Have you been a victim of "Fluke Discrimination" on the job? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: slipjointed
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2011, 06:06:56 pm
content: I read every once in a while some anecdote about Fluke being the "only" meter you can trust. I was working a job as a contractor a while ago, with an Agilent 1241 meter as a loaner. We were calibrating a bunch of pressure and temperature sensors, and the foreman walked by and saw the meter I was using, and said something to the effect of, "What is that Crap? I won't have you working this job with any junk meter, you need to go find a Fluke to use or go home."I came damned close to just going home, but I didn't want to lose the remaining couple days I had on the job, so I just sucked it up and borrowed a Fluke from one of the in-house techs.It really pissed me off, first because this guy was too stupid to know that I was using a high quality meter, and second because I was being called an amateur by a guy who probably didn't know 1/4 what I did, if that.I've gotten a couple other blips here and there, but luckily my main meter (until today, I just ordered a BK 2709B), was a Fluke 83, so I haven't had to deal with it for the most part.Even fluke uses "If you don't have a Fluke, you aren't a pro" as part of their advertising. To be completely honest, I find it rather offensive.I'm sure it's great business for them though.

author: Zad
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2011, 06:09:10 pm
content: Sounds like he had his head up his arse. If that happened to me, I'd go home and bring an AVO back with me. Now they are proper meters.

author: Kibi
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 06, 2011, 07:01:34 pm
content: Ja, that's some bullshit. I'd be really pissed.Agilent aren't exactly cheap meters are they? Any good engineer should know that Agilent are a very well respected manufacturer of test equipment.Sure, you might get the odd snide comment from a Fluke fanboy, but that's just workplace banter in my opinion, it happens. If you were working with a Sam's Club Special, then the guy may have had a point.Having said that, I own three Fluke models. One I got second hand for my 16th birthday, second one was part of my works tool case which I purchased when I left. I only consciously bought a Fluke 287 because I wanted a logger and it was going for a very good price. But, I like to keep an open mind and I'd have no problem using an Agilent meter, my Agilent 'scope is awesome.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2011, 07:04:03 pm
content: It'd piss me off too. I'd never buy a Fluke because I consider them poor value for money.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2011, 07:07:39 pm
content: if the pay is good and the guy is your hirer, then you should shut up and follow what he say. if the pay is not good and he is your hirer, you should say, "i will charge you double for that". if the pay is good and he is nobody, you should say STFU! if the pay is not good and he's nobody, slam that agilent on his face, tell him "this is a drop test".

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2011, 08:25:16 pm
content: Yes the know conspiracy of multimeters , they can damage your profile for good.If you proudly hold a Fluke in Greece, and walk in the factory ( work ) , the 99% of your own "friends - technicians" they will call you as prick.As person with no skills that you just show off your expensive gadget.An true low life person, that with out holding the daemonic emblem of Fluke, no one would ever notice his existence.Your are all welcome to come and stay in Greece, the land of the true free people,you can even walk in the street proudly with a modern mastech crap on your hand, and feel like prince ... LOLYou can even hold an Agilent on your hand and be proud too, as long all the others believe that is an upgraded mastech.Fluke are a nice company with worthy products, but it had become victim of some morons advisers,who turned one simple advertising campaign in to a brain wash.Some reactions in favor of Fluke from Americans could be, due that they feel positive about using only American made gear.By banning any foreign gear, they believe that this is their duty to do, its their ethical contribution or fight, in favor of the American economy.I do not eat anything .. Made in USA... ( I fight them back too.)Eat all your pop corn and hamburgers by your self's ... LOL

author: Achilles
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2011, 09:07:48 pm
content: Hehee, yeah, Trademark bashing.It really depends who is talking that shit to you. If he is the one who pays you for the job and you want or need the money, just go for it and think "customer is king". If he is just somebody there who wants to profile himself. Go take some High Voltage leads and try if his head gives you a nice oldschool CRT glow.... I am quite sure there a vacuum in it.It doesn't matter what's on it, it matters what's inside...there is a reason why lots of professional photographers camouflage their equipment.....

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 06, 2011, 09:14:09 pm
content: Quote from: Kiriakos-GR on October 06, 2011, 08:25:16 pmJealous much?

