If you're an admin or purchasing manager looking at a 6.5-digit multimeter, you've probably seen the same two names come up: Keysight (and its history with Agilent) and an older Broadcom model.
I manage supply orders for a mid-sized R&D lab, and when we needed to replace our bench meters in 2024, I spent two weeks sorting this out. Here are the real questions I had to answer—and what I found.
1. Is a Keysight 117 multimeter the same thing as an Agilent or Broadcom model?
Short answer: No, and that's the whole point.
From the outside, it looks like a straight product swap. The reality is more nuanced. The '117' model number is often associated with the older Agilent 34401A, or a similar-generation Broadcom design.
Keysight (which spun off from Agilent in 2014) now makes the 34461A. It's a completely different architecture—better display, faster readings, and USB/LAN as standard. The Broadcom version (if you're finding an old stock unit) is a legacy design.
Here's what you need to know: if you need a new, supportable meter with a warranty, the 34461A is your baseline. The old stuff is not a 'deal'—it's a risk.
2. Which one is better for a tight procurement deadline?
If you've ever had a project slip because a critical instrument didn't arrive on time, you know the stress.
I went back and forth between ordering a Broadcom surplus unit (cheaper) and the Keysight 34461A (more expensive, available immediately from Keysight distributors). The numbers said the Broadcom unit saved me $300. My gut said stick with Keysight. I went with my gut.
In March 2024, we paid $400 extra for rush delivery on the Keysight. The alternative was missing a $15,000 prototype validation event. The cost of uncertainty was way higher than the cost of the meter.
3. What about the invoice and compliance headache?
This is where the 'cheap' option hurts you inside the building.
It's tempting to think you can just compare unit prices on eBay or surplus sites. But identical specs from different vendors result in wildly different outcomes.
People assume the lowest quote means the vendor is more efficient. What they don't see is which costs are being hidden or deferred. Three months after buying an old Broadcom meter from a surplus house, our finance team rejected the expense because the receipt was handwritten and didn't have a valid tax ID. I ate the cost out of my department budget (about $180 of my own money).
When I buy from a major distributor (authorized for Keysight), everything is automated—the PO, the tax exemption, the warranty registration. It's basically a trade-off between saving 20% on the unit and spending 3 hours fixing the paperwork.
4. Is the Keysight 34461A really worth the premium over an old Broadcom/Agilent unit?
It depends on who you're buying for.
If the meter is going on a bench for basic DC voltage checks, an old 34401A (made by Agilent or HP) will probably work fine. But if your team needs to test low-level signals, do data logging, or use the device over a network, the Keysight 34461A is a completely different tool.
Our lead engineer (who has 20 years of experience) put it simply: 'The old ones drift. The new ones are stable.' That's a consequence I can't afford to ignore.
5. What's the catch with buying 'Agilent Technologies Keysight' surplus?
The catch is calibration and support.
According to Keysight's own support documentation, instruments manufactured under the Agilent brand may not qualify for the same warranty or calibration cycles. If you buy a unit that says 'Agilent Technologies Keysight, Inc.' (some transitional units had this), you're buying a product that is potentially 5-10 years old. The calibration might be expired, and finding parts is a pain.
I still kick myself for not checking the calibration sticker on the first surplus unit I bought. If I'd checked, I'd have seen it was due for a $350 recalibration—which wiped out any savings.
6. So, who should you buy from for a 117 / 34461A type meter?
Here's my rule of thumb after managing 60-80 instrument orders per year:
- Buy from Keysight or an authorized distributor if: You need it fast, you care about warranty, or your finance team requires proper invoices and paperwork.
- Only buy surplus Broadcom/Agilent units if: You have a tight budget and you can afford 2-3 weeks extra lead time. (This was back in 2023; things may have changed regarding stock levels.)
There's something satisfying about getting a perfectly executed rush order. After all the stress and coordination, seeing it delivered on time and correct—that's the payoff. Paying for that certainty is never a mistake.
Pricing disclaimer: Prices of Surplus Agilent 34401A units vary. As of January 2025, a used unit can range from $200-$800. A new Keysight 34461A is approximately $1,600 (verify current rates at keysight.com).
