Maybe same model? - three different brands. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: FriedMule
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 10:35:12 am
content: I have found a very interesting power supply that fits my need perfectly. And it looks like at least three brands do sell it, to different prices.Are there any reason for paying 2 x for the Keithley, compared to the Itech?Keithley 2231A =https://www.tek.com/tektronix-and-keithley-dc-power-supplies/keithley-2220-2230-2231-seriesITech IT6302 =http://www.itech.sh/en/product/dc-power-supply/IT6300.htmlBK Precision 9129B =https://www.bkprecision.com/products/power-supplies/9129B-economical-triple-output-programmable-dc-power-supply.html

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 12:23:39 pm
content: I don't think they're the same meter, the Keithley has a different front panel to the other two which would kind of defeat the purpose of badge engineering.

author: HKJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 01:21:01 pm
content: Quote from: AVGresponding on May 18, 2020, 12:23:39 pmI sort of wonder about that, Keithley also has an electronic load that looks a bit similar to BK/Itech.Neither is probably exactly the same, but it could be interesting to see a teardown of both.

author: FriedMule
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 03:17:56 pm
content: I think there have to be a lot of money to save, if all you have to do, is to add your own "brand-interface".

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 04:20:24 pm
content: Quote from: FriedMule on May 18, 2020, 10:35:12 amProbably not. Fluke/Keithley/Tektronix has a boatload of rebadges in their line-up.

author: FriedMule
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 04:48:17 pm
content: I have found these videos but I have in no way knowledge enough to see if one are build of better components.keithley 2231a:ITech IT6302:

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 06:13:52 pm
content: A quick perusal of the data sheets of the Keithley and the B&K unit may provide some clues.The Keithley unit mentions a 3 year warranty, while I didn't see a warranty mentioned for the B&K.The Keithley unit implies that the specs apply over the operating temperature range (0 to 40 degrees C), while the B&K unit states that they apply at 27C +/- 6 C.The B&K literature mentions their own upscale unit which has tighter specs.So there are a whole bunch of fairly similar units out there under different badging, both different brands and different model numbers. They do appear to be fundamentally the same supply, but with different screening/calibration/support. Whether any of those things are important to you is something only you can decide.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 09:10:39 pm
content: Kind of off topic but if I was going to spend more than around $300 for a power supply one feature that would be good to see at a glance would be a watts display. The specs are more important and it's easy enough to calculate but it would be a "nice-to-have" that seems to come with many newer designs.

author: FriedMule
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 10:51:57 pm
content: Is the "good brands cost more" also a thing in the electronic world? That you pay more, just for the name or do you end up with something more, i.e. service, quality control or something like that?I do not mind paying more if I get more but no reason to pay 2 x just so it haves "the right name".

