Fluke 196C wont turn on for $500, mint condition, worth?  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: rvalente
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2019, 04:58:07 pm
content: Hello,i've come across a Fluke 196C in very mint aesthetic condition, case, probes and everything else for $500, but it won't turn on.Does it worth speeding this money? I've already own a Tektronix THS720P, I wish I had something with a better zoom and faster.Never used the 196C, but have used the older 123 which I've totally disliked.I'll use it for electronics and some field services in industrial automationI did not find the schematics, is it available? - Found it:https://elektrotanya.com/fluke_192b_196b-c_199b-c_scopemeter.pdf/download.html#dl

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2019, 05:52:01 pm
content: I would not take this chance unless you have an service manual, if not dont buy it.Sure it could be an esay fix in some case, but are you knowledgable in electonics ??Take your time and you may find a better deal ... you have pretty good bench scopes at this price and you get an warranty too.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2019, 06:00:04 pm
content: The OP is in Brazil so $500 doesn't buy him a new scope (not by a long shot). I'd try to lowball and get the 196C for $200. Maybe $300 but the OP does have to ask himself whether the device can be repaired by him without access to a service manual. There is a reason it is cheap and it might be that there is a serious issue. Someone else probably has tried to fix it without success; check whether the factory seals are broken or not.

author: rvalente
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2019, 06:38:34 pm
content: $500 wont buy any good scope, you may score an used DS1054Z for $600 or plus.I've a good knowledge in electronics and repairs and found the service manual (check the first post).I'll check the seals and try to lower to 300 to 200 usd.But how is the equipment usability?

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2019, 07:44:34 pm
content: Quote from: rvalente on November 10, 2019, 04:58:07 pmIf you can't see the screen working then it's a massive risk.Watch this video before deciding:

author: rvalente
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2019, 08:31:17 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on November 10, 2019, 07:44:34 pmI've seen this video, however I'm talking about the C version, but its true, always risky. So 200 usd is my offer to the seller

author: rvalente
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2019, 01:06:15 pm
content: The seller declined my 250 usd offer.Can someone tell me what is the display resolution for the 196c? No service/ user manual specified it, nor the datasheet of the equipment. I tried to find the kyocera display datasheet, lucky either.

author: george.b
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2019, 05:29:33 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on November 10, 2019, 06:00:04 pmActually, he can buy a brand new Rigol DS1102E with $60 to spare. R$1849 = US$440. Not my product, just the result of a cursory search:https://produto.mercadolivre.com.br/MLB-1210281095-osciloscopio-100mhz-profissional-digital-rigol-2-canais-_JM?quantity=1#position=1&type=item&tracking_id=f2c9bb58-2669-4231-80b7-56de8b62a183I would not risk $500 on the non-functioning Fluke, not in a million years.Edit: a DS1052E can be had for cheaper. I understand those can be modded to DS1102E specs. Sure, they're no Fluke, but in the same price range, a working Rigol is better than a possibly unrepairable Fluke in my book.

author: commongrounder
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2019, 04:25:04 pm
content: The Fluke 19xC screen resolution is quarter VGA, 320x240. A bit coarse, but that has not been nearly as big a problem for my eyes as the screen flicker is. I’ve always wished the screen image could be inverted so the background was black instead of white.

author: rvalente
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2019, 12:07:58 pm
content: For a new scope, choose the rigol 5000, i dont believe anything has a better deal them it.For a two channel isolated I'll keep my ths 720, compared to the 196c, the specs are similar, although the sampling rate is qgsa in the 196c.Quote from: commongrounder on November 17, 2019, 04:25:04 pmAh, thats a stop point for me, 320x240 is to low to me.