UNI-T MSO5104HD vs Rigol DHO4804
1 GHz and 5 GSa/s with 500 Mpts standard and a 5-year warranty — above the DHO4804's 800 MHz ceiling.
The MSO5104HD leads the DHO4804 on bandwidth (1 GHz vs 800 MHz) and standard memory (500 vs 250 Mpts), with a 5-year warranty against three. The Rigol lists a little lower — $5,079, within a few hundred dollars — and posts a higher UltraAcquire capture rate. Both take an optional 16-channel logic pod.
UNI-T MSO5104HD
- ✓ Bandwidth: 1 GHz
- ✓ Analog channels: 4 analog + 16 digital (logic option)
- ✓ Sample rate: 5 GSa/s (1-ch); 2.5 GSa/s (4-ch)
- ✓ Memory depth: 500 Mpts
- ✗ Waveform update rate: 800,000 wfms/s (1,500,000 sequence)
- ✓ Warranty: 3+2 years (5 total with registration)
Rigol DHO4804
- ✗ Bandwidth: 800 MHz
- ✓ Analog channels: 4 analog + 16 digital (PLA2216 option)
- ✓ Sample rate: 4 GSa/s
- ✗ Memory depth: 250 Mpts (500 Mpts opt.)
- ✓ Waveform update rate: 1,500,000 wfms/s (UltraAcquire)
- ✗ Warranty: 3 years
$5,079 (distributor listing, September 2026)
to 1 GHz
Bandwidth
500 Mpts
Memory Depth
5 GSa/s
Sample Rate
800,000 wfms/s
Capture Rate
12-bit
Vertical Resolution
1 GHz where Rigol stops at 800
The MSO5104HD reaches 1 GHz at 5 GSa/s; the DHO4000 line tops out at the 800 MHz DHO4804 — headroom for faster edges and higher harmonics.
Deeper standard memory
500 Mpts ships standard versus 250 Mpts on the Rigol (500 is a paid option) — longer records at full rate without an upsell.
15-protocol decode & 9-in-1 platform
Five standard buses (incl. CAN, LIN) and ten optional, plus optional logic, power and timing analysis and a dual 50 MHz AWG.
Five-year coverage, US support
Exclusive 3+2 (5-year) coverage and US-based support versus Rigol's 3-year warranty — with one-time software unlocks, never subscriptions.
Comprehensive Feature Comparison
| Feature | UNI-T MSO5104HD | Rigol DHO4804 | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bandwidth | 1 GHz | 800 MHz | UNI-T ✓ |
| Analog channels | 4 analog + 16 digital (logic option) | 4 analog + 16 digital (PLA2216 option) | Equal |
| Sample rate | 5 GSa/s (1-ch); 2.5 GSa/s (4-ch) | 4 GSa/s | Equal |
| Memory depth | 500 Mpts | 250 Mpts (500 Mpts opt.) | UNI-T ✓ |
| Waveform update rate | 800,000 wfms/s (1,500,000 sequence) | 1,500,000 wfms/s (UltraAcquire) | Rigol ✓ |
| Display | 10.1″ 1280×800 capacitive touch | 10.1″ 1280×800 capacitive touch | Equal |
| Built-in AWG | Dual-channel 50 MHz (option) | Dual-channel 25 MHz (option) | UNI-T ✓ |
| Serial protocol decode | RS-232/422/485/UART, I2C, SPI, CAN, LIN standard; CAN-FD, CAN-XL, FlexRay, SENT, Audio, MIL-STD-1553B, Manchester, ARINC429, 1-Wire, I3C optional | Broad standard decode incl. CAN/CAN-FD/LIN | Equal |
| Vertical resolution | 12-bit native; 16-bit with ERES | 12-bit native; 16-bit (HiRes) | Equal |
| Warranty | 3+2 years (5 total with registration) | 3 years | UNI-T ✓ |
| Price (USD) | See current price → | $5,079 | Rigol ✓ |
* UNI-T specifications from the MSO5000HD Series datasheet and our live product data. Rigol figures from published manufacturer data and authorized US distributor listings, September 2026.
The bottom line
The MSO5104HD is a 9-in-1 instrument: oscilloscope, 16-channel logic analyzer (option), serial protocol analyzer, spectrum/FFT, frequency counter, 4-digit DVM, Bode-plot analyzer, power analyzer (option) and an optional dual-channel 50 MHz AWG — all on a true 12-bit front end with 500 Mpts of memory standard.
Perfect For:
High-speed digital & SI work
1 GHz and 5 GSa/s capture fast edges and higher harmonics; 12-bit resolution and 500 Mpts hold long, clean records.
Power & motor-drive analysis
Optional power and timing packages plus a dual 50 MHz AWG support switching-loss, ripple and conformance work at full memory depth.
Automotive & aerospace serial
Standard CAN/LIN plus optional CAN-FD, CAN-XL, FlexRay, SENT, MIL-STD-1553B and ARINC429, with deep memory for full bus sessions.
Other models in the MSO5000HD Series
MSO5034HD
MSO5034HD — 350 MHz / 5 GSa/s entry to the MSO5000HD line, 500 Mpts standard.
MSO5054HD
MSO5054HD — 500 MHz / 5 GSa/s with the full 15-protocol decode platform.
MSO5104HD
MSO5104HD — 1 GHz flagship, 5 GSa/s, 500 Mpts — the top of the HD MSO range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the UNI-T MSO5104HD a good alternative to the Rigol DHO4804?
It depends on bandwidth. At 800 MHz the DHO4804 is the lower-priced 12-bit option; the MSO5104HD is the higher-capability flagship — 1 GHz, 5 GSa/s, 500 Mpts standard and a 5-year warranty. The Rigol's honest advantages are its lower price and higher UltraAcquire waveform-capture rate; the UNI-T leads on bandwidth, standard memory and coverage.
How does the MSO5000HD Series compare with the DHO4000 Series?
The MSO5000HD Series (350 MHz–1 GHz, 5 GSa/s, 500 Mpts) sits above the Rigol DHO4000 line (200/400/800 MHz, 4 GSa/s). Both are 12-bit; UNI-T leads on top bandwidth and standard memory, Rigol on price and capture rate; sample rate is level.
What do I get for the money with the MSO5104HD?
For 1 GHz, 12-bit HD work the MSO5104HD gives you 5 GSa/s, 4 analog channels with an optional logic pod, 500 Mpts of memory, 15-protocol decode and nine instrument functions — with a 5-year warranty.
Are UNI-T software options subscriptions?
No. Every UNI-T software option — logic, automotive/aerospace decode, power analysis, the AWG — is a permanent one-time unlock. No annual licenses, no renewal fees, and no features that expire.
Ready to compare on the bench?
More bandwidth, deeper standard memory and a 5-year warranty — the 1 GHz flagship above the DHO4804's 800 MHz ceiling.
View full specifications and current pricing for the UNI-T MSO5104HD →
Disclaimer: RIGOL® is a registered trademark of RIGOL Technologies, Inc.. UNI-T® is a registered trademark of Uni-Trend Technology (China) Co., Ltd. The comparison provided is based on publicly available information and is intended for informational purposes only. This comparison is not endorsed by, affiliated with, or sponsored by RIGOL Technologies, Inc.. All trademarks, product names, and company names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.