Instrument specifications-a customer´s viewpoint

Instrumentation technology is changing apace. More and more devices are being produced which cover a plethora of functions with the consequent catalogue of specifications. This is good news for the customer since such devices usually represent very good value for money. However, the problems of choice are increased. It is in this area where good technical advice on the capabilities of an instrument are so important. So often devices are marketed through agents who necessarily do not have first-hand knowledge of all of the salient features of an instrument. From a customer viewpoint, it would be useful if instrument specifications contained a brief description of the working principles and also a contact address for technical information. In this way a customer may have a better chance of finding an instrument with a specification which truly meets his measurement needs