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 11:03:09 pm
content: Quote from: FriedMule on May 18, 2020, 10:51:57 pmThe way I see it rebranding is there to offer a one-stop-shop solution to big customers. Maybe you'll get better service but that seems to rely entirely on how good/bad the representation of a particular brand is in your country.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2020, 05:20:49 am
content: Quote from: FriedMule on May 18, 2020, 10:51:57 pmI'm going to try to help tautech. (Disclaimer, I don't yet have a single piece of Siglent gear on my bench - that will probably change some day - however I did have some experience with one Siglent product as noted below.)After building a bench over about 7 years I've tried some of everything: new, used, name brand, not so name brand, entry level, more serious level.One of my favorite pieces of equipment is a Korad power supply that cost about $130. For me, it gets the job done but I can see why people would spend several hundreds of dollars, or more on a PS. Point being I am convinced a lot can be done with some modest investments. On the other hand, my most expensive piece of equipment is an Agilent function/arb gen that I bought from Agilent/Keysight. I spent a lot of time researching and thinking about it before the purchase. I use it a lot, love it, and if I didn't have it I'd always think I was missing something. Along the way I also bought another arb/function gen as a gift for an EE student: a Siglent 2042 generator. I had a chance to play with it for a while. Would I trade the Agilent for the Siglent? No. But if I had to do it all over again I think I could have saved $1500 and I probably would have been able to do everything I've ever done with the Agilent with the Siglent.Now, not every model of every brand is as good as every other model within the brand. And some brands are more focused on the high end and some in the middle and some at entry levels. And generally as price goes up quality and performance and features and support go up, but it's not linear. At some point if you keep going you might get 20% more for an 80% higher price.I think a lot of the difference between the high end and typical hobby/enthusiast Test Equipment is driven by the fact that the professionals have some different buying criteria: 1) it's not their money (might come out of their dept budget which they use judiciously, but it's not from their personal wallet), 2) more importantly, they have a LOT (their career, their reputation, their company's reputation, the well being of their customers and their customers' end users) ON THE LINE, 3) they are generally working at more intense levels of everything that requires more accuracy and precision, they often need more automation, and in many/most cases they are doing projects with more complexity, 4) down time costs real money because revenue and big cost run rates are are on the line, and 5) through 10) I'm sure people will add as this thread goes. Plus, at the end of the day, no one every got fired for buying a Keysight, etc. I don't think this last point is motivating a lot of people but engineers are real people, they like the good stuff too.The high end is a desirable safe choice that costs more. But is it necessary for enthusiasts? Generally not. Would it be nice? Sure, but necessary, generally not.Another thing to consider is that we are living in the golden age of Test Equipment. Never has so much capability been so widely available at such good prices. So it's not a mirage - brands like Rigol and Siglent and products from other manufacturers offer a huge amount of value. Over in the Metrology forum you can find products many people have never heard of that will provide 10 MHz GPSDO reference signals with astonishing accuracy, and counters too for not much $.Last but not least, another thing that the electronics (including test equipment) industry has going for it is this site. So if you were thinking about spending more to play it safe, I think you can instead cut it pretty close and know with a fairly high level of confidence what you are likely to be getting by reading the threads here. These forums will give you near real time access to an unbelievable amount of knowledge, experience, information, and helpful advice. I think if you keep posting your intended uses and buying criteria you will find people here will guide you to a final list of 3-4 products for almost any electronics related requirement and then you can be pretty sure you have found the lowest price with sufficient (you fill in the blank) to meet your requirements. You couldn't be asking for Test Equipment advice in a better place. Just keep framing your questions.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2020, 05:33:44 am
content: Quote from: Electro Fan on May 19, 2020, 05:20:49 amThanks but why ?You need be in NZ to help and I'm keeping up with NZ sales OK so can manage for now.If I could only get more stock.QuoteThis ^^^^^ by the bucket load.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2020, 08:55:13 am
content: Quote from: Electro Fan on May 19, 2020, 05:20:49 amWell, sometimes that 20% extra is well worth it. If you are going to spend a large chunk of change why not get something that does 100% of what you need? But this is only true if it is about different pieces of equipment. For simple rebadges I see no reason at all to pay extra.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2020, 06:29:46 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on May 19, 2020, 08:55:13 amAgreed. This can apply to both enthusiasts and pros, or any purchase of anything.If you start with the requirements then you can check to see what the price will be to meet the requirements. For some requirements the price will be much higher than for a seemingly similar but lesser requirement.What happens is that people often start with a general category, then a budget, and then look for the intersection. Alternatively, if you start with and remain reasonably focused on what you are solving for (other than the price) and then look for solutions you might have a better chance of keeping in mind the original problem and opportunity.All that said, often for pros as discussed above (and sometimes for enthusiasts too) satisfying a particular requirement or a particular set of requirements can be relatively expensive.An additional consideration is that for most professional requirements the price is not just a cost but an investment someone believes will contribute to a ROI. In fact, sometimes the bigger the investment the bigger the return. For enthusiasts there is no revenue or (commercial) profit at the end of the rainbow so it’s just a matter of want and affordability - but even then as you rightfully point out, to meet some requirement - even if it that requirement represents a 20% improvement, it might only be possible to satisfy the requirement at an 80% greater price. And if the requirement is important enough to the buyer it might be worth it.The original question was maybe more about some brands being worth more or less and this is maybe more about what buyers need and value; it’s all related.