DS1102E 100 MHz 2-Channel Digital Oscilloscope

(Springfield, MO) - 05/06/2013

I just wanted to tell you...someone...anyone who will listen to me really how excited I am about the DS1102E Digital Oscilloscope. I have only had it a few days and I can't put it down. I actually fell asleep last night holding it in bed like it was my favorite teddy bear... Okay maybe not, but I still almost can't believe I was able to get this level of quality for $399. I have such a limited amount of time allotted to me in the lab using the Agilents that I really needed something to help me out, especially on minor testing operations. Well let me tell you, this DS1102E does everything I need and then some. I have compared my measurements to $1800 scopes and found no difference between them.The ability to directly import the images to a computer via the cable is a really cool feature. The free carrying bag is great, especially because with the light weight compactness, I know this is the scope I want to be carrying with me. I wish I had bought on of these 2 years ago. Thanks for hooking me up. Best Regards, Ben Miller

(Garland, TX) - 12/12/2012

I purchased my Rigol DS1102E from Saelig and initially it was intended to be used for my personal electronic projects, as its bandwidth and the versatility of a DSO were more than suitable for the task. However, over time I found that the excellent carrying case [bundled by Saelig] allowed me to take it to work, where it quickly proved as an invaluable tool. I work for the software development division of a large corporation and I am constantly using a wide variety of development boards for embedded processors - eventually some of them require repair and are left for scrap. Bothered by this and now armed with my Rigol, I managed to repair several of them: - two boards had failing switching power supplies, and the integrated frequency counter uncovered the incorrect switching frequency; replacing the main switcher solved the problem. - one board was completely dead, and again the integrated frequency counter uncovered a dead CLKOUT signal from the main microprocessor; replacing the microprocessor solved the problem. - one JTAG debugger was failing to connect to its target board, and the storage capability uncovered line reflections due to non-terminated lines; replacing the termination resistors solved the issue. - and other boards with a variety of less critical issues. Therefore my project is actually a collection of uses for what turns to be an incredible diagnostics and debug tool. I couldn't be more pleased with my Rigol DS1102E.

(San Jose, CA) - 07/17/2012

There are loads of feature reviews on this scope, so I'l add my user impressions. I've been using scopes half a century now and this is a great one, within its obvious bandwidth limitations. Pros: * The user interface is very intuitive - if you've used scopes before, you probably won't need the instructions. * The firmware is solid, as are the case and knobs this feels like an instrument, not a toy. * Vertical sensitivity for 250 KHz signals is excellent [haven't tried faster ones yet], compared well with Tek scope for 5mv signal. * Great trigger circuits, very easy to use [older Agilent scopes were unpleasant to trigger]. * Fan is pleasantly quiet. Its noise is lost under quiet background music. Cons: * FFT is a bit weak, window is wide and peaks are not well defined. * Could come with BNC-to-minigrabber cable for External Trigger input. * Measurement readouts necessarily cover some of the signal trace for a display of this rather standard size. I was considering an Atten ADS1102CAL for its large 7" diagonal screen, which is reported not to cover the trace viewing area with menus and readouts. However, that it is 1Gsa/sec only when one channel is recording [in 2 channel mode sampling is at 500 MSa/sec each channel] was a deal killer. Lousy waveform transfer software some obvious firmware bugs didn't help either. I'm happy with the Rigol.

(Palmdale, CA) - 05/03/2012

This thing is great! I'm an old-school electronics guy and my old analog scope has lost its job!

(Micco, FL) - 03/21/2012

For the price, this scope is simply fantastic. I was a bit unsure about ordering a Chinese DSO with such a low price tag. But then a friend pointed out that Agilent [a Hewlett-Packard spinoff] sells this same scope for their entry-level models. Having worked for HP for 10 years, I know that they are not slackers about qaulity control [at least in the Agilent instruments division]. While there are a few things I would change about the firmware [instant sanpshots would be nice rather than having to go thru menus], the hardware seems solid and the performace is amazing for the price. As an EE myself, I have felt "blind" without an oscilloscope all the years since I left HP. Now I can see again! Yay!