2024’s Top Rigol Oscilloscope Review: Handheld to High-End Models Compared
Rigol Oscilloscope Reviews
Best Digital Oscilloscopes 2022: Reviews
Rigol is present on the 1st position on our picks today with a great oscilloscope that is comparatively better than most options available in the market. Professional applications might find this highly-functional oscillometer ideal.
Our 1st pick is the Rigol DS1054Z Digital Oscilloscope. As the name suggests, it is a digital oscilloscope that features a major advantage over the analog option. The digital oscilloscope has 4 channels, instead of 2. This allows for more precise and detailed results. It has a bandwidth of 50 Mhz and a waveform capture rate up to 3000 Efms/s, which is very high for this device.
It comes with a real-time record and relay feature that allows you to monitor in real-time and record the results instantaneously via the free software bundle program. Its innovative UltraVision technology has a default memory depth of 12 Mpts that is upgradeable up to 24 MPts if required by the user. You can also use this device to quickly focus on a pre-recorded piece of information or waveform for additional observation. Three-year warranty on the Rigol DS1054Z Digital Oscilloscope.
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Siglent is a very popular brand when it comes to electronic tools and instruments. This is why we have selected our brand for our best oscilloscope picks today.
If you are familiar with electronic experimentation, then you will have come across Siglent Technologies. The 2nd pick on our list today is the Siglent Technologies SDS1052DL+ digital oscilloscope which is a perfect device for product design, assembly lines, servicing jobs, and many more applications. The maximum bandwidth is 50 MHz, and it has two channels for flawless results.
The maximum sample rate of the SDS1052DL+ digital oscilloscope is around 500 MS/s for each channel that can be recorded in real-time. The record length of the SDS1052DL+ digital oscilloscope is 32Kpts per channel. This allows you to obtain detailed information about the waveforms.
The experiment-focused instruments need a proper display for easy visibility. Thus, there is a new higher-resolution digital display on the Siglent Technologies SDS1052DL+ along with advanced triggers to isolate certain signals on command.
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The display panel design is not good enough
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Yeapook, a small company that specialises in electronic testing and measurement equipment with sophisticated features, is relatively new. Products from the brand are reasonably priced compared with other products on the market.
Yeapook’s oscilloscope has 2 channels, which gives you more precise results. The oscilloscope has a bandwidth of 100 MHz and a sampling rate of 1 GSa/s. When it comes to the display interface, the oscilloscope features a 7-inch LCD touch screen. The LCD has a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels for easy and convenient viewing.
The digital oscilloscope offers you 3 trigger modes – auto, normal, and single. These modes allow you to capture immediate waveforms. The oscilloscope is equipped with a high voltage protection module that allows you to operate the unit up to 400V.
It is light at 600g, and has a small body measuring 7.08×4.72×1.57 inches. This makes it easy to handle. It has a storage capacity of 1 GB which means that you store up to 1000 screenshots and 1000 sets of waveform data. The built-in lithium battery of 6000mAh can keep the oscilloscope running for as long as 4 hours with a single charge.
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No information on warranty
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Owon, another well-known brand, has managed to get a few options onto our current list. Owon manufactures many electronic instruments, including digital oscilloscopes.
The Owon SDS7102 Deep Memory Digital Storage Oscilloscope comes with an auto-scale function that completely simplifies the overall operation of the device and helps you to get the results easily. The device is easy to use at work because it has been designed with precision. You can connect it to an external monitor via the SVGA connector. This allows you to view the waveforms on a bigger and sharper screen.
Although, it should not be a necessity as the Owon SDS7102 Deep Memory Digital Storage Oscilloscope by default features an 8 inches wide TFT display with a high panel resolution of 800 x 600 pixels. This high resolution allows for sharp images to be generated on a small display. The device can record 10m of data from every channel. Owon is backing this device with 3 years warranty period.
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It could be better.
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Our next from Hantek is also a high-end digital oscilloscope that is definitely the right choice for many users. Hantek offers many useful features that are ideal for daily use.
Hantek DSO5102P is equipped with dedicated storage, which can store up to 1000 waveform data at once. Hence, it is perfect for experiments as you can always take a look at previous results if required. The USB port can be used to exchange information with a computer, or an external USB drive. This device is capable of measuring 32 types waveform parameters automatically. It also allows manual cursor test function.
The Hantek DSO5102P features a 7 inches wide digital TFT LCD display on the front of the device that comes with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. It will display the results clearly and allow you to easily note them down. These results can be described as alternating current waves like sine waves and square waves. Hantek offers a 3-year warranty.
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Display is comparably compact
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Here, we have one more digital oscilloscope coming from Owon. This is Owon’s most expensive offering, so you should definitely consider it.
Coming to the most versatile, heavy-duty, and premium pick on our list of the best oscilloscopes, we have the MSO7102TD Series MSO Mixed Signal Oscilloscope from Owon. Owon’s MSO7102TD 16-channel logic analyzer supports up to 100 MHz and operates on 2 channels. There is a high sampling rate available on this device that measures up to 1GS/s which is higher than other choices in this range.
The 16 channel logic analyzer enables this device for cross triggering applications which helps a lot in professional usage. The maximum record length for each channel is limited to 2 Mpts that might not be enough for longer experiments. It can still guarantee precise waveforms for every result. It also features an Owon 8 inch TFT LCD display that shows precise results.
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High price tag
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The next product on our list is from Hantek DSO5102P that is also one of the highest capacity oscilloscopes in this article. This oscilloscope is a great choice if you are looking for a high-capacity product.
The maximum bandwidth of the device is 100 MHz across 2 channels. It also has an external trigger functionality to introduce convenience in the functionality. It features 7 inches wide WVGA LCD display with an 800 x 480-pixel resolution display.
As for the record length, it supports around 1M which is decent enough for its application. The device has a USB host and supports sd cards storage.
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Not all warranty details are available
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Lastly, we are bringing you our final choice for the best oscilloscopes from Siglent. It is an internationally renowned manufacturer of electronic instruments, so be sure to carefully review its specs.
The SIGLENT SDS2102X might be our last pick for today’s article, but it is one of the most heavy-duty options from our list today. The high-quality specifications of this oscilloscope justify the price. It has a 2 GSa/s real-time sampling rate, which is unmatched in other oscilloscopes. It also has 100 MHz bandwidth and can operate over two channels to get the best results.
The SIGLENT SDS2102X Superphospho Oscilloscope’s memory depth is another great feature. While other devices feature a shorter record length, this device allows you a record length of 140 Mpts, making it perfect for a research-based application. The 8 inches large TFT LCD digital screen is an advantage for those who are going to use this device daily.
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Oscillometers very expensive
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Hardware
The circuitry of the DS1054Z is similar to many digital oscilloscopes. The use of a publicly available element base significantly simplifies the analysis. All major components can be purchased, and their descriptions are also available.
Input amplifiers are the first blocks of an oscilloscope that receive signals. There are four input amplifiers on the DS1054Z, with all channels being identical. Unlike many others, there is no separate trigger channel. The trigger channel in a traditional oscilloscope was attached to the comparator. This determines the start of the sweep. Special delay lines were required for analog oscilloscopes. These lines included a section (or coil) of coaxial cable that display the signal. Digital oscilloscopes use memory for this.
In the DS1054Z, any channel can be selected as the trigger source. There is no separate comparator either. The signals are compared after digitization. This allows the introduction of complex triggers, greatly simplifies the circuit and synchronization work, but also has its disadvantages.
There is one BNC connector on the right side at the back. It has two selectable functions. This can be used for signalling a match/mismatch of the oscilloscope with a particular pattern. This feature is practically inoperable for home use.
Also, this BNC can be a trigger output. This is where the pitfalls come in. The trigger signal is generated programmatically by processing the ADC counts already in digital form. Due to delay inside ADC and further transmission, the trigger signal is delayed by a significant amount. Altogether we get hundreds of nanoseconds. Add to this the existing jitter with respect to the original signal in units of nanoseconds (due to sampling frequency of ADC and processing frequencies in the digital part). With great reservation, the trigger signal is now usable.
The initial signal is sent to Channel 2. The trigger output is connected by cable to input 3. The trigger time is set to Cursor A at Cursor B. However, it’s not critical. Cursor B is set at the very beginning of the trigger output edge. The result is a delay of 350ns. The delay does not change if you adjust the trigger level (marked T on the right).
However, if you want to synchronize an external logic analyzer with a buffer and configurable trigger position, it’s not so bad. This delay is important to remember because more costly units have a smaller hardware trigger delay.
Every input amplifier channel has multiple functions.
Front side input circuits:
It is clearly seen that the two channels have an identical circuit, but even the components’ location is the same. The circuit also includes the following:
The HC4053, TL072C, and AD5207 are split in half between the channels.
The back:
All channels on the other side are identical. The chips are not divided. Besides the discrete parts, there is a TLC274 auxiliary amplifier (marked P274), an HC4053 switch (an ersatz DAC is built on it), FTR-B3-GA4.5Z relays (SMD, standard type, 4.5V voltage, gold on nickel covering), and a solid-state relay cosmo y214s.
For now, I will only mention the fact that the input amplifier RF circuit is built entirely on discrete elements. Level control is the only function of all chips. DC offset compensation and other auxiliary functions. By the way, the set of these chips (and relays) has not changed much compared to the DS1052E. Additional RF chips (AD8370) were used in the DS1052E. ), which in the DS1054Z is replaced by several transistors.
All channels then converge on the ADC.
It is important not to confuse the Rigol marking. It is the HMCAD1511 of AD. Enthusiasts know this well. The old DS1052E had five two-channel AD9288s (suspected in a slightly “overclocked” version).
Inside the HMCAD1511 is a four-channel reconfigurable ADC, providing an aggregate speed across all channels of 1 GS/s. Accordingly, with two channels, it is 500, and with four channels, it is 250.
It is easy to see that the four differential lines of the input amplifiers are positioned on the top.
To the right of the ADC in the picture is the ADF4360-7 frequency synthesizer. Also, from AD. It is noticeably cheaper at $3.3.
If you read the documentation superficially, the question may arise – how does the device provide 12 bits with the 8-bit ADC? The answer is quite simple – by summing the samples. The summation of 16 samples consecutively in 12-bit mode would yield an extra four bits, while decreasing the frequency proportionally. Rigol is not the only one who does this. Many companies have similar mechanisms. High-speed ADCs with 12-14 bits cost more and make the circuitry more difficult. It is difficult to locate oscilloscopes that have more than 14 bits (and have the money). This is why it is not possible to test high quality audio channels with a normal digital oscilloscope. The eight-bit resolution of the oscilloscope is not sufficient to detect distortions at 16-24 bits.
This is the general operation:
The last important element is the main brain of the oscilloscope – the MCIMX283DVM4B microcontroller. This processor is part of the ARM926EJ–S core from nxp/freescale. The processor runs at 450MHz with lots of internal stuff:
By no means the most productive processor, but it’s good enough even for relatively heavy tasks like Fourier transforms and real-time output.
Referring to FPGA vs. processor, even a five-fold more costly XC6SLX25 wouldn’t produce an analog of the CPU. There simply isn’t enough logic cell to execute all embedded hardware functions.