Products > Test Equipment
Old'ish vs New'ish test equipment
switchabl:
--- Quote from: bdunham7 on February 05, 2023, 03:59:15 pm ---As a bonus, some of that old equipment is easier and faster to operate--2 second boot times and 1 button push for any function, things like that.
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To be fair, that period (90s, and also early 00s) has also produced PC-based test equipment that took 15 minutes to boot (I'm not even exaggerating) and was basically unusable without a mouse. The situation has certainly improved with faster PCs and touchscreen UIs these days.
tautech:
--- Quote from: 0culus on February 05, 2023, 06:21:31 pm ---O-scopes? Sure, why not. At the other end of the expense spectrum, how about a microwave network analyzer covering 26.5 GHz? Considering a NEW one likely costs at least twice what my house did, I'll stick with my 8510C...not to mention the far east cheap brands don't even offer something in that space AFAIK.
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8.5 GHz 4 port no problem....have one but not sure if I'll splash out on the 26.5 GHz one coming soon. :scared:
james_s:
It totally depends on what you're doing and what your budget is. I like old high end gear, it's so nicely built, it feels good to use, I enjoy collecting it and tinkering with it, there's something I just really dislike about cheap Chinese equipment, it's fine for hobby use but I don't find it to be a joy to own or use. I have a 1GHz 4 channel CRT based scope, it's bulky and heavy but it was affordable, about the price of a modern 200MHz scope from one of the cheap brands. There is no way I could justify purchase of a modern replacement with comparable performance. Space is limited but not *that* tight for me and being a hobbyist collecting and playing with the old gear is a hobby in itself, it doesn't have to pay the bills.
tautech:
--- Quote from: mendip_discovery on February 05, 2023, 06:13:00 pm ---In some cases, the new kit is made by people who interpret the things made by greybeards but with the added issue of sales droids who ask for daft stuff like touch screens and the purchasing department trying to get the price down. So new gear isn't always as good.
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You'd never know until you spend some time with it. ;)
There is much UI benefit from having a mouse capable UI and touch screens are only a simple progression of that where if you really don't like them or need them you can turn it to OFF and use a mouse.
Now quite used to them, for fastest slickest UI performance I now use all 3 UI inputs, front panel, mouse and touch.
YMMV
--- Quote ---Also, it is much like the desire for people to own vintage vehicles, the way they work is part of the fun/challenge of owning them.
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Certainly, however when their reliability impacts on the pursuit of your electronics hobby something has to give where now after not using a CRO for nearing 15 years you are welcome to one as one will never grace my bench again. Last year I moved 4 boat anchors onto members here to return some valuable shed shelf space. :phew:
Tomorokoshi:
--- Quote from: precaud on February 05, 2023, 03:15:34 pm ---For me it comes down to capabilities and budget.
Find me a new Chinese swept VNA/FRA with isolated inputs, built-in splitter, with more than two input ranges.
Find me a new Chinese variable frequency LCR/LCZ meter with that can measure the impedance of in-circuit DC sources up to +-40V.
AFAIK, they don't exist.
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Yes, I'm quite fond of my HP 4194A.
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