£400 to spend, Fluke 87V or GW-Instek GDM8351 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: commie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2015, 03:07:31 pm
content: It seems I have some cash left over, my Fluke 289, which is 6 years old now, is currently up for sale on Ebay.I have no use for a handheld because I no longer do field work although nice to have.So I was wondering should I get a Fluke 87V(20000 count, dc accuracy=0.05%) because only top flight engineers use the 87V or should I get GW-Instek's 8351 (120000 count,dc accuracy=0.012%)?+ more features.I think the Instek is about £20 more or so than the Fluke 87V.The Instek GDM8351 51/2 digit bench meter is a brand new model, it has only just been introduced onto the market. Spec.sheet is here:http://www.keysight.aspen-electronics.com/pdf/gdm-8351.pdf.I am convinced that the resale value of GW-Instek equipments is good on Ebay however I am aware it's probably not as good as Fluke equipment.

author: Muxr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2015, 03:44:48 pm
content: Those two are apples and oranges. Would that be your only DMM? Because even though I mostly use DMMs in my lab, I don't think I could live without a hand held. It's handy to just move it anywhere you need, I also have multiple work benches.87V is just a really solid no frills easy to use DMM. People like it because it's dependable and straight forward. It has a spartan feature set for the price but every feature it has is well implemented.

author: commie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2015, 04:05:39 pm
content: Quote from: Muxr on August 18, 2015, 03:44:48 pmHi Muxr,I have 2x 34461A and 1x 34465A and 1xFluke8808 in my workshop or design studio(too posh,eh?). Yes, I hear what you say about having something portable to move around ones workshop is very useful, however I bought(very recently) 1x Greenlee DM-510A and an AMPROBE DM73C for that very purpose of having a mobile meter to hand.

author: deadlylover
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2015, 04:37:31 pm
content: Ummm, do you reaaaaally need another DMM?I'd save the money for projects or more test gear when required. If you *have* to buy something, I might be leaning towards the Fluke because you already have a nice array of bench meters, then again, why not just keep the 289?

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 18, 2015, 04:44:57 pm
content: I understand the want/obsession to have many multimeters, but what could the Instek do for you that the other four benchtops ( and good ones at that) can't do? You also don't seem worried about portable logging if you are selling your 289. You also say you don't want another portable, so why an 87V? You already have a couple of handheld meters, so I am confused why you are asking which meter to buy, but you already have both types covered and you say you don't even want one of the ones you suggest.

author: commie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2015, 04:58:52 pm
content: Quote from: deadlylover on August 18, 2015, 04:37:31 pmErm.. yeah why not? So, you would go Fluke eh?, well it just seems a bland meter because my whole point is that I can get, for same money, a 51/2 120000 count bench meter with 0.012% accuracy, the Fluke is only 20000 counts and 0.05% accuracy and I do alot of 4..20mA stuff well the Fluke would trip at 19.999mA?or switch too 6000 count mode, remember this is a £400 meter. As for keeping the 289, One advantage of having many bench DMM's is you can compare them, well the 289 is a little out but still in spec., it's on ebay at the minute.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 18, 2015, 05:08:47 pm
content: OK, you want a 50000/500000 count handheld meter with 0.02% accuracy, dual display, dual temperature, fast update, PC connection capability, and all for probably less than £250 with taxes and shipping?Have a look at the Brymen BM869s:http://www.tme.eu/en/details/bm869/portable-digital-multimeters/brymen/bm869s/andhttp://www.tme.eu/en/details/kitbu-86x/meters-software/brymen/

author: commie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2015, 05:09:36 pm
content: Quote from: Lightages on August 18, 2015, 04:44:57 pmWhat's wrong with having too many bench DMM's?

author: commie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2015, 05:22:00 pm
content: Quote from: Lightages on August 18, 2015, 05:08:47 pmI have, in the past, checked out the Brymen multimeter and yes I would buy one if I could find a UK stockist. I have bought equipment via China and even inside the EU only to be stung by import duties+VAT+handling fees when they arrive.Are there any Brymen stockist in the U.K.?

author: LA7SJA
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2015, 05:26:03 pm
content: Quote from: commie on August 18, 2015, 05:09:36 pmIn my world you just can't have too many DMM's of any type. But not having an isolated DMM is in my work a big disadvantage and may prevent me from performing the measurement of the circuit I am working with.Just my 2THBJohan Fredrik

author: Stupid Beard
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2015, 05:29:58 pm
content: Quote from: commie on August 18, 2015, 05:22:00 pmFor what it's worth, there were no issues with VAT or import duty last time I ordered from TME. I think there's some rebranded Brymens from a UK distributor, but I forget the name now. Pretty sure they're more expensive though, so it's probably best to just get them from TME.

