Which Fluke Meter to Sell (if at all?) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: iaintnofluke
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2020, 04:31:26 pm
content: Hello everyone,First time posting to the forum but have been lurking for a little while now.I am going through my inventory of DMMs that i have ammassed over the years and I think it may be time to sell.The 4 meters that I have are:1. Fluke 87V (recently acquired and complete and minty.2. Fluke 87 series I - acquired in 2002 and in minty condition as well. Nothing wrong with it and it doesn't suffer the fading LCD issue.3. Fluke 175 - I bought this new back in 2003 and it is minty4. Flue 376FC - I bought this new back in 2018.I'm an electronics hobbyist/homeowner/automotive tech. Things I measure are continuity, automotive circuits, single-phase AC circuits, and AC and DC voltage measurements on audio amplifier circuits (I occasionally rebuild vintage audio equipment). I am not a pro electrician and I certainly would never touch anything industrial.The meter that I'm thinking of selling is either the Fluke 175 and the Fluke 87 Series I. They'll likely both fetch a similar price and cosmetically they're both practically new.I'm quite certain I won't get more than $150-175 CAD for either meter if I sell locally.What would you experienced folks suggest I do? I could keep ALL the meters since I'm a Fluke DMM junkie and I don't really need the money but I'm thinking that probably isn't a wise decision. I've even contemplated selling BOTH the 175 and the 87 series 1 but I'd like to have 2 meters (excluding clamp meters) kicking around for my audio amplifier repairs.Your feedback is appreciated!

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2020, 04:39:05 pm
content: If money is not an issue, I'd keep them all.It's always useful to have at least two so you can measure two things simultaneously, and who knows, you might need to measure three things at once.The only other thing I'd say is, if you put one in a drawer for any length of time, remove the battery to avoid unintended redistribution of electrolyte woes...Welcome to the world of posting!

author: iaintnofluke
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2020, 05:54:32 pm
content: lol I figured SOMEONE would tell me to keep them all. That's precisely why I still have as many meters as I do. At one point I had 2 clamp meters AND I still have the 400i ac/dc clamp accessory still!I've debated selling on flea bay but given the rules that work against sellers and eBay's huge cut on the sale that it doesn't make much sense anymore for me to sell on ebay.Looking closer at local prices... a fluke 177 in nice condition is listed at $200 and nobody has purchased it yet so that would suggest my fluke 175 or fluke 87 Series I likely won't sell for more than $150 at best case.Between the Fluke 175 and the Fluke 87 Series I which one is the better meter? I think spec wise the 87 Series I is still the more capable and better meter but I could be totally wrong on that. The Fluke 87 is so old that it doesn't even have an official CAT rating on it (not that I'd need it). I suspect it predates 1998 or older since I purchased it used on eBay back in 2002.

author: stafil
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2020, 06:37:59 pm
content: Quote from: iaintnofluke on May 13, 2020, 05:54:32 pmYou are in the wrong place if you expected ANYONE to not tell you to keep them all

author: iaintnofluke
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2020, 07:11:12 pm
content: lol true that. So here's a question for you all then...how many DMMs does the average EEVBlog user own?

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2020, 07:21:50 pm
content: Quote from: iaintnofluke on May 13, 2020, 07:11:12 pmhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/test-equipment-anonymous-(tea)-group-therapy-thread/

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2020, 07:23:36 pm
content: Quote from: iaintnofluke on May 13, 2020, 07:11:12 pmYou'd need to define what a DMM is first. Is a power meter a DMM, or is that two DMMs for each channel or maybe it isn't a DMM at all? Is an oscilloscope a DMM? How about an oscilloscope with a DVM function? I think the only somewhat accurate answer is going to be "one too few".

