SIGLENT SDS1204X-E Super Phosphor Oscilloscope 4-channel 200 MHz 1 GSa/s 14 MB

The unit ( Siglent SDS 1204X - E/200 MHz ) is very ergonomically designed to preform the most complex examinations , which include excellent functionality, ease of use, storage capacity, noise level, and accuracy. The only drawback was the lacking of WiFi connection. LAN connectivity is available only. Moreover, It would be very useful if the Option Card/ Authorized Code is provided in order to be used for WiFi connection. The authorized code is very important for adding the option button in the unit screen . . .

This is a very nice Oscilloscope with a lot of very nice features. But I was disappointed that it came in with an Expired Calibration Certificate. The included probes are OK but I would suggest getting a set of high-quality probes. For this price point, I would not expect Siglent to include high-quality probes. (I would up going with a set of 250 MHz gold-plated probes from Probe Master.) Couple this with a Siglent Waveform Generator and it becomes a very powerful tool. The ability to do Bode plots comes in extremely handy when working with filters etc. Overall I'm pleased with this oscilloscope and it has many nice features.

It's a good scope for field work (troubleshooting and such) as well as hobby work. The value is there. Way more trigger features than I'd ever need. The Firmware/software seems solid and free from glitches unlike experiences I've encountered with Rigol scopes at a similiar price-point/grade (I find this particularly annoying because your test tools are the one thing that MUST be reliable). Some things you should probably know NOT to expect from the scope are as follows: 1) The AWG (Artibrary Waveform Generator) in no longer included. It has the feature, but it is no longer built-in. A hardware separate module must be purchased to use this feature; and I mean ANY waveform period - not just arbitrary ones (which evidently you can invent and upload with available software). Just know if you're looking for a 2-in-1 Scope/Function generator, it's now going to require an extra cost and hardware. Scopes at a much lower grade at 1/3rd the price have this feature included. Seems like a shallow money-grab to me. 2) WiFi is NOT included. So much for wireless web interfacing and easy FW upgrades. Separate hardware dongle is needed for this feature as well licensing which will bring us to point #3. 3) Time/Date does NOT stick with a power cycle (evidently no coin cell inside). It does however provide for NTP (network time protocol), but this isn't of any value unless you have the WiFi Dongle connected w/available WiFi. Therefore, time and date would have to be set each time you require a time/date stamp for a Waveform SAVE action or for data logging. 4) These scopes are new old-stock. Been on a shelf for years - literally. Calibration certificates are way out of date if that matters to you. In conclusion, I personally don't do a whole lot of data logging and don't really require time/date stamps for my needs. Internet isn't a must for a scope for me and the current Firmware seems to work just fine. Again - it's a good value and calibration certificates aren't a deal breaker for me either; if they are for you, you'll just have to send it in for calibration certification as soon as you receive it. - Edit 11/17/2023: Just touched on the Web Interface via the RJ45 Hardwire Ethernet port on the rear of the unit. Pretty cool. Don't need extra hardware or a license for this. Just set it up wired with DHCP, make a note of the assigned IP and type that into the browser of any PC on the same LAN. Not only can you see your scope activity on the browser, but you can actually manipulate your scope via the browser as if you were directly in front of it. Could be useful in my case where the scope may be across the room and you may need to be on the opposite side to actuate some controls. I have a bluetooth multimeter that sends information to my Phone and I remember thinking that I would NEVER use that - but use cases do surface; you'd be surprised. I imagine one will for this as well. Re-thinking the wireless Dongle and license option now. - Edit 3/8/2024: Use case surfaced. Caved and bought the wireless dongle ($15 - cheap) and license ($95 - not cheap). The wireless response time is sometimes instant and sometimes really laggy. You'll make an adjustment on the web interface and think that it didn't take and adjust it once more just to see it update and adjust twice. For some reason I couldn't get several NTP Servers to connect - but finally found one that did reliably. Incorrect time and date seems to nag me even if I'm not using it. The current mode of operation is that I'll use my cell phone as a WiFi Hotspot and link the Scope and Laptop to it so I can control it from across the room or around the corner and don't have to keep walking across the room for resetting the single sweep on systems with noisy environments that routinely create false trigger situations. With respect to that very item - I discovered the HF Reject Coupling for triggering. Thought initially that it didn't have it - It's just in a different location than my last scope. Disappointment dispelled. I understand perhaps the idea of additional hardware at an additional price - since not everybody will have the need for 1) Wifi, 2) Arbitray Waveform Generators or 3) Mutil-signal options - but what up with the licensing?? Isn't buying the hardware good enough?

Great value for 200Mhz!

The performance specs are very good. I haven't stress tested the performance but so far it has met my needs. Siglent provides good on-line support on how to use the features.