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2011, 09:54:00 pm
content: Quote from: Alex on October 06, 2011, 09:14:09 pmI think that this is even worst than that.Like a permanent mental condition, that have as source that the majority of the technicians comes from poor families.And they carrying with them cheap stereotypes.I am coming from an middle class home, living in one advanced city, its not the center of the world but it is advanced.I had the flame to learn one or two foreign languages from my young-hood, I made as target to upgrade my personality in to the point to be able to communicate with higher in education people than me.And all this continuous battle so to become a better person and gain your targets, drives you to loneliness,and your own environment deals you with envy.And all this thoughts stops me from starting a similar blog in Greek.There is no chance to get any appreciation by the most of my own people.Probably I will receive congratulations only from my professors and teachers, but they are few !!

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2011, 03:45:05 am
content: Quote from: Achilles on October 06, 2011, 09:07:48 pmprofessional do some research and buy their gear, no matter what brand it is, they will settle with it. if they camouflage, its because they want to protect from weather. if somebody camouflage his equipment because he afraid somebody bashing him for the brand, he's not professional. a professional can answer when somebody bash his equipment brand. and somebody buying top rank equipment without proper research and knowledge or need, he too not a professional.

author: Flavour Flave
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2011, 04:15:09 am
content: You should have said to him."Where's your Agilent?""What f****ng Agilent?""This f****ng Agilent?"Quote from: slipjointed on October 06, 2011, 06:06:56 pm

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2011, 06:18:48 am
content: True professional doesn't need recognition from silly tag or label, only the half baked moron needs that, cause thats the only way to get a recognition for them.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 07, 2011, 08:31:04 am
content: Quote from: Alex on October 06, 2011, 09:14:09 pmIndeed!QuoteCould be that's nothing to do with the meter.QuoteClearly an equal opportunity workplace, anyone gets a start!

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 07, 2011, 08:55:45 am
content: Quote from: Mechatrommer on October 06, 2011, 07:07:39 pmSomebody gets it!A Fluke is a recognised symbol, your garden variety clueless consultantant will be far more impressed by a Fluke 177 in a hard case than by many superior but lesser known meters. Do you want to argue with idiots or get the job signed off and the invoice in?For those with time enough to argue the toss with wet behind the ears bureaucrats, I'd suggest having a calibration certificate handy if you expect to get anywhere.If you wanted to be seen as a cowboy you wear a sailor suit, similarly having the brands that satisfy the perceptions of others, has lots to do with matching their perceived images. It's not a perfect world, having a Fluke doesn't make you a good engineer or tradesman, but perceptions are everything. Fluke is perceived as top shelf by a lot of the industry.You don't have to limit yourself to Fluke by any stretch but having at least one on hand is a wise move. Why waste the time having an argument when the other side wont be listening.

author: Achilles
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2011, 11:17:39 am
content: Quote from: Mechatrommer on October 07, 2011, 03:45:05 amPartly right. Their equipment is sealed anyway, but they don't want to walk around as advertisement (that's why they put some tape on the Brand-imprint). Others do it that it doesn't look attractive to thieves (may be working, but I don't think so).Normally they buy a brand and stay there, but more of the high investment in lenses and other accessories they use.Hobbyist are a bit more....hm......like the fluke-fans....

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 07, 2011, 11:27:52 am
content: Quote from: slipjointed on October 06, 2011, 06:06:56 pmThat's clever business marketing. Find out how the industry perceives your product, and push that angle until the cows come home.About 20 second in, Gates has it nailed. "You make them need what you have, and then they have nowhere else to go."Dave.

