To Do or not to do

[akanowitz]

Hi everyone,

Glad to be here and meet everyone.  I was happy to find the you tube reviews of multimeters but am now faced with the daunting task of retiring my Fluke 77. It has served me very well. I am looking for something decent that will give me a similar life span. Budget is around 400-500, I have looked at the U1253B but the review was not that flash. How do they compare to the fluke's. I like the idea of an OLed display and was hoping to get some input from everyone here. I am based in Australia and a local supplier / distributor would be beneficial.

Many thanks
Alan

[vk6zgo]

If the 77 is still working,keep it for a spare,so when your new one croaks,you can still use "old faithfuL!

[T4P]

"not so flash?" 

IIRC you get the most bang for the buck on the U1252

[akanowitz]

The 77 works, but it has been dropped and stood on so many timse it's literally being held together by tape.  It has done well and is over 25 years old. it's the first 77 model that came out, grey plastic throughout.

A U1252 was mentioned, the model is not familiar to me ? I have seen the 1253, what is the difference ? as they are very similar in price.


Regards
Alan

[T4P]

100$ cheaper and is the LCD version of the 1253

[akanowitz]

But But But I like Oled lol

what is the battery life like with the Oled compared to LCD ?

[EEVblog]

The OLED is beautiful, but the battery life is awful, and it doesn't work outside (at all!).
You'd only chose OLED if you had a specific need. The LCD version of the meter is better all-round choice by far. Either the 1250 or 1270 series.
Why not consider the venerable Fluke 87V?

Dave.

[akanowitz]

hmmm maybe a new 77 ?

It's well proven, I just liked the look of the other one

[Joshua]

Just to let you know, I have a brand new 1252b for sale in the buy/sell/wanted section. It is bran new, only made ever two measurements just for the picture. You could get a good deal on a good meter and have money left over in your budget for a logic analyzer, power supply, etc...

[akanowitz]

Hi Joshua,

Thank you for the offer, I would prefer to get one from Australia, helps with warranty etc .

Regards
Alan
 

[nanofrog]

what is the battery life like with the Oled compared to LCD ?

Agilent rates battery life as follows:

• U1252B = 36 hrs
• U1253B = 8 hrs

Neither is wonderful for battery life, but a spare battery or two will solve that so you don't have to wait for the meter to charge the installed battery (cannot use the meter while the battery is charging).

Other than battery life, the only difference between the two is the display type and a smoothing function for the OLED model (helps to settle the display so you can read the value). I have the LCD version, and it's very easy to read. Backlight is very nice too (even illumination).

Lower cost and battery battery life make it a better choice IMHO between the two screens.

[EEVblog]

If you are replacing a Fluke 77, then the 1250 series Agilent is likely overkill, and you are paying a severe battery life penalty life for it.
What are your requirements in this new meter?
If it's just to replace the Fluke 77, then I'd get just basic meter with a kick arse battery life.

Dave.

[akanowitz]

Oh boy, my budget just went up, opinions on the Fluke 87V if possible please ? or the 28-II ?

Thanks
Alan

[amspire]

Oh boy, my budget just went up, opinions on the Fluke 87V if possible please ? or the 28-II ?

Thanks
Alan

Do you actually need a top of the line multimeter, or would a standard 3 3/4 digit model + a LCR meter be a more useful combo? For the price of a 87V, you could eaily get a really good meter+LCR pair.

[EEVblog]

Oh boy, my budget just went up, opinions on the Fluke 87V if possible please ? or the 28-II ?

The 28-II is essentially identical to the 87V in specs and features. The difference is 28-II is bigger (disadvantage), and more rugged and waterproof, and has better battery life. Unless you absolutely need the extra rugged waterproof feature, then the smaller 87V is a more usable meter IMO.

The 87V is the industry standard electronics multimeter, you will never regret buying it. However, it's old design is starting to show. e.g. flimsy 9V battery snap, have to open the case (non-machine screws) to change the fuses, annoying default AC mode for current, and no data logging etc that is par for the course on more modern meters like the U1272A

Dave.

[akanowitz]

Oh boy, my budget just went up, opinions on the Fluke 87V if possible please ? or the 28-II ?

Thanks
Alan

Do you actually need a top of the line multimeter, or would a standard 3 3/4 digit model + a LCR meter be a more useful combo? For the price of a 87V, you could eaily get a really good meter+LCR pair.

Well in simple terms, yes and no, I am in the dental / medical service field. I want something that I can rely on. My last Fluke lasted over 25 years. I kinda hold the opinion, buy once and get the best you can afford.  I would like the extra digit resolution.  The battery life also attracts me to them, My 77 spec recons about 1600 hrs. Many of the others do not come near to that.  I never really know what I will be running into so need something that has a pretty decent range of work.

