Sencore CR31A or B&K 470?

[Findm-Keepm]

Originally Posted by radiotvnut

I'd go for the 470. Both are nice models; but, I think the Sencore is old enough to still use "atomic blast" rejuvenation and it may not be able to check newer tubes. Of course, if you don't plan to rejuvenate tubes or check newer tubes; then, it should serve you well.

I've been using a B&K 470 for close to 20 years and it will test most any tube, except the early electrostatic deflection B&W tubes, made from the early days of post-war TV until the end of the CRT era. The rejuvenate function is also fairly easy on CRT's and I've saved more CRT's that I care to try and remember with my B&K.

I think the Sencore has an HV probe and may have some other features; so, you might do good to get both of them, if you can get them for the right price.

Ditto, except I've had my 470 for 13 years. Moneymaker back in the day - fixed a few sets to find a soft tube - Clean/Balance made things better. I'd go for the 470, and pick up some molex connectors to make your own adapters along the way. Not too hard - the manual has the universal adapter instructions, and with just about any socket combination, you simply build your own adapters. Neck boards were always a commodity in our shop - save the socket to make an adapter or two!

Also, pick up a piano hinge along the way to replace the plastic hinge that breaks. Use the shortest screws possible, and you can even replace the plastic latch with Velcro. Love mine, but it is ugly!

Cheers,

[zenith2134]

The B&K model 465 tester is the earlier one where the red button for rejuvenation released a bank of capacitance through the CRT neck. Still not sure how much the hi- and lo- settings varied, however.
For checking my '74 Sylvania metal cab color with the black matrix tube it came in handy. Adapters for color on a 470 must have been extensive.