Electrical Engineering & Electronics Design

Supply and demand. Since there are more people entering the electronics hobby market, there is more demand for the current supply.

Simple inflation and economics. The cost for everything has gone up, not just test equipment.

However on-line shopping has increased competition so you should be able to find very competitive prices depending on where you are looking.

Bear in mind that if you factor in what test equipment costs in the 80's (in 80's dollars) to today it was more expensive back then.

It matters exactly what test equipment you are referring to since some old logic analyzers are very cheap today. Its just that no one wants them.

Old oscilloscopes and spectrum analyzers hold their value depending on the bandwidth and features. Old LCR equipment is just rare and hard to find.

So it depends on the manufacturer, the model, the type, the features, and the condition to determine what is expensive.

Expect brand names such as Rohde & schwartz, Hewlett Packard (Agilent), Tektronix, Fluke, Keithly, Burr Brown, and other high profile names to command the most. Other defunct brands will be inexpensive.

Used test equipment becomes expensive because it has been proven that the equipment is reliable, proving that it has long been able to function well. And usually many users who recommend to use that equipment.

On the other hand, new equipment is currently developed with SMT technology (Surface Mount Technology) in modular form, which in case of damage will be more difficult to be repair by simple tools and replacing part per part So new equipment today is if there is damage then will be disposed. If should be sent to the service center then the cost of repairing an average approaching the purchase price of new equipment.

I think this is one of the cases that makes the price of second hand measuring instruments to be expensive

Compatibility with automated test is a major reason older equipment holds its value. If you have a working production line and little budget for Test Engineering support, you just pay the rate. Otherwise, to use the latest and greatest, you have to change the code, run compatibility, tests, etc.