

Hi there,

I'm looking at a new purchase of either a Rigol DS1074Z or a Rigol MSO1074Z as my first scope.

I'm planning on picking up some embedded development boards so leaning towards the MSO.  I'm just not really sure that I'll ever need the logic features? To be honest I don't understand why I can't capture digital logic on the DS model?

Also I was going to go for the 70MHz to save £100.  But is the extra spectrum worth the £100?  Are there any common things I couldn't sample by missing the 70-100MHz range? Perhaps testing a crystal?

Main applications would be car work and analogue sensors, DAC outputs, 1-wire, ODB-II, X10.

Many thanks,

James

[nanofrog]

Between the two, I'd just go for the DS1054Z and hack it (unlocks all the software options, memory to max, and BW bumps to 100MHz). If you find you need a LA, then get a separate unit. Not only do you get better performance due to separate units, it's more cost effective in this case.

[j.a.mcguire]

Thanks a lot for that I had no idea this was possible, but a quick google reveals the process.  I really appreciate your advice.  I've read there are advantages to having the logic analyzer integrated but if I do decide to go for the MSO version, do you happen to know if it's possible to software upgrade these too?

[Muxr]

That's a lot for that I had no idea this was possible, but a quick google reveals the process.  I really appreciate your advice.  I've read there are advantages to having the logic analyzer integrated but if I do decide to go for the MSO version, do you happen to know if it's possible to software upgrade these too?

The advantage of the MSO is that you can correlate analog signal and digital signal at the same time and on the same dedicated instrument. DSO's have this ability somewhat but with less channels and features.

Dedicated PC based logic analysers have advantages of their own as well. They are cheaper and they can have much more (infinite) storage. For your logic analyser you can get a Saelee or one of the cheap chinese clones from Ebay.

Whereas a PC based scope is really no substitute for a real dedicated scope, PC based logic analysers are pretty sufficient, which is why DSO and a PC based logic analyser is a popular compromise. Unless of course you have specific needs only an MSO can deliver.

[pickle9000]

PC based logic analyzers are much better. Real one cost a great deal, the one like the saleae are not fully functioned but are useful when programming.

What you can do is get an inexpensive clone of a saleae and run sigrok on it. That's a good way to get started it's inexpensive (could be 10 bucks off ebay) and it's not illegal. Sigrok is a good thing to have set up as a protocol decoder if nothing else.

http://sigrok.org/

Sample ebay clone
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Compatible-With-Saleae-Logic-Analyzer-24MHz-8CH-USB-for-ARM-FPGA-/121300301611?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c3e0fb72b

[nanofrog]

...if I do decide to go for the MSO version, do you happen to know if it's possible to software upgrade these too?

Last I saw, they hadn't been cracked yet (Rigolol keygen wasn't working). But that's been awhile, so it would be worth looking into if you're still interested after reading below. 

The advantage of the MSO is that you can correlate analog signal and digital signal at the same time and on the same dedicated instrument. DSO's have this ability somewhat but with less channels and features.

True. But you can also use a separate LA to trigger a DSO if you need to. 

I'm under the impression the Rigol MSO1074Z and MSO2072 leave users wanting (for a comparison, click here). Add in the OP's budgetary concerns, separates seem the way to go to me regarding these models of MSO. This post by Mark_O sums it up pretty well IMHO.

[dadler]

My suggestion:

1054z plus new Saleae Logic 8.

Send scope trigger out signal (and even some of your analog scope channels as well) to inputs on the Saleae.

The new Saleae products support both digital and analog inputs, and the logic analyzer software with the Saleae is so much better than any Rigol LA it's crazy. You can also write your own decoders if you know how to extend a C++ class.

[Muxr]

My suggestion:

1054z plus new Saleae Logic 8.

Send scope trigger out signal (and even some of your analog scope channels as well) to inputs on the Saleae.

The new Saleae products support both digital and analog inputs, and the logic analyzer software with the Saleae is so much better than any Rigol LA it's crazy. You can also write your own decoders if you know how to extend a C++ class.

Not to mention you can export to file and use any language to process the file.

[pickle9000]

Of course for basic serial decoding you can use the hacked 1054z alone.

Even though the feature is limited to the screen size it's useful when doing early tests on a serial bus. You get to see the signal and some data. Most often at this stage it's the programmer (unfamiliarity with the protocol) and not the hardware. 

Be aware of cost, protocol add-ons can be very expensive. The main reason I use sigrok from time to time is that the software and protocols are free. Even if you own the brand name product saleae you may want to use sigrok with it for canbus or one of the other decoders. And don't forget these low cost products are useful for software development on your product. They are not a true hardware development tool.