HP 53131A 3GHz, Opt 010. Universal Frequency Counter

[samson]

Hi Guys, I just want to ask if I am getting a good deal.
I have been offered a HP 53131A 3GHz, Opt 010. Universal Frequency Counter for $540us.
Is this a good price?

Thanks in advance

[Tony_G]

You can get the 3rd channel prescalers for around US$50-70 I believe - You might want to see if you can get one without Ch3 for cheaper. That said, US$540 is not outrageous but not necessarily great, probably middle of the road.

TonyG

[Stray Electron]

     Title is misleading, it's a 225 Mhz counter with an optional third channel that can measure up to 3 GHz.

    Did you look at E-Greed?  They're selling on there for between $200 and $300.  Shipping to your location would probably add to that but not $300 more.    Two of them were located in Japan and with free shipping and sold for $284 and $296. There are plenty of HP and/or 3rd party prescalars and high precision time bases available for them so they don't add a lot to the value.

   Beware: they have a VFD display and many of them are dim from years of service.

[trp806mo]

Regarding the frequency counter, in this price range (<800 $) you can find 53132a (better spec) or pendulum cnt-90 (much better than 132a) which is the same as Fluke PM6690 or Tektronix FCA; but you have to check the spec regarding your needs

@Stray Electron : may you precise the web site of E-Greed as i don't find it ?

[coromonadalix]

Ebay ?
Fleabay ?  .... loll

[TERRA Operative]

It's possible to find replacement VFD's for these counters, but the price of the one OP is looking at gets even less attractive when adding the price of the replacement VFD.

I paid 35000yen (US$230) for my non working (dead electrolytics in the PSU) 53132A with no options, and spent US$80 on the replacement VFD, a couple bucks on new capacitors in the PSU and a new fan (The old failed fan is why the capacitors cooked) from Digikey and about $20 on a replacement rear panel from Keysight (original one was cracked).
I think I got a handle and rubber baby buggy bumpers cheap somewhere along the line too.

Call it US$350 or plus a little all up for my unit. I personally wouldn't spend more for a 53131A.

[tridac]

Picked one up at industrial auction recently for 160 ukp + fees. The only thing I don't like about it is the always on fan, even switched off. Run an external gpsdo reference, so the internal osc is disconnected and have the power on a  separate wall switch to kill the fan on power off.  I know that model is very popular, but never could understand the prices they are making, or at least listed at, here in the uk. An older 5345 is still a valid choice if you have the space, and they are 11 digit, 500MHz, with a plugin capability to microwave Ghz. Very reliable counters as well, one in the lab for years, and no plans to dispose of it...