Keysight multimeter design - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2014, 04:39:11 am
content: I wonder if the designer was drunk when he laid out the keypad. I do not understand how such art helps the user. It is rather disorienting.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2014, 04:43:51 am
content: Hewlent-Packsight have always had some interesting UI ideas, since the 70s at least...

author: TunerSandwich
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2014, 06:14:12 am
content: I had that MM for all of two days before it went back.....JUNK!!!

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2014, 09:27:36 am
content: No idea why they did that, but you get used to it IME (own a U1252B).FWIW, the U125x series is based on theEscort 99/98(.pdf datasheet), as Agilent acquired them to obtain a handheld line.Keysight - Escort solutions page.LCD versions seem to be fine IME and from what I've read here (mine is a 2009 vintage), but the OLED versions are another matter entirely (screen issues in particular, and there's inconsistent support quality when they need replaced).

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2014, 09:50:21 am
content: I have been close to buy one over the last couple of years and the looks really repelled me in doing so.My Fluke handhelds are doing everything that I need to do (Except for logging).Then I also read reports on warranty issues and firmware update issues with the Agilent handhelds.So, I will stay with the Fluke meters.

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 04, 2014, 10:13:17 am
content: I've not had any problems with the user interface nor the OLED display of a 2010 build U1253b; two software updates have gone well. I find the extra viewing angle of OLEDs very useful, eg recently I was trying to fault find a HP5342A, the majority of the bench was taken up with the open 5342, the U1253 was off to one side monitoring the 5v rail (of course at final switch on it was pointing the wrong way) along with scope probes and a Saleae. In that situation the wide viewing angle was really useful. I tend to use it a bit more than my Fluke 87V because of this. One issue I like is that OFF for the Keysight is horizontal to the left where in the Fluke it is down another 15 degrees or so. For some strange reason I end up turning off my HH meters with my left hand.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2014, 10:31:19 am
content: Quote from: HighVoltage on December 04, 2014, 09:50:21 amWhy not consider aBrymen BM869instead?Well built, similar performance and features to Agilent or Fluke, and comes in at less money.Interface kitto connect it to a computer isn't terribly expensive either. Here'sTME's page. TME also sells the interface kit, and overall, is less expensive than Franky. But there have been some issues reported in the past with TME's customer service being unresponsive and slow to ship (YMMV, but it seems only order it if it's in stock from what I can tell).Hadn't yet discovered Brymen when I bought the U1252B (do own a BM857, which is the predecessor to the BM867).

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2014, 02:29:27 pm
content: Quote from: nanofrog on December 04, 2014, 10:31:19 amMay be a good idea.I am looking for a handheld that is capable of logging resistor measurements.It has to work for people with little technical background.And the display has to be easily readable.From a first look, this BM869 can do just that.Thanks for the hint.

author: electronic_eel
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2014, 09:50:01 pm
content: I've got a U1252a and a U1272a for my handheld multimeter needs. The U1272a is clearly the better model: improved UI, improved battery concept, improved logging. But it has less digits. But if the digits are that important, I'd use a bench multimeter.I wouldn't touch the OLED models: unreadable in sunlight and now the endurance issues are popping up.There is also a Fluke 87V lying around at work, but I prefer the U1272a to it.