Making the decision to purchase an oscilloscope can be difficult. With so many brands and models on the market, how do you know which one is right for your needs? In this article, we will compare two of the most popular oscilloscope brands- Siglent and Rigol. We will answer some common questions about these products, and help you determine which one is the best fit for your application. Thanks for reading!
What Makes a Good Oscilloscope?
They are used in a variety of applications, such as automotive diagnosis, medical imaging, and telecommunications. Oscilloscopes can be used to measure voltage, current, and time; they can also be used to observe the behavior of electronic circuits.
An oscilloscope consists of an electron beam that is deflected by an electric field. The beam sweeps across a phosphor-coated screen, which emits light when hit by the beam. The brightness of the light depends on the strength of the signal being measured.
Since their invention, oscilloscopes have become an essential tool for electronic engineers. They allow us to visualize electrical signals, and are used in a wide variety of applications from testing electronic circuits to debugging computer programs.
With so many different oscilloscopes on the market, it can be difficult to know which one is right for your needs. Before you can choose the right oscilloscope, you need to understand what makes a good oscilloscope.
Type of oscilloscope
The easiest factor to determine when choosing an oscilloscope is the type of oscilloscope. The two main types of oscilloscopes are analog and digital.
Analog oscilloscopes are the oldest type of oscilloscope and use vacuum tubes to amplify and display the electrical signal. They are large, expensive, and require regular maintenance. However, they are still used by some engineers because of their high accuracy and precision.
Digital oscilloscopes use computer chips to amplify and display the electrical signal. They are smaller, more portable, and require less maintenance than analog oscilloscopes. Additionally, digital oscilloscopes can store and recall waveforms, which is useful for analyzing complex signals.
Bandwidth
The bandwidth of an oscilloscope is the range of frequencies it can measure. Most oscilloscopes have a bandwidth of 50 MHz or less, which is adequate for most applications. However, if you need to measure high-frequency signals, you will need an oscilloscope with a higher bandwidth. Oscilloscopes with a bandwidth of 100 MHz or more are available, but they are significantly more expensive than lower-bandwidth oscilloscopes.
Sample rate
The sample rate must be high enough to accurately capture the waveform of the signal being measured. For most applications, a sample rate of 1 GS/s (giga samples per second) is sufficient. Higher sample rates are available for measuring faster signals, but they come at a higher price.
Rise time
A faster rise time means that the oscilloscope can measure higher-frequency signals. Most oscilloscopes have a rise time of 1 ns (nanosecond) or less, which is adequate for most applications.
Memory depth
A deeper memory depth is useful for capturing long or complex signals. Most oscilloscopes have a memory depth of at least 4 k (kilobytes), which is sufficient for most applications.
Input channels
Most oscilloscopes have two input channels, which allows you to measure two signals at the same time. Some oscilloscopes have four input channels, which is helpful if you need to compare multiple signals.
Now that we covered the basic specs of an oscilloscope, we can start to compare the two popular brands: Siglent and Rigol. In the next sections, we will take a closer look at the features and capabilities of each brand. [1], [2]
Siglent Brand in General
Siglent Technologies is a world-leading designer and manufacturer of electronic test and measurement instruments. The company is headquartered in China and has an international sales and support network spanning over 60 countries.
Siglent’s product range includes oscilloscopes, waveform generators, multimeters, power supplies, LCR meters, logic analyzers, and spectrum analyzers. The company also offers a variety of accessories for its instruments, as well as software for data analysis and instrument control.
Siglent is committed to providing high-quality products that are easy to use and offer excellent value for money. The company’s products are backed by a comprehensive warranty and customer support service. [3], [4]
Rigol Brand in General
Rigol is a company that produces Rigol oscilloscopes. The company is located in China and was founded in 1998. Rigol produces a wide range of products, including digital multimeters, power supplies, spectrum analyzers, and more. However, their most popular product line is their oscilloscopes.
Rigol offers two main series of oscilloscopes: the DS1000Z series and the MSO2000 series. The DS1000Z series is their entry-level offering while the MSO2000 series is their high-end offering. [3], [5]
Overview of Siglent Technologies SDS1202X-E
So now you should have an idea about the two companies and the type of oscilloscopes they offer. In this section, we will take an in-depth look at one of Siglent’s oscilloscopes, the SDS1202X-E.
Simple layout and design
The Siglent SDS1202X-E is a very straightforward oscilloscope. Controls are located on the front panel, which makes it very easy to use. The large color LCD display is also very easy to read.
The advantage of layout simplicity in oscilloscope design is that it provides better performance, as well as better ease of use and understanding. A more complicated design with a large number of subtle interactions may be more difficult to understand and use, and may also have poorer performance. In addition, a simpler design tends to be more reliable.
This means, even if you never used an oscilloscope before, you should be able to learn how to use the Siglent SDS1202X-E very quickly.
Display quality
The SDS1202X-E has a 7-inch widescreen display with a resolution of 800×480. This is plenty of screen real estate to work with, and the high resolution makes it easy to see all the details you need. The scope also has 2 megabytes of internal storage, so you can save your waveforms and settings for future use.
