Multimeter choice - Fluke 87V (from ebay) vs Agilent U1242A

[alexh]

Hi,

I'm planning on buying either a Fluke 87V off eBay (for about 100GBP less than retail) or an Agilent U1242A (from a 'normal' (web)shop). Overall it seems both have similar features; although overall the Fluke one seems to be somewhat higher spec'ed, except for not having datalogging. I was also wondering what it means that the Fluke 87V has 6000 Counts but another 20000 Count mode. Can't I just default to the higher count mode? Why would I even want to have the lower count mode? Are there any limitations?

About it being from eBay and so much cheaper: I' ve asked the seller (for whatever it's worth) and it seems she gets the meters from either US imports or bankrupt stock. She also claims that warranty cards are included and hence are covered by the standard Fluke lifetime/10-yr warranty. Any thoughts/opinions?

Would anyone prefer the Agilent U1242A over the Fluke 87V? If so, why, (other than for the price diff.)? The only advantages I see, but I don't find that meaningful are: 7 samples per second vs 4, resistance range up to 100MOhm vs 50MOhm and finally Data logging.

I'd very much appreciate your opinion on this. Cheers,

Alex


PS: I've watched the respective reviews on the EEVBlog already.

[Kiriakos-GR]

I will comment only the warranty part .. and the seller .

If the seller can supply to you an legit receipt of purchase , other than the paypal documents ,
you have 50%  success , the other 50%  goes to , if the seller are registered as official reseller.
And even if you get that close , the product should be NEW boxed !!
You will never get something used from an registered as official reseller.

So the used ones , are not covered ...by any Law ,  and the warranty its not transferable.

Yes if the price is right go for the used , but do not count on the warranty .   

[alexh]

Thanks for your reply! The item is this:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280564450939&_trksid=p2759.l1259#ht_1282wt_1139

It seems new & boxed. The seller mentioned: "I will include a paypal invoice as I do with all sales which states the sum paid.". Any chance that's enough to be covered?

If I wouldn't get any warranty, I think I'd prefer a new Agilent one for that price range.

[Kiriakos-GR]

All the pictures in his listings has as background  the inner part of an home ...

I do not think that Fluke has ( home based ) business partners  

[alexh]

You are right, it does look like a 'dodgy' home business. Would you risk it and buy the fluke nonetheless? Or better go for a different brand but not from ebay, in this case the Agilent?

[Mechatrommer]

All the pictures in his listings has as background  the inner part of an home ...
I do not think that Fluke has ( home based ) business partners 

for a responsible manufacturer, they should uphold their warranty terms even if you got it from a homer as long as it is the original Fluke, not the China immitation

[Kiriakos-GR]

Would you risk it and buy the fluke nonetheless?

I think yes , looks clean & with the original soft LCD screen protector .

[Kiriakos-GR]

as long as it is the original Fluke, not the China imitation

I like to see a picture of it !!  

[Bored@Work]

for a responsible manufacturer, they should uphold their warranty terms even if you got it from a homer as long as it is the original Fluke, not the China immitation

They should, but last time I looked Fluke had conditions in the warranty terms requiring that you bought from an official Fluke dealer/distributor, and that you are the first owner. Grey marked or used? Pooof, here goes your warranty.

[Excavatoree]

According to the E-bay seller who write this guide:

http://reviews.ebay.com/FLUKE-Instrument-Warranty-when-Purchased-on-ebay_W0QQugidZ10000000013214965

The Fluke warranty is no good unless you have a receipt from an authorized dealer.  Being new, in the box, with a receipt, and with an unfilled warranty card doesn't matter.  

I've heard nothing to contradict this, but it would be good to have an answer.  Will Fluke honor the warranty anyway?

As for the other question: "Why would you use the Fluke in 6000 count mode."  The only reason I can see is speed - the meter is much slower in 20,000 mode.

EDIT:  The boss called me in to answer a question, and BoredAtWork posted the same thing in the meantime.  I bet it depends on the person handling your claim, and his or her mood.

[TopherTheME]

FYI, the u1242A is an obsolete meter. Instead you should be looking u1242B.

I would probably go for the Fluke. Yes the seller has obviously taken the meter out of the box so its no longer technically "new" but Fluke should still honor the warranty assuming the guy gives you a receipt.

If the meter comes with no receipt I would look somewhere else.

[Excavatoree]

... Fluke should still honor the warranty assuming the guy gives you a receipt.

If the meter comes with no receipt I would look somewhere else.

If the seller I quoted in my earlier post is correct, then that isn't sufficient - just having a receipt won't do - you need a receipt from an "Authorized Fluke Dealer" showing the serial number.

