UNI-T MSO2104X vs Rigol MSO5104

Professional Performance at a Fraction of the Cost

Get unprecedented signal insight with 4X faster waveform capture rate, superior per-channel memory depth, and 4X higher FFT resolution — professional-grade features that help you find problems faster.

The UNI-T MSO2104X delivers equivalent specifications, comparable memory depth, and more integrated functionality than the Rigol MSO5000 - all at a more affordable price point. Plus, for a limited time, get ALL software options included for free! Register your product online and get a full 5 years of coverage at no additional cost—providing long-term peace of mind for your investment.

Superior Signal Insight with Revolutionary Waveform Capture Rate

The MSO2104X's breakthrough 2,000,000 wfm/s capture rate (4X faster than Rigol's 500,000 wfm/s) fundamentally changes how quickly you can debug difficult problems. When hunting for intermittent glitches or rare events, the MSO2104X's ultra-high capture rate means you spend less time waiting and more time solving. A typical 8-hour debugging session could capture up to 57.6 billion waveforms with the MSO2104X compared to just 14.4 billion with the Rigol MSO5104. This dramatic increase in captured signals means you're 4X more likely to catch those random, intermittent events that can take days to isolate with conventional oscilloscopes. And with dead time reduced to less than 1μs, the MSO2104X can capture and stabilize signals as brief as 750ps, making previously invisible anomalies clearly visible.

True Per-Channel Memory Architecture

The MSO2104X features a dedicated 100 Mpts memory per channel, unlike Rigol's shared memory architecture that provides only 50 Mpts per channel when all channels are in use. This means you can simultaneously capture long signal sequences at full resolution on all channels—critical for correlating events across multiple signals in complex systems. For example, when monitoring power supply startup sequences, motor control signals, or multiple serial buses, the MSO2104X gives you twice the record length per channel, allowing you to see both the detailed signal behavior and the bigger picture without compromising either.

Professional-Grade Frequency Analysis

With 4 Mpts FFT resolution (4X Rigol's 1 Mpt), the MSO2104X delivers dramatically more detailed frequency domain analysis. This higher resolution allows you to distinguish closely spaced frequency components that would appear merged with lesser oscilloscopes. For EMI pre-compliance testing, power supply noise analysis, or audio circuit development, this superior spectral resolution is the difference between seeing the complete picture and missing critical details. Peaks that are only 1/4 the spacing apart can be clearly resolved, making it possible to identify specific noise sources, harmonics, or signal artifacts that would otherwise remain hidden.

Enhanced Measurement Precision

The MSO2104X elevates your measurement capabilities with a 7-bit frequency counter (vs Rigol's 6-bit) and 4-bit digital voltmeter (vs Rigol's 3-bit). These higher-resolution tools provide more precise frequency and voltage measurements without requiring additional test equipment. The 7-bit counter delivers frequency readings with up to 10x the resolution of Rigol's 6-bit counter, while the 4-bit DVM offers 2x better voltage resolution. For sensitive measurements in analog circuit design, power management, or precision reference circuits, these improved capabilities translate to more reliable characterization and fewer measurement-induced errors.

Superior Display Technology

The MSO2104X features a larger 10.1-inch high-definition (1280×800) capacitive touchscreen compared to Rigol's 9-inch (1024×600) display. UNI-T's Ultra Phosphor 3.0 technology with 256 intensity grading levels provides exceptional signal visualization with subtle details that might be missed on lesser displays. The 25% larger display area combined with higher pixel density makes it significantly easier to analyze complex signals, particularly when using multiple math functions, reference waveforms, or protocol decoding simultaneously. The result is less eyestrain during long debugging sessions and faster insight into complex signal behaviors.

Advanced AWG Capabilities

The MSO2104X offers an optional dual-channel 50 MHz arbitrary waveform generator—twice the bandwidth of Rigol's 25 MHz AWG. This higher-performance built-in generator allows you to create more complex and realistic test signals for circuit characterization, stimulus-response testing, and automated test sequences. The dual-channel capability is particularly valuable for testing differential signals, phase relationships, or creating synchronized multi-signal test scenarios that would require multiple external generators with competitive oscilloscopes.

