FS: FLUKE CombiScope PM3394B - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: dritech
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2021, 12:25:09 pm
content: Hi all,I am selling my FLUKE CombiScope PM3394B. Unfortunatelly, I am selling this equipment as I need money for more important thingsAs can be seen from the photos, this is still in very good condition (all I can see are two fine scratch marks which are barely visible). Also, more importanetely, this unit is 100% functional.Including with the scope are:1) Four genuine Fluke probes (new condition)2) Soft copy of the software and manuals3) Hard copy of the manuals (although these are not the original ones, but printed versions)4) RS232 cable5) Front coverI am asking for 750euro not including shipping. Please let me know in case you need me to provide you with more details or photos.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2021, 03:02:58 pm
content: It seems to be in good conditions but even then your price seems high.What options are installed?

author: dritech
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2021, 04:32:09 pm
content: Hi HighVoltage.The price is very reasonable when compared to others being sold (most of them not even including the probes).The options are "extended memory" and all the math options.

author: _Wim_
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2021, 08:13:55 am
content: Quote from: dritech on February 20, 2021, 04:32:09 pmBut HighVoltage is correct however...When looking for a good asking price, always browse the actual "sold" item on Ebay, and not the current asking prices on Ebay. Ebay is filled with items with way too high asking prices. In the "sold" items there was only one sold (asking price was 350€ but an offer was make, and unfortunately Ebay does not show what the offer was)This should give you a ball park figure. I did not browse for similar models, but that can also be used to determine your price.

author: dritech
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2021, 09:55:28 am
content: Hi Wim, price is negotiable for anyone who is interested in getting this scope, but I can assure you that you will never find a 100% functional and in good condition scope (including original probes) for 350eur.

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2021, 10:23:42 am
content: I bought mine for 800 EUR plus vat because it came from usa, but this was 15 years ago ... so 750 EUR is to high IMHO.BTW it's still working today, and enough for my use.

author: dritech
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2021, 10:31:46 am
content: Hi kripton2035,Thanks for your feedback. I believe that such equipment will not depreciate quickly. Combiscopes are not that common nowadays, let alone a 4 channel one which is still in good condition. Price is negotiable for anyone interested in purchasing this unit.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2021, 12:25:57 pm
content: Quote from: dritech on February 20, 2021, 04:32:09 pmIn 1996 (I think) I bought my first PM3394A brand new and paid close to US$ 10,000In 2000 I bought a second one, used from Fluke for US$ 8200In 2005 the going rate for a good PM3394B was around US$ 1000 in used and very good condition.These days I see them available for Euro 300 to Euro 500, depending on options and quality state.Based on your pictures, it seems yours is in very good condition and therefore you might get a little higher price. But then on the other hand, yours does not have the GPIB option installed and a few other hardware options are also missing (BNC not populated on the back panel)If someone looking for one of these scopes and yours has the good conditions as expected, it is very well possible you get the full asking price. But probably not here on eevblog, because we all look for bargains here.I have around 20 of these scopes, because they are very special to me and do things that modern scopes can not do.Good luck to you.

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2021, 01:08:51 pm
content: Quote from: HighVoltage on February 20, 2021, 03:02:58 pmLooks like just the maths package and extra DSP RAM.I agree the price is a bit too high - but the 4 probes probably add 60€ to the value.

author: dritech
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2021, 02:22:45 pm
content: Quote from: HighVoltage on February 21, 2021, 12:25:57 pmWhat are the things that modern scopes can not do? This may convince me to keep this unit, although i am in dire need of money

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2021, 02:11:25 pm
content: Quote from: dritech on February 21, 2021, 02:22:45 pm1. You can put 5000V DC on the input front end and the scope will surviveTry that on any modern scope.I am using these scope more or less exclusively for high voltage measurements.And if something goes wrong, they will just NOT die from it.2. Math Integration with noisy signals.You have real time power of two signals (Multiply voltage and current) on the screenAnd at the same time integration to get the energy.All modern digital scopes that I tried have problems when the high voltage signalsare full of noise.3. Store all recall 4 signals at the same timeTry this on a modern scope:You have 4 signals and you want to store them in the background as a referenceAnd then you can visually compare signals to these 4 reference linesThis PM3394B does this on a fly.4. Average buttonI am looking at many signals that I want maybe a single or average modeHere I have one button to bring all 4 channels in to AVG or SINGLE mode acquisitionI have many modern Keysight scopes as well, up to 6000X seriesBut for many measurements I prefer the PM3394BOf course, there are situations where modern scope outperform these old Philips scopesBut for some special applications they can not be replaced.

author: giosif
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2021, 07:48:06 pm
content: I hope that is not your home lab (envy).

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2021, 09:46:49 am
content: Quote from: giosif on February 23, 2021, 07:48:06 pmNo, this is not home.Those scopes are on my professional high voltage bench.

author: giosif
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2021, 06:06:34 pm
content: Quote from: HighVoltage on February 24, 2021, 09:46:49 amOTOH, if it were, thinking I could have showed the photo to my missus whenever challenged about the size of the inventory in my home lab.

author: shakalnokturn
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2021, 11:08:33 pm
content: Just for low limit statistics: I bought my used PM3394A (light CRT burn, no probes, no math option, light scratches but otherwise working) for 40€.