I have trouble getting my head around the pricing of these loads. They seem to be competing with the Maynuo M9811 (200W) and M9812 (300W) in terms of specs and features, but adding a color display, slicker enclosure, proper connectivity (including LAN and SCPI) and a better pedigree.
The baseline model is the SDL1020X-E. It is functionally equivalent to all the other models in the series, and at EUR 459 without VAT it is very attractively priced. Perhaps it is the most attractively priced e-load on the market today.
The next in line is the SDL1020X at EUR 599. What do you get for 160 Euros more? Better accuracy and resolution for CC current setting and voltage readback. Accuracy for CV voltage setting and current readback is the same for the X-E and X models. That looks like a half-assed upgrade to me, and they charge too much for it.
But it gets worse: the SDL1030X-E is the 300W version of the baseline model, with otherwise identical specs to the SDL1020X-E. And they charge a whopping EUR 759 for it! That is 65% extra cash for 50% extra power, which I see as far beyond reasonable given the limited amount of extra effort from Siglent required for this upgrade.
And then there is the top model SDL1030X, which at 989 Euros must bring in no less than 230 euros more for better accuracy and resolution for CC current setting and voltage readback. Again, accuracy for CV voltage setting and current readback is the same for the X-E and X models. That's 70 Euros more for the exact same half-assed upgrade as between the SDL1020X-E and the SDL1020-X.
Compare that with the Maynuo loads, the M9811 costs EUR 445 and the M9812 costs EUR 510, so only 15% more. This is in line with the amount of extra hardware in the 300W version, and in terms of what you get for your money, both models are about the same. Not so with the Siglent: the base model easily is the best value for money when compared to comparable offers from other manufacturers. But the value for money goes down the drain quite quickly when you look at the models higher up in the series. And that is a bit of a shame: they probably could upsell much easier if the price steps were more in line with the actual performance upgrades. Siglent would get more money from the same customer, while at the same time the customer doesn't feel ripped of when considering the higher spec models.
I know this will probably not change anything, but I just want to express my aggravation about this kind of practice. It doesn't make me consider a model higher in the line, it makes me want to walk away without buying anything. I know Rigol's practices are even worse in this respect, and that is one of the reasons why I quickly stopped considering their line of e-loads.