Why are the LM358's the "standard" and not the LM258?

[Galaxyrise]

In posts like this one, people discuss the opamps they keep on hand, and it generally seems to be the '3' in the series.  Looking at the datasheets, it seems like the 2's have better specs so I figure I must be missing something.

[SeanB]

3 is the regular commercial spec device, with a rating from typically -40C to 70C operating temperature. 2 is the industrial rating, normally tested to a closer tolerance, and rated for typically -40 to 110C, and costing about 3 times the price typically per part and generally with a restricted range of package styles. 1 is the military/aerospace rated part. 100% tested for both functionality and tested for a long period typically 6 months at elevated temp to weed out the marginal devices. Rated from -55 to 125C and normally only available in a sealed hermetic glass sealed can or a ceramic package. Very restricted package styles, and typically 1000 times the cost of the commercial spec because of the long test times and each one having a serial number or lot number with a certificate of conformance associated with it.

[Galaxyrise]

Ah, thanks! That extra background wasn't really in the datasheet. So it was probably a bigger deal when the x58 was newer.  As it stands now, digikey has the 358 at $0.41 for one and the 258 at $0.43, so I really wasn't seeing a cost difference.

[edavid]

Most people understand that LM358 implies LM258 or LM158 as well.

When shopping for lab stock, it does pay to check prices on the better grades, especially for through hole parts that the distributors are trying to dump.  For example, Arrow is currently selling LM358N for $0.1048 and LM258N for $0.0793.