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2020, 10:52:59 pm
content: I suggest keeping the original 87 because it defaults to DC current which comes in handy when dealing with electronics and automotive parasitic draw tests.If you had to sell, sell the 175.$150 CAD is a fair price for a mint 175. You will get more interest if you show 2 meters in your ad showing them measuring DCV, ACV and resistance with identical readings (the inference is that the 175 you are selling is "calibrated").

author: iaintnofluke
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2020, 11:00:27 pm
content: hmm that is a very good point! I will definitely need to do that should I decide to list the meters.Interestingly, I have my Fluke 175 sitting on my office desk and I often pick it up as a fidget toy to mess around with while I sit on conference calls or to just admire its pristine beauty.I'll ponder on the sale of the 175 some more. $150 just doesn't seem like a lot considering that they sell these things for about $400 here in Canada.One can never seem to have enough meters

author: iaintnofluke
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2020, 11:02:30 pm
content: My definition of a DMM is a meter that is used to measure resistance, continuity, voltages and current draw under 10 amps.Concrete examples of a DMM include the Fluke 87, Fluke 289, Fluke 117, Meterman 37XR, etc.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2020, 11:31:06 pm
content: Quote from: iaintnofluke on May 13, 2020, 11:00:27 pmFor $400, I'm guaranteed a new never abused meter with at least a 10 year warranty from an authorized Fluke dealer. Depending on my profession, $400 might be worth it knowing it's never be abused or repaired.I don't think you can sell your mint 175 for above $200 because you can't guarantee it with a 10 year warranty and the buyer has to trust you that it's never been abused or repaired.Additionally, the 175 has undergone internal PCB revisions over the years so someone buying new would get the latest and greatest PCB revision, bug fixes, newest components, etc. The earliest 170 series also had 200 hour battery life while the latest revision has 400 hour battery life.See my earlier posthttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/fluke-77iv-and-179-differences-with-teardown-photos/msg804693/#msg804693

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2020, 11:32:09 pm
content: Quote from: iaintnofluke on May 13, 2020, 11:00:27 pmI'll admit to having more meters than I need compared to your 4. I bought my all used and abused.

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2020, 05:44:38 am
content: Quote from: iaintnofluke on May 13, 2020, 11:02:30 pmTsk, current? You can measure that very easily and usually much more accurately using a shunt and the V range, and audible continuity is almost a gimmick!Therefore my definition is: has V ac and dc, and resistance.My count is therefore 15, 9 bench and 8 portable (2 are both bench and portable) and I did include my PM99 Scope Meter, since it has a meter mode. Some might disagree, and if they do I can hit them on the head with it...

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2020, 03:01:15 pm
content: If something can measure current and voltage at the same time, can it be assumed to measure resistance?

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2020, 05:29:55 pm
content: If you can measure any two of the three from Ohm's law's little triangle, you can work out the third, and subsequently calculate power as well.I have to confess I've never seen a multimeter that can measure current but not resistance, but I'm happy to be educated!

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2020, 10:45:43 pm
content: Power meters can measure current and voltage at the same time with the correct accessories, and yes you can have the others values displayed ...My Gossen Metrahit 29s does ... but not an resistance check at the same time ? But it does have an AC DC and Ohms automatic selection / detection range, and i recall Fluke has one model too.But as MrScram wrote i did saw some battery impedance testers, they put a small load, check the voltage and check the internal impedance, but i dont know how they do it ?Dont know if they swing a pulse ? calculate time ?

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 05:07:08 am
content: I think I'd have to draw the line and disqualify those from my personal definition of a DMM.I'd argue that resistance is the most important measurement, in general terms, after voltage.Persuade me!

author: iaintnofluke
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 05:17:05 am
content: wow I have a lot more to learn about the various measurements that all the listed equipment in this thread can do! A current measurement shunt? I'll have to check that out as I have no idea what that is. I've rarely used my DMM to measure current with the exception of a few science experiements I did when I was like 12 years old.Most of my measurements are resistance, voltage and continuity. I will on a rare occasion use the diode measurement function and use the capacitance measurement capabilities where needed.The times where my DMMs are used the most is when I'm doing circuit rebuilds on my audio amps but even then, the measurements are quite basic.

