Rigol DM3051 or Fluke 289  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Marcel85
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 11, 2013, 01:25:12 am
content: Hi all, I am EEE student. Currently I am in the process of setting up my electronic lab. The test instruments which I bought so far are Rigol DS1052E and signal generator Rigol DS1022. As a electrician I was using Fluke 117 so I still have it. I can get the Rigol for £350 what's similar to the Fluke 289. I will be using the DMM mostly behind my bench so space in not an issue.Do you have any ideas what to chose mostly for an electronic measurements ? or is it better to get old Fluke bench DMM? I can't find any used Agilent in UK for this price rangethank you for your help

author: Spikee
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2013, 02:00:20 am
content: I have the Rigol DM3058 and the pc software is crap .... the meter is nice tho =) .From the inside the DM3058 5 1/2 digits and the DM3068 6 1/2 digits are the same model , the software is only different.If you use an external application to read the measurement from the dmm you get the full 6 1/2 digits resolution.That said ... the fluke 289 is kinda a gimmick , battery life is short , you have to buy the fluke software if you want to do any decent datalogging or other pc related stuff and expensive. For the money the DM3051 is hard to beat in terms of features , price etc...

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2013, 02:21:06 am
content: I'm a huge test equipment junkie myself, but I'd think both are overkill for a student. I do love bench DMMs, whatever Dave may say about them, but new ones are always either very expensive, or somewhat expensive and complete shit. I'd go with a nice new handheld DMM, and maybe an old Fluke or Keithley bench model as well (I have an 8050A and love it). The more the merrier! I'd rather spend money on a few good (even if notgreat) handheld meters and maybe one old bench meter than one single brand-new meter.Honestly, for most non-professional-EE purposes, data logging is overrated too. For that one occasion where you need to record, you can always just set a timer or watch a clock and take manual measurements once a minute or whatever.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 11, 2013, 02:31:33 am
content: Quote from: c4757p on January 11, 2013, 02:21:06 amHere we go again!The only thing I have against bench DMM's is that I do not find them at all convenient for general use. A meter is infinitely more usable if it can move to were the job is. IMO, a lab that only has bench DMM's is not a properly equipped lab.In any case, I might be having a bench DMM review soon, but cannot say any moreDave.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2013, 02:48:32 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on January 11, 2013, 02:31:33 amVery true. I find bench meters very convenient, but that's because I'm mostly doing everything in the same spot. No need to drag it around. It's nice that I can just turn it on without draining the battery, no auto shutoff, and it's always right there (I suffer from a mental disorder called "always leaving things where I last used them and completely forgetting to put them away", so anything that never gets moved is good for me)Most of the labs at my school are very stupidly equipped. At each station, one overkill oscilloscope (it's an Agilent holy-shit-MHz, four channels plus logic, I've never even seen anyone drag out the logic head, the "good" probes, or more than two probes), then a single ancient Keithley bench DMM (only 2000 count, and like many of the Keithleys, I think it might not even do current), a function generator and an old 1A-max bipolar power supply.Take some of the money used on the damn oscilloscopes and give us more DMMs!One bench DMM: bad. One or more handheld ones: good. One bench DMM in conjunction with handheld ones: better.

author: Marcel85
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 11, 2013, 10:53:25 pm
content: Thank you all for your responsesit helped a lotI will stick with the proved Fluke 87V for know. Is it good idea to buy it from USA ? I found one for £250http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251146206991?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649Do you know if the parcel will be liable for import taxes?

author: LaurenceW
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2013, 11:00:49 am
content: Marcel, any import from the USA WILL be LIABLE for import duties, yes. These could be as much as 20% of the declared value of the item, PLUS an "Administration fee" which the carrier may choose to levy, for the privilege of doing the government's tax collecting duties. That could be GBP £10-20. Having said that, you MIGHT WELL get away without paying anything, but you should factor it into your calculations.Having said THAT, doesn't this offer from the USA seem a tad TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE? Be aware that Fluke probably wouldn't offer their "lifetime support" (which, granted most of us never need to call upon, anyway), for such "grey" imports.