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Dave, you deserve a gold medal and donations for very informative reviews like this.

Dave, you just gave meaning to my sunday night!

I really thank you for this video because i was trying to decide to buy Rigol or GWInstek. Saludos from Argentina!

Ah, well spotted! Will have to try that. Thanks.

Great video Dave. Glad to end up feeling my recent purchase of my Rigol DS2102 was not a mistake. Was worried when I saw the function gen option on a scope of same value.

Some gear I keep, others I have to send back. In this case, as with most cases, it was not discussed whether I have to send it back. It's like "Here, want to review this? - ok". So it's best to always presume it's a keeper (as I presume this one is) if that concerns you. If they want it back they can have it, otherwise I treat all gear as effectively "permanent loan". If you want full disclosure, Instek are also a new paying advertiser on my website. The T&C's are disclosed on my website.

Gotta love a EE picking the brains of scope creator! Cheers Dave

Thank you for the review.

The dot mode is similar to what you'd find on a TI graphing calculator. My TI89 goes from column to column and figures out which pixel to darken, so that when the line goes vertical the dots are more spread out, but if it's horizontal it still looks like a solid line.

An extra bonus - thanks!

The cursors are yellow to indicate you are measuring the yellow signal(Ch1), it will change depending on what source you select for the cursor measurement, so blue for channel 2, red for maths etc.

I think its a great scope for the price. The menu navigation is a bit clunky, but once you have used it for a bit, you get used to the quirks. Scope has loads of functionality.

Thank you very much, that's what I was looking for. Cheers :)

31:08 The waveform amplitude changes when he adjusts the frequency, while the set amplitude stays constant 3.08Vpp.

The menu UI reminds me of the Tek TDS3000 series. All of the main options are on the bottom, with specific selections on the side.

Each oscilloscope has its properties, trigger is usually not optimal, eg with AM / FM modulation. My DIY Ex. Trigger has 24 steps and triggers each setting very good. Your comments about Electronic measuring device I think it's very good, it's a good factor for me. Many thanks from Walter from ULM (Germany)!

I would like to see more of these types of videos. Thanks

Glad im not the only one who sniffs new electronics :D

1 hour, sweet! :D

I like the big variable knob.

40:08 We have the trigger out on this scope. It's hidden in the demo signal outputs next to the usb at the front panel!

Where can I find out about this new Rigol DS2000 with optional function generator? I'm about to pull the trigger on a ds2202, but if they're about to come out with a new version, should I wait?

It seems to me that dot mode behaves as I would expect, it basically means that only one dot will be shown per vertical column, so when you have a change in value over a short distance on the screen, you will see the dots plainly, but if you change the time base so you can look closer on the rise/fall part like in the video, the values each adjacent dot represent will be closer together, so it will be indistinguishable from a line.

I noticed in EEVBlog #207 (pt1), the GDS3000 series scope is shown and the graduated display does seem to work somewhat like the Rigol/Agilent/etc scopes. Disappointing that they lost the plot with this 2000 series firmware.

Is it just me, or does the value actually increment slower at 59:20 when you turn the control faster? Possibly not a fast enough poll rate for the encoder?

Wow, I really want this scope after this review...

Can you hook your mp3 player up to the scope, an use the channels to divide the instruments?

Yes, as a reviewer I need to keep this sort of gear so it can be used in future videos reviews and comparisons etc.

I could not find any info about the DVM feature in the user manual or anywhere...

I just bought the Rigol DS2102 which was a reasonably large investment for me. I saw this video come up and thought I was going to have some serious buyers remorse but after seeing it I think I made a good choice. Of course the four channel would be nice but that is a bigger investment anyway. Thanks for all the great vids Dave.

You said that Rigol is a direct competitor, so having seen both, which do you think is better as far as performance is concerned?

Analog scope aren't difficult to operate, but you have to think about the application and the available money. Ds1102 is a good option for 400.

It helps you in the long run, not only are you able to upgrade later, but manufacturing costs are lowered compared to making multiple boards in the factory. It lowers material cost, design cost, and other overhead.