Regards
Alan
 

[akanowitz]

Oh boy, my budget just went up, opinions on the Fluke 87V if possible please ? or the 28-II ?

The 28-II is essentially identical to the 87V in specs and features. The difference is 28-II is bigger (disadvantage), and more rugged and waterproof, and has better battery life. Unless you absolutely need the extra rugged waterproof feature, then the smaller 87V is a more usable meter IMO.

The 87V is the industry standard electronics multimeter, you will never regret buying it. However, it's old design is starting to show. e.g. flimsy 9V battery snap, have to open the case (non-machine screws) to change the fuses, annoying default AC mode for current, and no data logging etc that is par for the course on more modern meters like the U1272A

Dave.

I'm tending towards Fluke, who would you recommend as the best deal in Oz ?

Regards
Alan

[T4P]

Oh boy, my budget just went up, opinions on the Fluke 87V if possible please ? or the 28-II ?

Thanks
Alan

Do you actually need a top of the line multimeter, or would a standard 3 3/4 digit model + a LCR meter be a more useful combo? For the price of a 87V, you could eaily get a really good meter+LCR pair.

Well in simple terms, yes and no, I am in the dental / medical service field. I want something that I can rely on. My last Fluke lasted over 25 years. I kinda hold the opinion, buy once and get the best you can afford.  I would like the extra digit resolution.  The battery life also attracts me to them, My 77 spec recons about 1600 hrs. Many of the others do not come near to that.  I never really know what I will be running into so need something that has a pretty decent range of work.

Regards
Alan

Would you mind a UNI-T UT61E + MS5308 ?

[akanowitz]

Oh boy, my budget just went up, opinions on the Fluke 87V if possible please ? or the 28-II ?

Thanks
Alan

Do you actually need a top of the line multimeter, or would a standard 3 3/4 digit model + a LCR meter be a more useful combo? For the price of a 87V, you could eaily get a really good meter+LCR pair.

Well in simple terms, yes and no, I am in the dental / medical service field. I want something that I can rely on. My last Fluke lasted over 25 years. I kinda hold the opinion, buy once and get the best you can afford.  I would like the extra digit resolution.  The battery life also attracts me to them, My 77 spec recons about 1600 hrs. Many of the others do not come near to that.  I never really know what I will be running into so need something that has a pretty decent range of work.

Regards
Alan

Would you mind a UNI-T UT61E + MS5308 ?

no thanks, just looking for a meter

Regards
 

[T4P]

I guess a UT61E would be okay if you change the fuse sockets to a HRC fuse socket ( footprints are there )
I am okay for now with the BS1362 fuses

[nanofrog]

If you're interested in Fluke with similar features to the U1252/3B, then take a look at the 287/9 series.

Battery life on these is better than the Agilent, but no where near where near what you're used to with a 77.

[Achilles]

Salut,
to the U1253B (OLED). I have one since last year and I am quite happy with it. If you need a meter for outdoors or brightly lit environments it may not be the best option. Until now (even in sunlight) I had been able to read the display, but it can get hard.
Great advantages had been when I was crawling under the table to read voltages. The viewing angle on contrast of the OLED is very nice there. Otherwise the OLED is just some nice new tech. fancy stuff.
The battery time was my biggest concern but right now it was fine. I just needed to put in a spare battery once when I was working. Otherwise I recharge the battery in the meter and I am good to go. Spare batteries are always with me..... for security.....
What I really don't like about the meter is the big charger for the Battery (24V->) which more reminds me of an early Laptop charger because of the size. Also that you have to wait for the meter to be charged (which can take up to three hours) can be annoying.......once again...spare batteries
A nice feature of the Agilent's is the Infrared Port that can be used with an Bluetooth adapter and run with your Android Phone/Tablet or PC. Sometimes it is handy to log the measurements or have a second remote display.
The Fluke's are fine and tough, sure. Agilent Handheld meters are quite new compared to that and so you have to trust that they are "good". A Fluke is known to be good. The 287/289 seems to be a very fine meter and I like the logging with the integrated display. With the Agilent U125x or U127x you still need a Laptop of Android device to view the stored data.
Otherwise there is still the question if you need a Highend Meter or want one . Best would be to set a Price Limit and go through the specs and some reviews.

[akanowitz]

Ok I bit the bullet, got the 87V and love it. Thanks for all the input guys, really appreciate it.

Alan
 

[DavidDLC]

Without a doubt I will go for the Fluke instead of the Agilent.

Good choice about the Fluke 87 V.