Excellent performance
The Siglent SDS1202X-E is a very capable oscilloscope. It has a maximum sample rate of 1 GS/s and a maximum bandwidth of 200 MHz. This makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, from basic electronics troubleshooting to more sophisticated signal analysis.
In addition, the Siglent SDS1202X-E has excellent signal integrity. It has low noise and a very high input impedance, which helps to preserve the shape of your signals.
Waveform capture rate
One of the things that you should consider when choosing an oscilloscope is the waveform capture rate. This is the number of waveforms that the oscilloscope can acquire and display in a given second. The higher the waveform capture rate, the better the performance of the oscilloscope.
The SDS1202X-E has a waveform capture rate of 10,000 wfms/s, which is one of the highest in its class. This means that it can acquire and display up to 00,000 waveforms per second. This is a very impressive performance and is suitable for a wide range of applications. And that’s only in the normal mode! If you switch to the sequence mode, the waveform capture rate can be increased to 40,000 wfms/s.
No background noise
One of the best things about this oscilloscope is that it doesn’t produce a lot of background noise. This is important because it means that you won’t have to worry about your measurements being affected by interference from other electronic devices.
High frequency resolution
Next of the main specs you will see when looking for an oscilloscope is frequency resolution. This tells you the smallest signal that the scope can measure. Siglent SDS1202X-E can boast of an impressive frequency resolution.
What does this mean in practical terms? Let’s say you are trying to measure a signal with a very low frequency, like 1 Hz. The scope will be able to resolve (or see) changes in that signal down to 1 mHz. In other words, it can measure signals that are as low as 0.001 Hz.
This is important because it means that you can use this scope to measure very low frequencies that other scopes might not be able to pick up.
Lightweight and portable
The Siglent SDS1202X-E weighs less than its counterparts. It only weighs 2.5 kg, so you can easily carry it around with you. This is important because it means that you can take the scope with you wherever you go. You won’t have to worry about finding a place to put it down or setting it up every time you want to use it.
Port variety
The Siglent SDS1202X-E has a variety of ports that you can use to connect to other devices. There are USB ports for connecting to a PC or a printer. There is also an Ethernet port for networking. And finally, there is a BNC connector for an external trigger.
This gives you a lot of flexibility when it comes to connecting the scope to other devices. You can save your waveforms and settings on your computer, print them out, or share them with others over the network.
Only two channels
While the SDS1202X-E is a powerful oscilloscope, it only has two channels. This means that you can only measure two signals at the same time. If you need to measure more than two signals, you will need to purchase a scope with more channels. Most hobbyists won’t really need more than two channels, but if you think you might, it’s something to keep in mind.
Lack of HDMI port
Another downside of the SDS1202X-E is that it doesn’t have an HDMI port. This means that you won’t be able to connect it to a TV or monitor for display. If you need to do this, you will need to purchase a separate adapter.
Price
When it comes to price, the Siglent SDS1202X-E is very competitive. It’s priced similarly to other oscilloscopes in its class, and it offers a lot of features for the price. If you’re looking for a good value scope, the SDS1202X-E is definitely worth considering. [3], [4]
Overview of Rigol DS1054Z
Next, we will be taking an in-depth look at the Rigol DS1054Z. The Rigol DS1054Z is a very popular choice for those in the market for an oscilloscope due to its low price and comprehensive feature set. So let’s begin!
Design
The Rigol DS1054Z features a clean and modern design that is sure to look great on any workbench. The front panel features a large color display with controls. The rear panel includes all of the necessary connectivity options including USB, LAN, and Trigger In/Out.
However, when compared to the Siglent SDS1202X-E, the Rigol DS1054Z’s design is not as sleek and intuitive. The Siglent SDS1202X-E’s front panel is much more user-friendly with its large rotary knob and dedicated buttons for the most commonly used functions.
Display
The Rigol DS1054Z sports a 7 inch display and has a resolution of 800×480. This is a decent sized display that will allow you to see your waveforms clearly without having to scroll around too much. The only downside to the Rigol DS1054Z’s display is that it is not a touchscreen, so you will have to use the buttons on the front of the scope to navigate the menus.
50MHZ Bandwidth
One of the first things you’ll notice about the Rigol DS1054Z is its 50MHz bandwidth. This is a pretty standard bandwidth for oscilloscopes in this price range. As you can see, it’s no match to the 200MHz of the Siglent SDS1104X-E, but it’s still plenty for most purposes.
However the DS1054Z comes with a chip that allows you to upgrade the oscilloscope with a simple firmware update. This is a great feature that gives you the option to upgrade the scope down the road if you need to.
The main advantage of a higher bandwidth is that you can see higher-frequency signals more clearly. This is especially important if you’re working with digital signals, as they often switch very quickly and can be hard to read on a scope with a lower bandwidth.
Presence of the USB port
Another of the main attractions of the Rigol DS1054Z is the presence of the USB port. The USB port allows you to connect the oscilloscope directly to your computer, which is great for those who want to use the oscilloscope with PC-based software.