I'd like to get an official answer from Fluke.  I've purchased new, in the box, meters before, but, thankfully, have never needed the warranty.

Another thing many people don't know is that Fluke's "lifetime warranty" isn't YOUR lifetime, it's the "lifetime" as defined by Fluke.  From Fluke's website:

Industrial Products Limited Lifetime Warranty
Lifetime is defined as seven years after Fluke discontinues manufacturing the product, but the warranty period shall be at least ten years from date of purchase. *(Lifetime Warranty applies to products manufactured after October 1996). The warranty does not cover manuals, fuses, disposable batteries, damage from neglect, misuse, contamination, alteration, accident or abnormal conditions of operation or handling, including failures caused by use outside of the product's specifications, or normal wear and tear of mechanical components. This warranty covers the original purchaser only and is not transferable. This warranty covers the LCD for 10 years only (state-of-the-art for LCDs). To establish original ownership proof of purchase is required. (20, 70, 80, 170, 180 and 280 models)

[Bored@Work]

From a 87 warranty, emphasis by me

... This warranty covers the original purchaser only and is not transferable. ... Fluke will, at its option, repair at no charge, replace or refund the purchase price of a defective product purchased through a Fluke authorized sales outlet and at the applicable international price. ...

[alexh]

FYI, the u1242A is an obsolete meter. Instead you should be looking u1242B.

From what I can see in the datasheet, etc, the only difference is the color (blue - A, orange - B).

[alexh]

From a 87 warranty, emphasis by me

... This warranty covers the original purchaser only and is not transferable. ... Fluke will, at its option, repair at no charge, replace or refund the purchase price of a defective product purchased through a Fluke authorized sales outlet and at the applicable international price. ...

So, in short, there's no chance in hell that the ebay fluke is really covered by the Fluke Warranty. (?)

[Time]

I am pretty sure the B has data logging while the A doesnt.

[alm]

So, in short, there's no chance in hell that the ebay fluke is really covered by the Fluke Warranty. (?)

I believe someone recently reported on this forum that they would fix the meters with lifetime warranty as long as they're not abused. The warranty does exclude it, however, so if they refuse, you don't have a leg to stand on.

[alexh]

I am pretty sure the B has data logging while the A doesnt.

Actually that's the U1241 vs U1242. The U1241[AB] doesn't have data logging

[qno]

Check the battery life of the A and B models.

[Rhythmtech]

The only difference I have been able to find between A and B is the color, anybody else see any difference?

[Mechatrommer]

They should, but last time I looked Fluke had conditions in the warranty terms requiring that you bought from an official Fluke dealer/distributor, and that you are the first owner. Grey marked or used? Pooof, here goes your warranty.

so whats the point of lifetime warranty? (IIRC Dave mentioned it). So the ebay Fluke is nothing more than the Uni-T, Rigol or other cheaper brand for that matter. Only for first owner? Heck, they dont encourage you to resell and other to buy passed down Fluke. Every new people should get a brand new Fluke from their manufacturing home through their certified dealer, well... thats a "service"... a "paradigm"! and you better keep the receipt lifetime! I once bought a product and later broken, sent to service centre, repaired for free. they didnt even ask the receipt, even though its stated in the term, and extended the warranty date. Well, thats a manner!

[alm]

so whats the point of lifetime warranty?

Selling more equipment of course. Did you fail marketing 101?

So the ebay Fluke is nothing more than the Uni-T, Rigol or other cheaper brand for that matter.

Apart from the fact that the products are much higher quality and that the service is much better, no. Try to get parts, calibration or repair for Uni-T equipment. Try the same five years from now. But in general, don't expect eBay sellers to be authorized resellers. They are cheaper for a reason (generally no service). Authorized resellers are generally larger distributors which have their own store, have a much better interface (eg. parametric search) and don't pay the outrageous eBay fees.

Only for first owner? Heck, they dont encourage you to resell and other to buy passed down Fluke. Every new people should get a brand new Fluke from their manufacturing home through their certified dealer, well... thats a "service"... a "paradigm"! and you better keep the receipt lifetime! I once bought a product and later broken, sent to service centre, repaired for free. they didnt even ask the receipt, even though its stated in the term, and extended the warranty date. Well, thats a manner!

As I wrote earlier in this thread, Fluke is known to be pretty friendly in this regard. Very few manufacturers have transferable warranty, almost all of them have similar terms. You state that the unnamed product's warranty conditions also required an original receipt. So they are equal in that regard. Fluke is also known to repair equipment without asking for receipt, so how is the other service better? But if you want to be assured of warranty coverage, buy from an authorized reseller. This is true for almost any product (except those that are too cheap to return).