Comprehensive Measurement Suite

With 54 automatic measurement parameters (compared to Rigol's 41), the MSO2104X provides more thorough signal characterization capabilities. These additional measurements eliminate the need for manual calculations or marker-based measurements, accelerating your analysis workflow. The MSO2104X also supports parameter statistics, histograms, trend charts, and track analysis on all parameters, giving you deeper insight into signal behavior over time and across multiple acquisitions.

Industry-Leading Warranty

UNI-T provides a standard 3-year warranty plus an additional 2 years with product registration (total 5 years), while Rigol offers only a 3-year standard warranty. This extended coverage represents UNI-T's confidence in the MSO2104X's build quality and reliability, providing greater peace of mind and protecting your investment for 67% longer than Rigol's warranty coverage.

All-in-One Instrumentation Platform

The MSO2104X integrates 9 instruments into one compact package (vs Rigol's 7-in-1): oscilloscope, logic analyzer, dual-channel AWG, spectrum analyzer, digital voltmeter, frequency counter, protocol analyzer, bode plot analyzer, and power analyzer. This comprehensive functionality saves valuable bench space and eliminates the need to purchase multiple separate instruments. For smaller labs, educational settings, or field service applications, this integration delivers exceptional value and workflow efficiency that stand-alone instruments can't match.

Comprehensive Feature Comparison

Feature	UNI-T MSO2104X	Rigol MSO5104	Advantage
Bandwidth	100 MHz	100 MHz	Equal
Analog Channels	4	4	Equal
Digital Channels	16	16	Equal
Max Sample Rate	5 GSa/s (interweave mode) 2.5 GSa/s (all channels)	8 GSa/s (single channel) 2 GSa/s (all channels)	Rigol ✓
Memory Depth	100 Mpts per channel	200 Mpts (single-channel) 100 Mpts (half-channel) 50 Mpts (all channels)	UNI-T ✓
Vertical Resolution	8-bit, 12-bit ERES	8-bit, 12-bit high resolution	Equal
Waveform Capture Rate	500,000 wfm/s 2,000,000 wfm/s (sequence)	500,000 wfm/s	UNI-T ✓
Display	10.1" capacitive touch (1280×800)	9" capacitive touch (1024×600)	UNI-T ✓
Display Technology	Ultra Phosphor 3.0 (256 levels)	UltraVision II	UNI-T ✓
Built-in AWG	50 MHz dual-channel (option)	25 MHz dual-channel (option)	UNI-T ✓
FFT Resolution	4 Mpts	1 Mpts	UNI-T ✓
Frequency Counter	7-bit resolution	6-bit resolution	UNI-T ✓
Digital Voltmeter	4-bit resolution	3-bit resolution	UNI-T ✓
Measurement Parameters	54 parameters	41 parameters	UNI-T ✓
Bode Plot Analysis	Included with AWG option	Optional extra cost	UNI-T ✓
Standard Protocol Analysis	RS232/UART, I2C, SPI	None (all optional)	UNI-T ✓
Protocol Analysis Options	9 protocols	8 protocols	UNI-T ✓
Power Analysis Functions	5-7 functions	2 functions	UNI-T ✓
Multi-instrument Integration	9-in-1	7-in-1	UNI-T ✓
Warranty	5 years with registration	3 years	UNI-T ✓
Base Price Range (USD)	$1,499	$1,099	Rigol ✓

* Specifications based on manufacturer published data.

Understanding Rigol MSO5000 Series Variants

The Rigol MSO5000 Series offers multiple variants with different capabilities, each requiring separate purchases for full functionality:

Rigol Model	Included Features	What You'll Pay Extra For
Base Models (e.g., MSO5104)	Basic oscilloscope functionality, digital voltmeter	All protocol analysis, AWG, power analysis
Memory Upgraded Models	Basic functionality plus 200 Mpts memory	All protocol analysis, AWG, power analysis
2-Channel Models (MSO5102, MSO5072)	2 analog channels + 16 digital channels	Channel upgrade to 4 channels, all software options

