My scope arrived today.
Only had an hour or so to get an overview. First impressions:
- Packaging is lousy. It's safe, but it feels a bit like leftover packing materials: Scope in a plastic bag, wrapped in pieces of foam. Not really an embodiement of Rohde & Schwarz.
- Until now, I had (and still own) a TDS3012B. So of course, its a completely different universe now: A great scope, and with all the options enabled it's incredibliy feature-rich. My focus is on serial busses, and this is doubtlessly a strength of this scope. Really great presentation of decoding and lots of other capabilities.
- The knobs feel a bit plastic-like. Except for the rotary-knobs, they lack from my point of view clear feedback as they do not have a clear pressure-point and 'wobble' a bit when pressed. It is not what I had expected from a (nominally) 6000-7000 Euro-scope.
- The outrigger (feet) in front do their job, but I'll take care of them: They look a bit fragile.
- The ventilator is - though not disturbing - clearly audible (was in a quiet office).
- Responsiveness of touch screen is good but not imposing. But maybe I was a bit too cautious when utilizing this (shiny new and clean) touchscreen.
These are only first impressions, and - of course - my very personal perception. I remember HAMEG-scopes which had a really sturdy appeal for both, the buttons and the casing. But those were the days: Today, things seem not any more built like tanks. But I am probably too old.
In terms of features, display and overall capabilities I think however, after having seen all those videos and tried a bit myself today, that this is a really fantastic instrument. I would buy it again. And I have no doubts, that it will stand everydays challenges. It wasn't otherwise Rohde & Schwarz.