DCA75 Variants

[jessenator]

So I'm finally biting the bullet and getting a Peak Atlas DCA75.

However, I've noticed different versions, dark blue and black, which differ in price from $10-$40 (depending on reseller), but only appear to differ in their casing color. I was DMing with MichaelW about it, and figured I'd open it up to even more folks who are using them regularly. Are there any appreciable differences between the two?

Don't fancy buying one that's going to get shut out of firmware updates/fixes.

 

[jessenator]

Looking at them, it's got me thinking like:

 

[Fama]

I often advocate for it with companies because it's a simple thing to do and there's really not much of a downside, but especially in this case I would suggest you just... email Peak Electronic Design Ltd and ask them. There's a technical support email address on their site. Or I guess maybe sales would be more appropriate in this case?

 

[swelchy]

I'm pretty sure the navy blue one is just from batches made several years ago... Most of the ones I've seen bought by others past couple years and myself have the darker case... Doesnt hurt to email them to see though? DCA75pro should be a DCA75pro

 

[jessenator]

I did send them an email just to be sure, thanks for the suggestions.

It's odd that the blue one tends to be the more expensive one…

 

[darwin999]

Check around for pricing - Digikey used to be a really good price for the US, although it's gone up now (perhaps tariffs).
(and of course, Digikey has good return policy if it's faulty - it's where I bought mine 2 yrs ago)

Note added: mine is also black

 

[leadfoot]

I got the black DCA75 directly from them about two years ago and I don't believe there is any difference at all. They seem to be really responsive from their email address, so I'd send them one and see what they say.

 

[Cybercow]

I got mine a few years ago cuz I was tired of futzing with the cheap ones to sort out material type and leakage.
I flipped for the DCA45 too. Very handy for chokes, coils, caps and resistances.

 

[Alan W]

Mines blue, I’m gonna guess it’s 3 or 4 years old…

 

[HamishR]

Mine is blue and I was amazed to see that it's made in the UK. What?? Stuff is still made somewhere other than China??

 

[jessenator]

I got a response from Peak! The rep who reached out profusely apologized for having their response to me in draft for a few weeks, but the hardware is the same, and all software/firmware updates are free online.

[We] started using Black enclosures in 2021, however it may be that the [listings'] photography is old.

So no impactful differences.