I have yet to receive my U1252B but some of my simple thoughts on the meter purchase
When it comes to multimeters I am a simple soul who was brought up on basic decent quality digital Multimeters from the likes of Beckman and analogue multimeters from AVO and Sanwa. I still know my way around the inside and outside of an AVO 8
I went through a stage of buying many multimeters, I still do not truly know why.... shiny object syndrome I suspect
Amongst my 'hoard' I have everything from cheap UNI-T handhelds through to quality Wavetek, FLUKE, AVO, Metrix and Avantest multimeters. Some are handhelds, others are bench type. I have the obligitory super simple wallet types and probe types from Wavetek in case of need as well. Great for a portable kit but not the most versatile of instruments !
I am a RF Tech by trade but my 'thing' is thermal camera use and repair. If I am honest, even a simple digital multimeter will suffice when doing repairs. Super accuracy is not normally an issue when you have no schematics and values against which to reference
My lab is more maintenance than R&D station.
I bought a FLUKE 87 III soon after joining this forum as I appreciated Dave's comments on having at least one really nice quality multimeter with a decent continuity response time. I paid £120 for an 'as new' 87 III and I love it. It is my go-to multimeter and I use it all the time. I truly have no 'need' for any other multimeters and so I shall rehome my large collection of unused meters soon. I have amazing FLUKE and Advantest Bench multimeters that claim great accuracy.... but I do not truthfully need such levels of accuracy in my daily work. They are nice to look at though
I recently purchased some Keysight U5855A thermal cameras and when searching for Keysight on the forum found this thread. I have never been taht sure about Agilent multimeters and would admit to sitting in the FLUKE fan club as a rule. On this occasion, however, the contents of this thread and teh U1252B's ability to be wirelessly linked to a computer or tablet appealed. I have logging multimeters but they are cheap and nasty units with RS232/USB cable connectivity.The U1252B would blow such cheapo meters away me thinks. The price of these NOS meters was right as well. A new FLUKE is hard for me to justify as I have the, still great condition, 87 III. The U1252B offers me additional capabilities beyond those of the 87 III. For that reason I bout one, plus the optional IR BT interface. I do not think I will be disappointed somehow.
I will likely reduce my multimeter collection to the FLUKE 87 III, Agilent U1252B, a couple of AVO and ISO-Tech high end multimeters and a sprinkling of probe/wallet Wavetek meters. The rest can serve new owners. This purchase will likely lead to the rationalisation of my crazy stick of new and unused multimeters that I have accrued over the years
Their sale may even pay for the new U1252B
My sincere thanks to all who have participated in this great thread, and especially the OP for starting it
Fraser