my old fluke vs my new fluke :> Family Picture - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ThunderSqueak
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 18, 2010, 06:22:50 am
content: I recently had my company purchase new fluke 87v meters and I decided to take a side by side picture of my old fluke and my new one...so beautifulAlthough the display on the new one is OMG super bright O.O.... almost blinding if I put it on the high level.I do like some of the features of the new one, like going into high res mode without having to turn the meter off. When I measured several things to compare, my old meter and my new one both gave the exact same reading... YAY for fluke stabilityI did try a few other meters while I was waiting for my boss to approve the fluke meters, none of them even came closeI even tried an extech ex530... it was almost half a volt off on a basic DC 20volt source, enough to question if the device being measured was defectiveI found that sort of upsetting. We tested 3 of them before I said "ok, no more of those". For kicks I also looked at some craftsman meters, I noticed many of their models were simply cheaper rebranded versions of other companies meters (extech mostly). The craftsman model 82334 I tried was just odd, I couldn't rel it out at all and on a simple test of the auto-range on ohms it kept climbing higher and higher and occasionally beeping.Anyway,Everyone should post a picture of your favorite meter (the one you use most), even if it is a $1.99 one from harbor freight :>I am always on the lookout for what other people recommend, who knows, I, or someone else here, might find their next favorite ^^

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 18, 2010, 09:08:49 am
content: The new Fluke display is so much nicer than the original!And the easy 4.5 digit mode and battery compartment are essential upgrades too.The Fluke 28-II is essentially another upgrade that gets you longer battery life, better battery compartment, and fuse access.Dave.

author: ThunderSqueak
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 18, 2010, 09:16:04 am
content: I totally agree on the battery compartment, I wish they would have also added a fuse access panel to the 87v. When I was looking at meters, I also looked at the dranetz-bmi drantech outdoor. It had nice specs but we did not need data logging.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2010, 11:44:41 am
content: In case readers considered it, there is an obscure LCD upgrade kit:http://www.tequipment.net/FlukeDR80.htmlalso a 'refurbish' kit to replace oft worn parts in old series 80 meters:http://www.tequipment.net/Fluke87_Retrofit.htmlSome of the kits still contain the old holster, so you could get lucky

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2010, 11:48:26 am
content: Happy for you. Is the Series V exactly the same in size as your old meter, can you put the holster in either and it will fit like a glove?Quote from: ThunderSqueak on July 18, 2010, 06:22:50 am

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2010, 01:19:55 pm
content: Well the tequipment.net does have some good pricing in some parts .But they Snob allot the USPS .Payments by pay pal , its an positive step.But by not offering , an clear picture about shipping cost with the USPS ,they will not expand their sales internationally ..And I am talking about the " easy to use " part .Example , I need two extra sets of AC92 crocks , and three Multimeter leads sets ...And I need to know the shipping cost up-front, for just one part or all .So to check if it worths it, or not, buying.I do not have this chance ... so they are out of the game .About metersI love anything well made , no matter when it comes from .I know that everything well made , took lot of energy and effort , so to become " well made "I honor the people who stands behind this principal ... I an a Man with principals , I live by them.Thats why I honor any one , who thinks and acts alike.About Fluke , I can Honor their 20 years old multimeter 's , because inside them , I found Vishay Dale resistors , and other quality parts .But for the latest ones , I can not say the same .The distance today between , the called bad and good meters , had shrink allot.Its all about parts selection , than build quality.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2010, 03:12:17 pm
content: Most vendors in the USA prefer UPS not USPS because USPS cannot provide a detailed tracking number, often all I know it it was mailed and it was received, but nothing in between. However, USPS is often 50% cheaper than UPS but it won't matter if you can't find a $300 tool lost in the mail. But if this is an issue for International Shipping, its important to note for non-US customers. Dave has received a lot of equipment from tequipment.net so it doesn't seem to be a problem shipping from the US to AU.Quote from: Kiriakos-GR on July 18, 2010, 01:19:55 pm

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 18, 2010, 03:31:08 pm
content: UPS outside US/Canada is easily much more than twice as expensive, and USPS is pretty reliable (depends on the reliability of the mail in the destination country). A quick look at a few Ebay sellers that offer just UPS shipping to Europe for a Fluke 87 charge between $125 and $170 shipping for $200-$300 meters (although the sellers might be overcharging, but less than $80 is very rare for UPS). In that case, I'd rather take my chances with USPS that arrives undamaged at least 99% of the time for $10-$40, and tracking usually works fine for Priority mail intl, although it will take longer. If you calculate the risk, the reliability of the USPS would have to be below 66% to be worth the extra $100 in 'insurance'. So almost any seller that wants to sell relatively cheap (below $1k or so) items to overseas customers offers USPS shipping, although obviously not all sellers care, and it is extra effort on their part.

author: slburris
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2010, 04:32:06 pm
content: Here's my family:From left to right, Fluke 87-V, Fluke 73-III, Uni-Trend UT70D,MM6287, Heathkit IM-2815The $1.99 multimeter is already in the trunk of my car :-)Scott