author: slipjointed
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2011, 05:05:19 pm
content: Quote from: Mechatrommer on October 06, 2011, 07:07:39 pmThat is precisely what I did. I'm good at keeping my mouth shut when needed. I know the guy's an idiot, and I billed him for the time it took to go find a Fluke, so I got a small revenge.Quote from: Achilles on October 06, 2011, 09:07:48 pmAnother reason is similar to what irritates me about Fluke discrimination.I have a friend that is a professional photographer, a very good one, and he got tired of customers questioning his brand of choice.The thing is, nearly ever person has at one point in their life heard that Olympus sucks, or Canon sucks, or Nikon sucks. The sad thing, is usually that is anecdotal in nature, and in reference to some crappy point and shoot. Still, that hasn't stopped idiot customers from commenting on his equipment because they heard from some other idiot that the brand he uses isn't good.He actually has had customers try to bargain down the price of the photoshoots because they didn't like the brand of equipment he was using.Quote from: Uncle Vernon on October 07, 2011, 08:55:45 amI agree with your post, but it does irritate me that the same picky bean counters that are willing to demand paperwork for non-fluke meters, will often overlook lack of the same for fluke meters. Hypocrisy sucks, but it is what it is.Quote from: EEVblog on October 07, 2011, 11:27:52 amI certainly don't hate them for it on a business level, I guess I'm insulted more on a personal level... that they would take it upon themselves to suggest to others that they should question my skill, because I didn't choose to buy their brand.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2011, 05:50:06 pm
content: Quote from: slipjointed on October 07, 2011, 05:05:19 pmI used to work for Lockheed Martin, a company which makes military equipment. I wouldn't have been allowed to use my own meter. None of people working there were allowed to use their own test equipment. Every meter had to have a certificate of calibration and be recorded in the company quality register. There were a range of different meters: AVO, Fluke, HP etc.This is a more sensible approach, although it seems way over the top, if the test equipment is going to be used on aeroplane and tanks it makes sense.

author: Frangible
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2011, 06:57:53 pm
content: I've had people sneer at my Fluke 77 on occasion. I show them the cal sticker and shrug. If they want me to use a particular piece of equipment, they can issue it to me. People get religion on something and you can't change their mind.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 08, 2011, 12:36:49 am
content: Quote from: slipjointed on October 07, 2011, 05:05:19 pmIrritating to the Nth degree, but when most consultants have their actual work done by wet behind the ears graduates, too stupid to learn from the professionals they deal with it's to be expected. By the time the grads gain a clue and realise that the tradesmen, techs and engineers they deal with, have a clue, they move on and the cycle repeats.You will see requests for ridiculous instrument accuracy, for readings to be taken with a handheld at any temperature with any old set of leads.Same applies for calibration, when the certified as calibrated instrument is grabbed from within a 50°C vehicle cabin to make some random measurement. It's a joke, but it's real. I've given up arguing with stupid people. Whatever is the quickest and most productive rules.

author: elliott
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2011, 12:44:25 am
content: I know an HVAC tech who uses a Fluke 289, which is such a waste. He turned up his nose at my Radio Shack 22-812 when I was working on a car, he told me to get a real meter. Checking against his Fluke, the differences in readings came down to rounding because mine had less digits. Nothing I was doing at the time needed more than 1% accuracy anyway and I know nothing in HVAC work needs that kind of accuracy either, the main thing he needs is the CAT III and CAT IV rating.I did pick up a "real meter" though recently, an Extech EX530. If he starts in again I'll tell him to hand over his Fluke and I'll hold them both above my head and ask if he is confident his Fluke will survive the drop, because I know the Extech will. My Radio Shack meter has served me well for 11 years and I haven't treated it the best, even though I have the Extech, I will not be retiring it.I don't envy his Fluke 289, I feel sorry for it, it needs someone who knows how to put it to some real use.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2011, 01:57:59 am
content: There are plenty of HVAC systems, mainly recent commercial systems and high end residential systems, that can require an oscilloscope to troubleshoot the electronics. As electronics become cheaper, there's a trend to replace the standard switched loops with serial links in order to save on wiring cost and add features. Add in variable speed motors and there are plenty of things that cannot be completely checked with a multimeter.

author: elliott
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2011, 02:05:27 am
content: Quote from: NiHaoMike on October 09, 2011, 01:57:59 amI know the kinds of systems he works on and the kind of work he does, he uses the clamp on amp meter and the volt meter 99% of the time. Most systems he deals with still have sequencers. If it does have a digital control board, he'll just replace the whole board if there is a problem. In the automotive world, he would be known as a parts changing monkey, just change parts until it works again. I don't think he can even pronounce oscilloscope, let alone use one.

