Bunch of keysight U1252B meters around - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: cncjerry
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 04, 2017, 06:00:01 am
content: I noticed recently that there are a number of Keysight U1252B meters coming out of Missouri at what looks like a really good price. I don't know if they have leads, etc. When I bought mine it had two sets of leads, two temperature probes w/calibrator, charger etc. These look like just the meter but it would have to have the charger, I would think. I'm wondering if this is signaling something?For the price listed as new on ebay, I'm tempted to pick-up another one. I love mine. Mine was given to an HP employee, I was told they handed out quite a few of them, as a sales award.Anyone know if they are being discontinued?

author: PTR_1275
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2017, 08:40:41 am
content: They are listed as brand new so I am assuming they are factory packed. I put a offer in on one, I don't need one but it's a good price and you can't have too many handheld meters can you?

author: cncjerry
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 04, 2017, 04:43:51 pm
content: It's a hell of a meter for that price. Mine came with calibration which was extra at the time. I got one of the sales award packages and I think I paid $250 but the stuff that came with it totaled over $1000 at Zoro Tools. I then bought the I/R Bluetooth interface and a USB cable.The only issue with the U1252b is the size. It is also hard to keep it clean because the external material has a rough feel, I guess for grip, and it collects dirt. If/when you get your meter you'll want to baby it.

author: mos6502
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2017, 01:22:04 pm
content: So how is it better than Fluke 189 or a Brymen BM869s?

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2017, 02:19:29 pm
content: If anyone doesn't have a quality DMM to rival the Fluke 87V this is a steal, while it last. Keysight meters live up to its spec sheet so what you read is most likely what you will get.Quote from: cncjerry on January 04, 2017, 04:43:51 pm

author: deepskyridge
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2017, 05:35:11 pm
content: I just bought one of these on Ebay for $200, pretty cheap for this quality meter.Thanks for posting this.Gary

author: PTR_1275
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2017, 12:50:26 am
content: I just accepted the counter offer on one too. $200 plus $45 shipping to aus (works out to about AU$340). Thank you for the heads up, I'll post here when I get it

author: cncjerry
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 06, 2017, 01:12:49 am
content: I am staring at my own post wondering why I haven't bought another one.

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2017, 01:18:29 am
content: I've bought from that seller before. The meters are new with the standard accessories and warranty.What's the issue with the size? Too big? I find it's OK; larger than a U1242A, similar in size to my Greenlee (Brymen) DM-820A meter and smaller than a U1282A. The color and texture certainly aren't easy to keep clean, so I mainly use it on my bench.@cncjerry, sounds like you got quite the uber package via that employee award.If you want another, it looks like there are only a couple left.

author: cncjerry
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 06, 2017, 05:55:16 am
content: I am thinking of buying one for my brother... Just kidding, Jim.Mine came with two sets of leads the second set having all kinds of adapters with large, heavy clamps, pretty useless for electronics work. They were marked Agilent and I remember the price being like $240 for the set? I'd have to go back and look. It had two temp probes plus a temperature probe calibrator/tester that has a slider that allows you to set what should be the temperature and compare against your meter. I think it is just a variable resistor but I remember it costs like $230 at Zoro. It also had the extra calibration package which was an option at the time. There was a free calibration certificate and then this thick package with all the values and test results. The guy told me they gave them out to the top engineers and sales people at HP. Funny, the sales guy (like me) didn't know anything about it. He said, "like the field engineers are going to measure a voltage." He wanted $250 and I gave him $230 I think. He even drove it down from Sacramento to Sausalito. Nice guy. I kept waiting for him to change his mind while I was drooling.The only thing I'm not sure of is the reading angle. My small Fluke, a 117, reads laying flat and I like that for working on open frames. The Agilent has more of an upright preference, at least mine does. I really love the two part leads though I know Dave didn't because they were longer.As far as calibration goes, it seems to be still pretty close. This evening I was checking a Kelvin Varley divider for zero and was comparing it to my 3457a. I would say they were within a uV at zero. I picked up a Dial-A-Source 46A (love that name) and a Fluke 332D over the weekend. $75 per so I've been comparing all my meters. I have Glaucoma and cataracts so I usually need to have a backlight on my meter for contrast. I found these when I was looking for a u1253b with the OLED display after missing one on craigslist over the weekend.I hope the start to show up and people report in.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 06, 2017, 06:38:40 am
content: Quote from: cncjerry on January 04, 2017, 06:00:01 amLikely. They are the old Escort design when Keysight bought Escort, and Keysight have said they want to eventually phase them all out.

