If I want to buy a used 3457A, is it better to buy one "as-is" and send it for calibration, or perhaps spend a bit more and get one already calibrated? Just one example: http://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-3457A-6-5-Digit-Lab-Quality-Front-Terms-Fully-Refurbished-NIST-Cal-/300928374155 Joe Gray W5JG

Joe, I looked at the listing you posted. The unit looks very nice. However, the units are selling in the $150 - $250 range, although I note some of the units you linked to have sold for the price asked. There has been considerable discussion on the list about the 3457A and some differences between units, depending on serial number, having to do with the circuitry about the backup battery for the RAM. I would recommend you search the archives about that. Also, there are various options for the rear compartment that may or may not be useful so being able to see the back of the unit to see what is installed and what the serial number is would be useful. I prefer to use the original manufacturer's calibration services when it comes to Agilent or Fluke just to be able to eliminate the 'trust uncertainty' with 'outside labs', since I have little experience in using various calibration labs. Therefore, my choice would be to look for a desirable 'used' unit then clean it up myself, check the date on the backup battery and possibly change it (with the need to keep voltage applied to the unit while unsoldering the battery lest losing the CAL data - careful there - 'Danger, Danger, Will Robinson') then send it to Agilent for calibration ($204.22 for the Agilent Calibration). If you are looking for a currently supported unit, I would consider the Fluke 8846A. Can be had for under $1000. A bit more expensive but currently available and currently supported. Good luck. Joe -----Original Message----- From: volt-nuts-bounces@febo.com [mailto:volt-nuts-bounces@febo.com] On Behalf Of Joseph Gray Sent: Saturday, August 10, 2013 9:20 PM To: Discussion of precise voltage measurement Subject: [volt-nuts] HP 3457A If I want to buy a used 3457A, is it better to buy one "as-is" and send it for calibration, or perhaps spend a bit more and get one already calibrated? Just one example: http://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-3457A-6-5-Digit-Lab-Quality-Front-Terms-Fully-Ref urbished-NIST-Cal-/300928374155 Joe Gray W5JG _______________________________________________ volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts and follow the instructions there.

On 11 August 2013 03:19, Joseph Gray <jgray@zianet.com> wrote: > If I want to buy a used 3457A, is it better to buy one "as-is" and send it > for calibration, or perhaps spend a bit more and get one already > calibrated? Just one example: > > http://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-3457A-6-5-Digit-Lab-Quality-Front-Terms-Fully-Refurbished-NIST-Cal-/300928374155 > > Joe Gray > W5JG If you look at the feedback for the seller, you will find this auction# http://www.ebay.com/itm/221234066046 He bought one of the meters for $305. At first I see "best offer accepted" and no price. But if you print the auction to a PDF file, then look at the PDF, you will find the actual cost it sold at !! Funny thing was, after doing that I could see the price anyway, so perhaps I was mistaken first time I thought the price was a best offer. Anyway, he seems happy to buy at $305. so it might be worth sending him a mesage with a lower offer. Dave > _______________________________________________ > volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts > and follow the instructions there.