I've gone in a CRT tester craze. I thought I'd be good enough with just a Sencore CR70 that I recently bought. While that is an excellent device, I decided to add another toy to the TV test equipment collection by going right to the top of the food chain. Thats where the Sencore CR7000 comes in. Ive known about these for a long time but they were never affordable as I clearly remember seeing these sell for well over $1000 up until about a couple years ago on ebay. Now that CRT's are considered dead/obsolete technology it goes without saying that essentially all electronic products that require some sort of display now use LCD over CRT's. That change seemed to have taken place quite rapidly and it was about Christmas of 2007 when I realized CRT's were basically dead.
With all that said, Sencore last marketed their final CRT tester/analyzer in 2009, the CR7000 which was originally introduced in 1997. Throughout the 13 year production run, Sencore was selling these for a steep $1999.95. Sencore obviously stopped making them for a reason: Nobody was servicing CRT's anymore, no need to keep building CRT related equipment...
So now the prices for these on ebay have fallen significantly. While still expensive, you can get one of these in nice shape with all the adapters, manuals etc. in mint condition on ebay for around $300-$400.
I've heard nothing but good things about this instrument and the set up manual shows virtually every CRT ever made, so a 21FJP22 for example can be tested on this tester using the wire lead/universal clip adapter (just like the older CR70).
Set up is also a snap from what I can tell and they are very effective on restoring even the worst condition CRT's with basically the touch of a button. Everything is automatic. Being Sencore, its a very high quality rugged instrument. An added plus is that its also made in the USA, but most if not all Sencore products still are which is very nice to see.
The runner up to the CR7000 is the B&K 490B which uses three analog meters, where as this Sencore uses three individual LED bar scales.
Anyone else have one of these or have tried one? Im looking forward to trying this thing out.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aWYqNKTql1I/Thz6ECdzx9I/AAAAAAAACfI/6FcgAhE3618/s800/%252524%252528KGrHqZ%25252C%252521kwE3PH%252529%25 252BReDBOE6GScI%25252Cw%25257E%25257E_3.jpg

The CR7000 was marketed with a promise of "lifetime updates" to the setup manual. Call Sencore and see if you get the same "I don't see where we ever produced that model" response my buddy got. He faxed them his purchase invoice, the pages describing the lifetime update process, and a picture of the unit, to no avail. It seems Sencore went out of the way to divorce themselves of pre-2006 test equipment. I got a bunch of their Cable TV gear from a yard sale, some with 2002 date codes on them, but Sencore no habla Pre-2006 Sencore....

VERY Nice unit - I used my buddies to save a bonded-yoke Magnavox tube in a 1979 modular set. 703744 module is bad :sigh:, but the CRT tests new.

Cheers,

Dang!....You have got all the cool toys, don't cha Doug.

Tom C.

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Just hit the report button, that's what it's for.

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Sencore service has been very kind and helpful to me when I needed parts for my 1987 CR70. It was just last week when I needed a new PC mounted filament voltage selector switch and filament voltage adjusting pot for that unit. The lady Pam at customer service looked up all the parts and said not a problem and double checked for me to make sure they were in stock which they were. She also gave me some information on the CR70 telling me it was available between 1986-1996 for $799.00.

Since I was on the phone, I had to ask if they had any information on the TC162 tube checker. She looked it up and goes "Yes, they were introduced in1970 and last avaialble for $299.99 in June of 1982" I didn't ask about any parts for it, I was just curious about the timeline of production. Parts probably don't exist, buts its nice to know they can atleast acknowledge their old equipment instead of saying what other companies do: "nothing comes up in the computer for that model, sorry".

I also asked where their manufacturing plants were. She told me ALL of their products are engineered and built in Sioux Falls, SD and that they have no other locations, nothing is outsourced.

That's quite remarkable to say the least considering how business is done today by sending everything over to China. Sencore is top notch in all respects as far as Im concerned.

I've had very good experiences with them also and have been able to get documentation for very outdated equipment.

