Products > Test Equipment

HP 3325A Vs HP 8165A

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Wallace Gasiewicz:
Which one do I keep?
Is there any special reason the 3325 commands a higher price?
Both work quite well, the 3325 puts out 10 MHz square while the 8165 goes to 50 MHz square, among other differences.
3325 has the OCXO which is pretty stable. No such option on the 8165.

Wally

wn1fju:
Why not keep both? 

I have both the 3325A and 8165A.  The biggest difference in my mind is the precision of the settings (particularly frequency).  Many more digits at your disposal on the 3325A (or the later 3325B).  I also found the calibration procedure much more difficult on the 8165A.  HP (Germany) called it a programmable signal source rather than a function generator - I think that is a fair characterization.  On the other hand, I've always been mad at HP for calling the 3325A a 21 MHz function generator and then restricting some of the waveforms to ~10 kHz.  Sounds like false advertising!

As far as prices go, at least on eBay (USA) both units can be had for under $100 with careful shopping (and waiting perhaps), especially if you are willing to fix one.  I've found that sometimes the 8165A can go for very little since people don't seem to know what they are.  I think I paid $50 for mine.  I haven't noticed that the 3325A necessarily commands a higher price than the 8165A in general.

HalFoster:
The largest difference is that the 3325A is much more precise than the 8165A - it's frequency, amplitude and phase noise specifications are much better, while the 8165A has a larger frequency range.  As so much does, it comes to what you will be using it for and your specific needs.  If you are only looking for a sine output, the HP 3335A really can't be beat for the money.  Or, what has become my daily driver for low frequencies, the HP 3326A - more or less two 3325A's in one box with a lot of extra capabilities thrown in.  Along with a HP 8663A, there is not much I can't do with the pair.

Hal

gdnichols31:
I have both of these instruments also.

I just bought the 8165A. I bought it specifically for the burst setting. You can set the frequency and the number of cycles, and then trigger it. It will generate that number of cycles and quit.

I love it.

Gary

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