What is the next best thing to a Agilent 3458A?

[spanishfly25]

Different tools depending on the job at hand.

I think that says it all, the right tool for the job!  And if you are going to do everything, you need everything. 

I agree that some times we need the right tool for the right job, but we can't get everything, cost too much money and space. I prefer to learn all the capabilities of the equipment on hand and manage with that

[Squire]

If one knows how to use the 3458A properly,you will not need another system voltmeter. And no, I don't work for Agilent.

I agree totally. 

Also see measure's revised definition of specmanship.

[WestCoastCal]

Attached is a comparison between the Transmille 8081 90 day relative specs to the HP 3458AOPT002 90 day relative specs.
I included some Calibration Tolerance cell information as follows:
1. If the TAR value is 1.0:1, they are roughly the same accuracy. (There is a little "slop" in the ratio calculation due to resolution)
2. If the TAR value is greater than 1.0:1, then the Transmille 8081 is more accurate.
3. The EMU value is the ±error of the Transmille in units of measure.
4. If there is no TAR and EMU values, then either the corresponding ranges do not match up or I made a mistake (I haven't spent alot of time on this at all)
Conclusions:
DCV and ACI, the 8081 is more accurate.
ACV, the 3458A (Sub Sync sampled) is more accurate up to the 100 V range (with a couple exceptions).
DCI, the 8081 is more accurate up to 1 A.
Resistance, the instuments trade off with each other as to which is more accurate.

[USMCPMEL]

What is a Transmille? Never heard of them. How is thier track record?

[rjf1957]

Transmille is a manufacturer of precision meters and multi-function calibrators. A United kingdom version of Fluke.

http://www.transmillecalibration.com/

[CalLabSolutions]

I have talked to a lot of labs who have checked out their products.   Then seem to be pretty good. 

Mike

[Hawaii596]

I haven't had time to read the entire thread, so I don't know if this is a re-run.  There is the Keithley 2002, an 8.5 digit.  It isn't quite as good as a 3458A, but has some pretty good specs (I think, lying between 34401A and 3458A specs).  It is smaller footprint as well (half rack width).

[scottbp]

Isn't the Transmille 8081 supposed to be an updated version of the Solartron 7081 (much in the same way the Fluke 8508A is an updated Datron 1281)?

[Ronic]

Given the chance, I'd always go with Agilent products.
I'm a previous employee of the Roseville, CA calibration lab and I know, first hand, of the dedication and energy put into the quality and traceability of each piece.

[michthai]

Not sure; but, I would say that Transmille = Datron.

[Chad Dodds]

because then it would be a 5720.  the 5522 actually has a worse capacitance spec than the 5520 due to the input protection fuses.  (if i heard the sales pitch correctly)

Capacitance specs are the same between 5522A and 5520A, although one of the range's changed slightly: 5520A goes down to 190 pF, 5522A goes down to 220 pF.

[USMCPMEL]

Why can't Fluke just make a 5720A with amps to 20 like the 5520a?

[Bryan]

I think rhe 5700/5720 should be able to use a 5220A amp to boost current.  I have never tried it myself.  It's menu allows you to specify one amp for voltage boost & another for current boost.

[griff61]

I think rhe 5700/5720 should be able to use a 5220A amp to boost current.  I have never tried it myself.  It's menu allows you to specify one amp for voltage boost & another for current boost.

5725 amp only puts out 11A

[griff61]

Why can't Fluke just make a 5720A with amps to 20 like the 5520a?

Because then it would only be able to sell you one calibrator...