Multimeter review / buyers guide: Fluke 87V Review - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mjlorton
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2012, 12:22:14 pm
content: Hi Folks,I know Dave has already done an excellent review of this multimeter...but here's mine:I also do the Power on options / features (Not obviously visible features):Coming soon:* A video review of the Agilent U1272A - hope to do a side-by-side with the Fluke 87V* A video review of the UNI-T UT81B 8MHz scopeCheers,Martin.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2012, 05:15:07 am
content: Hi Martin,I'm not a youtube subscriber, but I do enjoy your multimeter videos. Keep them coming!

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2012, 08:34:27 am
content: Don't take this the wrong way, but if your video was 10 minutes long I'd watch it. At 46:20, not so much. Three quarters of an hour is the length of a full TV documentary on a complex subject. There just isn't that much to say about a multimeter to spread it out to the length of a documentary. That's a pity, because I really would be interested in a review of the 87V if you could pace it faster and edit out the non-essential material.

author: mjlorton
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2012, 06:03:02 am
content: Quote from: retiredcaps on February 21, 2012, 05:15:07 amThanks retiredcaps, appreciate the feedback.

author: mjlorton
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2012, 06:10:13 am
content: Quote from: IanB on February 21, 2012, 08:34:27 amThanks for the feedback Ian. I've often thought they do run quite long but most of the feedback I receive indicates that folks enjoy the info and don't mind the length....but point taken.Cheers.

author: mjlorton
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2012, 06:50:25 am
content: Quote from: IanB on February 21, 2012, 08:34:27 amIan, I've been thinking about what you said and I'll test the waters with a review of the Agilent U1272A. I'll to a quick 10 min review and one "normal" length to see how each of them perform over a month.Thanks again for your thoughts.Martin.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2012, 07:31:21 am
content: A suggestion. Maybe to make everyone happy? have some "program notes".For example,0:00 to 5:00 minutes - Intro5:01 to 7:30 - unboxing7:30 to 10:00 - features10:00 to 15:00 - measuring DC and resistance15:00 to 20:00 - teardown20:00 to 25:00 - comparison to Fluke 87V25:00 to 27:00 - conclusionThat way, people can fast forward to whatever section they are interested in.As for me, I watch everything. Looking forward to the Agilent and Uni-T reviews.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2012, 08:45:08 am
content: Quote from: mjlorton on February 22, 2012, 06:10:13 amI'm not suggesting to include less info, mind. Packing in lots of detail is great. The key thing for me is to go a little faster and try to present the information in a more condensed format. When editing the video together, try to think about every second of the timeline and ask if it would be missed if you removed it? The human brain can absorb information pretty fast, and it is easier to pause and rewind if you didn't catch something than it is to fast forward over the filler bits.Here is an example of a "review" that packs in a lot of information, all edited down to about 12 mins:Now I do understand that Brady is a professional journalist and he has lots of experience in what he does, but it is always interesting to look and see how the professionals do it.

author: mjlorton
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2012, 10:55:11 am
content: Quote from: retiredcaps on February 22, 2012, 07:31:21 amExcellent suggestion, let me see if I can pull that off over the next few reviews.Cheers,Martin.

author: mjlorton
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2012, 11:05:41 am
content: Quote from: IanB on February 22, 2012, 08:45:08 amVery good example video...and a very interesting topic, thanks.I will certainly attempt to trim it down and still keep the info and interesting bits. It'll take some practice so I'll bang my head over the next few reviews....The Agilent U1272A will be a challenge as it's a handful to cover....I've only ever referred to multimeter manuals in an online / electronic format...I've had to print the manual for the U1272A (and almost killed a forest)....perhaps not a good sign. Let's see what a review reveals.Thanks again for the input / guidance.Cheers,Martin.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 22, 2012, 11:19:17 am
content: Quote from: mjlorton on February 22, 2012, 06:50:25 amI've contemplated that for my own reviews.A short summary video, and a full version. But I ended up just splitting the review and the teardown, as I know some people just like the teardown on it's own.Dave.

author: samgab
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2012, 11:55:58 am
content: Hmmm, a lot of people like the longer reviews too, so don't go crazy making them super short to keep a few people happy...I'd still really like to see a really in depth review of the U1272A with the 87V beside it as a comparison point by point every step of the way...Maybe three parts, Part one, feel/basic features/build quality/accuracy. Part two, advanced features/logging/battery life/etc. Part three, teardown.Something like that might break it up into manageable slices?Just an idea, anyway. I watch and enjoy them either way.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2012, 12:04:32 pm
content: I thank mjlorton for taking the time and effort to make his videos. The video quality and clarity is exemplary. The pace is bit slow for me too, but I simply download the presentation and play it as fast or zip through the time bar as needed. My opensource player smplayer, will correct for pitch too.I would let mjlorton do what he wants to do, and I'll compensate for how I need to watch it.

author: mjlorton
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2012, 02:18:27 pm
content: Thanks to everyone for their input.Dave, it's interesting to see you've gone through the same kind of process...I'll just have to find my own "sweet spot" as I'm certainly not going to be able to please all folks.The initial review video for the U1272A will be an overview where I'm attempting a more concise approach with an "index". Let see how well that works...open to comments...constructive criticism once posted.It's certainly not enough time to cover this multimeter so there will be further videos....a little less concise (just for you samgab!)...going into its features and a side by side comparison with the Fluke 87-V.Cheers,Martin.

author: ron
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2012, 04:26:46 pm
content: Hi MartinI have watched a few of your videos. Please understand that I didn't appreciate your efforts and their merit I wouldn't take time to offer any suggestions.A better way to open a 87V is to remove the center screw in the back then partially unscrew the bottom screws. Push on those 2 screws to crack open the case then remove them. Then (with the meter face down) remove the back leaving the circuit board in the top half of the case. I have heard of cracking the lens by prying of the top first as you did.Using REL to compensate for lead resistance is OK for the low scale, but using it for that purpose on Kohm or Mohm ranges can induce error. If your leads are .19 ohm just subtract that from reading if it is significant.Scooting the small reference boards around the desk top and handling them can't do them any good and it looks fiddly. You might think of mounting them in a enclosure or at least a box with a lid. Maybe the manufacturer could suggest something since putting them in a proper enclosure while maintaining calibration is not trivial.Watching you fiddle with the "modded" 287 connected to some crap power supply was painful to watch (different video). If you really need external power try do it right. This means no dangling wires -- install a socket or buy an extra back so you can restore the meter when not using aux power. If you think it needs recalibration, leave it out of your video until it's in spec. I would not be surprised if it would return to spec if you undo the mod. BTW the black tape on the top looks like hell. If you are worried about the IR socket a small piece of tape will suffice.Being an opinionated SOB, I could go on, but that's probably enough to PO everyone for now.ron

author: mjlorton
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2012, 01:58:10 pm
content: Quote from: ron on February 22, 2012, 04:26:46 pmRon,There's a little clip at the end of this video that shows a fix for the IR socket....a little better than that tape that looks like hell....?Thanks again for your input.Cheers,Martin.