01-15-2014, 10:41 AM
The prices for tube testers on eBay are getting stupid.
1. If you have little experience working on electronic devices OR do not have other test equipment to use to troubleshoot/calibrate a tester, I strongly recommend you get a good working tester. Cost will be more....
2. If you can afford it, and considering the above, have someone fix/replace components/calibrate your new tester.
3. First choice should be a tester that measures the mutual conductance of a tube. Emissions testers do not give an accurate measurement of the tube. Also get a tester that will test shorts and gas. In my "opinion" the I-177 is, or should be, the most affordable of this variety. The Precise 111 WAS a good, affordable choice, but people are catching on to how good a tester they are.
4. Second choice would be a "dynamic conductance" tester like the Eico 666 or 667. They combine emission and mutual conductance to give a "dynamic" result. The Eico instruments are easy to work on, easy to calibrate, and give a FAIRLY reliable result. They do test for shorts, BUT do not offer a gas test. ALSO you must ensure that you get the updated tube settings that are online, as the Eico tester roll charts have errors.
1. If you have little experience working on electronic devices OR do not have other test equipment to use to troubleshoot/calibrate a tester, I strongly recommend you get a good working tester. Cost will be more....
2. If you can afford it, and considering the above, have someone fix/replace components/calibrate your new tester.
3. First choice should be a tester that measures the mutual conductance of a tube. Emissions testers do not give an accurate measurement of the tube. Also get a tester that will test shorts and gas. In my "opinion" the I-177 is, or should be, the most affordable of this variety. The Precise 111 WAS a good, affordable choice, but people are catching on to how good a tester they are.
4. Second choice would be a "dynamic conductance" tester like the Eico 666 or 667. They combine emission and mutual conductance to give a "dynamic" result. The Eico instruments are easy to work on, easy to calibrate, and give a FAIRLY reliable result. They do test for shorts, BUT do not offer a gas test. ALSO you must ensure that you get the updated tube settings that are online, as the Eico tester roll charts have errors.