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2010, 04:58:26 pm
content: Quote from: saturation on July 18, 2010, 03:12:17 pmWhy in earth to buy an new $300 tool from an foreign official channel ?specially if the high shipping cost , would bring the cost of the same device found on the local market to 1:1 .Quote from: saturation on July 18, 2010, 03:12:17 pmThe problem is the price , and who pays the Bill.If one vendor , are unable to offer an shipping of 5$ for one Fluke crocks set,he does not have international future ..And I am stopping here , we have get out of topic for good ..Ok lets have some fun... show to us your meters !!

author: jahonen
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2010, 05:02:38 pm
content: Here is what I use mostly these days (more or less). It's quite funny but I do most of the DC voltage checks with an oscilloscope. Why? Well, that is because that way I can make sure that DC voltages are really DC voltages. Or you can instantly see the ripple. It really usually does not matter if the DC voltage reading is something like 0.1 volts off, it is more important to see that voltage quality is good and scope is really good general purpose instrument for that.General purpose meter at work is the Fluke 179. Not most accurate one for electronics, but it does not matter anyway. I use 34401A if I do need more accuracy.For electronics work in the lab at work (If I do need more precision in measurements what scope or Fluke 179 can provide), my preferred DMM is Agilent/HP 34401A. I never have run out of batteries with this thing (I don't do much on-site work with no AC power!). The VFD display is very readable. And it integrates easily with PC, as it has GPIB and RS232 interfaces (newer ones have ethernet too), and command language is quite simple to build some automated test routines with relatively easy. I have been thinking getting this or one of the improved versions for my home lab, I really like this thing. (And it seems that calibration has been just expired, someone forgot to send that to calibration).And finally, my Fluke 89IV at my home lab, otherwise pretty nice but tends to eat batteries (fortunately AAs) quite a lot for my taste.Regards,Janne

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2010, 05:15:43 pm
content: Quote from: jahonen on July 18, 2010, 05:02:38 pmWell, I do not care much about the meters ,but I am dying to learn, the brand and model of your digital camera.

author: jahonen
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2010, 05:27:00 pm
content: Quote from: Kiriakos-GR on July 18, 2010, 05:15:43 pmWell if you want to know, Canon 5D mkII.Regards,Janne

author: ThunderSqueak
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 18, 2010, 08:01:25 pm
content: Quote from: slburris on July 18, 2010, 04:32:06 pmbut I see one up there above your other meters! like the lonely red headed stepchild who is standing away from the family, an outcast... getting no love ; ;

author: slburris
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2010, 08:05:18 pm
content: Ah, I must have taken this picture before I put the $1.99 meter in the car.Yes, that's the unloved Cen-Tech from Harbor Freight.Scott

author: ThunderSqueak
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 18, 2010, 09:48:49 pm
content: This is a full family picture, including my el-cheepo meters. forget where I got the victor meter, I have had it for a long time now.After seeing how clear Jahonen's pictures are, I think I might need a new camera soon XDedit:crapMy Flukes are both off

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2010, 11:44:25 pm
content: Quote from: jahonen on July 18, 2010, 05:27:00 pmI had sense it, that it was something biggy

author: MrPlacid
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2010, 05:03:22 am
content: Here's my family photo of my favorite triplet:From left to right, Fluke 87-V, Fluke 87-V, Fluke 87-V,Yeah, i am a hobbyist and these are what we hobbyist useBTW, Jahonen's HP 34401A sure look nice though, too bad it's out of my range.

author: ThunderSqueak
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 19, 2010, 05:41:16 am
content: Quote from: MrPlacid on July 19, 2010, 05:03:22 ammy flukes are both off exactly the same amount ; ; see above for picture.At least you have 3, they can vote

author: MrPlacid
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2010, 06:40:57 am
content: Quote from: ThunderSqueak on July 19, 2010, 05:41:16 amThey can also wear each other clothing and share each other toys (fuses & probes). And best of all I only have to learn to read one manual

author: ThunderSqueak
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 19, 2010, 06:45:29 am
content: Quote from: MrPlacid on July 19, 2010, 06:40:57 amkinky...wonder if anyone got my joke earlier <.<;;

author: MrPlacid
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2010, 07:23:18 am
content: Quote from: ThunderSqueak on July 19, 2010, 06:45:29 amYou meant the vote? I thought it was meant that if two meters gave different reading the 3rd would decide the winner. That why I had to purchase 3.I just had to include this pic, it's one of my favorite tool. My continuity tester made from $1 chinese musical card with lights. For very simple probing I use this... it saves me having to turn on my precious fluke and wear out the dial for simple checks.

author: ThunderSqueak
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 19, 2010, 07:32:55 am
content: Quote from: ThunderSqueak on July 19, 2010, 05:41:16 amwas refering to that.... I had posted a picture earlier with my flukes both measuring a 5.000 volt DC power source and the chinese meter was off... was a silly attempt at being ironic ...

author: DavidDLC
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2010, 04:39:00 pm
content: Quote from: MrPlacid on July 19, 2010, 07:23:18 amWhat ? is like buying a car, park it on the garage and walk, just because you don't want it to wear !!!!I'm totally opposed to that, if I buy the multimeter is to be used.A lot of companies make repeatability tests on their controls, I'm pretty sure Fluke does it on this meter and it's a huge number of turns before it wears out.With this post I don't intent that you change your preferences, I'm just surprised.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2010, 10:44:46 pm
content: It looks that I will be the first one to post, an Family picture of the Fluke 28II ..But even for that I will need about three days..