Multimeter Review: Agilent U1272A

[Adrien]

I just got an email from them specifying the promo code with a link to their website. The only problem is the lead time. I think I will still order it from them as they have been the best to deal with and they are a bit cheaper than E14

http://www.testers.co.nz/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=304_20&products_id=1292

[rounsmith]

30 euro meters calibrated by agilent , agilent meters calibrated by fluke , fluke calibrated from Chuke.


See what i did there?

[andyg]

I'm thinking of buying this model for work. The promo sounds good.

So to the people that own one, how is the latest firmware updates going? Has the known issues been fixed or is it still locking up and behaving strangely regularly?

Thanks.

[T4P]

30 euro meters calibrated by agilent , agilent meters calibrated by fluke , fluke calibrated from Chuke.


See what i did there?

[zaoka]

Can somebody compare capacitance readings with Fluke or good LCR meter and U1272A, values: 10uF, 100uF, 1000uF, 2200uF and 3300uF?

I am always getting 5-6% lower reading even on new capacitors from different brands on my U1272A...

[T4P]

Can somebody compare capacitance readings with Fluke or good LCR meter and U1272A, values: 10uF, 100uF, 1000uF, 2200uF and 3300uF?

I am always getting 5-6% lower reading even on new capacitors from different brands on my U1272A...

It's never so accurate , you will never know what sort of measurement algorithm agilent is using unless they did say.

[alm]

What is the tolerance of these new caps? I would be very surprised if you found affordable 2200uF caps with less than 5% tolerance, especially if you factor in the temperature coefficient. Add to this the frequency dependence: I would not be surprised to see these kinds of differences between measurements at 100 Hz and 10 kHz of electrolytic caps, and I think this test is quite useless to determine the accuracy of the cap function.

I don't really see the point of measuring capacitance down to the sub-1% accuracy if you can't measure at your frequency and DC bias voltage of interest. It gives you a number which has no relation to your circuit, although it has three significant digits of accuracy. Looks good in incoming inspection reports I guess.

[Construct]

For those in the US and Canada:

Agilent currently has a promotion to receive a free U1272A with purchase of an E3600 series power supply:

http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/editorial.jspx?cc=US&lc=eng&ckey=2133877&nid=-35690.384001.02&id=2133877

Not a bad deal at all if you're in the market for both a multimeter and a quality linear power supply.

[bsgd]

I just bought a U1273A and I gotta admit: The screen is just so amazing!!!
I guess I will sell my TV cause now I cant stop staring at my DMMs screen. 

Seriously, I have way too many multimeters (mostly Flukes) but OLED screens are great for overnight work.  I didnt need a new multimeter at all but I couldnt pass this nice shiny screen.

For all those looking at the U1272A, the U1273A might also be a good option. Just note that the OLED screen will quickly drain the batteries.

[Construct]

... Just note that the OLED screen will quickly drain the batteries.

I wondered about that. Just how big of a difference is it?

[T4P]

... Just note that the OLED screen will quickly drain the batteries.

I wondered about that. Just how big of a difference is it?

In the case of the U1253 the difference between the Oled version and the LCD version , it's a hell lot different

[bsgd]

... Just note that the OLED screen will quickly drain the batteries.

I wondered about that. Just how big of a difference is it?

Well, I only have it for a few days and havent used it much. I'll measure the current and post back.

[Construct]

I just received my U1272A. Unfortunately, it's DOA.

The unit turns on, and it displays the 'Agilent U1272' splash screen, but it never does anything past that. I called Agilent, and the guy on the phone was very apologetic but said I had to exchange it through my vendor. At this rate, I'll have a working unit in a few weeks. Frustrating. I hope I don't have to pay return shipping on top of all of this.

[alm]

Getting a DOA unit sucks. Exchanging by the distributor is usually the faster and superior option, however. The alternative would be to have it shipped to Agilent's service center, where they would either repair it or replace it with a refurbished unit. This process can easily take at least a few weeks. The distributor should give you another brand new unit, let's hope it's not DOA .

[Wartex]

I just got an email from them specifying the promo code with a link to their website. The only problem is the lead time. I think I will still order it from them as they have been the best to deal with and they are a bit cheaper than E14

http://www.testers.co.nz/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=304_20&products_id=1292

$583  holy fucking shit.

I bought mine for $329 and got a rebate cheque for $100 yesterday.

[bsgd]

I just measured the current for my U1273A and its 27mA with brightness set to medium, while measuring AC Volts.
Not too bad. A set of 800mAH rechargeables shoud give me 30 hours, which is adequate for me.

[zaoka]

New U1273A with Gossen MEtrawatt