author: RJSC
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2011, 11:22:17 pm
content: Quote from: elliott on October 09, 2011, 12:44:25 amSo true!People buy Fluke's like people buy nike running shoes. To show off the brand.To me, Fluke is poor value for money too. They're good, but the increase in quality is nowhere near the increase in price.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2011, 11:52:49 pm
content: Quote from: RJSC on October 09, 2011, 11:22:17 pmBut as I recently found to my disappointment, if you measure a 5 V reference with a Fluke meter it will read 5.0000 V near enough. When I measured a 5 V reference with a cheaper Protek meter it read 4.9986 V. The difference seems to be that the 0.025% basic accuracy on a Fluke is a worst case you will never encounter, whereas the same accuracy on a cheaper meter is the best it can do.

author: 0xdeadbeef
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2011, 12:03:27 am
content: Well, most of the Fluke DMMs in our department are from the early eighties and they are all still completely functional after nearly 30years. How much they might have cost at this time (at it sure was a lot), was worth it a dozen times. Hell, taking into account what an engineer costs a day, spending 400-500€ for a 87V which lasts more than 20 years is just not worth discussing.Besides, there really aren't too many DMMs in the <500€ range that can measure accurately down to the µA and µV range and still can take 10A for a longer time. Not to speak of the true RMS capabilities up to 20kHz, the great Hold function and the latched continuity tester.So really, it's really not like there are dozens of other DMMs with comparable capabilities for much less money. E.g. there are some great DMMs from Gossen-Metrawatt, but they are even more expensive. There are some China DMMs with great TrueRMS capabilties, but they can take 5-10A only for a few seconds and have an extremely slow continuity tester.So honestly, when ordering new DMMs for the department, I will always vote for Flukes (87V or 18-II). I just to see any sense in saving 100 or 200€ and trading them in for annoyances or lacking capabilities.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 10, 2011, 12:23:49 am
content: Quote from: elliott on October 09, 2011, 12:44:25 amI don't see the problem. Sure, it's overkill and he spent much more than necessary (although a $50 one wouldn't do for CAT IV circuits either). But as long as it gets the job done, where's the harm? Apart from envy from colleagues?Quote from: RJSC on October 09, 2011, 11:22:17 pmOr because it's the safe choice, nobody has ever been fired for buying Fluke. Explaining that you can't troubleshoot the stalled production line because your meter died is much easier if you bought the industry standard meter. Explaining that you saved $200 by buying an unproven meter may not be met with much sympathy under these circumstances. Of course you should have backup equipment regardless of brand.Quote from: RJSC on October 09, 2011, 11:22:17 pmTrue, but that's always the case. It's the same with the competition, like Gossen and Agilent, and even the cheaper brands. A $50 multimeter isn't 10x better than a $5 one. A $100 one isn't twice as good as a $50 one. It's the law of diminishing returns.Money isn't that critical in every application, like 0xdeadbeef states, DMM costs are fairly low compared to wages. If a bad measurement costs thousands of dollars in rework, like the story Dave told in an early blog, spending a few hundred dollars for peace of mind is a no-brainer. The track record of Fluke meters is hard to match by competitors, at least for now.

author: elliott
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2011, 01:15:33 am
content: Quote from: alm on October 10, 2011, 12:23:49 amIt was just annoying that he was talking down about my meter when he can't even begin to comprehend a fraction of the functions of his meter. He spends more time talking about his tools than using them.I don't think the Fluke 289 is even a good meter for an HVAC tech, it is big, bulky and needs an additional clamp ammeter to be useful. It has to eat through batteries too. Most of the other HVAC guys I know use a much more sensible Fluke 373, one recently picked up one of those slick 381s with the remote display. Now the 381 costs quite a bit, nearly as much as a 289, but it is far more useful in the HVAC field.

