Hey guys, here's the deal... I'm living in Thailand, and test gear sources are EXTREMELY limited here. I'm looking to but a basic oscilloscope for general purpose benchwork, circuit testing (Amateur radio and related, and some arduino stuff) and project building. I haven't used a scope in a long time, but I'm pretty sure I can handle all the basic stuff after a few minutes familiarization with a new scope. I've read every applicable thread I can find here to get the lay of the land, but I'm coming up short, and I need some advice.
My only real potential sources for gear are ali-express (which I've had bad luck on in the past) and LAZADA.com which is sort of a Thai "Amazon" type operation offering goods from Thailand and from abroad (pretty much CHINA). I've had very good success with them over numerous transactions, so I'm inclined to use them, BUT, many of the products most recommended here are either not available through them, or just STUPIDLY high priced. I do miss being able to just order stuff from amazon and getting a good competitive price and immediate shipping from inventory, but alas, that's not available to me here. My budget is pretty limited as this is a hobby pursuit to me. Everybody knowledgeable for years has seemed to agree on just buying a DS1054 Rigol and seek no further, but not so easy to find here, and seemingly higher in price than before.
I need a scope I can just set up, calibrate and go... My choices seem to be as follows:
1) The now ubiquitous FNIRI 1014D, about USD$150, Which I would buy it in a minute based on price and the included function generated but EVERYTHING I've read about it says it's an unreliable toy, fuggetaboutit! I need something i can use, not something I can TRY to get working... so no-go
2) The Rigol DS1102Z-E, seems like a decent reliable 2-ch scope (Which I think is fine for me at present) but there seems to be scant information available on it in actual usage... Mostly just reports on trying to hack it to 200MHz, which hasn't worked yet, rather than a working assessment. I can buy the scope from a pretty reputable looking Hong Kong dealer for about US$280 which seems a bit above market price but includes free shipping. I'm pretty confident that If I buy from them, I'll actually get it in my lifetime...
3) the Rigol DS1202Z-E which looks nicer but is STUPIDLY priced at well over $400 here and very scarce. (1 dubious looking listing)
4) The Sigilent SDS1202X-E which everybody seems to agree is superior to the Rigol 1202Z-E but is unobtanium on Lazada or Ali... I saw one listing somewhere for about $800... can't even consider going there.
5) A buttload of Hantek stuff, (2c10, 2C15, 5102P,) but the reviews don't sound great as being a good use it and go scope, and nobody here seems to recommend it as a solid beginner scope.
6) another buttload of misc. OWON, UNI-T, and a whole lot of re-badged/labled versions of the same.
I'm thinking go Rigol or go Sigilent (much harder to do) as there's a LOT of knowledge and resources available on these scopes, and based on price, the 1102Z-E looks like about the best I can do within my budget UNLESS there is a compelling reason to try to stretch into the 1054Z with is a good bit more expensive, and harder to find here (seems like they used to be everywhere). Also the money saved by going with the 1102Z-E would pay for a 60MHz FY function generator too.
I'd love to get some feedback, particularly from Rigol 1102Z-E owners, (yes, I know I can buy a much nicer scope for more money, but my budget is somewhat tight right now), and maybe some insight into the quality and usability of the various Hantek, Owon, Uni-T offerings that I've pretty much discounted.
Thanks for your help and insights,
Gordo