I’m in the market for my first oscilloscope but won’t be getting anything this sophisticated for a few years from now but watch your reviews on these pricey models anyway so I’ll have a much better understand of all the different options that are available. If you haven’t done one yet I’d like to see you do a review on the Teledyne Lecroy HDO6054 Oscilloscope.

did you put the function gen card thing back in properly

It's direct competitors are the Rigol 2000 and Agilent 2000. It is only fair to compare them.

Goodwill scopes? On Friday the scopes with pink tags are marked down 50%!

Absolutely wonderful question... Why not just have one BNC out called "GEN"? My only assumption is that it's there for future expandability. Shame how one module doesn't turn on both GEN's though.

Basic sheer performance (bandwidth, sample rate, update speed), they are probably rather equal. It's the small stuff that will set them apart.

I've seen the display freezing you talk about at 1 hour into the video on an old THS720A Tek hand held DSO I have at work. I haven't been able to work out why it does it either. Resetting the scope or using auto ranging clears the problem but comes back when I change the settings myself. I wouldn't mind finding out why it happens because it makes using the scope annoying.

50:59 Wasn't it caused by the peak detect feature turned on?

rigol 4000 series is 4ch, you could look at that to compare size/shape

the variable knob is pushable! check at 58:40, is toogles between the logic channels.

We were talking about beginners you dont need most of that stuff. And my scope is well maintained, good quality and even has an intact user manual. Parts are readily available as well. These kind of deals are extremely common here in the Netherlands, maybe it depends on the country you are in but it is pretty common around here.

Our companies had bought two GDS-2304A for Embedded circuitry design, those seem to be no problem to use till now, we like those. Although the GUI is out of fashion, but it's taiwanese style, the most important is that the price is beautiful and easy to use, we like it!

"Old school LeCroy bad?" .. i'm a huge fan of the old 9400 series. What did you not like about them?

Holy crap, Dave! How much do you spend on all this hardware annually?

Yeah I know. I placed it in one of the comments listed below.

Well, both outlook designs got reasons. The GWInstek unit locates the two soft key groups at right and bottom sides of LCD, Rigol puts them at the left and right sides. Rigol gets shorter dimension but a bit uncomfortable to operate. On the other hand, if Rigol came up with 4ch unit too, the shape could be kind of wierd...

Glad i got the HP DSO 3000x

Interface looks identical to the Tektronics scope I use at school.

I agree the scope is spartan and spread out, but this could be a plus as well. Those with big sausage fingers might appreciate the layout. Me I prefer the more condensed look. I like my buttons right and tight.

I need to keep products like this so I can do these reviews and comparisons. If Agilent giving me that scope influenced my opinion of it, why did I show the scope BLOWING UP on their big launch day? I could have swept that under the carpet, but I didn't, why? Because I can't help myself, I always tell it like I see it, and that has often been to my detriment. I think I have demonstrated that many times over, including in this video.

I think it looks fine, even after you brought it to our attention.

I believe the artefacts on the modulated waveform is due to the sinx/x interpolation working with too few data points. As you change the zoom, it selects different combinations of points from memory and if there are not enough points at that level for the sinx/x (approaching or exceeding Nyquist limit) then weird amplitude distortion on particular cycles will result. This is most likely due to poor memory management and poor implementation of sinx/x.

The scope is actually pretty good for the price. I have a 2204A which I got for ~$1700 from tequipment. You can't even come close to that with anyone else right now. Yes, it's got issues but so did Rigol 2000 when it first came out. Instek has been a HECK of alot more agressive in getting firmware updates out than Rigol on this. The way to make the product better is for reviews/impressions from people like Dave and others - and get that feedback back to the manufacturers.

What scopes don't alias (unless pk detect is on)?

Ya know, i think it looks pretty good, i like the minimalist look, not cluttered around horiz/vert

Yes, it's like Rigol is following Agilent, but Rigol has totally different design of control panel and screen layout. Especially at DS2000, DS4000 and DS6000.

