Which Hantech + Hantech Vs Siglent.

[chinoy]

My 2nd hand Fluke 105B portable scope has had its last days. It served me well for over 10 years.
But its got keys that don't work. And a display that is fading to the point where you cant see much. I kept the key foil going with pieces of aluminum foil. Long story short need to buy a new Scope. As this is going to be something that needs to last me for at least the next 10 years its a major buy for me.

After weeks of research I narrowed it down to these options.
In the Hanteck Range. Do I go for the true and trusted. DSO5102P or the newer DSO2D10 For about 50$ more I am getting a scope with a function generator. So I wanted to go with the DSO2D10
The problem is the net is filled with rave reviews on the 5102P and some nasty ones on the DSO2D10.
One of the reviews on the DSO2D10 showed it was really really bad at measuring voltages at under 1 Volt.
So I spoke to my local Hanteck Dealer and asked him about these negative and frequent  bad reviews on the DSO2D10.
At this point he tells me well if you want accuracy. Pay more and get the the Siglent Technologies SDS1202X-E 200 mhz Digital Oscilloscope 2 Channels,
This is a whole lot more money than I want to spend about 10,000 INR more than the Hanteck.

Add to this the confusion on which firmwares can be hacked. Which ones cant.
I guess Im asking is it really worth paying 120$ USD more for a Siglent while also loosing out on the function generator.

Qus 1: If I am going for the Hanteck brand which one to get the older tried and tested 5102P or the newer 2D10.
Qus 2: Is the Siglent really that much more accurate and better that its worth paying 120$ more for and also loosing the signal generator.
Qus 3: Which firmwares are more hacked and offer more options.

Sorry if this post is a bit disjointed. But Ive been up most nights reading reviews and trying to figure this out.

[tautech]

At this point he tells me well if you want accuracy. Pay more and get the the Siglent Technologies SDS1202X-E 200 mhz Digital Oscilloscope 2 Channels,
This is a whole lot more money than I want to spend about 10,000 INR more than the Hanteck.

Your only real comparison point is what each datasheet says.

Qus 3: Which firmwares are more hacked and offer more options.

Nothing at all is hackable for SDS1202X-E, nothing.

[chinoy]

Thanks for your inputs.
The Data Sheets to be honest just lie.
I prefer reading reviews, peoples problems, and video reviews.

Really like the Hantek. But everywhere I look I see problems. Last night on this forum I read a post by a guy saying his function generator has stopped working.

The dealer tech himself tells me that its not accurate and has signal noise problems.
Im chatting with TechCorner.TV on FB. It was his video comparing budget scopes which had the accuracy problem.
He has agreed to re-test the Hantek but with his Rigol Probes to see if the problem is probe related or scope related.
Yes Im a bit anal retentive when it comes to selecting a new purchase. But hey for the next 10 years I don't doubt my decision. Or second guess my decision.
The Siglent not being able to mod is a bummer. But then again. If it does SPI debug and has everything you could need and a neat interface. Why finger it.
Guess I have a lot more reading to catch up on. Esp on this site.

[chinoy]

Which of my 3 choices have only one ADC.
What is the real sampling rate on the 3 options I have.
(Trying to read and find the answers. (Data Sheets Lie. Need to find real world reviews and tests).

Ps: Somebody said the Siglent Firmware can not be modded. But I found a link here which takes you step by step to convert  100 to 200. This does classify as a firmware hack.

Here is the link.
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/unlocking-siglent-sds1104x-e-step-by-step/25/

[2N3055]

Which of my 3 choices have only one ADC.
What is the real sampling rate on the 3 options I have.
(Trying to read and find the answers. (Data Sheets Lie. Need to find real world reviews and tests).

Ps: Somebody said the Siglent Firmware can not be modded. But I found a link here which takes you step by step to convert  100 to 200. This does classify as a firmware hack.

Here is the link.
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/unlocking-siglent-sds1104x-e-step-by-step/25/

You have "interesting" world view and attitude.

No, datasheets don't lie. Not Siglent, not Rigol not even Hantek. None of the recognizable brands even cheap ones don't lie in their datasheets. Hantek does have horribly written and not very detailed datasheets,or even errors, but don't lie. Problem with datasheets is that they are packed with information and you have to know how to read and understand what they say.

On the other hand, most of the reviews for cheap equipment are either paid commercials or done by people that don't know much but have strong opinions. Few videos are well made and can be trusted. And to make it worse, professionals and those with advanced knowledge will tend to review higher end equipment. I don't think i ever saw a really good review video on Hantek scopes. One that would get all the facts straight and be impartial. That would say all the good and bad.
There might be some from some countries which languages I don't understand, I don't know.

I would trust datasheets from Siglent and Rigol and Hantek completely, and videos on Youtube not that much.. As for real life tests, Siglents and Rigols and other established manufacturers, there are plenty. People buy them by the truckloads and are generally very happy with them. Hantek seems to not be very popular. They seem to be in that weird market space where they are not exactly really cheap (50-100 USD), but don't have features and quality that you get form just a bit more. So they are not really popular in my part of the world.

As for Siglent  SDS1202X-E, instead of a bad attitude, you would be better off to listen to the guy that sells them for 10+ years that gave you free advice...
As he said, on Siglent SDS1202X-E there is nothing to unlock. It comes fully unlocked as it is there is single version of it with 200MHz bandwidth.
SDS1204X-E is a different scope, with 4 channels and sold in 100 and 200 MHz version. That one you can unlock bandwidth. Everything else is free anyways on these scopes.

