New Fluke 87V worse than the older one

[kuzm1nsk1]

Hello,

I'm curious if someone bought a Fluke 87V in the past few years. I bought one with a production date of November of 2022 and it came with a backlight that's yellowish colour. I compared it to my older one with blue backlight and noticed that older one has better viewing angles, better display in general. Newer one is rev 15 board and older one is rev 11 board. Is it possible that newer Flukes come with lower quality displays? I also noticed that it doesn't say anymore manufactured in USA, just assembled in USA, so that means they could be manufactured in China or wherever.

[Veteran68]

Where did you buy it? It doesn't have "C" after the model number, does it? Like 87VC?

AFAIK 87Vs authorized for sale in NA are made in US. The C models are made for sale in Asia/China only and I'm not sure where they are made.

Fluke's US web page for the 87V states "The Fluke 87V is designed and built in the U.S. and comes with a lifetime warranty."

The words "designed," "assembled," "built," and "made" in terms of country of origin can certainly be stretched to the limit of credibility by marketing departments. I'm sure not all components inside an 87V are made/sourced in the US, but I'm pretty sure it is actually "assembled" in the US from those parts (at least the authorized US versions).

As to the perceived quality issues, my assumption is nobody is counterfeiting Fluke meters so I'd be surprised if it wasn't legit. My 87V is around a 2013 vintage as I recall and has the crisp blueish backlight. I haven't opened it all the way up to see the board revision. Maybe they had supply chain issues like everyone else and had to source a different display.

[rexbinary]

I purchased a new 87V on Aug 3rd. This was a great excuse to bring out my newest screwdriver set to use to open it up. It is a rev 15 board like your new one, but the display is white like the one on the left side of your pictures. Sorry, I don't know the manufacture date. I'm not sure how to locate it other than emailing Fluke my serial number and asking them for it. Mine says 'Assembled in USA' as well.

[Veteran68]

Sorry, I don't know the manufacture date. I'm not sure how to locate it other than emailing Fluke my serial number and asking them for it. Mine says 'Assembled in USA' as well.

Mfg date should be on a label on the side of the box, if you still have it. This is mine:

[kuzm1nsk1]

I bought it from a guy who is Fluke cooperator and sells all kinds of their meters. It’s not a fake one because every parts looks and feels legit like the older one and boards also look the same. I could just change the displays between them but a little voice inside me tells me this isn’t right thing to do.

[gamalot]

The Fluke 83V I bought from Yahoo Japan also has a yellowish LCD display.

[Psi]

Maybe its an 87 that was repaired with screen parts from a china fluke

[siealex]

Attention, these "warm white" yellowish LEDs are typically less reliable than pure white ones, especially at max allowed current.

[kuzm1nsk1]

I think it was new because rotary switch feels like new, it had screen protector and cables were packed and tied up like they were not oppened.

[kuzm1nsk1]

Is there a possibility that displays won’t work if I switch them? Maybe a newer revision has a different pinout or something, but I really doubt it.

[Psi]

Could probably replace the LEDs to fix the color issue if you don't care about warranty.

[rexbinary]

Unfortunately, I tossed out the box. I emailed Fluke asking what the manufacture date is on mine. I'm curious now.

[kuzm1nsk1]

Official reply from Fluke: