[Peter Wieck]

On Aug 19, 10:35 pm, mike mueller wrote:

Peter
You seem to know were one can buy a 539 series for $125.00 This e-bay
link is for $900.00
Could you share this source with use? I'll buy one right now for that
price. Cash on the spot and pay what ever for shipping
Thanks
Mike Mueller

Mike:

I paid $100 for mine. They show up regularly at Kutztown in various
stages of undress in the $150 - $400 range, and near-perfect at $500+
or so. But that is *NOT* the point, nor is it what I wrote. My point
is that if one is to have a tube tester at all, then it should either
be capable of the full gamut of tests *or* be very fast and convenient
*or* be as simple as possible. Otherwise, those falling outside of
those parameters give nothing useful such that they should command a
premium price.

If one is looking for something to test tubes for vintage radios or
even most vintage equipment, a simple emissions-tester with "shorts"
and "gas" capacity is more than adequate. Those are available any day
of the week in the $25 - $50 range.

If one is require to test many different types of tubes in bulk (but
not much more than that) and needs a level of accuracy that suggests
resale of said tubes, then a Cardomatic is about the only way to fly.

If one is required to actually "match" tubes, then one needs a tester
capable of allowing or doing those tests conveniently and directly.

Accordingly, the latter two types of testers command a (perhaps
irrational) premium over simple emissions-type testers. And somehow
similar-but-less-capable testers are invested with the same mythology,
yet really provide little more truly useful information than the
emissions-tester.

Keep in mind at all times, that the best and most accurate test of any
tube is its behavior in-circuit. So, about any tester when used for
general purposes does no more than deliver GO/NO-GO
"suggestions" (excepting shorts and gas failures of course). Spending
premium $$ on an otherwise unremarkable tester because it carries the
Hickok name is foolish under those conditions. But, MC testers are
"better" than emissions testers all other things being equal, so some
additional value is justified.

Peter Wieck
Wyncote, PA