[volt-nuts] Buying HP-3458A

Todd Micallef tmicallef at gmail.com
Mon Jul 7 22:55:57 EDT 2014


As a side note,

I recently filled out a survey request from Agilent as a response to my
recent 3458A calibration. Basically, they asked about any improvements that
would be welcome on the 3458A.

After giving them a small list of recommendations and requesting that
anything that could be implemented in firmware  be offered as an update
either as new EPROMs or as a new outguard logic board.
I also mentioned that the features should be added to the replacement model
("3458B"?).

I had no hope that anything would be added, but I thought it would be
interesting to see if anyone actually took the time to respond.

The official response was that the 3458A is probably not getting any
improvements, and that there are no plans for a "3458B". At this time, they
plan on manufacturing the 3458A through 2017.

Todd


On Sun, Jul 6, 2014 at 6:15 PM, J. L. Trantham <jltran at att.net> wrote:

> It is worth mentioning (re-mentioning) that once your 3458A passes
> calibration with HP/Agilent/Keysight, etc., it becomes eligible for their
> 'repair agreement' at $178.68 per year (with a small discount if you
> purchase multiple years, up to a maximum of five years).  This means that
> if it 'breaks' within that time period, it is repaired and recalibrated for
> no additional charge.
>
> Per the Agilent US site, the 'repair per incident' charge is $2740.46.
>
> So, if you happen to get a 'good' 3458A that Agilent calibrates, you can
> then get the service agreement (insurance policy?), which applies even if
> you do not change the NVRAM's.  If they die, send it back to Agilent and
> they will repair and recalibrate.
>
> In my shop, the 3458A is the 'house standard' that I use to measure the
> resistance standards and voltage standards that I have.
>
> Joe
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: volt-nuts-bounces at febo.com [mailto:volt-nuts-bounces at febo.com] On
> Behalf Of R.Phillips
> Sent: Sunday, July 06, 2014 2:08 PM
> To: Discussion of precise voltage measurement
> Subject: Re: [volt-nuts] Buying HP-3458A
>
> Randy
> I'm already forgetting some of the facts that made up the price that I
> paid for the repair and re-cal. for my 3458A, as I have been involved in a
> number of other restoration/repairs, but it was remarkably similar in £
> sterling, against your US $ price - so I guess it would seem to be a fixed
> charge ? My instrument failed when the 'classic' RAM/ROM 's ran out of
> battery support and further, they found another section which had gone bad.
> There's nothing to give your more confidence than the Agilent Calibration
> Certificate that comes with the package,as this is probably the prime
> instrument in the collection of we lucky owners, so it has to be good.  As
> I have stated in a previous exchange, the 'new' processor/ROM/RAM board is
> now fitted with sockets, and the devices that were formerly fitted, have
> been replaced with the new type that only connect the battery support power
> when they are plugged in to their sockets.
> Roy
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Randy Evans
> Sent: Sunday, July 06, 2014 6:44 PM
> To: Discussion of precise voltage measurement
> Subject: Re: [volt-nuts] Buying HP-3458A
>
> That e-mail I referenced is several years old.  i believe the current
> repair price is just over $2800.
>
> Randy
>
>
> On Sat, Jul 5, 2014 at 10:49 PM, John Phillips <john.phillips0 at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> > ​They do really offer that service as​ long as you send them a
> > complete meter... No missing parts. Well they will take a few missing
> > screws and such. My experience with them is they charge the same no
> > mater what need to be fixed. Not sure what the price is, there prices
> > are country dependent.
> > I
> > thought it was a little more than $2200 last I checked.
> >
> >
> > On Sat, Jul 5, 2014 at 4:08 PM, Randy Evans <randyevans2688 at gmail.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > I am in the market for a used HP-3458A and, in researching past
> > messages, I
> > > came across an interesting question:
> > >
> > > *Chris Erickson* ericksonc2 at comcast.net <volt-nuts%
> > >
> > 40febo.com?Subject=Re%3A%20%5Bvolt-nuts%5D%203458A%20questions&In-Repl
> > y-To=%3C001b01cc7960%24a15d2840%24e41778c0%24%40net%3E
> > > >
> > > *Thu Sep 22 19:48:41 UTC 2011*
> > >
> > > If Agilent will fix everything, bring it up to specs, and calibrate
> > > it no
> > >
> > > matter what's wrong with it for $2200, then why would I spend
> > > $5000-6000
> > or
> > >
> > > more for one that is in good shape - even if calibrated? Just grab
> > > the first
> > >
> > > bargain that comes along for $1500-3000, send it straight to Agilent
> > > and
> > be
> > >
> > > money ahead. Seems the better course of action to me if that price
> > > is
> > >
> > > accurate - do they really offer this service?
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > I could not find an answer to this question but it does beg the
> > > question.
> > >  Does nayone have an answer as to why not buy the cheapest unit and
> > > send
> > it
> > > in for repair?
> > >
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > >
> > > Randy Evans
> > > _______________________________________________
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> > > https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts
> > > and follow the instructions there.
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > John Phillips
> > _______________________________________________
> > volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts at febo.com To unsubscribe, go to
> > https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts
> > and follow the instructions there.
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