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 11:08:53 am
content: A shunt is basically a very low value and high precision resistor, usually of high power capacity.It is fitted in series with the DUT, and measuring the voltage drop across it enables you to calculate the current flowing.Most multimeter 10/20A range shunts are solid copper wire with a tap attached at a position fine-tuned in manufacturing. These are pretty basic when it comes to resolution and accuracy, but it's a size limitation thing; a good high power shunt can take up quite a bit of space.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 07:28:43 pm
content: Quote from: iaintnofluke on May 15, 2020, 05:17:05 amSee

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2020, 02:16:14 am
content: Quote from: iaintnofluke on May 13, 2020, 11:02:30 pmAn AVO 8 will do all those things, as will a Simpson, & they sure as hell ain't DMMs!PS:- I wouldn't give the Meterman bench room---It might be OK asreinforcementin concrete, though!PPS:- The AVO & Simpson don't have silly squawkers for testing continuity, they use the Ohms range as Nature intended!

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2020, 02:53:16 am
content: fwiw the meter you can sell easily and quickly, get a good price for, and get again if needed, is the Fluke 87VI've had the 87-1 for years, which isn't going anywhere!and two 87Vsrecently sold one 87V to buy a used 28-11 for almost same moneythe second 87V is next to go when I need cash again,plus the fact that the 28-11, with lower diode voltage aside which is no biggie for me, and keeping an eye out for possible battery leakage,does pretty much the same as the 87V anyway, stays put better, and harder to kill if droppedThat's my 50mAKEEP THEM ALL!!!

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2020, 08:00:27 am
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on May 16, 2020, 02:16:14 amI suppose I should have included "digital display" explicitly in my definition; seems implicit isn't enough to stop the analogue fan-boys from waggling their needles at me!

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2020, 12:31:20 pm
content: Quote from: AVGresponding on May 16, 2020, 08:00:27 amI was disputingiaintnofluke's definition, not yours, so stop flashing your digits at me!

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2020, 05:29:32 pm
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on May 16, 2020, 12:31:20 pm

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2020, 07:13:36 pm
content: Quote from: iaintnofluke on May 13, 2020, 04:31:26 pmI had a 179 that I loved and I currently have a 87V both are built like a war tank. Both meters have a very balanced interface that is designed to simply do the job - probably that is why you grab the 175 the most.For the type of work you do the selection above is quite alright but, since you feel the bug to sell one of them, I would vote for the 87 series I. The 87V series covers it well and it is the meter that will most probably cause you some trouble earlier (LCD, as you point out).On the other hand, you mentioned that you don't do current measurements - if that is the case, I would sell the 376FC as well, since it only measures AC currents on its clamp and you have the i410 accessory that measures both AC and DC in case you need to measure a higher current on a car battery, for example.Anyways, just my $0.02.BTW, you said you amassed a collection of meters. Some folks (like me) usually do some bragging at:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/show-your-multimeter!/

author: Mp3
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2020, 10:42:15 pm
content: Quote from: iaintnofluke on May 15, 2020, 05:17:05 amSimilar to me then, a lot of more basic uses of the meter, i have a bench meter i can do cool stuff like measure dB with but aside from that, i ended up selling my CAT III / IV handheld meters and got a UNI-T because it has good accuracy and features and has USB data logging at a very low price. I couldn't find another meter with comparable features that also had USB data logging until I was spending at least double what the UNI-T cost.Unless you are working on tube amps with big serious B+ voltage then something like that should be fine for you too, I personally love the USB data logging in case you want to reference how something has changed over time and graph it out. I started using it with my bench meter and realized it was ultra useful when building circuits, instead of keeping it all in your head.

author: BeBuLamar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2021, 02:42:59 pm
content: None is the best choice.The most likely is the 175. The 87 series I can be replaced with the 87 V but it's kind of the first generation so I don't want to get rid of it. Having both the I and V good for history.The 376FC is a current clamp and if you need the function none of the others can do.