FNIRSI 1014D vs PicoScope 2204A
Head-to-head spec comparison to help you pick the right scope for your bench.
FNIRSI
$115
Pico Technology
$185
Spec-by-Spec Comparison
| Spec | FNIRSI 1014D | PicoScope 2204A |
|---|---|---|
| Bandwidth | 100 MHz | 10 MHz |
| Sample Rate | 1 GSa/s | 0.1 GSa/s |
| Channels | 2 | 2 |
| Memory Depth | 240 Kpts | 8 Kpts |
| Display Size | 7" | N/A |
| Weight | 0.68 kg | 0.15 kg |
| Price | $115 | $185 |
| Rating | 5.5/10 | 6.5/10 |
| Protocol Decoder | No | Yes |
| Function Gen | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | No | No |
| Battery | Yes | No |
| Buy on Amazon · $115 | Buy on Amazon · $185 |
Pros & Cons
FNIRSI 1014D
Pros
- Affordable entry point at ~$115
- Built-in function generator is rare at this price
- Portable tablet form factor with battery backup
- Touchscreen interface is genuinely intuitive for beginners
- 100MHz bandwidth is impressive for an $80 scope
Cons
- 240Kpt memory depth is dangerously shallow — you'll hit this limit fast
- Build quality is plasticky; the corners flex under light pressure
- Calibration and accuracy lag well behind established brands
- No protocol decoding — can't decode SPI or I2C
- Firmware updates have been inconsistent
PicoScope 2204A
Pros
- PicoScope 7 software is genuinely excellent — Reddit consistently ranks it above any standalone scope UI
- 16 protocol decoders included free — SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, LIN, FlexRay, I2S, and more
- Built-in AWG function generator in a $185 package
- Ultra-compact and USB-powered — fits in any laptop bag
- Free lifetime software updates — Pico Technology has an outstanding track record of continued improvement
- Up to 12-bit enhanced resolution mode for precision measurements
Cons
- 10MHz bandwidth is severely limiting — fine for audio and slow digital, useless for fast SPI or RF
- 8Kpt buffer memory is tiny — long captures require streaming mode
- Requires a PC to operate — completely useless without a laptop or desktop
- 100MSa/s sample rate means you're already at Nyquist limits with 10MHz signals
- Only 2 channels of analog input
Our Verdicts
FNIRSI 1014D
The FNIRSI 1014D is one of the cheapest ways to get a real oscilloscope on your bench. At around $115, it's hard to complain about 100MHz bandwidth and a built-in signal generator — both of which would cost more from Hantek. The honest limitation is the 240Kpt memory depth, which is genuinely painful the moment you try to capture anything longer than a few milliseconds at full sample rate. I'd call this a learning tool, not a precision instrument. If you just want to see what your Arduino signals look like and learn what triggering means, it's a solid starting point. But if you need to trust your measurements or capture serial transactions, save up for a Rigol or Siglent — you'll thank yourself later.
PicoScope 2204A
The PicoScope 2204A is the USB scope that Reddit actually respects — unlike the Hantek 6022BE, Pico Technology backs this with genuinely excellent software that gets free updates for life. PicoScope 7 is arguably the best oscilloscope software on any platform, with 16 protocol decoders, advanced math, and a modern interface that makes standalone scope UIs feel dated. The catch is obvious: 10MHz bandwidth and 8Kpt memory mean this is a low-frequency instrument. Audio work, slow serial protocols, power supply debugging, and basic Arduino verification are all fine. Anything above a few MHz — fast SPI, I2C at 400kHz+, or RF work — is off the table. If you already have a laptop and need a scope for bench work under 10MHz, the software quality alone makes this worth the $185. If you need a scope that works without a computer or handles faster signals, look at the DHO802 instead.