Siglent SDS1202X-E Oscilloscope, Double Channel, 200 MHz

Anyone reading oscilloscope reviews has most likely done a lot of research, watched a pile of YouTube videos and so forth, so I won't recite the features of the Siglent SDS1202X-E because I think you already know all that. Instead I give my initial experiences of the machine.The Compensation IssueEarly production of the SDS1202X-E with serial numbers in the format xxxxxBAxxxxxxx had an issue with the input circuitry that resulted in the probe compensation being affected by changing the volts per division setting. There has been a lot of noise about this in various forums, and it is much reported in the amazondotcom reviews of this model. Knowing about the matter, and also knowing it had been rectified in production with xxxxxBBxxxxxxx serials, before ordering I asked the supplier Ovio-Instruments if I would be supplied with a BA or BB serial, and they promptly replied that none of their stock had BA serials. Good enough, I placed my order.ArrivalThe scope arrived in the manufacturer's box, mercifully and unusually not enclosed in one of Amazon's huge cartons the approximate size of Belgium. Immediately I checked the serial, and it was one of the BB series. Excellent, big sigh of relief.In The BoxWell protected in polystyrene packing pieces, the scope was in perfect condition. There was also a 'Certificate of Calibration' dated Jan-06-2018, a Quick Start Guide, two probes, and an EU to UK mains plug adaptor. I think it a very poor show not to supply electricals with a UK power lead, but I did know that was going to be the case.The probes are more than acceptable to me, I think they're absolutely fine. Each is supplied with a compensation adjusting tool, as well as identifying rings and point tips that can be substituted for the fitted grabber tips. Screens are easily dumped to a USB stick by pressing the PRINT button, and my attached photo #1 shows the Utility screen used for compensation adjustment.The out-of-the box software was version 5.1.3.17 and I immediately upgraded it to 5.1.3.17R1 which was the latest version on the Siglent website. The procedure is a piece of cake, just a matter of copying a downloaded file to a USB stick and poking said stick in the USB socket on the front of the scope. Note that the scope doesn't recognise NT formatted USB sticks, only FAT32.Fan NoiseBeing a home user, a hobbyist, the fan noise was something I had anticipated might be an issue. I needn't have worried because although the fan is audible it doesn't trouble me and I doubt it would much bother anyone else. Importantly, it's constantly on and always at the same speed; that's much less annoying than something that stops/starts growls/whines. Besides, as far as I know there is no option to buy a silent scope of any power because muscular electronics run hot and need cooling.The Learning CurveThis is the first scope I've owned and the first digital storage scope I've even used, although I used analogue scopes when I worked in consumer electronics long ago. Anyone else remember peering at the PAL colour burst on the back porch of video signals? So learning this scope is going to take time, as would be expected. The user manual (a download from Siglent) covers the entire SDS1000X-E series so has some content not relevant to this model, but is really quite good even for someone like me who usually scoffs at manuals.Help ScreensHolding down any button brings up an on-screen summary of its function, this is useful in becoming familiar with what is a complex instrument. Unfortunately the screen print function does not work while a help screen is displayed so I cannot show an example here.Serial DecodingHaving serial decoding as standard is a much-touted feature of the SDS1202X-E. Due to my weak knowledge of DSOs and the detail of serial comms I found it difficult to set up, and neither the manual nor various internet videos were of much help. But I got there and now I don't know quite why I struggled. My settings for SPI are now stored as the Decode 1 options, another set of options can be stored under Decode 2 and that set I will use for I2C. If it helps anyone, for SPI I have CH1 as Signal with Threshold 750mV, CS Type set to CLK Timeout 80.0us, CLK (CH2) Threshold 1.2V, Edge Select Falling. Those settings work fine with SPI from both 3.3V and 5V chips. My photo #2 shows the decoded MOSI from an Arduino Nano; note that the blue row at bottom will show byte values if time per division is reduced sufficiently, but then the list table at top is not fully populated.Ethernet ConnectivityThe Siglent SDS1202X-E has an ethernet port but does not have a web interface. To communicate with it via TCP/IPyou first need to enter the scope's Utility menu, find the I/O soft key, and enable DCHP so your router can assign an IP address, see my photo #3. Your computer must have National Instruments Virtual Instrument Software Architecture (NI VISA) installed, this is a free self-extracting and installing 700MB download from the National Instruments site. With NI Visa installed you can run EasyscopeX, a free download from Siglent that communicates with the scope using the VXI-11 instrument protocol facilitated by NI Visa. EasyscopeX recognises my scope as an SDS1202X-E but the interface shown in my photo #4 is generic for the SD1000X series, showing things such as Wave Generator and Digital Input that my humble scope does not have. The virtual interface seems to offer almost total control of the scope, but over ethernet is rather slow, certainly waveforms are not updated in anything like real time.It may be worth pointing out that once NI Visa is installed it's not necessary to fire it up for EasyscopeX to run properly.USB ConnectivityIt is possible to use NI Visa/EasyscopeX via the USB B (think Arduino Uno or ancient printer) socket on the back of the scope. In that event it is necessary to select USBTMC in the I/O layer of the scope's Utility menu and to similarly select USBTMC in the Add Device dialogue of EasyscopeX. Definitely USB is faster than Ethernet, but it's not clear to me that remote connectivity offers any benefit to the home user.MeasurementAs a DSO novice I can fully appreciate the measurement facilities of the SDS1202X-E, although I realise that every DSO offers similar. My photo #5 shows my scope screen when displaying a PWM waveform output by a NodeMCU which is actually the brightness control for a TFT screen. Such informative detail at the press of a button, absolutely marvellous.ConclusionAfter five days with the Siglent SDS1202X-E I can say I'm very impressed, and I haven't yet explored features such as Colour Gradient, Display Persistence, FFT etc. With its obvious build quality, good specification, and slick software - you're never waiting for the interface to catch up - it easily earns a five star rating.

I have just found that I have BA Serial number (despite Ovio declaring to another reviewer that they have none).I really do not know what to do now - I feel I have wasted £380.I am most upset with Amazon for allowing this to happen..

Super fast delivery from Ovio. No problem with the product. I have the later serial number. All the functions are working perfectly. It is very easy to use. I have mastered all the functions in no time. Very happy bunny.

Good quality oscilloscope, decodes serial data too! Half the price of a Tektronics scope I use at work

Incredible value for moneyI presume that it is an accurate piece of equipment - not qualified this against kit at work yet - however, the calibration certificate had run out before it was shipped (my only negative on this purchase).Very pleased otherwise

A good hobby scope, no problems so far.

Easy to use.Low noise .I didn't like the plug is not uk.

20 years ago a scope of this power and sophistication would have set you back the price of a decent family car. I dreamed of owning a good digital scope, but the cost was always way out of reach. This is a very sophisticated piece of kit, controls are responsive and operate smoothly. It makes my old HP 1740A analogue scope look very primitive indeed. Be aware that it'll take a little while to learn how to make the best use of the power and flexibility you have at your fingertips. However, at present I think I can safely say it offers an unbeatable price/performance ratio. This is a huge leap forward from the low-end Chinese scopes that are everywhere these days and well worth the extra money.