[time-nuts] Interval Timer Recommendation

[dlewis6767]

Thank you Bob, Ed, Magnus , ..and all.

Excellent reviews, ...detailed and clear.   I REALLY do appreciate it.

HP has turned out so much equipment over the years, it is often good to see 
a comparison.  This was excellent.

I'll wait for a good deal, ....and don the road bid alongside many of you , 
I presume.   :-)

I may opt for one of the better units, ...as this disease progresses.

-Don







--------------------------------------------------
From: "Bob Camp" <lists at rtty.us>
Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2013 6:43 AM
To: "Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement" 
<time-nuts at febo.com>
Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Interval Timer Recommendation

> Hi
>
> There are a number of counters that are a lot better than what you have. 
> There's also a limited amount of money in the universe. I'd suggest 
> setting a rational budget and time frame. This is all used gear. You 
> *might* get a perfect one that never ever breaks. More likely you will 
> need to get a couple and swap things around. I'd plan on buying 3 or 4 
> with what ever the budget is. If you get lucky, you come in under budget.
>
> Less fancy:
>
> 5334 - couple of ns resolution, nice and small, B is *very* different than 
> the A so get one or the other
> 5335 - faster bigger heavier, one ns resolution.
>
> both should be around $100 before shipping.
>
> Very cool:
>
> 53131 500 ps resolution
> 53132 150 ps resolution
>
> both have displays that can wear out. They are no longer supported by HP 
> so you *might* find somebody dumping them. Hard to find for less than 
> $800.
>
> Big and heavy:
>
> 5371, 5372 same resolution as the 53132
>
> They don't show up much. I've seen them for $200. You probably should 
> expect to pay $400. Expect shipping to be non-trivial.
>
> High end:
>
> SR620
> 5370
> 53230a
>
> All are in the 20 ps range. You do see 5370's for $200. More commonly you 
> see them for quite a bit more. The 620's show up anywhere between $800 and 
> $3000. The 53230a is brand new with a warranty from Agilent for about 
> $3700.
>
> That's just one set of parts. There are others. There are more issues than 
> just price to consider. The 5371 is a *big* piece of gear. The 53xxx boxes 
> are all small enough to carry around.
>
> Lots of choices.
>
> Bob
>
> On Jan 8, 2013, at 9:50 PM, dlewis6767 <dlewis6767 at austin.rr.com> wrote:
>
>> Hi Magnus, ....good day.
>>
>> Thanks for the thoughts, ...that was pretty much where I was headed.  I 
>> think I will hold out a while for a 5370, ....watch eBay, see if a 
>> reasonably priced unit pops up.
>>
>> If anyone has one for sale for a nice price, please let me know.
>>
>> -Don
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------
>> From: "Magnus Danielson" <magnus at rubidium.dyndns.org>
>> Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2013 7:42 PM
>> To: <time-nuts at febo.com>
>> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Interval Timer Recommendation
>>
>>> Hi Don,
>>>
>>> On 01/09/2013 02:32 AM, dlewis6767 wrote:
>>>> I am looking to upgrade my older HP 5245L counter/ timer to one with 
>>>> greater resolution.
>>>>
>>>> In my home lab, I have been collecting GPS timing modules (receivers) 
>>>> and just want to start measuring their 1PPS jitter, etc. over one 
>>>> period.
>>>>
>>>> The 5245L will only measure to 100ns with a 1 second pulse (.1us period 
>>>> at 1 period).
>>>>
>>>> I was looking at the HP5370/ 71/ 72 series counter/ timers.  What is 
>>>> the best resolution they can provide for a one second pulse (over one 
>>>> period)?
>>>>
>>>> Do you have any recommendation as to which one of the three models is 
>>>> the better unit?  (Their display technology, age and cost not 
>>>> withstanding.) All three models seem greatly overstated in price on 
>>>> eBay, seems, too. Not sure why, ...just supply and demand; I presume.
>>>>
>>>> Thank you for your advice; I appreciate your thoughts.
>>>
>>> Of the given set, the HP5370 will have much better single shot 
>>> resolution compared to the HP5371/5372. The later is better at recording 
>>> high rate events.
>>>
>>> I have both HP5370 and HP5372 as they fill different purposes. I also 
>>> have counters of better performance than these.
>>>
>>> Trouble is, with PPS signals you experience jitter such that a 1 ns 
>>> resolution of a HP5335 will suffice for most usages.
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>> Magnus
>>>
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>>
>>
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