Software Bundle Comparison

Software Option	UNI-T MSO2104X	Rigol MSO5000 Series	Value You Save
Dual-Channel AWG	Included FREE ($280 value)	Optional MSO5000-AWG	$280+
Power Analysis	Included FREE ($280 value)	Optional MSO5000-PWR	$280+
CAN Bus Analysis	Included FREE ($279 value)	Part of optional MSO5000-AUTO	$279+
CAN-FD Analysis	Included FREE ($279 value)	Not available	$279+
LIN Bus Analysis	Included FREE ($279 value)	Part of optional MSO5000-AUTO	$279+
FlexRay Bus Analysis	Included FREE ($279 value)	Optional MSO5000-FLEX	$279+
SENT Bus Analysis	Included FREE ($279 value)	Not available	$279+
Audio Bus Analysis (I2S)	Included FREE ($279 value)	Optional MSO5000-AUDIO	$279+
Total Value	Included FREE	$2,000+ in options	$2,234

All UNI-T software options are permanently unlocked with NO subscription fees or renewals! Unlike competitors who often charge subscription fees or require renewals, all software options included in this promotion are permanently unlocked. There are absolutely no subscription fees, no renewal costs, and no recurring charges of any kind. Once unlocked, these features are yours to use forever.

Looking for More Options?

Perfect For:

Electronic Design & Debugging for 100MHz Applications

The MSO2104X's 100MHz bandwidth and excellent memory depth make it ideal for designing and debugging digital circuits, microcontroller-based systems, power supplies, and general-purpose electronics. The 5 GSa/s sampling rate captures signals with rise times as fast as 3.5ns, essential for characterizing most digital and analog circuits in consumer electronics and industrial control applications.

Educational Laboratories and Training

With its intuitive interface, comprehensive feature set, and affordable price, the MSO2104X is perfect for educational settings. Students can learn oscilloscope operation, circuit analysis, and advanced measurement techniques on industry-standard equipment. The included protocol analysis capabilities make it excellent for teaching embedded systems design and communication interfaces.

Automotive Electronics Development

With included CAN, CAN-FD, LIN, FlexRay, and SENT protocol analyzers, the MSO2104X is ideally suited for automotive electronics development and testing. Engineers can analyze vehicle networks and sensors, troubleshoot ECU communication, and verify system performance without purchasing expensive protocol analysis add-ons.

Power Electronics Analysis

The included power analysis package makes the MSO2104X perfect for testing switching power supplies, motor controls, and power conversion circuits. Analyze power quality, harmonics, switching losses, and safe operating areas without additional software costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the MSO2104X the superior problem-solving tool compared to the Rigol MSO5104?

Engineers choose UNI-T's MSO2104X because it solves problems faster. The 4X faster waveform capture rate (2,000,000 wfm/s vs 500,000 wfm/s) is the difference between catching an intermittent glitch in minutes versus hours or missing it entirely. When debugging complex systems, the dedicated 100 Mpts per channel memory (vs Rigol's shared architecture with only 50 Mpts per channel when all channels are active) means you never have to compromise between zoom detail and big-picture context. The 4X higher FFT resolution (4 Mpts vs 1 Mpt) reveals spectral details that would remain hidden with the Rigol, particularly critical for power integrity, EMI troubleshooting, and audio analysis. Add in the superior 10.1" HD display (vs 9"), higher-resolution measurement tools with a 7-bit counter and 4-bit DVM, 50 MHz dual-channel AWG (vs 25 MHz), and two additional integrated instruments, and you have a dramatically more capable troubleshooting platform. For engineers who need to solve problems efficiently and thoroughly, the MSO2104X delivers capabilities that directly translate to faster development cycles and more reliable designs.

Why is the per-channel memory architecture so important for multi-signal analysis?

