Fair Price For HP 34401A ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: The Doktor
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2015, 04:10:22 pm
content: I'm considering buying an HP 34401A. I will be looking at fully functional units with recent calibration only. What is a fair price range? Also, are there certain problems I should be aware of, options to look for, etc.? Any similar 6½ digit meters I should seriously consider instead?I'm a fairly serious hobbyist, looking for a bit more precision than my Fluke 25. Price is not a huge problem, but don't really want to pay $1K+ for a 34461A.TIA

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2015, 04:14:02 pm
content: with cal : anywhere from 600 to 800$without cal : as low as 300

author: mazurov
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2015, 04:22:44 pm
content: I've bought mine for $250, calibrated, 3 years ago. The price depends on how patient you are; reasonable sellers do appear on eBay from time to time but you need to wait and look for them.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2015, 04:24:22 pm
content: They are constantly more expensive in the USA, compared to Europe.If you are in Europe, you can get them as low as Euro 400 calibrated and it very good condition.

author: SteveyG
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 19, 2015, 08:43:22 pm
content: There was a good example on eBay.co.uk last night for £300. Looked mint condition, but went this morning.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2015, 08:54:53 pm
content: It looks like some people try to sell them higher than list price in the UK.£1.110,08http://www.ebay.de/itm/MULTIMETER-BENCH-6-5-DIGIT-34401A-1335866-/271728732283?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item3f444b687bOr is this a common price range in the UK?Selling price in Germany is about Euro 1140 (including VAT)With today's exchange rate, it should be around £840

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2015, 09:01:04 pm
content: Not really, it's £803 + VAT at Farnell, so £963.60 unless you're VAT registered.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2015, 09:13:20 pm
content: Quote from: HighVoltage on February 19, 2015, 08:54:53 pmGiven that they have 250,000 items listed, and have only collected 35,000 feedbacks in the last 12 months, I'm guessing that all they have done is scalped a catalog and translated it to ebay with a suitable markup.

author: LabSpokane
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2015, 11:49:15 pm
content: Quote from: free_electron on February 19, 2015, 04:14:02 pmWhich is why there is a waiting list to get the 34461A for $1k with calibration and with a warranty. The used units only are holding their value due to the way US government test specifications are written, creating a high value market for used units.If you've ever wondered why the name of the 34461A includes "34401A replacement," that's why.

author: LaurentR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2015, 12:05:40 am
content: Quote from: LabSpokane on February 19, 2015, 11:49:15 pmI don't find the price for the used 34401A shocking. They are still in production, their specs are comparable to modern DMMs and the used units are known to be rock solid even years/decades later (or even better - with more stable, aged hardware). I don't see why there should be a large discount. Given these, finding good examples at a 50-70% discount is actually pretty nice, and it's the case only because they've been in production so long there is quite a bit of supply.A reasonable analogy would be professional SLR lenses. The pace of technology for those is slow too (optics is optics), so they don't get obsoleted quickly and they are built like tanks so used models tend to perform as well as new. As a result, used discounts on those are very slim. Slimmer than on the 34401A.I wonder if you could elaborate on your statement about US government test specifications?

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2015, 01:39:28 am
content: Quote from: KJDS on February 19, 2015, 09:13:20 pmPerhaps they are factoring in the Ebay and Paypal charges (10% to 15%).

author: LabSpokane
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2015, 02:24:36 am
content: Quote from: LaurentR on February 20, 2015, 12:05:40 amThese meters don't improve with age and the notion of paying 80% of new money for a >15 year old meter - which most of the used ones are - is just nuts in my opinion. Why take on 100% liability to save 20%? These meters really aren't like old lenses. They definitely age and wear out. The ones on EBay that just got pulled out of a test rack certainly have some hours on them. The VFDs most definitely do fade and my understanding is that replacement parts for the old meters are tough to find. If someone got a great deal, I'm really happy for them, but $800 is just a sucker betThe government spec issue I was told by a distributor. It makes perfect sense because the whole goal of a procurement spec is to exclude competitors from the bidding process. There's no shortage of procurement specs that are written by the supplier to be "no bid / no alternate source."

author: LaurentR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2015, 04:30:48 am
content: Quote from: LabSpokane on February 20, 2015, 02:24:36 amFair enough for 80%, but a quick EBay US check shows that most 34401A sold (looking at Completed Listings) for $300-400, which is quite a substantial discount compared to new. Of course, you have to be able to stomach the total loss if it dies or is unusable, but if you can, I think it's quite worth it.

author: jwm_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2015, 04:36:31 am
content: I'd seriously consider a keithley 2000 or one in its family, I too have been looking for a used 34401a on eBay and decided to expand my search and found the keithleys are less expensive. I picked one up and am very happy with it. I love how fast it updates, feels like something a generation later than the 01a with its features.

author: LabSpokane
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2015, 05:16:16 am
content: Quote from: LaurentR on February 20, 2015, 04:30:48 amFor home/hobby use, perhaps. For commercial use, I just can't see it.

author: rx8pilot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2015, 06:29:44 am
content: Quote from: jwm_ on February 20, 2015, 04:36:31 amIt does not seem like the Keithley 2000's are much different in price. Where are you looking?Quote from: LabSpokane on February 20, 2015, 05:16:16 amFor commercial use, I would use an eBay 34401A for less critical applications to save a few dollars. For design and validation, you are right, it's not worth whatever i would save. The new features, warranty, calibration, etc not to mention I don't have to spend any time digging around for a deal on eBay. I have been pretty lucky getting some HP power supplies 90% off new cost.