Just something to think about, not an excuse or an endorsement for MFJ, please don't take it that way.
None of the antenna analyzers that are commonly available for 'hobby' use are going to be lab grade devices accurate to greater than 27 decimal places. Typically, a one decimal place increase in accuracy means at least one additional zero added to the back end of it's price. And unless that device has a 'live-in' elf to watch over it, it will never retain it's accuracy for ever (a year, if you're lucky). If there is anything that has a mechanical movement, it will always loose accuracy over time, along with the completely 'solid state' thingys because of normal use. Most analyzers are of the "yardstick" type, not a "micrometer" type.
Needless to say, quality control with MFJ isn't exactly the absolute most best of the industry. It is also not the worst, believe it or not. The good part about that is that they will make up for any goofs (unfortunately, they are pretty good about that, lots of experience
).
All of that depends on how much care you take with that device's use. the one I have now is not the first one I've had. Most problems (all of them really) have been my fault. As in don't drop the stupid @#$ thing! Put it away when you're through, don't leave it out in the rain, or just leave the @#$ thing turned on and forget it. None of that contributes to accuracy or longevity. (That's MY problem! I've been left out in the weather too many times. Good excuse, isn't it??)
Why do you hear about more problems with MFJ's analyzers than any of the others? One reason is that there's a whole lot more of them around. Like Fords?
And considering how most of us use them, and for what, they really aren't that bad. And like everything else, the 'best' one for you is governed by personal preference/cost. So get the one you think suits you best. Nothing wrong with 'bells-n-whistles', but will you ever use all of them? Really?
- 'Doc
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