Digilent Analog Discovery 3 vs Rigol DHO802
Head-to-head spec comparison to help you pick the right scope for your bench.
Digilent
$379
Rigol
$329
Spec-by-Spec Comparison
| Spec | Digilent Analog Discovery 3 | Rigol DHO802 |
|---|---|---|
| Bandwidth | 50 MHz | 70 MHz |
| Sample Rate | 0.125 GSa/s | 1.25 GSa/s |
| Channels | 2 | 2 |
| Memory Depth | 32 Kpts | 25 Mpts |
| Display Size | N/A | 7" |
| Weight | 0.15 kg | 1.78 kg |
| Price | $379 | $329 |
| Rating | 7.5/10 | 7.5/10 |
| Protocol Decoder | Yes | Yes |
| Function Gen | Yes | No |
| WiFi | No | Yes |
| Battery | No | No |
| Buy on Amazon · $379 | Buy on Amazon · $329 |
Pros & Cons
Digilent Analog Discovery 3
Pros
- 14 instruments in one: scope, logic analyzer, protocol analyzer, function gen, power supplies, network analyzer, and more
- WaveForms software is excellent, free, and regularly updated
- 16-channel logic analyzer is invaluable for digital protocol debugging
- Fits in a pocket — genuinely portable full lab capability
- Great for students and educators who need multiple instrument types
Cons
- Only 125MSa/s — significantly lower than benchtop scopes
- Requires a PC to operate — no standalone use in the field
- 2 analog channels with limited bandwidth compared to benchtop alternatives
- 32Kpt analog memory depth is very shallow for longer captures
- Not a replacement for a dedicated scope when analog performance matters
Rigol DHO802
Pros
- 12-bit ADC at $329 — the cheapest way to get modern 12-bit resolution from a major brand
- Same compact form factor and touchscreen as the rest of the DHO800 series
- 25Mpt memory depth is excellent for a scope at this price
- USB-C power means you can run it from a portable battery pack
- Protocol decoding for SPI, I2C, UART, and CAN included
- Modern Rigol UI — the same intuitive touchscreen experience as the DHO924S
Cons
- Only 2 channels — the biggest limitation for embedded debugging
- 70MHz bandwidth is adequate but not exciting
- Fan noise carries over from the DHO800 series
- For ~$120 more, the DHO804 adds 2 more channels which matters enormously
- No function generator
Our Verdicts
Digilent Analog Discovery 3
The Digilent Analog Discovery 3 isn't really an oscilloscope — it's a multi-instrument lab that happens to include a 2-channel oscilloscope alongside 13 other tools. The 16-channel logic analyzer is its killer feature for embedded work: you can monitor SPI, I2C, GPIO pins, and PWM outputs simultaneously, something a 4-channel scope simply cannot do. WaveForms software is genuinely excellent — one of the best oscilloscope software experiences on any platform. As a pure oscilloscope, the 125MSa/s sample rate and 32Kpt memory are real limitations that you'll notice on any non-trivial analog signal. This is the right tool if you need a logic analyzer AND a scope AND a function generator and can only buy one device — especially for embedded development and student labs. If you primarily need to measure analog signals or capture long waveforms, a dedicated benchtop scope will serve you better.
Rigol DHO802
The Rigol DHO802 is the budget entry point to 12-bit oscilloscope territory, and at $329 it's genuinely compelling. You get the same modern touchscreen interface, 12-bit ADC, and compact form factor as the rest of the DHO800 series, just with 2 channels instead of 4. The 25Mpt memory and protocol decoding are both strong at this price. The honest question is whether 2 channels are enough for your work — if you're probing a single signal or doing basic Arduino debugging, absolutely. The moment you need to correlate clock and data lines on SPI, or monitor multiple signals simultaneously, you'll wish you had 4 channels. The DHO804 at ~$439 adds those extra channels, and for most users that $110 premium is worth paying upfront rather than regretting later.