Hello,
Disclaimer with an eye on the "Newbies please read" note: I did read through a couple threads here but I haven't really seen a lot of comparisons between the models I have an eye on. No surprise to me because usually they are in completely different price ranges. However, under the conditions given below the models are much closer than usually, making a comparison more interesting. Also, I do value usability and how quick you get your measurement done quite a lot. This is something that's by far not discussed as much as bandwith, aquisition modes, etc.I currently have a good old Rigol DS1102E. It has been serving me well for many years now but I do hit its limitations more and more often. Small screen, only 2 channels, very little memory (1M total, 512k with both channels enabled), ...
Long story short, I want a better scope and I want to keep it for a looong time. Features that I want to have: 4 channels, more memory, serial decoders, function generator, well designed UI/intuitive to use and a less noisier fan than the DS1102E. "Nice to have" and what I value: quick boot time and general speed of the device, bode plot, [other stuff I forgot].
The usage field is mainly power electronics and microcontrollers. While I have a logic analyzer for the DS1102E I actually never used it. I genuinely think 4 channels is enough for me as long as they can do all the digital stuff, too. I'm not into the super high bandwidth stuff; I've never wished for more than the 100MHz I had.
One note about the "well designed UI" point on my wishlist: Having a ton of features is nice, but most of them are only needed on rather rare occasions. However, no matter what you want to do with the thing, you
always have to use the UI, the buttons, the menus, etc. No way around. And if they are annoying, every single time you use the scope will be annoying. Some people happily live with this and trade a well made UI for some extra features. I'm the other way around. I would rather not have a couple features if the remaining ones are a pleasure to use. If I truly need that missing feature, I'll save money to buy something else to do the job (and enjoy the well-designed scope for everything else).
So I've followed new scopes over the last two years and I've come up with the following candidates for an upgrade: Siglent SDS2000X-Plus, (used) Agilent/Keysight MSO-X 3000 and R&S RTB2000.
The Rigol MSO5000 is not on the list because I think I'll never get a friend of their current "designs". Additionally the 1:15min boot time would annoy me every single time I use the thing. I power my lab equippment up the moment I need it, not with the lights when entering the lab...
When I first saw the RTB2000 series, I did like them a lot. They seem to have put a lot of effort in the UI and the software in general which I do appreciate. Especially the 10s boot time really appeals to me and the way I currently use my scope (which is around 10s boot time, too). The only really annoying thing I've seen so far is that apparently the velocity control of the knobs is not great? I'm more of a knob guy than an on-screen-keypad guy.
With the options I want it was just way to expensive. Then I discovered the current
eductation bundle from Batronix which brings it a lot closer to what I was willing to spend on a scope. The bundle ticks every point of my wishlist but it's still 700€ more than the Siglent... It is more than I actually wanted to spend on a scope but if that's what it takes to not regret the choice for the next 10 years, I'll happily stretch my budget.
Speaking of the Siglent - It seems to be the best bang per buck with some advantages over the R&S. But the somewhat limited function generator, the rather unusual memory management and other things I've read (and can't remember right now) made me doubt. I have the feeling that it may not be as well "thought through" and comfortable to use than the other two scopes on the list. Please tell me if that's nonsense.
And finally, the Keysight/Agilent scope... It's actually the only one I've used in reality, although for a very short time only (at university). I did like it and it pops up from time to time on ebay for <2k€. However it's quite a bit older and has significantly less memory.
Hence I'd be happy to hear about your thoughts. Are there any other new/used/hackable models that I should consider? What are your experiences with the models listed? What advantages and disadvantages have I missed?
Thank you!
Max