Buying a used (ex-rental) scope - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: TomS_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2017, 10:00:28 am
content: Hi Everyone.edit: consensus is this is not such a good deal.Ive come across what Ithinkis a pretty good deal on a "Keysight" MSOX2014A scope. Its discounted 35% off retail price.Its an ex-rental unit from a large multi-national test equipment supplier and they will supply it refurb'd and with a fresh calibration. As a "bonus" it also comes with the wavegen and DVM functionality included, and they'll throw on 12 months of warranty too.I asked about the age of the unit and they said its pre 2012, so perhaps that actually makes it Agilent branded? Ive also asked for a picture so I can (hopefully) see what kind of condition it is in. As an ex-rental it might have had a hard life and taken a few knocks.It'll be my first scope, and I thought this would be a really kick arse scope to have first off. But, just wondering if any of the above rings any alarm bells for anyone that I might not be aware of?CheersTom

author: H.O
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2017, 10:08:01 am
content: If it's the scope you want and you feel comfortable with the price, why not.With that said, 35% discount for a >5 old, used, (refurbed (what does that mean, cleaned?)) scope doesn't sound like that good of a deal to me. If it was actually 35% OF the retail price I'd reconsider.

author: TomS_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2017, 10:20:48 am
content: Maybe I should have emphasisedthink.The price ends up being pretty much the top of my budget.I dont particularly care for the DVM function, but wavegen is something I would like to have, but likely that would have to come at a later date if I bought a brand new scope (say an MSOX2004A) as it would be at the top of my budget on its own.Im going MSO because Im working on a project at the moment where it would be really useful to have.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2017, 10:36:57 am
content: %35 off on a (well used?) >5 year old oscilloscope is not a good deal. I'd look on Ebay (tick sold listings!) what these scopes sell for and use the lower amounts as a realistic ball park.

author: CJay
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2017, 10:48:30 am
content: Don't Keysight also offer refurbed or ex demo 'scopes or did I imagine that?If my memory is right then I'd be looking to that route first to find out what they think a refurb is worth, maybe someone here knows definitively?

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2017, 10:54:45 am
content: You also have to ask yourself what 'refurb' actually means: whiping the casing and replacing broken knobs (if any). You can't magically put a longer lifespan into equipment by making it look nice. It is much like the 'shiny tires' spray used car dealers use. Some form of warranty is nice though but read the fine print first.

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2017, 11:02:04 am
content: What is retail price? 35% off £2,335.00http://uk.farnell.com/keysight-technologies/msox2014a/oscilloscope-4-8ch-100mhz-1gsps/dp/1859758For a 5+ year old scope 35% off new retail price is way too much. At 5 years the company would have written it off their books.

author: TomS_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2017, 11:13:12 am
content: Quote from: CJay on March 28, 2017, 10:48:30 amThey do have a refurb store on ebay, but nothing available with the config I am looking for unfortunately.

author: TomS_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2017, 11:34:29 am
content: Okie doke. General consensus is this isnt such a good deal. Perhaps it would have been if it were more recent.So I'll give that one miss - massive thanks to everyone!

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2017, 11:41:45 am
content: I see two problems:1) 35% off retail for a 5+ year old 'scope which the rental company have already depreciated off he books is a piss-take2) that's how it is unfortunately, higher performance 'scopes are niche products which are mainly sold to businesses which can offset significant elements of the purchase (either with profits or depreciation or both and typically with no up front VAT payment). They tend to have high residuals for anything which is still reasonably "modern".Given that you said you don't need the DVM, I presume that you just want the wavegen - are you particularly set on the Keysight or would a new Rigol MSO2102A work for you?Bear in mind that, if this is for hobby use a calibration is worth diddly squat because it won't be out of cal and a certificate is only worth it for you if you have some quality assurance standard that you need to meet.Similarly you said that you don't need the DVM so it is not really adding any value for you.

author: rheb1026
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2017, 05:45:03 pm
content: If you're not in a hurry, keep an eye out on eBay. I had been wanting to pick up a four channel scope for a number of months. I got a barely out of warranty MSO-X-3014A with all four analog probes for $1200 delivered (Buy it now price was ~$3000). If the seller has a 'best offer' option, use it! I've gotten many good deals this way!