Unlike other brands that offer high-end digital oscilloscopes at unreachable prices, Siglent Technologies is friendlier to all budgets — Although that doesn’t mean its products are any less capable.
One of Siglent’s most valuable assets is the SDS1202X-E digital oscilloscope. This device guarantees a stable, reliable, and accurate performance for data gathering.
Here, we’ll learn more about this product and why it’d be a good addition to your tools. Our Siglent SDS1202X-E review focuses on the features that make this unit a next-level oscilloscope. Of course, we’ll also mention its downsides to give you a full picture.
Do you want to know more about this wonderful oscilloscope? Continue reading, then!
Siglent SDS1202X-E Review in 2021
It wouldn’t be a stretch to say the SDS1202X-E is the perfect tool for those interested in learning how oscilloscopes work.
This one is available under $500, and its performance is remarkable. Plus, the unit features a built-in system that’ll easily help beginners on their journey.
With enough bandwidth and plenty of cool features, you’ll be able to accomplish many feats. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user, the device will still have many things to offer for many years to come.
Let’s talk about the best this product has in store.
First Impressions
When you receive the device, one of the first words that come to mind to describe it is ‘overwhelming.’ It has an impressive layout that makes the oscilloscope not the best one to figure under the first impression. Instead, it’ll require some time as you get used to its many functions and buttons.
Luckily, Siglent Technologies doesn’t leave you hanging. The device offers a very much welcomed built-in help system to guide you along the way.
This system is essential, as it’ll provide the assistance needed as we begin to learn how to operate the oscilloscope to get the best results.
Once you get past that, you’ll learn very quickly why this device is an outstanding machine. From a high-quality display to an efficient system, the SDS1202X-E is everything you could need.
We’ll get into that in the following detailed bullet points.
Display
This digital oscilloscope features a color temperature display as well as 256 intensity grading. It’s certainly not something you’d see in most oscilloscopes priced similarly, making this model rather unique.
The SDS1202X-E is capable of offering well-represented trace occurrences through different colors that vary in temperature. In previous models, you’d have a single color instead, which was less than ideal.
Users will also appreciate the SPO display technology featured. While gathering data, the oscilloscope offers fast refresh rates.
Unlike other models affected by regular lagging, this one manages to pull through its operations with no delay in the slightest.
Due to its incredible display and detailed information provided, this tool earns its place as one of the best. Also, once you start checking the interface, you’ll notice that using the oscilloscope isn’t as difficult as it first seemed.
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Build
This unit comes with an ergonomic design featuring a non-reflective coating screen for better reading. The rubber feet found on the back are thick, providing stabilization after setting up the unit. When it’s time to move, the handle on the top allows users to take the device with them.
Another cool addition to the oscilloscope’s design is its flexibility. You can tilt the device as you desire, which will allow you to get different viewing screen angles for more comfort. Last but not least, the buttons have background lights that make them stand out while the unit is on.
Again, many wouldn’t be able to tell the price of this product by looking at it. Everything from its external design to the interface suggests it’s a high-end model, but that’s not the case. While it does operate as one, the SDS1202X-E isn’t as expensive.
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Performance
Although it may seem tricky at first, you’ll find that working with this oscilloscope is actually intuitive and quick. The unit’s 1 Gsa/s real-time sampling rate is incredibly fast while also being pleasantly responsive. Furthermore, the signal capture meets the expectations successfully.
The math functions offered are many, and they’re equally as easy to use as they are to read. There’s also a built-in on-the-fly adjustment function, which is vastly convenient as it’ll allow you to make accommodations as required by the tasks at hand.
Other functions you’ll be able to use are the several triggers included, the ability to capture complex waveforms, and many math operations. All of these options provide precise results for improved data reading.
For those and many reasons, this digital oscilloscope is the one beginners and professionals need. The question now is, is the unit flawless? Not quite. In the next section, we’ll talk briefly about its most noticeable flaws.
PROS
Cons
Disadvantages
The biggest disadvantage found in this device is that it offers only two channels, while other units have more than that.
Now, one could argue that having four channels is overkill, but the difference is highly noticeable once you try a four-channel digital oscilloscope.
Of course, the fact that the SDS1202X-E is a two-channel unit is an advantage in disguise. If you want to go for a four-channel model, you’d have to spend considerably more money than you’d pay for this one.
Four channels may be better, but the low price of the SDS1202X-E, as well as its performance, make this oscilloscope just as good as its high-end counterparts.
So, unless you’re entirely sure you’ll need four channels, the product reviewed here is still a suitable alternative at a more affordable price.
Conclusion
That’s it for our Siglent SDS1202X-E review! Yes, this oscilloscope only has two channels, but don’t let that take anything away from its performance.
When you compare the SDS1202X-E oscilloscope to high-end models, you’ll find that the differences aren’t that many. For the price, you’ll hardly find another model as good as this one.