You local Hantek seller told you all you need to know. If you want better quality you have to go a bit up the chain.
But if  DSO2D10 is functionally good enough for you you can go with it.
Money is very relevant. Lack of money even more relevant.
Just don't expect it to be that same as those costing more. In all aspects of features, quality (hardware and software), bug fixes .... There is a reason it cost less.. And that other manufacturers can sell at higher prices.

[tautech]

SDS1204X-E is a different scope, with 4 channels and sold in 100 and 200 MHz version. That one you can unlock bandwidth. Everything else is free anyways on these scopes.

Minor correction:
4ch X-E scopes have 3 options of AWG, MSO and WiFi, all of which require SW licensing and HW at additional cost.
SDS2000X-E 2ch models have these 3 HW and SW options too.

[2N3055]

SDS1204X-E is a different scope, with 4 channels and sold in 100 and 200 MHz version. That one you can unlock bandwidth. Everything else is free anyways on these scopes.

Minor correction:
4ch X-E scopes have 3 options of AWG, MSO and WiFi, all of which require SW licensing and HW at additional cost.
SDS2000X-E 2ch models have these 3 HW and SW options too.

As always you are correct. But I didn't mention those because they need purchase of additional hardware. They are not software only unlock..

[chinoy]

Not sure how it is for the rest of the world. But at least here work pressure is crazy.
Money situation is crazy.
I love this community everybody is so helpful and kind. 

Im not the sharpest tool in the shed but I know when I need to pause and realize I need to invest more time and effort in picking the right gear. And getting the best deal. The 1-2 weeks so far sunk into this search has me more confused than when I first started.

Work needs to get done orders need to be shipped. I am sitting on a backlog since Jan.
Hence I just bit the bullet and purchased the cheapest scope I could find that would get my job done. I got a deal on the Hanteck 510P. Its old. It has a huge fan following and rave reviews. It seemed the most idiot proof option to pick.

Ever since India and China got into a spat at the border. Importing stuff from China is officially frowned upon.
All this means is that the price for anything from China is just doubled. You still get the same stuff it just costs double.
Some guys are sitting on old stocks imported pre spat. So I got one for half the present market price.
It was the guys last unit. And the seller has the lowest customer ratting. So I have opted for COD.
Should be delivered 7th of this month. So either I get it or I dont lol.

This gives me a breather. As in I can start working and on the side take my time picking the best scope for me. I run a club and have members based all over the world. I.e. most gulf countries, UK / USA / Singapore / Auz. So  have options.

It will not help me with R&D or SPI debugging or work on new product ideas but at least I can get started on existing work and shipping out of products. This will improve my financial situation also.

Once again you guys are a great bunch. So much info to digest.

For those of you selling scopes if you had a web page that worked like laptop selection it would be great.
i.e. when you go to buy a laptop you have web sites which allow you to filter down on your need i.e.
Type of CPU / CPU Speed / Memory / Display / OS / Budget .
You click a few boxes and you have a list. Of options. (Just went shopping for a laptop it was painless).
Over and out. I have thanked anybody I could thank.

[bdunham7]

Importing stuff from China is officially frowned upon.

That will definitely limit your options.  Do you have GW Instek products (Taiwan based) available there? 

[tv84]

Hence I just bit the bullet and purchased the cheapest scope I could find that would get my job done. I got a deal on the Hanteck 510P. Its old. It has a huge fan following and rave reviews. It seemed the most idiot proof option to pick.
...
It will not help me with R&D or SPI debugging or work on new product ideas but at least I can get started on existing work and shipping out of products. This will improve my financial situation also.

  That's the way to do it. 

Take also into account the fact that you solved your 3 questions and, therefore, more night sleep is also priceless!

[chinoy]

So it landed up today. I shot the complete thing on video. No way I would get such a lucky break in life.
But dam its not a brick its a scope. And it works.
Just finished reading the user manual.

Good thing cause I figured out how to improve accuracy i.e. 5c change in temps means you need to re-calibrate.

Now I still have to spend a few hours in study.

1. Find out how to backup the existing firmware before I upgrade it.
2. Find a list of all firmwares released for this unit.
3. See if there is any hacks for this unit.

My friends are happy. Like one of them put it. Using that Fluke 105B scope with its failing keyboard and fading display was just spirit crushing.
Using a scope should not crush your spirit.
Now you can use your scope without pulling your hair out. And you can actually see the screen.

I fail to understand how a company like Fluke that charges the kind of money it does. Can continue to put out keyboard foils that are designed to fail.

[chinoy]

This is the unit I got
As on April 2022

First job. Find Tinhead and thank him for all his work
Next backup 8 partition script.
Do the rename to make it 200 Mhz
Update firmware.
I am still confused on a few issues like do I put in the 200 Mhz firmware or do I update to the latest 100 Mhz firmware.

But the best video I could find and the best collection of links on the topic was thanks to this member.
https://youtu.be/WdBnRapWFv4

The last thing on my agenda is to convert this into a portable scope. There is tons of space in the scope for a custom bat and a circuit that will put out the 3-4 voltage ranges needed.
So will need to make a small PCB that will handle the charging of the bat. And which will supply the 3-4 voltage rails needed.