Hi EVVblog! I have the GDS-3504 GwInstek for about 2 weeks 4 x 500 MHz Scope about 4000 €. A great scope with a lot of special equipment of the lot The Spectrum Analyzer RIGOL GDS 3404 with Tracing Generator 9 Khz 1500 Mhz I guess that's a good assemple for the hobby area. Best regards from Walter from ULM (Germany)

I kinda like the simple design of it.

Well, after watching some another videos I guess I'm gonna search for an analog oscilloscope ;) Thank you.

GW-Instek last unit they ship him? and it goes without saying that I salute him for keeping it honest and not putting his ass up for sale, as a scope consumer-influencer. Keep that backbone in check.

I assume that it is good to have an analog oscilloscope. because of the features of it, but I would like to know if it is good to spend money on a cheap osc from 1970's 1980's? I know that an oscilloscope would be useful but I'm afraid that the old device may be really hard to operate (especially for a beginner) and its functionality may not be good enough. What do you think, sir?

they give it to him free to review. dave is very knowledgeable and honest in his reviews and has a huge amount of viewers so its probly the best advertising you can do for electronics equipment. cant really do commercials on tv or radio for this kind of stuff lol

Of course. Likely tomorrow.

This statement is so correct. This is what I advise people who ask me, after I give them the details of both Digital and analog scopes. I like to let them know what they offer, and at the end I suggest the Rigol DS1102 or DS2072...unless they have a specific frequency necessity...and then it only changes model numbers, not brand. Rigol are doing it well, and it's really a terrific reality.

Nice machine boys....

I have a ?6year? old Instek. It's a 4 channel 200Mhz. I don't use it daily or for business, just hobby. For the money, speed and features, I happy with it. I want mine to do what it's built to do. What it looks like is very low on the priority list. AND like he description of the video says, "This is not a proper considered review." I enjoyed watching this and VERY GLAD I found this channel but a lot of the complaints would have been avoid by simply reading the manual.

Guys would you recommend buying an old school analog oscilloscope for a beginner? Will it be helpful or rather irritating to use because of the age of the device?

Maybe the reason they don't offer soft upgrades from 70MHz to 300MHz even with the same front end: the front end didn't pass 300MHz test. Maybe just like binning ICs, yeah?

Great video! Doesn't matter whether you might have been in a "wrong mode". If experienced folks get results like that, then this isn't a serious piece of testgear. And while it's debatable whether it's design is ugly, the waveform display is for sure! Apart from the numerous firmware bugs, the 2-option module policy is just another deal breaker. So if I want LAN and LSA, I cannot have the function gen? Give me a break... ;)

How the hell do you update the firmware on the gds-2000E scopes?? The instrument ask for a *.UPG file, but from the download page on GWinstek website the firmware comes in a RAR archive containing 3x *.ROM files inside...

I like it, much less cramped together than the rigol

going to do a teardown?

I am kind of an beginner as well and i have bought an old analog scope as well. It is an LEADER LBO-514a from early 80's (respectable brand) and i can tell that it isnt hard at all to operate! It costed me $40 or something and I think it is easier to operate then an digital oscilloscope, just search for a few analog scope tutorial vids here on youtube. It's functions are still quite relevant, especially on analog circuits. Anyways, it is some of the best $40 i have ever spend on electronics!

Well, the DPO intensity grading is not well implemented on GDS-2000A. :-(

Audio is good :)

We got our FW update over 6 weeks ago (along with release notes). They fixed all but one reported bug - and introduced one new one - which have already been fixed in the upcoming version. Also, since we've had an active and vocal community on EEVblog for 7 months that has been posting about every single found bug - if Rigol was fixing bugs we didn't find - they would have had to have been very tiny. Again - we've never had a serious bug or one that crashed the DSO.

Wrong - it's a completely different UI design - not just physical. On the Instek, the bottom keys call up sub-menus which are controlled by the right keys. OTOH, the two sets of soft keys on the Rigol are not interconnected in the UI in any way - they call up entirely different menus (the left keys are only used for adding measurements to the display).

