| Products > Test Equipment |
| Help Choose a Used Waveform / Function Generator Upgrade |
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| mapleLC:
--- Quote from: rob77 on June 17, 2022, 01:05:31 pm --- --- Quote from: mapleLC on June 17, 2022, 12:39:56 pm --- --- Quote from: rob77 on June 17, 2022, 12:10:17 pm ---+1 for the FY6900 , it's in a crappy plastic box with lack of gravity in it (it's very lightweight ) , but id does exactly what one could expect from a signal gen. if you looking for a "cool looking" boat anchor then it's not for you of course ;) --- End quote --- I cant wrap my head around it. If I use a unit like that once or twice I never want to touch it again. The tactile feel is so poor, the unit is so light and flimsy, and I know the build quality is crap and has tons of components that are designed to fail. I guess its the same mentality you need to enjoy these superhero movies that are just identical bad movies with different characters. What is funny is how the folks suggesting these crap products are wondering why I'd want an older piece of gear. --- End quote --- it depends what's your use case... if you need a signal with the correct waveform, frequency and dc offset for your testing or measurement then you use whatever is able to do it for you while it fits your budget. your topic is "Function Generator Upgrade" , so people were expecting that you need a fuction gen, not a collectors item ;) --- End quote --- The title also says "Used" \$\Omega\$ |
| Stray Electron:
Why don't you look for a used HP, Tektronix or other name brand FG on that over-priced auction site? That stuff is built to last! And there's usually complete service manuals, parts lists, etc available for those brands. I always look and see what kind of documentation is available before I buy any brand or particular model. I hate flimsy disposable TE too and most of the Chinabuilt stuff that I've seen doesn't come even close to meeting the advertised specs. |
| mapleLC:
--- Quote from: Stray Electron on June 17, 2022, 01:33:30 pm --- Why don't you look for a used HP, Tektronix or other name brand FG on that over-priced auction site? That stuff is built to last! And there's usually complete service manuals, parts lists, etc available for those brands. I always look and see what kind of documentation is available before I buy any brand or particular model. I hate flimsy disposable TE too and most of the Chinabuilt stuff that I've seen doesn't come even close to meeting the advertised specs. --- End quote --- Mainly because I don't know the different models in detail, and I thought perhaps the community had a few favorites like they do scopes. |
| JohnG:
FWIW, I have gone through a slew of various old signal generators, both function generators and pulse generators. HP, Wavetek, General Radio, TM series Tektronix, etc. Every since one either had or would develop problems. Distortion, noisy pots and switches, bad caps, failed outputs, drift, you name it. Some can be repaired easily, and some you end up taking irreplaceable switches, pots, etc apart in hopes of getting a stable output. Got a Siglent generator and even though it has its issues, it works reliably and continuously. I have some boat anchors that I would not sell, but I'm done with old signal generators. I want to use it, not repair it. John |
| Stray Electron:
I don't use a FG very often so I'm not familiar with all of the different models either. I would just look and see what models are available for sale and then look up those models and see what people on the net and here on Eevblog have to say about them including any repair problems, etc and also what documentation is available, then buy whatever model you think will suit your needs. I have HP equipment that was built in the 1960s that is still working fine. Unless it's a particular model that is known to be problematic or one that doesn't work and that parts are unobtainium, I wouldn't hesitate to buy that brand. Tektronix is also good but their caps are big problem in older equipment. Personally I LIKE the Tektronix TM-500 equipment and even though it's old and the caps have failures, most of the design and construction is simple and easy to work on. So if if any of those FGs will serve your purpose, grab one and one of the TM-500 main frames. DO test the output transistors in the main frame before you put a plugin in it. Those are prone to shorting when they get old and they will short out and fry many plugins. It's your choice as to whether you want to buy something that's "Used" and therefore guaranteed (by Ebay) to work, or buy a "for parts" unit and repair it if necessary. Just about anywhere else that you buy from there wouldn't be any guarantee, other than the seller's word. |
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