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2011, 03:02:21 am
content: [quote author=RJSCPeople buy Fluke's like people buy nike running shoes. To show off the brand.To me, Fluke is poor value for money too. They're good, but the increase in quality is nowhere near the increase in prince.I am no fluke fan boy but I did some serious checking of specs on 6.5 digit bench meters before I bought one. That included reading the complete manuals of all that I considered (Fluke, Agilent, Keithly). I also compared accuracy specs of every function on every range. What meter is best is subjective, it depends on what functions you need and what is important to you. Each of these meters had a feature that only they provided and a spec that they excelled at. Formy purposesthe Fluke 8846A was the winner. At US$1282.50 I consider it a bargain and is more than competitive with the others. Fluke also had a promotion where I got a free fluke 2AC voltage detector, a Fluke 62 infrared thermometer, and a Fluke C550 tote bag (over $200 dollars worth of product).One of the things that Fluke tells you is what their specs actually mean. The Fluke application note: "Understanding and comparing instrument specifications" shows how conservative specs end up being because of all the variables involved. After receiving my freshly built 8846A and comparing the actual calibration values to what is guaranteed for 24 hr specs it is orders of magnitude more accurate than what is guaranteed for 24 hr specs. So overall I think over priced is not a fair statement. Someone else with other needs may have picked one of the other meters as best for them and they would be correct.But for the original point of this thread: I think as long as the meter used has the specs and calibration required for the job at hand telling you to use a Fluke is just brand snobbery.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 10, 2011, 03:09:49 am
content: elliot:Yes, talking down is annoying, although a CAT II-rated Radio Shack meter wouldn't be the correct tool for his job either. I wouldn't pick a Fluke 289 for HVAC, I agree with all the downsides you list, but if it allows him to do his job, why not? It's not like there's a finite supply of them which has to be carefully allocated to the people that need it the most.Quote from: robrenz on October 10, 2011, 03:02:21 amAssuming it actually meets those specs. Some of the cheap brands have very optimistic specs. Some parameters, like reliability, are rarely mentioned in specs. This is were reputable brands come in.

author: elliott
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2011, 03:41:07 am
content: Quote from: alm on October 10, 2011, 03:09:49 amOf course I know the Radio Shack meter would not be good for HVAC work and I've never used it for that, the last time I had to diagnose a problem with my home system I borrowed a Fluke 373 from my neighbor.At the time I was sorting out some underhood wiring on a 1955 Cadillac, making a later model engine and charging system work with it. A $2.99 Harbor Freight special would have been good enough, I just needed to be able to tell the difference between 9v, 12v and 14v. He was still convinced that his Fluke was somehow better than my Radio Shack for what I was doing at that very moment.I told him to let me know when he breaks this 289, he trashed 2 others when he broke the screens, I'll take it and fix it for myself.

author: FenderBender
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2011, 03:57:37 am
content: So we think Fluke fanboys are pricks...okayThing is, when you see that yellow holster, you know the guys got good enough tools. I guess not everyone wants to go over and ask the tech if you can see his meter for a second, disassemble it and run tests on it before he does the job. It's a sense of security I guess. In critical environments, I think the last thing you want to worry about is whether your meter is bugging out on you.However, that doesn't justify idiots saying that other meters are inferior. I just recently spent about $100 on an Amprobe DMM and there's not a chance I could get anything close to it if I had bought a $100 Fluke (if there was one). And to be honest, I think my Amprobe will still be fine in 20 years.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2011, 12:17:47 pm
content: Quote from: FenderBender on October 10, 2011, 03:57:37 amI am master prick , but I do not care ..(By owning so many Fluke and other nice tools)What the technicians needs, are more awareness about those subjects.Thanks God, our Dave and others major contributors, helps so this negative status to change.Every new generation of technicians should have a wider view about this subject,and it looks that it starts to happen.Dave is the most favorite foreign Video bloger, in the Greek forums about electronics.But only the educated foreigners can follow him.(language barrier)

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2011, 09:17:01 pm
content: Quote from: elliott on October 10, 2011, 03:41:07 amThe Fluke is safer. It has a proper fuse which will blow if you accidentally connect it to the battery terminals when it's set to measure current. Cheap meters often don't have a fuse or one with a poor breaking capacity so may smoke and catch fire if connected accross a car battery.

