Crazy price for a 10MHz pulse generator (£15 !)?

[Simon]

MORE ABOUT THIS ITEM
This function generator is ideal for engineering, manufacturing, servicing, and educational applications. Unit is a versatile signal source that combines four functions into one unit – waveform generation, pulse generation (through variable symmetry), frequency sweep operation, and triggered operation. Unit offers low rise and fall time pulsed signals up to 10 MHz for additional flexibility and to meet many test and measurement applications.

It was described as a function generator.

[Yansi]

So then you should look twice, because it is just what the title says: a PULSE GENERATOR.  Nothing more than a PWM waveform generator. It is also obvious from the controls on the front panel: RATE and WIDTH (with probably some forms of external triggering)

I should look twice? I said it was a pulse generator. 

Sorry, that was meant for Simon and I forgot to delete the outer quote.

[Gyro]

I'm still curious as to what people will do with this pulse generator. I've no use for one at all as I rarely deal with pulse trains but it is always interesting to see what other people do with their equipment. There have been lots of times where I've gone "Huh. I never knew you could do that..."

A good question... a few that immediately come to mind:

- General purpose adjustable clock /pulse train source.

- Spot frequency source, it has a crystal derived spot frequency output setting at every decade. Not GPSDO quality obviously but useful for general stuff, particularly calibration / frequency markers for an analogue scope.

- The manual trigger lets you generate a single debounced pulse of variable width. Handy for a reset pulse - checking the bounds of a circuit (eg. CPU reset circuit) in terms of it's tolerance of minimum and maximum pulse widths.

- Likewise, using the rear panel trigger input, a wide range adjustable logic delay.

- With the digital frequency display and 50R output (actually max 10V from a 50R impedance source), you have ample power to drive a bright LED to use as a stroboscope.

- Relay pulser (watch the back EMF).

- Using the rear panel Sync output, you can watch the response of a circuit to a pulse edge (0 -2uS delay to trigger the scope before the edge).

- Mosfet driver for experimenting with / optimizing flyback inverters.

- Variable PWM driver for servos / ESCs / stepper drivers.

- Power dropout duration resistance checking.

- ...

All stuff that you could fabricate with discrete circuits (what can't you?) but handy to have in one box. I certainly wouldn't pay £several hundred for one mind you!

[Simon]

To be honest I don't see why this sells for £450 when a 5MHz fully fledged signal generator is around £300, sure half the frequency but potentially more useful, is it a functionality thing or better rise/fall time (that will be destroyed by any capacitance in the DUT with the 50 ohm output)

[JPortici]

A 5MHz signal generator probably can't generate pulses at a 5 MHz repetition rate.. because usually a 5MHz signal generator is 5 MHz for sine only, as slew rate of the output amplifier is much lower that the one needed for 5MHz pulses and squares

[Simon]

If it generates square waves it can. My guess is that the modern funtion generator is a DAC driven by a micro followed by an amp. So maybe the rise and fall time on the sig gen is pretty poor but acceptable where as the pulse generator has no DAC but a higher frequency output amp which would be reduced to a high speed half bridge driver.

[Gyro]

That's pretty much it. The pulse generator has output rise and fall times of <12ns. The squarewave output of most function generators usually degrades badly at maximum frequency due to slew rate limiting... Why would you quote 1MHz squarewave output on a function generator when you can quote 5MHz sinewave. 

[Simon]

Well as I see it they are two types of device. all the sig gen needs to do fast square wave is an internal switch to chose between a high speed opamps or digital drivers.

[Gyro]

Yes, they are different beasts. For instance you won't find sig gens (I don't know about AWGs) that can put out a 50ns pulses at a 10Hz repetition rate. It's really a combination of stuff you won't find one specific killer feature.

You'd better start working on your sales pitch. 

[bd139]

I think you could do that with the Rigol DG1022Z but it requires fucking around with an external trigger cable. I don’t have mine any more though.

[Yansi]

To be honest I don't see why this sells for £450 when a 5MHz fully fledged signal generator is around £300, sure half the frequency but potentially more useful, is it a functionality thing or better rise/fall time (that will be destroyed by any capacitance in the DUT with the 50 ohm output)

Yes and exactly this! Especially when the functionality is really crude and probably is realized using bog standard jellybean parts (couple of timers and probably few 74 series chips).

But you all already know well, that this is a problem of paying for "exclusivity" and "brand". Not really that surprised of the full price of this device. Good if the deal could really be made for that low price!

[Nauris]

But you all already know well, that this is a problem of paying for "exclusivity" and "brand". Not really that surprised of the full price of this device. Good if the deal could really be made for that low price!

But then B&K Precision is a maker of so-so economy instruments, not too much of "brand" or "exclusivity" anyone would pay extra for.

[Simon]

to be fair a driver at 1-10V is something to be admired. I'm not even sure how they do it

[netdudeuk]

Price now amended to £451.09GBP (incl VAT)

[Mr. Scram]

Price now amended to £451.09GBP (incl VAT)

Not here. It's still the initial low price.

[makerman]

Price now amended to £451.09GBP (incl VAT)

Not here. It's still the initial low price.

That's what i'm seeing here too from UK, £15.40 inc VAT, and £180 for the calibration service if you want it!

[tsman]

After 9 days, they've finally noticed and fixed the price It shows as £450 inc VAT now.

[ebastler]

I've found that not displaying a flag helps preventing people projecting location based assumptions on you. The fact that it drives people who tend to do this nuts is a nice bonus.
You just shot yourself in the foot then.

Oh, I wasn't talking about you. Sorry if I gave you that impression.

But you shot yourself in the foot anyway -- nobody seems willing to order something for you and forward it to some unknown Nirvana. 

[Bud]

After 9 days, they've finally noticed and fixed the price It shows as £450 inc VAT now.

Brace for coming offer to pay the difference 

[bd139]

I reckon they only worked it out when they went to order the stock and got the supplier invoice back 

[Mr. Scram]

But you shot yourself in the foot anyway -- nobody seems willing to order something for you and forward it to some unknown Nirvana. 

It's sorted, but I appreciate the concern. Now the question is whether anything actually gets delivered.

[Simon]

Well at any rate they are going to have several hundred available for next day delivery and maybe they can learn to trade like a real supplier now and not a sodding box shifter. It's not like they are small because they bought out another company.

[Simon]

Just got this:

Hi Simon


Manufacturer wants additional info...................

They are advising that they need the end user information and user application before POs can be processed. As a reminder, the item is non-cancellable/non-returnable.

POs are on currently hold and not being processed by B & K until the information is received.

Enduser information:


Enduser Application:
Kind Regards

So they are closing an eye to the price?

[bd139]

They are creating an obstacle. No one needs that information.

[beanflying]

I smell some weaseling happening. Time to remind them you have a valid order for an advertised price item after checking their T&C's against your government regs that they have a legal sale to process

Dumb thought commercial volume are you of course selling them to North Korea or Iran against sanctions