Siglent Technologies SDS1204X-E 200MHz Super Phosphor Digital Oscilloscopes 4 Channels 1 GSa/s 14 MB Grey

I do a fair amount of circuit design, prototyping, and assembly for a hobby. This scope has all the features I need for analog and digital probing on my circuit prototypes and for repairs if needed, as well as figuring out the signals from commercial devices that I may be connecting to. For example, I sometimes design add-ons to commercial devices where I need to analyze their signals. This works great for that with the digital probe accessory.

For the price it is a pretty nice scope with some "unusual" interfaces. It is the only scope I have ever used that actually "locked up" and required me to unplug it to get it running again. It happened once, but strange. I normally use Tektronix scopes and that is my comparison standard. Odd items; when adjusting the four traces vertically it displays a voltage offset of the "ground level of trace". Initially trace triggers limited to two of the four channels, but now all channel triggers work. Some controls operate where clockwise rotation is down and counterclockwise is up, but don't recall which ones. Some operations require some digging into the user's manual and some common adjustments are challenging to determine how to do them. All that said, I would buy it again as it works well for the price, and you will eventually get used to some of the user interface oddities. Time will tell how reliable it is as my Tektronix worked for 21 years of almost daily usage. Update: after months of daily usage have become familiar with controls and no more "lock up" issues. Haven't used the digital channels yet and haven't purchased the license to use said digital channels attachment yet. The clip lead tips are round metal and don't hang on as well as the flat Tektronix probes and sometimes take a little messing around to get them to hold on which could be improved as it is a bit aggravating at times.

The media could not be loaded. 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?

This is the second Siglent oscilloscope I have purchased. I ordered a much less expensive model because I had never heard of the brand and could not believe the low cost. I am very happy with this purchase. I especially like the ability to generate a *.PNG file of the oscilloscope display. Formerly I would take a picture with my digital camera, spend time editing the picture and finally printing it for my records. With the *.PNG file I don't need to spend any time processing the image. I am an electrical engineer and I find that this 'scope provides all the information I need for setup (both voltage and current measurements) and is easy to use. I use it daily. I highly recommend this oscilloscope for both the beginner and the experienced user.

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.

Great value for 200Mhz!

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 . . .