Compared to our Siglent SDS2000X+, KS34465A and other instruments, the DHO814 screen is much dimmer, even in this image it shows, and it actual visual use much dimmer than on the image displayed. Trace brightness is not even close to Siglent trace brightness, which is set to just 52%.
The reflective screen makes this even more difficult for viewing. Just barely acceptable IMO, and will be a tad more difficult in a bright environment.
This must somehow be rather subjective, or depend strongly on the room lighting. EDIT: Specific details of the room lighting, not just overall brightness. Because e.g.:
Dave must have shot his review video under pretty bright lights -- he did complain that the little white LED indicators (slope, button mode etc.) were hard to see, and that shows up in the video too. But he seemed totally fine with the main LCD's brightness, and it looks great to my eyes in the video.
So what gives? Dave obviously took care that no direct reflections from the studio lights were visible in the display. (Which admittedly may not always be easy, depending on a room's geometry and given the glossy display.) Are such reflections your main problem, maybe, or does the display appear too dim even when you take care to avoid them?
The answer is simple. The new DHO814 has the dimmest display (especially noticeable on actual waveform traces) of ANY instrument we have in our lab with exception of an old HP34401A which has a failing display which needs replacing. This includes the SDS2000X+, SSA3021X+, 3 KS34465A, DMM6500, AG34401A, 3 SDP3303X, SDG3022X, SDG6022X, SDL1020X, SFM3065X, 2 KWR102, KWR103, GPP4323, TH2830, IM3536 and so one......get the picture!!!
Our lab is somewhat dark, not bright, however the intended use will be in a very bright shop like environment. We are evaluating this for a client which may decide to include with their product, which will end up in bright shop environments.
So use here for client is questionable, and should know by end of next week when the scope is evaluated in this shop type environment with non-electrical folks. Physical size, connector accessibility, general UI, limited electrical performance are all good and meet expectations, but if potential users can't see/read display in the shop environment, it's a no go!!
Don't misconstrue our comments, we call them as we see them, and pull no punches, that's why we were called upon for evaluation.
This little scope is impressive in many ways, however screen brightness is NOT one of them. The hardware build and quality is superb from the case standpoint (haven't taken it apart, and don't intend to). Display quality (outside intensity) is very nice, and also displays nice on an external HDMI monitor, the additional HDMI resolution is appreciated....EXCEPT the waveform doesn't seem to scale up resolution-wise
Electrical performance is good so far, altho we haven't spent much time outside of clients needs, same goes for UI, and other features. The VESA mounting is also a plus (and planned on using such), the fan noise is slightly annoying but not issue since the shop noise will be much greater. The fan noise might be a concern for some folks tho, since one must get really close to the tiny screen to read the display, thus apparent fan noise is higher.
Overall impressions so far are generally quite good, especially considering the cost
Best,