author: commie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2015, 05:32:52 pm
content: Quote from: LA7SJA on August 18, 2015, 05:26:03 pmYeah precisely thanks for the support, I sometimes use 3 61/2 digit DMM's on a breadboard design, freedom to do this is ecstatic.

author: commie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2015, 05:48:51 pm
content: Quote from: Stupid Beard on August 18, 2015, 05:29:58 pmWhen I was stung last from ordering from the USA, the charges were explained to me. If it's under £35.00, no charges whatsoever will be incur'd, if the value is between £35~130 you will be charged vat+handling fee(administration costs), if it's over £130.00 you will be charged vat+import duties+admin.fees.Customs and excise admit that some slip through, which might be what happened to you. I know that I have had quite a few parcels slip through myself, just lucky,I guess. The other important point with TME is it's in the EU and I'm not sure how the U.K. customs and excise view the EU?, is the U.K. a full or partial member of the EU? nobody seems to know.

author: TheSteve
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 18, 2015, 06:04:22 pm
content: At least you're collecting multimeters and not spectrum analyzers or network analyzersI'd buy a used(but like new) Fluke 87V and spend the remaining $$ on other gear.

author: Stupid Beard
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2015, 06:18:23 pm
content: Quote from: commie on August 18, 2015, 05:48:51 pmThe fees you mention only apply outside of the EU. Within the EU you pay VAT in the country of origin and there is no import duty. What this means is you can buy stuff from anywhere in the EU and the only potential difference is the VAT rate. I believe the VAT rate in Poland is 23% currently, so you would be paying that instead of the 20% that you may expect if you were to order from TME.People go on about how shit the EU is all the time, but in doing so they conveniently forget all the good things about it that they would lose if we left it. This is one of them.

author: commie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2015, 06:23:47 pm
content: Quote from: Stupid Beard on August 18, 2015, 06:18:23 pmWell thanks for clearing that up, I wasn't sure, so you are pro european union then?, so am I very much so.

author: commie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2015, 08:04:33 pm
content: Well, today I received my brand new GW-Instek GDM8351 120 000 count 51/2 digit meter, I chose well, it's a darn good meter. On the other hand I could have bought a bland 20 000 count Fluke 87V for exactly the same money.I've checked the Vdc and its bang on, features +-0.012% basic accuracy .lovely I'm so pleased

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 26, 2015, 09:58:53 pm
content: How about posting a review and an inside look?

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2015, 04:47:14 am
content: Quote from: TheSteve on August 18, 2015, 06:04:22 pmLOL---Congrats on the GDM8351 - let us know what you learn about it

author: TheBay
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 27, 2015, 09:35:11 am
content: Have you ordered from TME? I really want the BM869 and tempted to get it from TME as I can't find it anywhere else.Quote from: Stupid Beard on August 18, 2015, 06:18:23 pm

author: commie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2015, 12:22:32 pm
content: Quote from: TheBay on August 27, 2015, 09:35:11 amHi,Sorry, I have never ordered anything from TME but as you may read, they seem to be okay. Alternatively, I notice there is an Italian company on Ebay selling BM867S and BM869S at a good price, given Italy is in the EU I dont see a problem.

author: commie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2015, 04:35:51 pm
content: Hi Chaps,I forgot to tell you, I also took delivery of one of these:http://www.tester.co.uk/siglent-sdg5082-arbitrary-function-generator-frequency-80-2ch-display-4-3-inchesIt's freakin fantatstic goes up to 40MHz 20Vpp and 40~80MHz 10Vpp, dead easy to use and does what it is told to do.Now forgive me if I'm wrong but isn't Farnell selling the same thing under the brand name BK precision? check here:http://uk.farnell.com/b-k-precision/bk4063/sgnl-generator-2ch-arb-func-80mhz/dp/2444032If you think it;s the same then consider the price difference.

author: Mark
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2015, 06:07:53 pm
content: Quote from: commie on August 27, 2015, 04:35:51 pmSame thing but LeCroy badged...http://www.digikey.co.uk/product-detail/en/WAVESTATION%203082/WAVESTATION%203082-ND/4721133