UK - New & Cheap Rigol DG1022U Waveform Generators Available

[eastonwolfs]

Just wanted to contribute something, since I've benefited so much from all the Rigol DS2000 discussions in this forum.  So, for anyone in the UK on the lookout for a reasonably priced arbitrary waveform gen the following may be useful...

I've found that the Rigol DG1022U is available from trade_spotting on eBay for only £235. It's UK stock with two business days delivery - cheaper than buying direct from China and no worries about long delivery times or possible customs/VAT costs.   

They have about 10 available, I've ordered one and will let you know my first impressions when it arrives next week.   

BTW, I believe the 'U' designation is not officially available in the UK, so be aware that support from Rigol will be nil.  That said, I'm taking the view that 'if it works it works' and trade_spotting in the UK seem to have a decent reputation and returns policy.  Next week will be interesting... 

Will.

[darrylp]

I had considered one from them, but in the end was happier to get the 20MHz silent as feature wise its a bit better. ARB in particular. Several UK sellers have it at a smidgen over 200 UK pounds inc delivery.
Of course the jitter on the square pulse might need to be fixed, but a thread shows you what's needed on here

--
 Darryl

[eastonwolfs]

Hi Darryl,

I wasn't aware of the comparative performance of the Siglent. Not to worry - to be honest I am a relatively undemanding user, and the DG1022 will do everything I want it to do.  Thanks for the heads-up on the jitter issue, will have a look into that! 

Will.

[darrylp]

Thanks for the heads-up on the jitter issue, will have a look into that! 

Will.

sorry, the jitter applies to the siglent,  i've not heard of issues on the rigol.

[rf-loop]

Thanks for the heads-up on the jitter issue, will have a look into that! 

Will.

sorry, the jitter applies to the siglent,  i've not heard of issues on the rigol.

I have not seen any real test measurements using Rigol DG1022U or A

In Siglent there was glitch/jitter problem in Square Wave but it have been solved by Siglent long time ago. Also Rigol specs claims this same jitter as Siglent in Square wave and I have not meet false in Siglent data sheet for SDG1000 series. 0.1% jitter is of course 100ns if cycle time is 100us. Exept if Rigol % is better % than Siglent %. Of course in Rigol fan club rigol % is better %.

But then in other things Siglent SDG1025 outperforms this Rigol DG1022 nearly in all things.
Rigol have 100MHz samplerate. Siglent 125MHz.
Rigol have 2 channels but... only channel 1 can modulate. Ch1 have 4k arm memory. Ch2 have 1k.
Ch1 is 14 bit but Ch2 is 10bit. Square can only to 5MHz. Risetime specs just under 35ns.

Siglent, both channels have all same features, exept maximum output level.
Both channels can of course use all modulations, both have 14bit resolution, both have 16k arb memory.  Also siglent Square wave jitter is specified as 0.1%. (same as Rigol) But Siglent square wave go to 25MHz and risetime is under 12ns and in forum you can find true measurements about risetimes and also about jitter.  Can you find real tests with Rigol?

Low jitter square wave for low frequencies can of course produce using pulse function instead of using Square wave if 0.1% jitter is too much. (same for Rigol)  It is also good to remember that Siglent display is more informative. Building quality is good.
Old comparator glitch problem is solved  and there is not jitter/glitch issue in Siglent SDG1000.

Today also Siglent support have developed better and it continue.

I believe Siglent SDG1025 is lot of more features and quality for money  than this Rigol DG1022.

[darrylp]

Yes, rf-loop, that's why I got the segment instead of the rigol, am very happy with it. As mainland UK price is less than rigol , it was a no brainer for me. Will soon open and do the cap mod for the jitter issue.


--
 Darryl

[rf-loop]

Yes, rf-loop, that's why I got the segment instead of the rigol, am very happy with it. As mainland UK price is less than rigol , it was a no brainer for me. Will soon open and do the cap mod for the jitter issue.


--
 Darryl

Is there jitter issue or is there just Square wave jitter what run inside specifications?
There is Square jitter issue ONLY IF it have significantly over 0.1% period jitter using 1ms period time and 50% duty OR if there is high amount of clitches before rising edge and they level is clearly over 10-15% of square wave peak to peak level. 

If not, it works normally and do not need repair.

If need more clean and jitterless square wave for low frequencies, just select Pulse instead of Square. For high frequencies Squre wave give less jitter than Pulse. Becouse Pulse mode it need mostly adjust frequancy using +/- one sampling period jitter. (becouse these equipments do not have same systems as high-end generators)

Old jitter information  can find here in EEVblog (if some new users did not know)

What is problem issue and what is normal, it is also good to regognize.
But of course also normal good unit can diy/mod  improve better - if like this kind of hobby.

http://siglent.freeforums.org/post102.html#p102

[cthree]

I wish Dave would do a review of this unit.

[eastonwolfs]

I wish Dave would do a review of this unit.

cthree - there is a good review of the unit on YouTube by Connor Wolf, we don't have to rely on Mr Jones for everything     In fact, his review together with the great info posted by Darryl and rf-loop has convinced me to buy a Siglent and compare it to the Rigol.

By the way, the 25 MHz version of the Siglent is £260 from the cheapest UK supplier at the moment, which is £50 more than the 20 MHz version.  The delta is not really justifiable to me, so I put in "a cheeky offer" of £230 to the supplier and they have accepted!     So, I have got both the Rigol and the Siglent 25 MHz for the same price, both should arrive next week, and I look forward to comparing the two before deciding which one to keep. 

A question for anyone reading - I would have considered buying direct from China, accepting that returns may not be so easy, but was put off by the thought that I could be stung for VAT or other customs duties. Anyone any experience of this?  I have bought lots of cheap stuff from China and HK before with no problems, but I am unsure what happens on large value items?  Thanks.

Will.

[mickpah]

looks like Rigol is about to release new models? https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/new-rigol-1000-series-wavearb-gen/

might be why they are cheap ?

[darrylp]

Its the usual, how well marked / classified on the customs form.

My ds1052e I got direct from China, it sailed in with nothing added. But a hand held scope I had to pay vat and the post office handling fee .

My ds2072 I got from a UK supplier as didn't see a real price benefit getting from China, if it had got noticed then it could of cost me dearly.


--
 Darryl

[eastonwolfs]

Which supplier? I might try it too!

trade_spotting.

Just do a search, filtering for UK suppliers only and sorted by price inc. p&p and you will see they are at the top of the list 

By the way, they do it for £230 from China, but didn't fancy taking that risk for the reasons already stated...  So I've got the same price with UK supply and no worry over customs etc. 

Will.

[Velund]

Does anyone seen any firmware updates for DG1022U?

I found one minor problem that may be firmware-related, and would like to update my unit, if it is possible.

I figured out that when I set up the unit to generate 100 pulses sequence after pressing a key, it start generating another one once LED backlight goes off after a period of inactivity, just like I just pressed the key.