Recommendations for a vacum tube tester

@oddiofyl or others …my Hickok 600A arrived and It seems to be working as expected.  Numbers vary compared to other testers but it seems very good at determining if a tube is good or bad, it’s strength and how well balanced the triodes test.
 I have a question on what the Mut. Cond. number means that is listed on the tube list chart.  From what i read it is the average of what a new testing tube should test.  Tubes can go higher or lower but no more than 30% lower than that number to be considered good.  Sound right or not?  Thanks

The 600A is a good unit for home use.    You can order "bogey" tubes from Brent Jessee.   They have preamp bogey tubes and power bogey tubes. 

The word "Bogey" is basically a perfect of a 6l6 .    Likewise with a bogey preamp tube, which is a 12v dual triode , I think a 12ax7.   

By verifying your results of the tester against the known value of the tube you have an idea whether it is accurate or not.   

I just used a 12au7 and 6l6 that were tested with a computerized tester to determine whether my readings were good and they.were tight, within 50 Micromhos.    I think that's  close enough for home use.   

Enjoy !    It's fun testing tubes , you will know who has sold you premium tubes and you'll know who has screwed you 

I just went through a bunch of e180f driver tubes for my amp.  That tester allowed me to sort out the best of the NOS ones I had.   A perfectly matched pair of Mullards.  Amp sounds great.  If you save yourself from putting a shorted tube in like mine did the tester paid for itself

The 600 is like mine, super easy to use .  Just make sure you double check all of your dial settings or you can damage the meter or blow the lamp fuse.  

PM me if you need any tube values that aren't in your documentation,  I have an expanded manual and values for WE and other obsolete tubes if you need them.  

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649963215-hickok-6000b-mutual-conductance-tube-tester-excellent-cosmetic-and-operating-condition/images/4372352/

Not mine, looks very nice

Anyone know the test settings on a Hickock (600a) tester for Kt 77’s. None listed on their comprehensive listing chart? Would it be the same as EL 34 or different?

I am 2 weeks into ownership and I have to say I am glad I made the decision to buy a tester. I have tested my entire tube collection and have a much better understanding of the tubes quality level. I only identified one tube with one bad triode. It still plays and sounds good to my surprise. Many of my tubes I bought on ebay trusting the sellers test results and have verified almost all were similar to my testing. A few %’s or triodes were off but tested fine. These calibrated testers are good for determining if a tube is good, how strong it is compared to other tubes and how balanced the triodes are. I don’t feel they are accurate enough to throw Gm numbers around as exact especially with their age , the dials worn analog parts. Glad i took the plunge.