You just saved me from boredom

I have said that an old analog scope is an excellent beginners learning platform. MUCH better than those toy pocket or PC scopes. But I have also said that compared to a modern low cost DSO like a Rigol 1052E etc, there is no contest, the DSO wins hands down.

Yes. Watch EEVblog #86.

Hmm... What's the point of having two if you can't use them both at the same time?

Not really, the scope looks ok, just needs some polishing to the user interface/some getting used to. The 2 major problems i see (and i may be wrong) is only the 2 slots on the back may be limiting if there aren't cards with multiple functions so you can get all the functionality needed, and the display not giving a good analog gradient, which can be a software problem in which case a firnware update will make for a good selling point or it can be a hardware limitation on the number of colours.

haha, "I instinctively tried to pull a knob"... wouldn't have picked up on it if my missus didn't start crying with laughter at the other side of the room. Classic! :)

He answered this question in another blog. Short version is: yes, you HAVE to have an analog scope in your lab!

The GWInstek one has those 80s-looking bubbles and then tiny knobs spaced far apart. When combined with the dark border around the screen, I think that all makes it look like something from 1989. With that kind of space, I'd want larger knobs and bigger buttons with larger text. Before you even said anything, I thought the thing looked ugly.

Dave is only reviewing this scope, the scope will go back to GW Instek. GW Instek didn't give him the scope. Did Dave say he was given the oscilloscope for free sometime during the video, and I missed it?

31:50 GW Instek stuff has always been a bit difficult to operate.

Well, I found this review "intriguing." I've had some background on such usability issues (Well, about three decades) and while I've never played with this unit, from this review from you Dave, it seems like many issues arose and they're due to engineers who either didn't test it fully, or as a lot of eng's do, they assume "Well, the user will just figure it out." That ain't good. And there seems to be a lot of fundamental problems with making this 'scope work properly. My guess (And it's just a guess) is the FW for this needs a lot of "tweaking." (From your review I'd say it needs an "overhaul," however.) Anyone who buys a 'scope like this is experienced enough to put it to use, but from what all you showed us was that it's just plain HARD to use. I understand your confusion on using this 'scope. Personally, I really don't like poor UI's. And this thing seems to just REEK of "bad design." I'm not sure but I think the HW is up to task, but the FW just falls way short. It'd be interesting to see if they fixed the issues (And that includes the industrial design) at some point. Again, I'm not familiar with this product and I happen to be in the market for this -- although I'm sure they "evolved" their products in the years, but if this is an example of how they deliver products, I dunno. I think I'd have to scratch this company off my "list." Thanks for the review. You, again, did a wonderful job.

See around 55 minutes, Dave switched out the modules on the back and Func gen changed from channel and I don't read comments, only manuals ;)

2) Bugs and FW fixes are one thing - serious design issues are another. No pushable encoder knobs for auto-centering; no fine vertical or horizontal scale setting; only 16 levels of intensity grading for waveforms; etc. - Instek might say these things are on the 'roadmap' to be changed - and perhaps they are - but they have been missing/problems since the first model in this design line (GDS-3000) came out in 2011.

No, it does not go back. In the majority of cases I'm allowed to keep the gear for future use. It says this on my website. Rigol, Agilent, BK, Extech, now Instek, and others all do this. Not all the time, but the majority of the time. The smart companies do this because it gives them what is known as "long tail" views in other videos.

first time uing dso scope weird even though you watch, read everything you get you hands on. DSO dont trust what i see yet. have analog scope right next to it in case something look odd or until you get used to using "d" scopes.. always have analog back up!

so in short: is it worth the money?

first impression: "it's a bit ugly" hahaaha made my day

No problem! Just make sure you get a reputable brand such as tektronix, leader or phillips or something.

"He Looks Happy!" Not surprising considering the price this goes for. :D

Damn, Dave, unfortunately I'm not too pleased with your response. I'm quite sure your response is why? I'd state exactly what you'd think I would, but it doesn't change the fact that I'm a forum member, and will continue to watch your videos.