Rigol DHO4000 Series vs Siglent SDS3000X Series

[strahd_von_zarovich]

Hi everyone,

I am planning to buy a true 12-bit oscilloscope. I am consdering DHO4204 and SDS3034X. DHO4204 is hackable as far as I understand. I don't know if SDS3000 series is hackable right now.

I have a 2Ghz oscilloscope, so I don't really care the bandwitdh difference between two(Rigol(800MHz) - Siglent(1GHz))

Noise performance on SDS3000X is 125uVrms@1GHz, but Rigol doesn't show any data at high frequencies, at least I couldn't find it.

Hdmi on the Rigol is a plus for me, since I use it frequently. Bode function on the Siglent is the feature I need for very long time (It only works with Siglent waveform generator as far as I understand, but I have a SDG6052 function generator. So looks like It will work)

About memory depth both are sufficient.  FFT is important I don't know which one is faster and has better specs.

Can you tell me ? What do you think about their specs, and which one will you choose and why?

Thanks in advance.

[2N3055]

Hello!

I personally prefer SDS3000xHD.

In short, SDS3000xHD is more advanced in analysis features.
It has measurements with statistics and histicons. Trend and track plots.
Advanced arbitrary formula math. Good FFT.
Bode plot would not only work with sdg6052X, but works completely plug and play and. Make note Bode plot is multichannel.
SDS3000xHD is also MSO. That means it is actually 4 analog + 16 digital scope. Etc.etc.
Better DC accuracy. Very large input offset ranges.

Truth is, if you only use scope for "only looking at the waveforms", both scopes will do.

If you want to know which scope is more advanced measurement instrument, that is SDS3000xHD.
Also, SDS3000xHD is still in active development where all kinds of features are being added to the platform.

DHO4000 haven't seen much development in 2 years AFAIK. Rigol is also not famous for good FW debug process. I don't know but I would presume that in 2 years at least critical bugs were ironed out by now, though.

Since both are not exactly pocket money, I would recommend trying them if you can...

[strahd_von_zarovich]

Thank you so much for your detailed answer.

What about hacking? Can SDS3034X be upgraded to SDS3104X?

[2N3055]

Thank you so much for your detailed answer.

What about hacking? Can SDS3034X be upgraded to SDS3104X?

I leave that to others. I do not have much knowledge about how that goes. There is some difference in licensing between models so not all are the same.

[egonotto]

Hello

Even if it wasn't mentioned in the opening post.
I only have the Rigol DHO1074, but it is very similar to the Rigol DHO4000.

With the Rigol DHO1074, working with segmented memory is limited because it is very slow and because you can't save the result.
The Siglent is much faster. I don't know if you can save the result with it.

Best regards
egonotto
PS: I apologize for my inaccurate expression. I hope you understand what I mean.

[Dennis Frie]

I can vote for the SDS3000X HD. I have both the Rigol DHO1000 (very similar to the DHO4000) and SDS3000X. I find the SDS3000X HD much more pleasant to work with and it offers significantly more analysis features. The HDMI output and Eye diagram are the only features I'm missing compared to the DHO4000.
On a sidenote, if you plan to use active probes, that's important to consider. The probes can be fairly expensive and when you've purchased a handful of those, it's not as easy to change brand later on :p

[2N3055]

I can vote for the SDS3000X HD. I have both the Rigol DHO1000 (very similar to the DHO4000) and SDS3000X. I find the SDS3000X HD much more pleasant to work with and it offers significantly more analysis features. The HDMI output and Eye diagram are the only features I'm missing compared to the DHO4000.
On a sidenote, if you plan to use active probes, that's important to consider. The probes can be fairly expensive and when you've purchased a handful of those, it's not as easy to change brand later on :p

Lock in to a brand is a real thing, but make note that Siglent has very good price for active probes....