Additionally, the USB port also allows you to update the firmware of the oscilloscope, which is always a good thing.
Upgradeable Memory depth
One of the main features of the Rigol DS1054Z is that it has an upgradeable memory depth. This means that you can increase the amount of data that the oscilloscope can store for later analysis. This is a very useful feature if you plan on doing any serious analysis with your oscilloscope.
4 Channel scope
The Rigol DS1054Z is also a 4 channel scope. This means that it can simultaneously measure 4 different signals at once. This is a very useful feature if you need to measure multiple signals at the same time or if you want to compare different signals side by side. This puts it above the Siglent SDS1104X-E, which is only a 2 channel scope.
Advanced controls
Another area where the Rigol DS1054Z shines is in its advanced controls. As we mentioned before, the oscilloscope features a built-in waveform generator which can be used to create signals for testing purposes.
In addition, the Rigol DS1054Z also has a number of other advanced controls which make it an extremely versatile piece of test equipment.
The Rigol DS1054Z also has a built-in math function which can be used to perform various mathematical operations on waveforms. This can be very useful for analyzing complex waveforms.
Finally, the Rigol DS1054Z also features a Fast Fourier transform (FFT) function. This can be used to analyze the frequency content of a waveform.
UltraVision technology
It uses an advanced sampling system to achieve this and as a result, Siglent’s oscilloscopes are some of the fastest on the market.
Confusing to operate without a manual
Unfortunately, the advancements in design and feature-set of the Rigol DS1054Z also make it a little more complicated to use, especially if you don’t have the manual handy.
We would recommend reading the manual before using this oscilloscope, as there are many features that are not immediately apparent and could be confusing to use without prior knowledge.
Noisy ventilation system
While ventilation systems are important for keeping electronic equipment cool, they can also be a source of noise. If you have ever been in an electronic lab with a lot of equipment running, you may have noticed that the air can be quite loud. This is because the ventilation system is moving a lot of air past all of the equipment, and this can create a lot of noise.
One of the most common complaints about the DS1054Z is that the ventilation system is quite noisy. This can be a bit of a nuisance if you are working in a quiet environment, such as at night.
Price
When it comes to price, the Rigol DS1054Z is very competitively priced. It’s currently available for around $420, which puts it in the same ballpark as the Siglent SDS1104X-E. [3], [5]
FAQ
Which bandwidth is a good choice for my needs?
The bandwidth of an oscilloscope is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a scope.
We suggest applying a five times rule when choosing the bandwidth for your scope. This rule states that you should always choose a scope with a bandwidth that is five times higher than the frequency of the signal you are trying to measure.
Which brand of oscilloscope is better?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on individual needs and preferences. However, both Rigol and Siglent offer high-quality products that would be suitable for most users. Among the Rigol DS1054Z and Siglent SDS1202X-E, we’ve arrived at the conclusion that Siglent is a better choice for both begginers and intermediate users, while Rigol would be better suited for advanced users.
Is Siglent a Chinese company?
Yes, Siglent Technologies is a Chinese company that produces test and measurement equipment, including oscilloscopes. It also has international branches in the United States and Germany.
Who makes Rigol?
Rigol is a Chinese company that manufactures electronic test and measurement instruments. The company was founded in 1998 and has since become a leading supplier of oscilloscopes, among other devices.
Useful Video: Rigol vs Siglent 4 channel scopes review, test
Conclusion
This brings us to the end of our comprehensive guide on Siglent vs Rigol oscilloscopes. We hope that after reading this, you now have a better understanding of the two brands and which one would be a better fit for your needs. We have compared two of the best models from each company in order to help you make an informed decision: Siglent Technologies SDS1202X-E and Rigol DS1054Z.
Generally speaking, this Siglent model is a great all-around choice for its price point. It offers a good feature set and excellent performance. It’s very intuitive to use, making it a great option for beginners. And with a bandwidth of 200 MHz, it’s suitable for most applications.
However, the Rigol DS1054Z is the better choice if budget is not an issue for you and you need more advanced features such as deep memory and analysis functions. The lower bandwidth of 50 MHz may be a drawback for some, but you can use a chip to overcome this. Beginners may have some trouble using this oscilloscope since it’s not as user-friendly as the Siglent.
Whichever brand you choose, we’re sure you’ll be satisfied with your purchase. Both companies offer high-quality products that will serve you well for years to come.
If you’re still undecided, we recommend taking a closer look at both options and seeing which one offers the features and performance that you need. Whichever brand you choose, we’re sure you’ll be happy with your decision!
References
- https://www.tek.com/en/blog/which-oscilloscope-to-buy
- https://www.militaryaerospace.com/commercial-aerospace/article/14231622/how-to-choose-the-right-oscilloscope-for-your-next-project
- https://linea.io/siglent-vs-rigol/
- https://nerdytechy.com/siglent-technologies-sds1202x-e-review/
- https://nerdytechy.com/rigol-ds1054z-review/
