Polyranger?????

[unknownparticle]

Presently I'm going through a cache of vintage test gear that came my way a while back, and I came across a curious item that is completely strange to me!
It's called a polyranger.  I did a web search and although a number of similar items were shown there are no descriptions of what it is actually used for. Can anyone enlighten me please?

[capt bullshot]

Looks like a brand name ("Polyranger") for an instrument that has multiple ranges (greek poli -> many), that's at least what I do understand from looking at the pictures a google search reveals - one instrument and a number of switches to set the various ranges (ac / dc, different full scale range). What one would just call a multimeter today.

[JDubU]

From a Google search, the company's name was "Sensitive Research Instrument Corporation" which made high end instrumentation products.
The "Poly-Ranger Universal 88" was one of their multimeters (AC/DC, Volts and Amps).  It had 88 total ranges.

See:  http://www.comcents.com/te.php  about two thirds of the way down the page.
There is a description of the company and a couple of examples of its higher end products above the Poly-Ranger photo.

[unknownparticle]

I had the same thoughts from visual examination but it just seemed too elaborate for that and it also has a 1987 manufacturing date!  That would make it extremely anachronistic for the time.  However, I just made a few measurements and it would seem that it is in fact just a very old fashioned multimeter, although one that just measures AC and DC, volts and amps.  I was going to ebay it but I'm now inclined to keep it for curiosity factor and that it is beautifully made.  It even has one of the current shunts mounted externally on the side in a ventilated box, and a replacable thermocouple for temp compensation!

[unknownparticle]

From a Google search, the company's name was "Sensitive Research Instrument Corporation" which made high end instrumentation products.
The "Poly-Ranger Universal 88" was one of their multi meters (AC/DC, Volts and Amps).  It had 88 total ranges.

See:  http://www.comcents.com/te.php  about two thirds of the way down the page.

Many thanks for that. The one I have is the 88, almost identical to the one in the last image in that section.  Scanning through the notes it would seem that it's forte was great accuracy, not only on DC but AC too.  That does it, I'll be keeping it!  I forgot to mention that this example is in almost new condition, so further bonus there.

[edpalmer42]

Don't keep us hanging!  Post some pictures!

I love the look of those old meters.  IMHO, they make all the modern stuff look like crap!

Ed

[unknownparticle]

I agree, plastic is the enemy of quality!  I'll take some images as soon as I get 5, although that could be difficult as I'm in the middle of a domestic reshuffle ATM!! 

[ebastler]

The one I have is the 88, almost identical to the one in the last image in that section. 

Hard to believe that that model was still made in 1987, as you mentioned earlier! Where did you find the manufacturing date? Are you sure it's not a calibration sticker, or the production date of just a component that was replaced later?

[unknownparticle]

It's on a specification label inside the case lid, looks like it's been there since it was made.

[Michael Terrell]

This is Randy Guttery's website. He passed away  about a decade ago. He was a Navy Veteran and a Broadcast Engineer who was quite active in collecting and restoring test equipment, and old radios. He was quite active on the old news:rec.antiques.radio+phono newsgroup. I discussed this item with him at one time.