They used to have an eBay presence. They still have an account but don't seem to be offering anything at the moment.

I see someone is trying to sell a CR70 for $750 on eBay. Good luck! If I can get the 7000 for between 300-400 I'll do that.

Sencore service has been very kind and helpful to me when I needed parts for my 1987 CR70. It was just last week when I needed a new PC mounted filament voltage selector switch and filament voltage adjusting pot for that unit. The lady Pam at customer service looked up all the parts and said not a problem and double checked for me to make sure they were in stock which they were. She also gave me some information on the CR70 telling me it was available between 1986-1996 for $799.00.

Since I was on the phone, I had to ask if they had any information on the TC162 tube checker. She looked it up and goes "Yes, they were introduced in1970 and last avaialble for $299.99 in June of 1982" I didn't ask about any parts for it, I was just curious about the timeline of production. Parts probably don't exist, buts its nice to know they can atleast acknowledge their old equipment instead of saying what other companies do: "nothing comes up in the computer for that model, sorry".

I also asked where their manufacturing plants were. She told me ALL of their products are engineered and built in Sioux Falls, SD and that they have no other locations, nothing is outsourced.

That's quite remarkable to say the least considering how business is done today by sending everything over to China. Sencore is top notch in all respects as far as Im concerned.

Just curious, what number did you call to reach Sencore?? Their procare support folks are the ones I called at 1-866-591-4883, with no luck on my buddies' CR7000. Any word from them is probably a good thing, but having the right (perhaps unpublished?) number seems to be the trick.

Cheers,

I've run into the same problems with other test equipment companies. Even Tektronix and Agilent/hp are of little help with parts for something more than about 5 years old. I recently tried to get some information from Simpson about an early DMM. They used to be amazingly good about supporting very old products, but it seems that they moved about 5 years ago, and I suspect all the old documentation hit the dumpster.



The aftermarket is quite strong for Tek and HP - Sphere Research in Canada has the most comprehensive Tek parts stash out there. They have a ton of HP stuff too, but shipping is high, so caveat emptor. There are also Yahoo! support groups for HP/Agilent and TekScopes, both of which are similar to VK in helping each other out.


Tek and HP also have manuals for many of their older units on the web. My HP214, HP6255A, HP180A, HP3325A, and 3 HP Frequency Counters all have manuals on the Agilent site. Tek requires a login system (MyTek) to access the free manuals. Then they spam you for a while with ads for all of their new stuff, based on the profile you created.

Simpson, an American Indian owned company, used to be quite good in supporting the various flavors of VOM's and DMMs. Parts obsolescence got them, they can't get the parts made or sourced like they used to. Parts units are always the way to go. Even the US Navy has a stash of Simpson 260 Series 5 and 6 parts units for their support. PITA, but it's the only way to support older Simpson stuff.

Fluke is also widely supported, and a new Yahoo! Group was recently formed. I've got tons of old Fluke stuff to restore - I'll be in my 70's when I get finished....

Cheers,

I can't imagine what updates you'd need for it though. I wonder when the last new CRT type was introduced?

After it was introduced in the late 90's, there were dozens of new CRT types introduced, mainly consumer types, but several X-Y monitors and computer monitor types as well. B&K updated their 467/470/480 manuals at least twice in the 2000s.

The CR7000 is the end-all CRT tester. My buddy Dale has had 100% success in rejuvenating CRTs with his. He's never had to use beyond the basic cycle for rejuvenation, but then, he's never rejuv'ed a B/W CRT.

Oh, to own one......

Cheers,

I have a CR70 that I used for years with good results and also have this CR7000 which is very good. Does anyone need a CR70? I have an extra unit-what are they worth?

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It sounded like they provided updates until at least the mid 2000's, so that should cover just about every consumer CRT there ever will be.

