Is a HP AGILENT 54721A a decent oscilloscope? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mvidal01
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 22, 2011, 02:04:18 am
content: HiI'm sort of new to electronics but I noticed a HP AGILENT 54721A oscilloscope for sale near where I live and I wondered if it's a decent piece of equipment?

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2011, 05:34:45 am
content: what price is it? and what modules does it have installed?Also that number (54721A) looks to be a 1.1GHz Amplifier Plug-in module for a scope not a scope itself

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2011, 10:23:21 am
content: Is it this one? What price are they asking for it?

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2011, 11:10:34 am
content: Early HP scopes had very sucky user interfaces - this one doesn't seem to have any dedicated controls so it's all done via the scroll-wheel GUI, which would probably be a PITA, but if it's cheap enough it may be worth it.Check which input modules come with it - some are only 50 ohm input, which would only be useable with an (expensive) active probe.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2011, 12:38:32 pm
content: From some googling it seem it can be quite a fast scope, ive seen references to 1.5 and 2Ghzbut it probably depends what modules this specific one has installed.If it really is a 1.5Ghz 4channel scope then it's pretty high spec and worth considering if its a really good price.But as others have said, being quite old the UI may be annoying.And as above, the 50ohm input issue could be a problem. I wouldnt get it unless it came with probs

author: rf-loop
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2011, 07:52:53 pm
content: Saturation, if it is in picture your scope: Congratulations, you have get really high-end real tool, not toy (what still may be reasonable for some use becouse price also is low - but any these cheap scope can not beat this machine as real tool. It hjave been some kind of "state of art". This main unit is best D model.If your this scope is good condition and if you do not need hard class tool, please sell it to people who understand this value! And hadle it as piece if art.I can also tell that UI is ten times better than any rigol have. It need littlebit study but then, you have real tool in you bhand. Tool that can accept to as high laboratory as can find. Of course it is littlebit slow... only 2 - 8Gs/s and analog channels "only" maximum littlebit over 1GHz but... dependent about main unit model.More you can find if you first read this manual:http://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/54720-97005.pdf(I have repair lot of (Agilent) and HP "golden years" machines... )Yes someone tell that UI is sometimes difficult...yes, specially -80's (but this machine have better) they are made for professionals what can study equipments relly what they need... but also other point. many times UI is not so important oin some enviroment becouse many times they do not use these with front panel at all... many professional measuring systems are computer controlled... "golden years" it was mostly HP-IB bus in lab. They are not made for hobbyist who look this and look that. After these cursor/menu front panels they make littlebit better UI. I have never see better UI than in some Agilent/HP scope and spectrum analyzer. But yes, just these old times... peoples have been high educated to use these expensive equipments in some labs.What about Tektronix some UI... just like cross word puzzles /EDIT:oh now I see, this is in ebay. Price is littlebit high but ... if seller is really honest and also if possible pick-up look locallu before money... and if this machine is good condition really. It is ... tool.Pity... seller do not ship to europe.......