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2017, 06:38:18 pm
content: Looks like he's got a new listing up (or refreshed). Lots of units available. Amazing.

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2017, 06:40:24 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on January 06, 2017, 06:38:40 amI wonder if there will be a direct replacement. The newer U1280 series is similar, but in a much larger package.

author: noidea
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 08, 2017, 01:23:16 am
content: Quote from: bitseeker on January 06, 2017, 06:38:18 pmI wonder where he is getting them from? In a fit of mee-too-itis I made an offer on the last one of the batch first mentioned. I needn't have rushed now he's selling more!$200 seems to be the going rate on best offers as that's what I got mine for as well.

author: cncjerry
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 08, 2017, 01:41:38 am
content: He made me an offer to purchase 10 (or more) for a decent price. After shipping, etc, it would be more hassle. I would probably break even at 175 a piece plus shipping so now we know the lower limit. I think he has many, many meters.

author: FlyingHacker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2017, 06:45:39 am
content: Link? Or name of seller?Thanks.

author: shteii01
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2017, 06:52:38 am
content: Quote from: FlyingHacker on January 08, 2017, 06:45:39 amCheck you PM.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2017, 09:18:07 pm
content: Quote from: cncjerry on January 04, 2017, 06:00:01 amThanks for the heads-up, I ordered two. (My budget says I'll have to sell one meter, but here in Switzerland I can sell either my used 87V or one of these for more than I paid for it new in USA!)

author: FlyingHacker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2017, 06:21:44 pm
content: Anybody use the nominal 9V lithium ion batteries in these meters? The manual seems to indicate you should only use Ni-MH batteries. I know lots of folks use the Lion 9V in their Flukes.Thoughts?Edit: I would not use the internal charger with the Lion battery...

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2017, 07:13:21 pm
content: I wonder if this is a repeat of the scam that was (and is still) going on with the Harbor Freight Daytona Jacks. They find a popular item, sell it at about 1/2 to 2/3 the going rate, purchase the meters direct from the manufacturer with stolen credit cards. Sometimes you get the meter sometimes you don't, you still get your money back from paypal if you don't. It is a way for them to pull money directly from the stolen cards, so it supports credit card theft. The method is similar, listing a bunch at an already low price and taking even lower offers for it, seller has around 100 reviews. People were getting the HF jacks for $80-90 (store price is $179 on sale). I am guessing it wasn't JUST limited to jacks but has been going on for a while on eBay. eBay doesn't seem to care.

author: FlyingHacker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2017, 09:53:00 pm
content: Quote from: PedroDaGr8 on January 09, 2017, 07:13:21 pmIt's a five year eBay member with 100% positive feedback on 120 transactions. So I bet it is legit.

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2017, 09:58:39 pm
content: Quote from: FlyingHacker on January 09, 2017, 09:53:00 pmThat's what these were too. Mostly accounts from 2008, with limited use. Though later on, new accounts started appearing too. Not saying this is what's happening, just saying keep an eye out for it. If more sellers start appearing at similar, or lower, prices, then this is more than likely what is going on.Sent from my LGLS992 using Tapatalk

author: FlyingHacker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2017, 10:12:57 pm
content: 44 transactions in the last 6 months.59 transactions in the last 12 months.We shall see... mine was marked as shipped today.

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2017, 10:15:12 pm
content: Quote from: FlyingHacker on January 09, 2017, 06:21:44 pmI use 8.4V NiMH, so I haven't tried LiIon. The meter supports 7.2V and 8.4V NiMH, but the 8.4V gets up over 10V when full. So, I suppose as long as you charge the LiIon 9V in an appropriate charger, it'll run the meter just fine.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2017, 12:51:51 am
content: Quote from: FlyingHacker on January 09, 2017, 10:12:57 pmDitto.