Your best and worst EEVBlog inspired purchase ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2016, 06:03:07 am
content: Chances are many members here bought things based on EEVBlog videos, tear-downs, hypes and stuff. Out of what you bought under influence, what was your best and worst buy?Let me throw one for starter. I think my best one was FLIR E4 thermal imager, after reading the E4 teardown thread, and which i modified to the extent i cant use all of the features enabledMy worst one was Rigol DS 2072a oscilloscope, which turned out to be total garbage, see my Project Yaigol post for details.Somwhere in between the two sits the JBC soldering station, i would say i more dislike it than like it. The pensil iron is so flimsy i am afraid it is going to snap in half if i am not very careful pulling it from the holder and putting back in. Also, very unhappy with the tips oxidizing fast, which irritates me a lot. No i am not running it too hot.

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2016, 06:08:36 am
content: Worst was an used analog scope off of ebay - it is at the dumpEdit:Best : the multi-meter spreadsheet (which has lead to purchases)

author: DimitriP
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2016, 07:21:16 am
content: 1) MicroChip Pikit 3 after all the discussions on clones. workarounds, and general confusion of which $20 copy from which ebay seller is "best"- Screw that. I went to mouser and it got here in three days. No reason to wonder how close to the original it is.2) Pace station (two actually) with soldering & desoldering handpieces thanks to all the talk about hakko, Hakko clones, copies of Hakko clones, clones of copies of hakko clones. (Ok ok .., the miserable videos of people struggling with a desoldering yellow gun helped too.)3) $20 transistor tester for $16.95 ( I bought the one that doesn't go through the annoying logo bootup display sequence for e v e r y part you testI don't have any bad/worst purchases yet. I can't see how I will ever end up with one of those.There is plenty of information out there (and here ) to make "good choices" .

author: frenky
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 16, 2016, 08:38:04 am
content: Best: Rigol DS1054 (I don't use it a lot but I'm happy with it when I need it.)Worst: SeekThermal (1Generation)Because of EEVBlog I become enthusiastic about thermal imaging and now I'm really happy with ThermalExpert Q1 (info of its existence I also found on EEVBlog)

author: suku
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2016, 10:28:33 am
content: Best: analog oscilloscope:D

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2016, 12:23:01 pm
content: Best: Lots of things but the Agilent 66311B Mobile communications DC source stands out because I would never have bought it if it wasn't for the thread on EEVblog.Worst: Siglent SDS2204 oscilloscope. Useless and I sold it for scrap in the end so I wish I never read about it on EEVblog!

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2016, 04:15:45 pm
content: Worst: Rigol DS1054Z. Noisy fan, slow response controls, crude UI. It went back to Amazon.Best: FLIR E4. Very useful, not daily but often enough. For example, it helped us recognize that our house insulation was crappy, so we invested in isolating the entire house (a day job, injecting insulation material in all the external walls and the attic) rather than in additional HVAC.Best: Tenma 72-8350A power supply (from Mike's video). Compact, light, fanless bench power supply with great user interface.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2016, 04:27:26 pm
content: So many good things, too many to list them all.But really good was that I started to buy used and broken equipment and repaired it myself.Worst thing was a LeCroy scope, it was so loud and horrible in lagging any controls, I sold it with a lost but I was happy it was gone.I don't think I had any other bad experience.

author: bitslice
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2016, 04:36:56 pm
content: I impulse bought a EZ430-CHRONOS watch from TI, thinking it might be a handy toy,only to discover it has the worst LCD display since before the dawn of crappy TFT.no point making it do anything if I couldn't read it, sat unused on the shelf ever since.tbf, it wasn't eevblog that promoted the purchase.

author: WaveyDipole
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2016, 07:31:05 pm
content: Thanks to the discussion on Hakko clones, I opted to purchase a decent Weller temp controlled soldering station which I have been very pleased with.

author: lapm
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2016, 09:46:34 pm
content: Best: 60 MHz analog scope.Worst: Pile of microcontrollers. Used couple for projects, rest collect dust currently..

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2016, 11:07:55 pm
content: Best thing I've purchased because of EEVBlog: Rigol DS1052EIt'll probably be the last Rigol product I buy though, because I definitely don't like the kiddy toy styling of their newer stuff.

author: hugo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2016, 01:07:16 am
content: The worst EEVBlog inspired purchase for me was a genuine Hakko FX-888 (analog) one... a great toy to teach kids soldering ... I've been spoiled at work with Metcal, JBC etc and the second worst place is taken by Rigol DS1054Z ( paid ~ 650 CAD )I love the EEVB forum though

author: TheSteve
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 17, 2016, 01:14:18 am
content: Quote from: HighVoltage on October 16, 2016, 04:27:26 pmSame here.Not sure there have been any negatives. I've bought and sold lots of stuff, including two Rigol scopes, don't regret any of it.

author: AntiProtonBoy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2016, 08:26:22 am
content: Quote from: hugo on October 17, 2016, 01:07:16 amThe Hakko FX-888 is pretty good. Stop complaining.

author: HackedFridgeMagnet
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2016, 09:26:10 am
content: I hope the Hakkos are ok. I just bought 4 of them for work. I might just get larger tips and put a sign on them dont go past 350C for leaded solder. I wanted Wellers cause they are fairly indestructible with the tip temp control, but couldn't get them for a reasonable price.That could be my worst.Best probably the Brymen meters 869, 257, 235 but also pleased with Agilent MSO-X 2024Aalso the TI spectrum analyser for some low price. various arm cortex boardsGot the Flir but dont use it much, haven't even upgraded it yet.what other stuff have I bought omg:japanese impedance meter, uCurrent, FreeElectrons pulse gen, HP1725 scope. BK meter, Fluke 1587TI Watch x 2 but actually my son used them a lot.worst probably the Aoyue 936 but it still goes barely.

author: StuUK
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2016, 09:49:02 am
content: Best Inspired: Rigol 1054Z, very happy with it especially the hack.Worst: None Yet!

