Thanks to various feed back here on the forum, I recently purchased a Siglent scope, along with companion AWG and MSO options, as well as a bench supply, a standalone AWG, and a DMM.
Siglent SDS1204X-E 4-Ch 200MHz Super Phosphor Oscilloscope
Siglent SPD3303X-E DC Power Supply
Siglent SDG2042X 40MHz Function/Arbitrary Waveform Generator
Siglent SDM3055 5½ Digit Dual-Display Digital Multimeter
My general first impression is that Siglent's instruments are high value for the dollar and well built. The interfaces have various idiosyncrasies I would change but nothing that makes them unusable. The limited testing I've been able to do satisfies me so far.
One of the reasons I bought these basic bench instruments all from one vendor was for compatibility when it comes to automation, which I intend to do for some projects. They all have Ethernet and USB, and they support VXI-11 (TCP VXIbus protocol) and USBTMC (USB Test and Measurement Class). These are standards, and so you don't have to rely on Siglent software.
But, Siglent does offer "EasyXXX" programs where XXX is some appropriate description for the type of instrument (e.g.: EasyScope, EasyPower, etc.). It seems that "Easy" was chosen to confuse the user. The software is not "Easy". It is old, not just old in the sense of versions but in UI design and philosophy; It is arcane; and, it is poorly documented.
The first trouble is that you must install National Instruments NI-VISA runtime for the programs to communicate with the instruments. This is free, but it is massive. If you are not going to be using LabView it's super-overkill for a simple communications layer—but it freed Siglent from having to write that part since they were already going to have to write LabView drivers, which they've done.
I'd like to use LabView, but it is far too costly. At my previous job, we had a site license, so it was always available. But starting at $399.00/year for the base version, I won't be subscribing anytime soon. I will probably develop my own software for the control I want to do, it won't be graphical, just a text-based control and acquisition system focused on my needs.
In any case, I installed the four applications and eventually figured out, no thanks to any easily accessible documentation, that I needed NI-VISA. Once that was installed, three of four applications run, and do some useful things, but not nearly as useful as they could and should be. I haven't used them extensively but I can see that I will use them, and get genuine value from them—they are just disappointing and a missed opportunity. I think if Siglent spent time producing a nice integrated suite of software for measurement and automation it would be a real selling point for their hardware.
More later, if anyone is interested.
[edited for autocomplete remediation]
Siglent SDS1204X-E 4-Ch 200MHz Super Phosphor Oscilloscope
Siglent SPD3303X-E DC Power Supply
Siglent SDG2042X 40MHz Function/Arbitrary Waveform Generator
Siglent SDM3055 5½ Digit Dual-Display Digital Multimeter
My general first impression is that Siglent's instruments are high value for the dollar and well built. The interfaces have various idiosyncrasies I would change but nothing that makes them unusable. The limited testing I've been able to do satisfies me so far.
One of the reasons I bought these basic bench instruments all from one vendor was for compatibility when it comes to automation, which I intend to do for some projects. They all have Ethernet and USB, and they support VXI-11 (TCP VXIbus protocol) and USBTMC (USB Test and Measurement Class). These are standards, and so you don't have to rely on Siglent software.
But, Siglent does offer "EasyXXX" programs where XXX is some appropriate description for the type of instrument (e.g.: EasyScope, EasyPower, etc.). It seems that "Easy" was chosen to confuse the user. The software is not "Easy". It is old, not just old in the sense of versions but in UI design and philosophy; It is arcane; and, it is poorly documented.
The first trouble is that you must install National Instruments NI-VISA runtime for the programs to communicate with the instruments. This is free, but it is massive. If you are not going to be using LabView it's super-overkill for a simple communications layer—but it freed Siglent from having to write that part since they were already going to have to write LabView drivers, which they've done.
I'd like to use LabView, but it is far too costly. At my previous job, we had a site license, so it was always available. But starting at $399.00/year for the base version, I won't be subscribing anytime soon. I will probably develop my own software for the control I want to do, it won't be graphical, just a text-based control and acquisition system focused on my needs.
In any case, I installed the four applications and eventually figured out, no thanks to any easily accessible documentation, that I needed NI-VISA. Once that was installed, three of four applications run, and do some useful things, but not nearly as useful as they could and should be. I haven't used them extensively but I can see that I will use them, and get genuine value from them—they are just disappointing and a missed opportunity. I think if Siglent spent time producing a nice integrated suite of software for measurement and automation it would be a real selling point for their hardware.
More later, if anyone is interested.
[edited for autocomplete remediation]
Last edited: