New scope? Protek 8204 200MHz 4ch 2GSa $1K; AWG, MSO, decode software options

[TimInCanada]

Came across this on Ebay:



Looks promising, especially if the options can be hacked.

But, it appears to be something of a mystery scope.  The manufacturer's website, if I've got this right, is gsi-protek.com, and the specs and picture they have are very different:



Maybe Dave can have a look in his dumpster to see if one has fallen in yet... 

[rf-loop]

Came across this on Ebay:



Looks promising, especially if the options can be hacked.

But, it appears to be something of a mystery scope.  The manufacturer's website, if I've got this right, is gsi-protek.com, and the specs and picture they have are very different:



Maybe Dave can have a look in his dumpster to see if one has fallen in yet... 

This upper image Protek 8204 is OLD Siglent SDS2000 series scope or copy (Not SDS2000X series)

[rsjsouza]

Yeah, that is what I was going to say: it was either a pre-production unit or a rebadge.

I searched around and found this datasheet that confirms the second photograph.

[tautech]

Yeah, that is what I was going to say: it was either a pre-production unit or a rebadge.

Rebadged SDS2000 and running early V1 firmware as the memory depth is listed as only 28 Mpts not 70 as was made available with V2 firmware.
The later SDS2000X models had a few HW changes, namely the front panel layout for better ergonomics, new smaller MSO probe set and more memory to allow for a standard 140 Mpts across all 2000X models.

[Performa01]

Rebadged SDS2000 and running early V1 firmware as the memory depth is listed as only 28 Mpts not 70 as was made available with V2 firmware.
The later SDS2000X models had a few HW changes, namely the front panel layout for better ergonomics, new smaller MSO probe set and more memory to allow for a standard 140 Mpts across all 2000X models.

Would be fun to find out whether this Protek rebadge of the trusty old SDS2000 could be updated with the original Siglent firmware... 

[tautech]

Rebadged SDS2000 and running early V1 firmware as the memory depth is listed as only 28 Mpts not 70 as was made available with V2 firmware.
The later SDS2000X models had a few HW changes, namely the front panel layout for better ergonomics, new smaller MSO probe set and more memory to allow for a standard 140 Mpts across all 2000X models.

Would be fun to find out whether this Protek rebadge of the trusty old SDS2000 could be updated with the original Siglent firmware... 

Of course it can, with the right .cfg file. 

You should have it. 

Hint
Nov 15
sds2k_V100R02B01D01P27_fvA1511171117M151117 plus cfg file.

[Performa01]

Rebadged SDS2000 and running early V1 firmware as the memory depth is listed as only 28 Mpts not 70 as was made available with V2 firmware.
The later SDS2000X models had a few HW changes, namely the front panel layout for better ergonomics, new smaller MSO probe set and more memory to allow for a standard 140 Mpts across all 2000X models.

Would be fun to find out whether this Protek rebadge of the trusty old SDS2000 could be updated with the original Siglent firmware... 

Of course it can, with the right .cfg file. 

You should have it. 

Hint
Nov 15
sds2k_V100R02B01D01P27_fvA1511171117M151117 plus cfg file.

... which should open the upgrade path to the latest SDS2k FW and turn this scope into something really nice and useful - whereas the old V1 FW certainly isn't something to write home about.

Yes, I have the firmware version required to make the switch, but no Protek scope to play with. I still have the original SDS2304 though, only finally put away in a cabinet about half a year ago, as with all the testing of the more recent units I didn't turn it on anymore anyway

[tautech]

I still have the original SDS2304 though, only finally put away in a cabinet about half a year ago, as with all the testing of the more recent units I didn't turn it on anymore anyway

I sold my 2304 a year or two back soon after a 2304X arrived. 

The early dealer versions didn't have MSO capability and as I needed a fully representative demo unit my then best DSO had to go to be replaced with another. 

[ebastler]

That old version (?) of the Protek 8204 is listed at $2600 here:
https://cc-globaltech.com/product/gsi-protek-8204-digital-mixed-oscilloscope-bandwidth-200-mhz/

Is it worth that much? Probably not. So far, no bidder for the one on ebay either; but that may of course still change.

[tautech]

That old version (?) of the Protek 8204 is listed at $2600 here:
https://cc-globaltech.com/product/gsi-protek-8204-digital-mixed-oscilloscope-bandwidth-200-mhz/

Is it worth that much? Probably not. So far, no bidder for the one on ebay either; but that may of course still change.

Had to look back to 2014 pricing:
SDS2204 2Gsa/s 70 Mpts (V2 FW) 200 MHz, zero options $ 1998

Edit
Latest pricing on revised replacement model SDS2204X $ 1532 with 140 Mpts memory !
And there's a promo running for the options.

[Performa01]

That old version (?) of the Protek 8204 is listed at $2600 here:
https://cc-globaltech.com/product/gsi-protek-8204-digital-mixed-oscilloscope-bandwidth-200-mhz/

Is it worth that much? Probably not. So far, no bidder for the one on ebay either; but that may of course still change.

https://www.batronix.com/versand/oszilloskope/Siglent-SDS2204X.html

That's the deal in the EU - for the current X model, which has a number of improvements over its predecessor that would be equivalent to the Protek.

And a pretty sweet deal for the Options bundle on top of that.

And the moral of the story is - never get carried away by some offering without further investigations. Having it discussed here was certainly a good idea and might prevent someone from paying way too much for an outdated rebadged instrument.