Hi everyone. My first post here.
My question is a lady near me is selling a Tektronix 545A Oscilloscope + Plug-ins and Probes + 500/53A Mobile Cart in pristine condition. It was owned by a broadcast engineer who used it regularly until he passed ~2 years ago. Last time she saw him using it was almost 2 years ago. She’s been trying to sell it since then, but no buyers, as we’re in a rural area of AL & she can’t ship it & only offering local pick-up. I really don’t need a unit like this, as I have a modern Hantek that does everything I need.
She wants $550. I’m thinking of picking it up simply to save it, as to me, it’s almost a historical museum piece. They don’t make ’em like they used to. The idea is to just fire it up a few times per year to keep it in good working order when I need to check for oscillation or something like that, as I rarely even use the scope I have. I’m not well versed in vintage Tekrtonix scopes from this era, so wanted to know if the consensus here is whether or not this unit is worth saving? My fear is that if I don’t save it, it’s going to just go to a land fill. Would love to hear opinions of those here who have probably forgotten more about vintage scopes than I’ll ever know. Is $550 USD for something I don’t actually need worth it simply to save this thing from a land fill? It will ~mainly be a display piece for me, not a daily workhorse for my shop.
Thanks.
Welcome, based on my username I may be slightly biased… YES! Sounds like what happened to me, I picked up a 535A with cart and all accessories (minty nice) based on the videos from Mr C bragging about how nice they are. I paid about 350 for mine, in working condition as well. It isn’t a model I would pay 550 for considering they are more common and basic compared to say a 555/556 etc. I now have a rather large collection, but that is what started me on the Tek kick, and at the time I didn’t know very much at all. They are just works of art!
Radios + Tubes + Scopes + Cars= Nothing better!
That was one of the earliest ‘better’ scopes i had and at the time it was under $100 (decades ago)
500 seems way too expensive, somebodies been watching the epay asking prices and thinking “well I’ll just charge that”.
Considering you can currently get lots of new scopes with 4 channels, tons of features +memory slots for a few bucks more.
I currently have the 465b that i haven’t used in years, and it is a heck of a scope for the measly price I paid which was cheap like borscht as it came with a truck load of 1970s 80s high end service gear, power supplies, wave generators, tube checkers, 3 tube caddys, + another ~~600 boxed 4, 5, 6 and octales, globes and 100’s of audio tubes (nos) and so much more.
I mean I get it that they are or were renowned and are now considered ‘art’ but she’s asking full on retail ++
jmho
moe