author: elliott
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2011, 10:05:18 pm
content: Quote from: Hero999 on October 10, 2011, 09:17:01 pmThe Radio Shack 22-812 is properly fused with fast blow ceramics, I've blown quite a few and haven't seen a puff of smoke. I am quite confident that it would protect me in the case of shorting battery terminals on the amp setting. I've had it for 11 years, I trust it as much as I trust my brand new Extech, short of anything requiring beyond a CAT II rating.I know those Harbor Freight ones aren't too safe, but I'm careful with them and haven't blown one up yet. The $2.99 Harbor Freight ones have a small glass fuse on the main positive terminal, but none on the 10 amp terminal. I've never used one of those for measuring amperage before.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 10, 2011, 10:35:47 pm
content: Quote from: Hero999 on October 10, 2011, 09:17:01 pmYour statements do bring up a good point in favour of better made instruments. Reliability, robust construction and the ability to withstand accidental overload are the major differences between a worthwhile instrument and a $50 cheapie. Substitute resistance for amps in a repeat of your previous scenario and it's often a difference between a flashing error display and a now dead instrument.It's stupid to have a $1000 instrument banging about in an automotive tool box when all that is required are simple measurements. A high impedance instrument can also lead the inexperienced to erroneous conclusion in that environment. It is certainly sacrilege to have a highly desirable instrument bashed about in the back of a van, Even so, these are not environments for dubious cheapies. Rubbish meters are false economy, and after replacing your second or third in short succession a basic Fluke or similar has become a much better proposition, especially when wasted time is factored in.For routine electrical or auto electrical work a basic Fluke or similar would be the wise choice, with the range of available brands and instruments much wider than at the top end. There are many better priced models tailored specifically for these applications.Rubbish meters belong in landfill, a good instrument isn't that expensive, basic name brand are instruments certainly there for under $200, with well made offerings to be had from lesser brands albeit without the instant recognition.To suggest Fluke is the only quality manufacturer is ignorant, to question unknown instruments is prudent. A Fluke has been and still is synonymous with all the attributes of safety, durability, accuracy and repeatability. How far that reputation carries into the future will depend on the success of the current and future model range. Given the prevalence of grey market importation of lesser specified Chinese market Flukes, it is likely the Fluke reputation will diminish to some degree.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2011, 10:37:55 pm
content: Quote from: elliott on October 10, 2011, 10:05:18 pmThat's the sort of meter I'm talking about. Small glass fuses typically have a breaking capacity of only 35A and there's no excuse for no fuse.It's much lower risk but it's possible a the + and - terminals could be come closed circuit and cause a short if it's hit by a voltage spike such as a load dump in an audomotive situation.

author: Joy at MCS
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2011, 10:47:58 pm
content: Fluke have brainwashed people to believe if it isn't a Fluke then you can't do a proper job.I've seen a lot of engineers feel like they had to have a Fluke to do a job when infact there are other manufacturers who make a better product then Fluke for the job. I think a good example of this is the Fluke DTX 1800 for cat 5,6 etc testing. The newer models now available from some other manufacturers are quicker and better at half the cost.How is that some companies are able to make people believe there isn't anything else out there that will do the job?Joy

author: PetrosA
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2011, 02:51:32 am
content: Quote from: Joy at MCS on October 24, 2011, 10:47:58 pmKool-Aid

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2011, 11:48:29 am
content: Fluke is unable to brainwash any one.They have use first, the power of the media and this is all about it.And they have spent lots of cash to do it.I do not blame them ...I blame all others who does not use the social media and press , so to inform people about their products.

author: Excavatoree
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2011, 12:34:20 pm
content: I've been doing basic troubleshooting at a vehicle manufacturing facility - any old meter (or a test light) will do for merely detecting 12V, but the tech I was working with insisted on using a high end Fluke because it was "more accurate."Also, I've seen "model discrimination" among Fluke models. People refused to use my Fluke 25, insisting on the 87, even when the features of the 87 were unnecessary. I finally plopped both of them on my desk, and connected them to my power supply and showed that the 25 read exactly the same.I feel better when my battered, scratched 25 is 6 feet in the air on top of a machine instead of the 87. I paid 10 bucks for the 25, and spent 10 minutes "tweaking it." (would have taken only 5 if I had my tongue angle correct, but this was before Dave's video)(Although I own several Fluke brand meters, it's interesting to note that the only meters I've ever purchased new were Agilents.)