Fluke 8846a vs Agilent 34461a - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: p5200
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2014, 09:26:50 am
content: Anyone familiar with these to units and your opinions on which might be the best? I've been thinking about getting a bench top meter as I already have a portable Fluke 87 V. Thanks very much for all opinions!

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2014, 11:11:02 am
content: I am a BIG 8846A fanboy andIFyou need the extra ppms and ranges/features it provides you will be very happy.ButI suggest you buy the 34461A because the user interface, graphing/charting capabilities and software are much nicer than the 8846A.I am very glad I bought a 8846A but my second meter would be a 34461A. That is until Keithley comes out with their new 6.5 digit meter with a interface similar to the 2450 SMU

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2014, 11:19:07 am
content: robrenz is correct. If this meter will sit plugged into a computer logging, and you truly need the .0024%, the Fluke is a superb and more accurate DMM. But if you're a hobbyist, the display of the Agilent will likely suit you better.Also keep in-mind, the Agilent runs Windows, so it has a boot time, if that sorta thing bothers you. Personally I leave my stuff on all day, so boot time is meaningless.Dave has a good video on the Agilent, mjlorton has a good preview of the Fluke/Tek on his YT channel.

author: Terabyte2007
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2014, 11:23:15 am
content: I have a 34461A and an older 34401A. I would highly recommend the 34461A. The interface alone is worth the money but when you add the data acquisition software BenchVue (Free Download), it really opens up the possibilities and makes this unit far more valuable than the Fluke. The specs on this unit are very good and like robrenz stated the ppms are a little better on the 8846A but does not seem to be an issue for anything I have measured so far. I discussed this a bit on Martin Lortons forum a while back.http://mjlorton.com/forum/index.php?topic=690.0

author: blackdog
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2014, 02:54:04 pm
content: Hi,These are 4 of my DMM's doing 6,5 digits.34461A, nice display and easy to use, reasonable software (windows, still some bugs)The TEK/Fluke better specs ( a little ) can use PT1000 sensors, can measure capacitors, and is stable, almost no drift.Can take measurements in trendplot mode for more than 1 week.PC Software, Brrrrr!The Bad: Calibration service is expensive, you have to ask for everything, no adjusment, if the specs are within 69.9% of the data sheets.34401AStill good, stable, remains easily within its specifications for a year.Is the most sensitive to temperature changes in the LAB.Calibiration: Excelent ( @ Agilent )You get a report how the instrument is before adjustment and a report after adjusment.Firts class service!Fluke/TEK can still learn from this, i'am still angry about calibration of my TEK meters.It took practically two months and two tours to get it done, and only 2 DC ranges adjustedBut i love these instrumentsIf you don't need the high stability of the Fluke/TEK buy the 34461A!Kind regartsBlackdog

author: LabSpokane
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2014, 06:44:41 pm
content: I have the 34461A and I'm very happy with it. Like the others have said, it really is a great tool for a general purpose bench meter and I would argue for amateur or professional use. The legibility of the LCD is spectacular, and being able to get a quick trend chart without an external computer is very handy.As for the bugs, I haven't found them yet, but at least there are firmware updates. The boot time really isn't bad in my opinion. If one really needs 6 1/2 digits, you have to let it warm up anyway, so I don't understand the complaints about that.And to reiterate about Agilent service, it's really great.

author: XFDDesign
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2014, 11:39:33 pm
content: I'm a fan of Fluke. I have Fluke 45s, and will be buying an 8845A in two weeks. It's a little tighter in specs than the Agilent/"Keysight" meters, but if it's true the Agilent meters run windows, then no. Absolutely not touching it. The industry has a fetish with gluing consumer goods to industrial products, and the result is waiting for the "PC" to crash. Poof, your $1200+ instrument is DoA, and if it's longer than 3 years, well "buy a new one" will be the tune. This is precisely what the song was from Tektronix on my TDS5034B scope.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2014, 06:07:39 pm
content: I just found a big limitation on the Agilent 34461A, when I needed to use an existing 10k Thermistor to measure a temperature trend. There is no setting for the thermistor resistance and all I can use is a 5k type. How ridicules is that. So, I went back to my 34410A, on which I can set all types of thermistor and RTD setting, just no trend chart. Hmmm looks like Agilent wants to keep selling the more expensive 34410A and the 34411A for customers who need anything else than 5k thermistors.But may be a firmware upgrade will fix this in the future. Hopefully.

author: es
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2014, 06:17:48 pm
content: Quote from: robrenz on October 07, 2014, 11:11:02 amrobrenz, Do you have any indication that they are working on that? That would be nice.

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2014, 07:18:13 pm
content: I don't have any hard evidence but I have heard enough to convince me it will happen. I have no idea on the time frame. Have you noticed the 2450 like power supply from Keithley that just appeared? They would be foolish to not bring one out reasonably quickly since they could directly compete with the Agilent 34661A.I asked the question directly to Keithley and they basically said they could not comment.

author: es
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2014, 10:22:18 pm
content: You mean the 2280S? I've more than noticed, I've purchased one mid-September while it was 10% off. It's not touchscreen based UI however, which is a shame.It's a very nice unit but I cannot comment more at this time since it's back in it's box until I have a place to install my lab (I'm moving).Incidently, I have ordered a 2450 yesterday since also it's 10% until late November. These two should make a nice duo.

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2014, 10:38:27 pm
content: Quote from: es on October 29, 2014, 10:22:18 pmes, fill in your profile, country especially! A couple others have asked about the 10% outside of the US, I take it your with us yanks.You won't be sorry, it's a fantastic instrument.

author: es
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2014, 10:57:16 pm
content: Done, I live in the better half of North AmericaThe offer is listed for USA and Canada only... I suppose a motived person could try to complain and try to have the rebate applied elsewhere in the world.

author: SharpEars
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 29, 2014, 11:32:37 pm
content: What about the Rigol DM3068 for $840 or so? It also has a capacitance measurement that the Agilent lacks...1 yearDC Voltage 200 mV - 1000 V 0.0035%+0.0005

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2014, 05:50:41 am
content: Quote from: es on October 29, 2014, 10:57:16 pmI tried to buy one in Germany with 10% off, but that is impossible.The German distributor even wanted to convince me, that the 10% off is not valid for the 2450 in the USHmmm may be I have to wait until they have a special for Europe

author: es
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2014, 06:35:23 am
content: Quote from: HighVoltage on October 30, 2014, 05:50:41 am"Keithley products today are sold in more than 80 countries around the world"Maybe you can try to send Keithley/Tektronix a message publicly via Twitter to ask them why having business (and customers) outside the US is not a priority to them. If they truly are a global company they should act as such.

author: LaurentR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2014, 05:15:25 pm
content: Reviving a slightly old thread.It's probably already been posted but Fluke seems to be running a $300 rebate (or $800 in accessories) promotion in the US on the 8846A until Dec. 31st.http://support.fluke.com/calibration-sales/Download/Asset/6003451_6203_ENG_A_W.PDFThat brings the price of the 8846A to < $1000...

author: XFDDesign
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2014, 05:55:30 pm
content: Cool! You just made my Christmas Bonus go a little further!Thank you very much!

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2014, 06:53:29 pm
content: You will be very happy with that meter