[SOLVED] Need help deciding between SDS804X HD and SDS814x HD osilloscope.

[AmeliaBuns]

Hi, I'm mainly a software engineer and a newbie to electronics.
I'm looking to buy an oscilloscope for embed dev + designing circuits like scales/sensors. Right now I'm designing something with the AD7190. I also want to use it to analyze my power supply designs (DC-DC and low wattage usually).
I was going to buy the SDS814X but a friend of mine told me I could just easily hack the SDS804x HD to 200mhz with a keygen. As a newbie, I'm not even fully sure how these things work so I'm getting a second opinion, especially as the 814x costs a ton of money!
the SDS804x HD is 150CADcheaper   (that's a nice hot air I also need!)  and even if I fail to use keygen, surely 70mhz is enough for my use case still right? my worry is that even if I do make the keygen work the circuit or the calibration is different on the units.

- Thanks 

[tautech]

Welcome to the forum Amelia.

SDS800X HD models also offer a Power Analysis option, perfect for detailed analysis of switching supplies where you are unlikely to ever challenge the stated 70 MHz BW of the 804 model.

All/any option provides for 30 free trial uses before permanent licensing is required.
I have heard whispers 804's actual -3dB BW is closer to 115 MHz and I have tested my 814 to ~155 MHz so a 804 will serve you well and there's probably no need you'll ever require a higher BW model.

[AmeliaBuns]

Thank you for saving me 150CAD

Do you know anything about the possible hacks either?
I'm going to place my pre-order Very excited... this is my first oscilloscope and I dreamt of buying one since I was a kid!

[Martin72]

Do you know anything about the possible hacks either?

Please read the corresponding SDS 800X HD thread, where your initial question would also have fitted.

[AmeliaBuns]

Do you know anything about the possible hacks either?

Please read the corresponding SDS 800X HD thread, where your initial question would also have fitted.

I did! However, the hacks are on early models and not the release ones.
There's a very small chance they sent the same hardware for the testing but changed them for the release or something?

[AmeliaBuns]

I did! However, the hacks are on early models and not the release ones.
There's a very small chance they sent the same hardware for the testing but changed them for the release or something?

The established hack still works. See this post, and the post linked therein, for the latest:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-sds800x-hd-12-bit-dsos-coming/msg5364521/#msg5364521

Also, some further discussion in the posts that follow there, about optionally using SCPI commands only instead of telnet.

Thank you! I'm not sure what the difference is but i'll take a look, very expensive still (700CAD with 60CAD shipping and taxes...) but words cannot describe how excited I am for this!
Although I just used all of my budget for this month in the first 4 days

[Harrow]

Thank you! I'm not sure what the difference is but i'll take a look, very expensive still (700CAD with 60CAD shipping and taxes...) but words cannot describe how excited I am for this!
Although I just used all of my budget for this month in the first 4 days

If they're in stock for you, can you get two and send one to Australia. I don't really want to wait until Xmas for mine. I'll even send you a packet of Tim Tams.

[AmeliaBuns]

Thank you! I'm not sure what the difference is but i'll take a look, very expensive still (700CAD with 60CAD shipping and taxes...) but words cannot describe how excited I am for this!
Although I just used all of my budget for this month in the first 4 days

If they're in stock for you, can you get two and send one to Australia. I don't really want to wait until Xmas for mine. I'll even send you a packet of Tim Tams.

They were just in back order and I'm stupid and impatient!

[AmeliaBuns]

I did! However, the hacks are on early models and not the release ones.
There's a very small chance they sent the same hardware for the testing but changed them for the release or something?

The established hack still works. See this post, and the post linked therein, for the latest:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-sds800x-hd-12-bit-dsos-coming/msg5364521/#msg5364521

Also, some further discussion in the posts that follow there, about optionally using SCPI commands only instead of telnet.

I just realized, Does the 200mhz upgrade  require me to buy new probes too? because they look to be 50CAD each. at that point I might get the 814x instead. 50CAD x 4 = 200CAD, the upgrade is 150CAD

although the benefit of the 804x hd is that i can do it later when I can afford it

[tautech]

I just realized, Does the 200mhz upgrade  require me to buy new probes too?

No unless you feel the need to pursue higher frequencies.
Have a look at Probe Bandwidth tests here:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/sds800x-hd-review-demonstration-thread/msg5293756/#msg5293756
However only PP510 and PP215 were tested as that was all to hand.

although the benefit of the 804x hd is that i can do it later when I can afford it

Yep and likely only a couple would meets your future needs.

[myf]

Hello Tautech, hello everybody,


Tautech talks about "SDS800X HD models also offer a Power Analysis option".

I find no information about what it is but it seems there is and an hardware device (df2001-a) and a software licence (sds800xhd-pa) without details on https://www.siglenteu.com/digital-oscilloscopes/sds800x-hd-digital-storage-oscilloscope at the very bottom of this page.

Does it replace differential probe x100 and/or an ac-clamp probe for scope for mains as Hantek proposes ?
But with theses (almost) standard probes I don't need any software...

Thanks a lot for your explains.

Have a nice day !

F., which makes amateur electronics in France

[tautech]

Hello Tautech, hello everybody,


Tautech talks about "SDS800X HD models also offer a Power Analysis option".

I find no information about what it is but it seems there is and an hardware device (df2001-a) and a software licence (sds800xhd-pa) without details on https://www.siglenteu.com/digital-oscilloscopes/sds800x-hd-digital-storage-oscilloscope at the very bottom of this page.

PA is an optional feature also found in the more expensive Siglent models and as in those you have 30 trial uses of PA without the need for licensing.

PA is a dedicated special mode of operation, much like Bode plot and takes a second or 2 to launch and return to normal scope use.

Does it replace differential probe x100 and/or an ac-clamp probe for scope for mains as Hantek proposes ?
But with theses (almost) standard probes I don't need any software...

No.
Probes needed to make full use of PA are:
Std voltage probes
Differential probes
Current probes.

In each of the 12 PA measurement types there is a Connection guide to guide correct usage.
Screenshots below display an indication of menus and how to use PA.

[AmeliaBuns]

I just realized, Does the 200mhz upgrade  require me to buy new probes too?

No unless you feel the need to pursue higher frequencies.
Have a look at Probe Bandwidth tests here:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/sds800x-hd-review-demonstration-thread/msg5293756/#msg5293756
However only PP510 and PP215 were tested as that was all to hand.

although the benefit of the 804x hd is that i can do it later when I can afford it

Yep and likely only a couple would meets your future needs.

Great! I guess I'm just too nervous as it's a lot of money, and I'm impatiently waiting for mine to be shipped