I have worked though projects with my 2 channel 20MHz USB scope since 2007, and it has done me well enough until recently. I got the PropScope after I did the technical review prior to release when I was with Parallax, Inc. I will admit, for a USB scope it offers a decent range of functions; it had 2 channels, 20MHz bandwidth, 20Vpp, and came with a Function Generator and Logic Analyzer. However, if you use either of those options, the scope went down to a single channel and there was a single channel shared between the Function Generator and Logic Analyzer, meaning only one could be used at a time. Even with the draw backs, it was nice to have them as options if needed. The scope itself came housed in a nice aluminum case, the Function Generator and Logic Analyzer did not (as you can see in the image below). That was not optimal, and I recommended against it going forward.

After hours of research, I found a couple that caught my eye. The Siglent SDS1104X-E at $495, Rigol DS1054Z at $349, and a couple of Hantek scope. However, it was really a tossup between the Rigol and Siglent. I spoke with a couple engineering with far more experience with using higher-end scopes, and they agreed. Once actually bought the same one I did for his personal use, the Siglent SDS1104X-E. It has 4 channels, 100MHz, 1GSa/s duel & 500MSa/s quad sampling, serial decoding for UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, LIN (automotive and robotic arms use this communication), printing to thumb drive or data saving, 400Vpp (I clarified with one of the Siglent engineers because of my immediate application), it doesn’t require me to plug it into my PC like many of the Hantek scope did, and I can run it over LAN if I wanted to show off, plus many more features I can add later if desired.

I talked to Siglent directly and worked with a few people within the company to see how their customer service response time and communication operated like. I have been very happy with the results and pulled the trigger and ordered with them directly. They matched a price and comped shipping and I have been in communication with their support, engineering, and sales team frequently for any questions. With the completion of my desk build, it has a permanent spot in my workspace so I can really put it through the paces.