A a hobbiest that builds my own gear how useful is a curve tracer?

[Onelasttime]

I have not used a curve tracer since 1993.

I do not work commercially just work on my own gear.


So I was considering getting an Atlas DCA55 just as a reference as no option for matched pair was available. I noticed the DCA 75 offers curve trace when linked to PC. The DCA 75 cost about $175 more than the DCA55. Is that added functionality wortht he extra money?

Sorry guys no HP 50lbs. Curve Trace Machine in my future.

I am just wondering if it would be of significant value as I venture into some odd ball transistors from Phillips to HG and other's in that last ditch effort to keep old gear soldiering on.

Thanks for your experience, opinions and advice!

 

[groundwire]

is it useful? yes. is it necessary? not really. meaning with todays little handheld smart testers at their low price points a tracer is not really needed. but, the visual information you get from a tracer lets you see and do things a little test box cant show. if the price is right, get one, why not. ps: are you sure you dont want a shelf bending 100lb HP boat anchor? lol

 

[Onelasttime]

Funny I almost put 100lbs. in or I did then I went back lowered it to 50lbs. I think. I did not want to be too over the top.

Back in the day when I worked at the electronic repair shop we bought a lot of transistors in bulk to get the better price point and then did our own testing to make match sets of 2, 4, 8 etc....It made sense since this is 1991. Fast forward to today and I was thinking it might not be a value for someone like me!

We bought everything bulk from jelly parts to tubes to antenna's to coax!

We even did radar repair so it was important to test critical parts.

Fast Forward to 2022 I work on my CB's and amp's. I am not repairing commercial radar units or pace makers right.

The DCA55 is about $88 and I just want to test hfe or reapir old amps with obsolete parts I can not get in matched pairs. The DCA 75 is at the cheapest $175 so I think I will pass.

So I will pass I think and add it to my maybe latter list! My "would be nice to have but not really needed" list!

I figured as much but I hate to make assumptions when I have actual experts on this site I can ask!