Hi!

I’ve been looking for an older version of the DMM for a while now, and I find it impossible to tell the difference between a pre-80’s model and a post 90’s one by merely looking at pictures. I used to think it’s easy to distinguish by the knobs (old style pointer knobs vs. the “new” round knobs) or if the power cable is already integrated or not, but from I understand that doesn’t help at all!

My question: Without opening up the DMM (to check for serial number, etc.), is it possible to distinguish vintage DMM’s from newer ones? I’ve attached a picture from a (what I think) is a vintage model, I think the red color is darker in the newer versions (but then again, I can’t tell!)

Any ideas? Cheers!

The surest way is to look at the circuit board.  Barring that, the bottom plates of vintage units have sharp corners while reissues have rounded corners.

The EH Man - 15 March 2010 08:02 AM

The surest way is to look at the circuit board.  Barring that, the bottom plates of vintage units have sharp corners while reissues have rounded corners.

Thanks for the answer! The bottom plates are round, I didn’t unscrew the circuit board but the back of the board reads “PICO HB 8888”, any idea what that tells you (just a production code or year/month, Aug 88?).

smelliot - 02 April 2010 03:16 PM

The EH Man - 15 March 2010 08:02 AM

The surest way is to look at the circuit board.  Barring that, the bottom plates of vintage units have sharp corners while reissues have rounded corners.

Thanks for the answer! The bottom plates are round, I didn’t unscrew the circuit board but the back of the board reads “PICO HB 8888”, any idea what that tells you (just a production code or year/month, Aug 88?).

No idea.