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2016, 09:52:09 am
content: Best: uRulerWorst: orange Pi. The linux is garbage on it.

author: sainter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2016, 10:27:09 am
content: Best:Rebrand of Korad KA3005P, love this Lab power supply,Rigol DS1054Z, a lot of bashing on this little fella, but it's a budged hobbyist scope, what do people hope for 400$. I love it for the work it has to do.Bryman BM867s (didn't know about this brand before Dave started selling them), only regret, that I couldn't caught up a little more $ for the BM869AVR Dragon, great peace of gear. Parallel programming help to recover quite a few briked MCU (fuse values were off).Worst: Didn't had any, I always try to have a few opinions at least before putting money on the table, so usually things go well. Example- I didn't buy Hakko soldering station, nor the cheap hot air station.With all the wisdom in the word, the consequences of your decisions still rest on your shoulders.

author: riyadh144
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 18, 2016, 09:54:07 am
content: Rigol DS1054z after the hack it is unbeatable for the price, Hakko fx888d is amazing.Worst I haven't bought anything that I don't like.

author: RobNorthen
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2016, 03:16:30 pm
content: Worst; Rigol DS1052EBest: Agilent DSOX-2012A

author: MartinX
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2016, 09:23:58 pm
content: The best purchase: DER EE DE-5000 LCR meter inspired by the long thread on the forum and Dave's review of the rebranded one. Why didn't I buy a LCR meter before? It's great.The worst purchase: I bought a FLUKE 27 because Dave told me to, it's big slow and doesn't have a lot of functionality you would expect from a modern multimeter, I almost never use it. I did manage to buy a complete new in box kit on Ebay with the HV and RF probes when the US dollar was very low so it was a great deal in a way.

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2016, 11:38:26 pm
content: Best and worst have been all sorts of used equipment. Best because of the obvious bang-for-the-buck as well as interesting adventures fixing some of them. Worst because of how long it's made my queue.

author: Cubdriver
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 19, 2016, 12:14:57 am
content: Quote from: bitseeker on October 18, 2016, 11:38:26 pmTo be done in your 'spare' time? So called because you have so little of it?The same thing has happened to me. Damned nixie thread!-Pat

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2016, 01:33:11 am
content: Best for me was my Agilent E5071B 4 port VNA with the N4431-60006B 13.5GHz 4 port Ecal. Dave posted up a link to a local auction and I put one bid in for it... and won! I use this VNA a lot and it's a huge upgrade from my old HP 8714B. Thanks again, DaveI also bought a Flir E4 which I'm very pleased with.I don't think I have a 'worst' item, I can't immediately think of any other items that were inspired from EEVblog but then I generally buy RF stuff.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2016, 01:43:28 am
content: Quote from: MartinX on October 18, 2016, 09:23:58 pmDave did mention all those attributes in his video: big, slow and doesn't have a lot of functionality. If you don't like it, I'm sure you can easily resell and recoup or even make a profit on it.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2016, 02:15:10 am
content: Did you get the Fluke 27 or the 27/FM ?The 27/FM is the military version and those sell pretty well on ebay. It comes in a grayish, olive drab green instead of yellow and has true RMS. They make good knock around meters.

author: fubar.gr
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 19, 2016, 12:56:45 pm
content: I've bought way too many stuff featured here.-My very first buy was a Rigol 1054e. Still use it today and I find no reason to upgrade.-JBC soldering station, same model as Dave's. Best soldering station I've ever had.-MiniPRO programmer. Haven't used it much though.-Desoldering station, though not exactly the same model as Dave's-FLIR E4 camera. I mainly use it on electrical installation troubleshooting. Invaluable tool for finding bad connections or components that are about to fail. Every electrician should have a thermal camera.

author: oldway
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2016, 01:42:30 pm
content: The best : A cheap clone of Atten AT858D heat gun. (UF858D) .... You can't live without it...The worst: none.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 19, 2016, 03:29:02 pm
content: Quote from: rdl on October 19, 2016, 02:15:10 amI have one and love it. True RMS and a blunt force weapon all at the same timeI scored mine with the high voltage probe for cheap before the price jumped.

author: SimonWasAnEngineer
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2016, 07:14:43 am
content: Not inspired by the videos but by the forum and the coolest looking components threadhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/coolest-looking-components/msg876521/#msg876521I got an teltron tube from ebay for a few bucks.I leave it up to you if this is best or worst, anyway my next project seems to be a high voltage supply

author: Tom45
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2016, 09:03:05 pm
content: Best : Keysight U1272aWorst : Keysight U1272a

author: julianhigginson
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2016, 09:58:18 pm
content: I am new, so only bought a quick 861dw based on people talking about it here. so when it arrives it will be best and worst.though now I also want a flir ir camera, and that trinocular microscope with the double rail.. so the reflow iron can't be both for too long...

author: Gary350z
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2016, 05:16:13 am
content: Rohde & Schwarz HMO1212 Oscilloscope. Nice unit.Rigol DS1052E Oscilloscope. Good for the price. The probes suck, 3 out of 4 are defective.

author: technix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2016, 05:25:27 am
content: Best: Luyang YB4325 20MHz digital readout CRT oscilloscope: a real troubleshoot workhorse, especially coupled with the frequency counter feature on my func genWorst: PICKit 3 (genuine unit no less) - I did not end up liking the PIC platform.