Any good? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2013, 03:09:02 am
content: Is this arb gen any good? The price is simply irresistible for 14 bit, 100MHz.http://www.ebay.com/itm/YOKOGAWA-VB8000-ARBITRARY-WAVEFORM-GENERATOR-100MHz-/180745472559?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a15450a2f

author: Vgkid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2013, 05:27:15 am
content: While going from the pictures it does not look bad, one thing to consider is the procurement of a users manual either in electronic, or hardcopy form. Google turns up nothing, so it might be a sign.

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2013, 06:01:20 am
content: QuoteThis is an important point, I really wouldn't touch 2nd hand test equipment without a service manual available. In fact googling did turn up a useful comment onedaboard- "this unit does not have any internal waveform creating functions. The waveform needs to be created externally and uploaded".If this is true in a completely literal sense, i.e you need to upload even a sine wave, then I wouldn't touch with a barge pole, without full softwareandmanuals.

author: edpalmer42
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2013, 06:09:47 am
content: If that's an optical encoder with a broken shaft, replacement or repair could be a headache.Ed

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2013, 07:27:47 am
content: QuoteIndeed, although for this particular ebay seller "only" having a broken encoder shaft is effectively pristine!Don't underestimate the difficulty in finding a knob to go on the encoder either, in my experience that's usually as hard as finding the encoder in the first place.

author: PA4TIM
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2013, 12:21:46 pm
content: I made the same mistake, bought a used R&S AFGU . Great generator but it turned out even R&S does not has the service manual anymore. (according to a R&S tech) and that was a big problem when it gave some errors. I managed to repair it because it turned to be a simple thing but if not it was money down the drain. Second problem is the same, without a pc it is a disaster to make a waveform. However, It has so many standard, adjustable waveforms that I did not miss this function. If I find a good HP someday I will replace it.But ponly buy testgear without service manuals available if they are dead cheap (and how cheap is cheap is for you to decide ;-) )

author: edpalmer42
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2013, 03:30:00 pm
content: Quote from: grumpydoc on September 06, 2013, 07:27:47 amThat seller does come up with some units that have been "well used" doesn't he?I know what you mean about the knob. I bought an HP synthesizer where the shaft and knob for the optical encoder were missing. I managed to repair the shaft and stuck any old knob on it. It took a year or two of watching ebay before a proper knob showed up.Ed

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2013, 05:23:15 pm
content: Quote from: echen1024 on September 06, 2013, 03:09:02 amThe 100MHz is the sampling clock not the bandwidth. The user manual is here (after registration):http://www.edaboard.com/thread292924.htmlBut the same money buys you an Siglent SDG1000 series AWG so this isn't a good deal.