The MSO2104X's 100 Mpts per-channel memory architecture ensures you get the full memory depth on each channel regardless of how many channels you're using. In contrast, Rigol's shared memory design means each channel gets only 50 Mpts when all channels are active. This fundamental architectural difference becomes critical when simultaneously analyzing multiple signals, such as digital buses alongside power rails, clock and data relationships, or multi-phase power systems. With Rigol's architecture, you're forced to choose between fewer channels or reduced record length. With the MSO2104X, you never face this compromise - all channels capture at full depth, allowing you to correlate cause-and-effect relationships across complex systems without sacrificing time resolution or record length. This capability is particularly valuable in embedded systems, power electronics, and multi-processor designs where problems often involve interactions between multiple signals that must be captured simultaneously at high resolution.

How does the 4X faster waveform capture rate help me find bugs faster?

The MSO2104X's revolutionary 2,000,000 wfm/s capture rate (vs Rigol's 500,000 wfm/s) fundamentally transforms debugging efficiency by dramatically reducing "blind time" between acquisitions. In practical terms, this means you're four times more likely to capture intermittent glitches, random signal anomalies, or rare events during a debug session. For example, when troubleshooting timing violations, power integrity issues, or bus arbitration problems, the MSO2104X can potentially identify in minutes what might take hours or days with the Rigol MSO5104. This ultra-high capture rate, combined with 256-level intensity grading and color persistence, makes even rare events visually apparent, highlighting their occurrence frequency through color variation. Engineers working with high-speed digital systems, embedded designs with irregular events, or any system with unpredictable behavior will find this 4X advantage transforms not just their debug efficiency, but their entire approach to troubleshooting complex systems.

What's the benefit of 4 Mpts FFT resolution?

The MSO2104X's 4 Mpts FFT resolution provides 4X finer frequency resolution than Rigol's 1 Mpts FFT, allowing you to distinguish between closely spaced frequency components that would appear merged with lower resolution FFT. This higher resolution is especially valuable for applications like audio analysis, power quality monitoring, vibration analysis, and EMI pre-compliance testing where precise frequency identification is essential. With 4 Mpts FFT, you can zoom into specific frequency ranges while maintaining resolution, enabling more detailed analysis of spectral content.

What's included in the free software bundle?

The free software bundle includes ALL available software options worth $2,234: 50MHz dual-channel arbitrary waveform generator (MSO2000X-AWG, $280), power analysis package (MSO2000X-PWR, $280), and comprehensive protocol analysis suite including CAN, CAN-FD, LIN, FlexRay, SENT, and Audio bus analysis (I2S, LJ, RJ, TDM) options (valued at $1,674). All these features are permanently unlocked with your purchase during this promotion.

What warranty is included?

The MSO2104X comes with our exclusive 3+2 Coverage: 3 years standard warranty with an additional 2 years available with free product registration at uni-trendus.com/pages/uni-trend-product-registration. This comprehensive coverage includes parts and labor, providing you with exceptional long-term protection for your investment.

Are the free software options really permanent?

Yes! Unlike competitors who often charge subscription fees or require renewals, all software options included in this promotion are permanently unlocked. There are absolutely no subscription fees, no renewal costs, and no recurring charges of any kind. Once unlocked, these features are yours to use forever.

Is shipping really free?

Yes! We offer free shipping to all addresses within the Continental United States (CONUS).

Explore Our Other Professional Oscilloscopes

Looking for different specifications? Check out our complete range of professional oscilloscopes:

• MSO2104X: 100MHz bandwidth, 4 channels - ideal for entry-level applications
• MSO2204X: 200MHz bandwidth, 4 channels - perfect for intermediate applications
• MSO2304X: 300MHz bandwidth, 4 channels - for advanced applications
• MSO3034X: 350MHz bandwidth, 4 channels - for high-performance needs
• MSO3054X: 500MHz bandwidth, 4 channels - our premium research-grade oscilloscope

Visit our Oscilloscopes collection to see all available models, including our premium 12-bit HD oscilloscopes with up to 1GHz bandwidth.

Ready to Upgrade Your Oscilloscope?

The UNI-T MSO2104X offers professional performance at an unbeatable price compared to Rigol MSO5000 Series!

Includes 3+2 Year Warranty & Free Technical Support

Register at uni-trendus.com/pages/uni-trend-product-registration to extend your 3-year standard warranty to a full 5 years at no extra cost!

FREE Software Bundle Offer valid through December 31, 2025