Tips for purchasing used CRT monitors?

[BurntToast]

I may be looking at purchasing a large used sony trinitron. Since the product is discontinued this is my only avenue to pursue.

Other than plugging it into my laptop, what other tests can I do? Is there anything that I can also visually/mechanically see?

 

[Chernobyl1]

look for

wavering problems
high pitch noises
blurring in the corners
move the vga cable and see if the picture remains stable
tap the monitor and see that the picture remains stable
excessive heat

Its a good thing to see how the monitor behaves when it has been on for a few hours as many problems wont surface until then.

 

[Scyles]

AccurateIT.com say they have "New Overstock" units available. I'm very interested in buying a unit that has not been used, but a few of us had a bad experience purchasing "New Overstock" units from another web site, so I'm a bit hesitant.

 

[Chernobyl1]

tough call.
I wouldnt buy a second hand CRT unless I could see it running and it was cheap.
Otherwise I'd want a warranty.

If they give you a small warranty then its not looking so bad.