Opinions on the Fluke 45? What is it really worth? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Bren
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2012, 10:19:21 pm
content: I'm looking for a bench top multimeter, first time buyer. I've used the Fluke 45's at school and remember being pretty happy with them. What do you guys think? I see them on eBay in bad condition from $230+$40 shipping all the way up to >$800. The one I'm looking at is about $350, good condition.What are they worth? Are there any replacements that are the same price or cheaper?Thanks.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2012, 11:29:06 pm
content: What requirements do you need in a multimeter (bench or handheld)?

author: Bren
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2012, 02:36:46 am
content: Definitely a bench multimeter,High voltage inputs (CAT II), Low resistance measurements, 4 1/2 to 5 digit or more, 100 000 count but I'd settle for 50 000. My requirements are pretty loose, I'm really in the "just seeing what's out there" mode right now. Basically I'd like the most accurate multimeter for less that $400 CAD.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 03, 2012, 05:38:21 am
content: I've never been impressed by the Fluke 45, a bench meter with essentially handheld specs. I'm not sure what alternative I would suggest, however. The previous generation pre-dated CAT ratings (eg. Fluke 8840a/8842a, HP 3455/3456, Keithley 192/195), and was frequently limited to 300V (HP 3468/3478/3457, Keithley 199/196). HP 34401a and Keithley 2000 would be superior, but would probably be hard to find below $400.

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2012, 07:02:32 am
content: I'm quite happy with my hameg 8012 module ... meets your specs ...http://www.akh.se/hameg/hm80/hm8012.htmhttp://www.hameg.com/135.0.html?L=2the hameg 8112 is far more impressive but also out of price (>1000 euros)http://www.hameg.com/146.0.html?L=0

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2012, 11:20:02 am
content: I can vouch for the Fluke 8840A.... I own three and they are excellent bench multimeters. You need to make sure the AC RMS Voltage & Current measurement option (-09) is fitted, and operational though. These meters are built superbly, and are, IMHO, accurate and reliable if treated in a reasonable manner.Watch out for dim displays though as units with lots of hours on them will suffer degradation in the VFT display.A bonus is that Fluke make the service manual freely available and the details of the close case calibration requirementsI was going to buy a 45 on a whim, but do not consider it to be as useful as my 8840A and so never bothered.My 8840A's all cost less than $120, in great condition. I have never regretted these purchases.Aurora

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 03, 2012, 12:12:21 pm
content: The HP3478A is probably still the best value used bench meter on the market. Usually tons of them available to chose from, and decent specs. But as ALM said, all designed pre-CAT ratings, and input ranges are generally fairly limited at the high end.You could probably buy two 3478A for the price of one of the other ones like a Fluke 45.Dave.

author: Bren
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2012, 09:53:20 am
content: Thanks for the responses guys, still on my hunt, but it's good to know what's out there.I have had my eye on both the 8840A and the HP 3478A. The 3478A seems to be a little cheaper, maybe by $100 at least on eBay. I'll have to wait for a real cheap one before jumping on it. I see there is one up there for cheap but is out of cal.Is calibration fairly easy on the 3478A?

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 05, 2012, 06:35:20 pm
content: It's well documented in the service manual (likely available for free download from Agilent or BAMA). I once had to adjust a few ranges and don't recall any trouble, so it was probably fairly straightforward. As usual, the hardest part is finding sources to calibrate to. Most of the good bench meters (eg. HP, Fluke, Keithley) have good long term stability, so it wouldn't surprise me if an old meter is still in 1 year tolerances on most ranges.

author: eevblogfan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2012, 11:16:07 am
content: heyI agree with dave , I recently recived my HP-3478A , (comes with silicon(?) tektronikx probes , with nice hook tip )and it cost me 250$ (170$ cost of meter / 80$ shipping 3Kg's with in't shipping )the meter comes with nist calibration paper , so basically - 250$ is for cal+shipping in't +meter costI think it's a great value for the moneyfrom that seller :http://myworld.ebay.com/goldenrubi?ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1181

author: MBY
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2012, 03:16:44 pm
content: $230 is high for a Fluke 45 in a non-top notch condition I think. I payed 1500 SEK (about $210) for a Fluke 45 in really good condition. I love the meter, is not a bad meter, but it is overpriced.As Dave said, HP3478A is probably much more bang for the buck. If its about absolute amounts of money, then Fluke 45 is not a totally bad choice, but you don't get much more than a dual display high end handheld in a bench configuration.Another meter that I got cheap is a Thurlby Thandar 1906 "Computing multimeter". These are good, I think, 210 000 counts (I don't remember the accuracy). This meter may be more bang for the buck at a lower absolute price. But, don't quote me on that!

author: grumss
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2020, 07:35:57 am
content: Another old post but worth replying toI have been having trouble reading ac ripple on DC supplies with second display on my main meter BK 2138E (i mainly use this because it is very nice to use for general/ everyday stuff)Yesterday i made a quick test, BK2138E, fluke 289 and Fluke 45 measuring ac ripple at different DC voltages (with 2nd display)... You know the Fluke 45 was the only one that was able to do it accurately over 5V DC! (think i tested up to 10V at least)... the other 2 were unusable!Without looking into it i suspect it is to do with ranging and count...Interested to hear other comments