Blatant copying of Fluke. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 06:04:31 am
content: Have a look at this:http://www.dx.com/p/aimometer-ms8217-digital-2-64-lcd-ac-dc-multimeter-w-auto-range-frequency-capacitance-measure-386111#.VVwhmUbHpq0Such a blatant copy of the 17B, and DX shamelessly selling it.I bet Fluke is regretting getting something made in China now.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 06:15:22 am
content: Suspiciously looks like a Mastech to me.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 06:55:40 am
content: I wonder if there is some funny photoshopping done on the AIMOmeter?From Amazon.com, it is listed at $29.99 USD + free shipping.http://www.amazon.com/AIMOmeter-MS8217-Auto-Range-Temperature-Measurement/dp/B00WC1KM8KAs you can see in the Amazon photos (and attached here), the font of the lcd and the annunicators are identical. Even the readout of 220.8V AC is identical.From the Mastech website, the MS8217is an obvious acknowledgement to the Fluke 17 model number.http://www.p-mastech.comWhile the rotary dial layout is the same, the fonts are different and lcd display is obviously different. Other differences are the placement of the COM jack and the rubber holster.If I had a Fluke 17B, I might consider getting this AIMOmeter to see and feel the differences between the two. I wonder if Dave would do a comparison betwen the two since he has a 17B and did a teardown video?

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 07:43:10 am
content: The fakes are not yellow so they might get away with it.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 08:13:08 am
content: It's not yellow, the LCD screen layout is different, it has 250V fuses and different specs.Aimo is a dark horse. Probably belongs to Mastech.They also copied the Fluke patented TL175 twistguard probes, which is a more serious infringement.

author: andersm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 01:36:49 pm
content: Wouldyoubuy a multimeter that reported temperatures of 220.8 VAC?

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 02:01:33 pm
content: "I'd like to return this meter.""certainly, sir. what's wrong with it?""well, the scales for all the ranges are calibrated in 'mini volts' and 'maxi volts' and I'm just not familiar with readings such as those."lolI did not notice the dial was 180deg rotated until you pointed it out. the meter still reads, though! lol

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 04:38:34 pm
content: Hmmmm... the link is not working.... strange.....

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 05:14:12 pm
content: Quote from: andersm on May 20, 2015, 01:36:49 pmI was wondering when someone would notice.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 05:18:08 pm
content: It looks like they copied the Fluke 15B too:http://www.ebay.com/itm/F14129-Aimometer-MS8215-Auto-Range-Digital-Multimeter-DMM-AC-DC-Voltmeter-Amme-/261831441592?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cf65ebcb8

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 05:59:25 pm
content: Quote from: andersm on May 20, 2015, 01:36:49 pmOh, what is that.

author: John Coloccia
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 10:10:14 pm
content: This calls for a tear down!

author: Ice-Tea
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2015, 06:21:07 am
content: Wait... what?The Chinese copy stuff??

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2015, 11:47:20 am
content: Hoo Flung Dung Enterprises Ltd. is simply saying "We don't have brain for innovate, so we copy western product." It would be refreshing to see one of these Shenzhen "copy watch" factories actually produce something innovative and of high quality. They just plagiarize good ideas from those much smarter than themselves, and usually do a crap job at it.Buying these fakes is no different to downloading pirated movies or software. It is some prick ripping off the artist, inventor, innovator or engineer whose brains, money and labour created the product. Amazon should not be selling the rip-off meters.Don't buy the fake. You will be wasting your money buying crap. Buy something like the Fluke 179 which is a seriously good multimeter. You cannot go wrong with a Fluke 179. Yes, it costs a lot of money, but the quality will be remembered long after the price is forgotten. In fact it should last you a lifetime. Don't buy a crappy "Fluke" 15B either. They look good but they don't even turn on an LED on the diode range.

author: Mechanical Menace
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2015, 05:10:46 pm
content: Quote from: VK3DRB on May 21, 2015, 11:47:20 amIt's very different. It's more like buying the cheap rip off straight to DVD movie or crappy quickly pumped out game that comes out at around the same time as the big blockbuster with a simmilar title.Now if they were selling them as Fluke's they'd be more simmilar, but it wouldn't be the buyer that was at fault.

author: Asmyldof
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2015, 05:32:13 pm
content: Quote from: blueskull on May 21, 2015, 05:23:20 pmKind of hoping you mean ethically there.

author: Asmyldof
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2015, 05:41:32 pm
content: Always a good thing to confirm you're not in fact for education on an ethnic basis. I believe whole continents have tried those systems and eventually found them somewhat discriminatory. Sad to say some of my forefathers may have had a hand in it.Aaaanyway, end of meta-discussion, please continue the regularly scheduled discussion now.

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2015, 11:18:10 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on May 21, 2015, 05:23:20 pmPiracy is actually theft in almost all cases. However Gates and Bullmer should never have sold certain Windows versions which were basically massive bug fixes to their previous "where do you want to go to today" bloatware, or at least if they were good corporate citizens they should have provided refunds for shoddy goods. eg: Windows ME, NT and Vista. If someone was sucked into buying Vista and pirated Windows 7, that would fair trading in my opinion, and not piracy.Furthermore, Microsoft is in the same league as Apple and Google for dodging paying their fair share of tax. In fact they are masters of being bad corporate citizens with their massive tax evasion. Make no mistake, the prime reason they exist is to line the pockets of the shareholder. So is stealing from crooks a crime? Maybe. But maybe it is just getting even.These dodgy companies are in stark contrast to Fluke (Daniher) and a plethora of other genuine technology companies who don't go to extraordinary lengths to rip off the countries in which they do business.

author: Mechanical Menace
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2015, 12:03:49 pm
content: Quote from: VK3DRB on May 22, 2015, 11:18:10 amI almost agree wholeheartedly, even though I'm an unapologetic try-before-you-buy pirate when there aren't other options.QuoteBut copying them, as illegal as it may sometimes be for whoever produces and distributes the copies, isn't piracy. And I've a feeling these will be more along the lines of trade mark infringements than patent ones.QuoteI'm sorry but if those countries laws allow it they have an obligation to their shareholders to do it. Following the local and international laws is hardly extraordinary lengths.Now the politicians who worked in those loopholes, they more than likely did some dodgy dealings to do it.

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 23, 2015, 04:14:20 am
content: A hypothetical scenario that should also be taken into consideration, although highly unlikely.I think it's bloody shameful that Fluke would blatantly copy the Mastech in that manner, particularly on their own turf. Desperate times generally call for desperate measurement. Could happen I suppose, we have little evidence to say otherwise.Completely Anonymous Poster......

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2015, 04:56:28 am
content: Quote from: Muttley Snickers on May 23, 2015, 04:14:20 amVery funny.If you see two guys show up wearing yellow suits, black tie and black sunglasses run like hell!

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2015, 05:58:32 pm
content: Electronupdate got one and does a teardown ...https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/aimometer-ms8217-multi-meter-a-fluke-17b-clone/