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Graham Armitage

Mon Jan 12 2015, 09:27PM

Registered Member #6038 Joined: Mon Aug 06 2012, 11:31AM
Location: Salado, TX
Posts: 248

Posting this here, as I am looking to upgrade my scope and it's primary use is for Tesla related work. Am interested in what scopes other folks use for their Tesla work and would recommend. Main questions are:
Digital vs Analog scopes - which is better?
Max Freq - 50MHz ok or 100 MHz better
Any other key factors - obviously dual trace.

I am eyeing the Rigol DS1052E - 50MHz 1 GSa/S 2 channels plus USB storage. I like the capture features, but here that sampling rate can be critical especially when doing phase tuning etc. I have a dual trace Tektronix analog (2235 100MHz)now.

Welcome any feedback or suggestions before I do anything.

Kolas

Mon Jan 12 2015, 09:34PM

Registered Member #102 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 08:15PM
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 169

I'm still operating with a fairly slow scope (20mhz.) I've been told, and I believe it, timebase delay is a very good feature to have!
the faster the scope the better detail you can get, so I'd get the the fastest thing you can get! perhaps others have more opinions about the other questions you posed.

loneoceans

Tue Jan 13 2015, 03:06AM

Registered Member #4098 Joined: Fri Sept 16 2011, 09:26PM
Location:
Posts: 236

No question, the Rigol DS1054z for $399. It is by far the best value scope on the market and I don't think anyone can argue otherwise.
I hear it's upgradable..

Graham Armitage

Tue Jan 13 2015, 03:33AM

Registered Member #6038 Joined: Mon Aug 06 2012, 11:31AM
Location: Salado, TX
Posts: 248

Other than 4 vs 2 channels what is the 1054 giving you that the 1052 would not? Larger display?
Running quad channels I believe the sample rate is down to 250MS/s.

Mads Barnkob

Tue Jan 13 2015, 08:12AM

Registered Member #1403 Joined: Tue Mar 18 2008, 06:05PM
Location: Denmark, Odense C
Posts: 1968

Graham Armitage wrote ...

Other than 4 vs 2 channels what is the 1054 giving you that the 1052 would not? Larger display?
Running quad channels I believe the sample rate is down to 250MS/s.

I have the DS1052E and find it good enough as a entry level oscilloscope, if you start from scratch I would recommend that you spend the rest of your money on a Pearson current monitor and a differential probe. Those two tools will help you way more than additional 2 channels.

I do also dream about the larger screen, more inputs and perhaps better firmware. But when you look at the price, you get a good DSO for starters. You are right about the 1GS/s rating of the 1054 is divided out on the four channels.

I think the general rule of thumb regarding speed of the oscilloscope is that you want at least twice the rating as the signal you are looking at. You will never look at 25MHz signals when working with Tesla coils, so a 50MHz oscilloscope is more than enough, sample rate and memory depth is much more important.

From what I can find on ebay, there is a price difference from 220Â£ DS1052E to 320Â£ DS1054Z

Shrad

Tue Jan 13 2015, 09:55AM

Registered Member #3215 Joined: Sun Sept 19 2010, 08:42PM
Location:
Posts: 780

also, a small analog one like a trio 10Mhz is always a good addition, as you'll never have the same "trace feeling" with a digital scope... sometimes it will be easier to trigger and use an analog scope

also, you don't want to fry your new $400 rigol scope, hence the $50 analog one

Wolfram

Tue Jan 13 2015, 12:33PM

Registered Member #33 Joined: Sat Feb 04 2006, 01:31PM
Location: Norway
Posts: 971

Graham Armitage wrote ...

Other than 4 vs 2 channels what is the 1054 giving you that the 1052 would not?

In addition to the two extra channels and the larger screen that you mentioned, there are some significant differences. 12 times the memory depth (24 times with the memory upgrade option) which is extremely useful. In addition, the 1054Z has a lot of fancy and useful features like intensity grading. The 1054 is newer by about 6 years, so there are in general major differences.

I was unable to find a direct comparison between the two, but this comparison

between the 1052 and the 2072. The 2072 is a higher end scope than the 1054, but a lot of the features and interface are very similar.

I wouldn't consider a 1052 unless it was less than a quarter of the price of the 1054, and only if I couldn't afford the 1054. Reading about it now, I'm pretty sure I'll buy a 1054 myself now.

Shrad

Tue Jan 13 2015, 02:45PM

Registered Member #3215 Joined: Sun Sept 19 2010, 08:42PM
Location:
Posts: 780

beware that those models can be modified to unlock some features (at least they could last year)

Graham Armitage

Tue Jan 13 2015, 02:53PM

Registered Member #6038 Joined: Mon Aug 06 2012, 11:31AM
Location: Salado, TX
Posts: 248

Thanks for the feedback everyone. All good points. On the RigolNA website the DS1052E is going for $329 and the DS1054Z for $399. For the $70 more it seems obvious.

Any other makes to consider, or does Rigol offer best bang for the buck?

Wolfram

Tue Jan 13 2015, 03:32PM

Registered Member #33 Joined: Sat Feb 04 2006, 01:31PM
Location: Norway
Posts: 971

At the moment it seems like the best option available in this price range, especially considering the reported upgradeability.

When looking for info for the comparison, I was so impressed with the 1054 that I ended up ordering one. I'll report back when I receive it.

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