Products > Test Equipment
Does old test equipment really ever become truly obsolete?
J-R:
I think obsolete is probably a poor term to use, since the definition is a bit broad to begin with. People apply the term differently. I'll even admit to throwing it around somewhat loosely in conversation.
Regardless, my opinion is that there is really nothing that is ever truly "obsolete" or 100% garbage. Even if you think it is, there just might be someone out there who wants it, maybe for parts or just nostalgia. Whether it is worth your time to get it to them is another topic.
In my case, I have quite a few bits of "obsolete" test equipment and maybe half of it is used as my primary and the other half I bought to repair or just to satisfy my curiosity. For example, I snagged a Heathkit IM-1212 in excellent condition and the only issue was the original owner neglected to solder one of the switch terminals. It was fun to find the issue and calibrate it, but it has no other reasonable use case. But I'll keep it because it's still interesting.
Gyro:
I'm a bit worried that my meter may be getting a bit long in the tooth - it's reading 3% low after 120 years! :D
Edit: Seriously though, I'm still using my old Panaplex display Datron bench DMMs and Philips frequency counter/timer, they are more stable and higher resolution than a a lot of the modern stuff (that I can't justify the cost of buying anyway).
Fungus:
Some does, some doesn't.
A better question is: Is it worth buying old equipment second hand instead of buying modern gear?
tggzzz:
--- Quote from: Gyro on May 22, 2024, 09:56:57 pm ---I'm a bit worried that my meter may be getting a bit long in the tooth - it's reading 3% low after 120 years! :D
--- End quote ---
Hey! That's older than my calculator.
Test equipment becomes obsolete when either (1) the thing it is measuring becomes obsolete, or (2) it ceases operating effectively.
An example of (1) is waveform monitors for analogue TV/monitor signals.
An example of (2) is unsaturated Weston standard cells.
But many items of TE continue to operate usefully many decades after the manufacturer has stopped making them. Frequently they are better and cheaper than many new TE items. Examples include scopes, DVMs, frequency counters, PSUs.
Of course Sturgeon's Law applies equally to old and new, but the old stuff that people have kept working is more.likely to be part of the 10%.
As ever, good taste and critical appraisal are necessary.
tggzzz:
--- Quote from: Fungus on May 22, 2024, 10:44:25 pm ---Some does, some doesn't.
A better question is: Is it worth buying old equipment second hand instead of buying modern gear?
--- End quote ---
Easy: it is better to buy good quality used equipment than crappy new equipment. Ditto furniture.
Exception: if the equipment is regarded as disposable.
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