Frequency counter : an "interesting" / unusual one just popped up here :
They still make an updated version, which goes to 3GHz.
Wow, that's one hell of a long product life !
Checked their site and datasheet... neither give any clue as to what the use cases / intended audience for this type of counter, might be....
While they're very cute, they don't attract me, because reference input is missing, and that's a must for what I'm after.
Well it's a portable handheld, having an, external ref input doesn't quite make sense ?
First why wold be the point of handheld if you have to stick a ref to it, not practical.. plus a ref is not meant or designed to be portable for field use... it's supposed to stay plugged in 24/7 and kept warm and safe, left alone, in the lab, comfy, at a stable temperature.
All you can do is make the onboard time base of the counter as good as you can, which is what they did from the datasheet.
EDIT : oh, looks like this little counter has already found a new home ! Ad posted 19H00 yesterday, now 10H00 next day, am checking the web site again and it says someone has clicked the "Buy" button.....
At only 35 Euros it was indeed tempting, but I have no use for portable instruments, other than a decent handheld scope one day... so I tried to be reasonable.. need to refrain my GAS, it's getting out of hand. House is small... storage capability is very limited.
I am progressively getting used to the idea that it's time to stop collecting scopes, 35 of them is a bit much. So am considering getting rid of a few of them and replacing them with a few frequency counters. Once I am done with that, will buy only gear that add functionality to the lab, so as to enable me, and will try to avoid boat anchors as shelf space is limited and they aren't heavy duty enough to support too much weight.
Basically trying to switch from gathering gear to actually DOING something in the lab !
I guess it's a fine line that's hard to ride without falling one side or the other, wish me luck...