B&K did, but Sencore didn't - my buddy Dale bought his new in late 1999, and has yet to receive any kind of info about an update. He hasn't moved, and his sales invoice reflects his address correctly. Sencore marketed the CR7000 with a promise of lifetime updates to the manual, but he's received nada.

Cheers,

The number I called was a direct line to their parts department; 605-978-4688. The lady I spoke to (Pam) was the head of the parts department and was quite helpful. I'm sure an update to the set up manual would be provided upon request. I realize it shouldn't have to come to that as they should be providing that information as soon as it becomes available, but perhaps Sencore dropped the ball on filing your friends purchase information hence why he never received updates?

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I have worked with B&K on a couple of occasions. I bought replacement cases for my 467 CRT tester and an 875A LCR meter (I only needed the battery cover, but they didn't have that by itself). The prices were reasonable if I remember right. What was much less reasonable was the cost of an instruction manual for the 875A. The "manual" cost $15, and it was essentially a couple of 8.5x11" pages folded into a pamphlet.

Years ago, I bought a manual from Sencore for my VA48 Video Analyzer at a very reasonable price.

Yesterday 08:48 PM
julianburke I have a CR70 that I used for years with good results and also have this CR7000 which is very good. Does anyone need a CR70? I have an extra unit-what are they worth?
I'd offer 50$ for your spare CR-70 if you don't mind this low ball offer that is the result of my limited budget.

Tom C.

Those CR70's have some rediculous starting bids on ebay. People think that a sophisticated looking piece of equipment means it must be worth big bucks...
This phenomenon is especially true at estate sales.

A couple of years ago, I tried to get a copy of the calibration software for a 15 year old Tek digital oscilloscope, but they said it was no longer supported. I could understand that many parts would be no longer available, but I'm sure someone could have sold me a copy of the software if they wanted to. Just this week, I tried to order some parts for a 10 year old hp signal generator, but almost everything was NLA.

About 5 years ago, I contacted Simpson about an early digital multimeter and they emailed the service manual to me at no cost. More recently, I contacted them again about the same DMM (looking for the calibration instructions, which were strangely missing from the service manual). All they could give m this time with the dreaded unsupported line. I think when they moved out of Illinois, they lost most of their old engineers, and trashed the obsolete documentation.

Tek Cal Software - DEFINITELY join the Yahoo! TekScopes =AND= TekScopes2 groups! Their files section may have it, if not some member definitely will. Lots of ex-Tek engineers and service techs are members. One old guy is the parts guy, another can supply software ROM updates, others are unit-specific experts, and most of the rest of us are in need...

HP Sig Gen Parts - again, aftermarket is the way to go. The HP/Agilent Yahoo group is good at helping with repairs and parts, as is having a good parts unit.

Simpson was always based in Wisconsin, and closed their satellite location in Illinois in 2006. The real bad hit with them was when they soldout in 1985 - manuals were no longer free. What Simpson DMM do you need the cal procedure for? I have a old Navy buddy that can get the procedure for most anything (except my LC102!) either from the METCAL folks or from his employer. Might be on microfiche, but at least you'd have it!

Cheers,

Sencore provides free updated setup info for the CR-70 and CR-7000 through their extranet login on the sencore website...you have to register for an account,but you can then get the setup settings for a 7JP4 or a 15GP22 for use on your tester.

I have a CR-7000 and readily recommend it.

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Again, there's a Yahoo! group for manuals, called "Manual Exchange"

You might also contact Dave at Artek Media (http://artekmed.startlogic.com/index.html) - that guy has a line on just about any manual out there. If he doesn't have it, he probably knows who does. His little black book of contacts is probably a mile thick.

I'm calling my buddy this evening - he has my O'scope accessory kit and has been trying to get it back to me. If he can get any info on your simpson, I'll pass it along.

Cheers,

Andy,

Seems your Simpson is a rebadged Philips PM2421 Meter. Might have better luck searching for the Philips data.

Picture and narrative - says he has a copy of the manual:

http://www.glowbug.nl/neon/PM2421.html


Cheers,

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