Fluke 88V vs 87V - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: soren
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2015, 11:45:54 pm
content: I have been wanting to complement my trusty old Fluke 12 with a higher-end Fluke multimeter for a while, even though there is still nothing that beats the user interface of the Fluke 12.The Fluke 87V is a popular choice, but it is rather expensive even used. I was aware of the very similar "automotive" 88V (and the 6000 count 83V), the absence of RMS in the 88V being the main differentiator, but as I recently spotted (and bought) a used 88V/A (/A denoting the automotive accessory kit) at a very attractive price, I had occasion to consider the more subtle differences:* The 88V omits RMS in favour of an RPM mode. Along with RMS, the low-pass AC voltage filter is also gone, probably because the 88V has lower bandwidth anyway.* I have not yet tried using the Fluke RPM80 inductive ignition probe, but I suspect that it would work just fine with the normal frequency counter function and that the RPM mode is there just so that the indicated frequency can be doubled for four-stroke engines.* The 87V defaults to AC on the current ranges. The 88V defaults to DC!* The 88V defaults to manual ranging on the voltage ranges only. 6V for AC and 60V for DC. This can be changed normally or with a power-up option.* The 88V has slightly worse accuracy specs than the 87V on most of the ranges. I don't know if these differences exist outside of the fevered imaginations of the Fluke marketing department.* Having looked briefly at the 83V specs, it appears to be a 87V limited to 6000 count mode and with the same relaxed accuracy specs of the 88V.In short, if you are buying one of these new for electronics, getting the 87V probably makes the most sense, but if you are buying used, don't ignore the 88V (or 83V). For me, the lack of RMS is not important and the different range defaults in the 88V are actually preferable.If Fluke wanted me to care about RMS in a handheld multimeter, they should add power analysis. I don't understand why this isn't already built in.

author: Robomeds
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2015, 11:57:50 pm
content: Another difference is the 83V lacks the temp range. Since I rarely need TRMS AC, an 83 with temp would basically work as well for me as the 87. However, I do use the temp sensor. The retail price difference is small between the 83 and 87, far less than the resale prices would suggest. Also, the accessories that came with the 88V/A are really nice.

author: soren
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2015, 08:57:36 pm
content: Quote from: Robomeds on September 23, 2015, 11:57:50 pmAh right, I missed the fact that the 83V doesn't have the RMS converter.Omitting the temperature range on the 83V seems a bit silly since it still has the high-impedance option for the mV range, which is presumably used with thermocouples on the 87V/88V.Quote from: Robomeds on September 23, 2015, 11:57:50 pmThe 88V/A accessories are indeed nice, although the included hard case is nothing special. In fact, given the idiosyncratic pricing structure of the 80V series, I'd say that the 87V and 88V/A are the only ones worth considering when buying new, with the 83V and plain 88V simply not appropriately priced.

author: Warhawk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2015, 08:23:36 pm
content: The good thing is that 83-V is often forgotten by EEs and you can find it ridiculously cheap on ebay even in Europe. I got mine from GB and I am very happy with it. Together with 177 it is a great combo for a home lab. I bought both (seperately) for the price of one used 87-V.

author: soren
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2015, 06:29:11 pm
content: Quote from: Warhawk on September 25, 2015, 08:23:36 pmLooking at eBay prices, the 83V to me seems to sell for very high prices. It's not quite so bad with the earlier 83's and 85's and those models don't get the benefit of the faster hi-res mode display updating in the 87V/88V anyway.However, there are a surprising number of unused-looking Fluke 27II's (ruggedised 83V) selling at low prices, even buy-it-now. The 28II (ruggedised 87V) doesn't seem to come up nearly as often. Maybe the current glut of 27II's is just the result of some overstock being liquidated.Whatever the reason, the 27II seems by far the best deal for anyone looking for a used current model Fluke and who isn't willing to wait around for exceptional offers.

author: Robomeds
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2015, 08:04:47 pm
content: I've found that 27II's can on occasion be had for under $100 if you don't care about looking clean. Most of these meters actually clean up nicely. 83-5's are also occasionally under $100. I think I prefer the 83-5 just because the only 27-2 I had was one with the bad beeper. Basically it would draw so much current that, when used with the back light, the low battery warning would come on with fresh batteries. Perhaps that is a rare failure. I think the best bet is either really wait and search for an 87-5 (I got mine for $135 but I don't recall why it was that cheap) or go for an alternative meter. Brymen and clones (Greenlee, some Amprobe, some Extech) certainly make for great alternatives. Even some of the Appa meters are good values next to the 83. Heck, I got my 187 for $120 (battery contacts needed to be cleaned, didn't come with leads). I'm not sure if I like the 187 better or not. The 87 is a better meter on the go (more rugged). The 187 has quite a bit more in terms of ability. They also cheaper on ebay!

author: soren
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2015, 08:12:48 pm
content: I've had a 89IV, which is nearly identical to the 187. Its capabilities are nice, but the meter is so big and bulky that it's really more like a battery-powered bench meter, except without some bench meter niceties like LED display and mains power.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2015, 11:28:57 pm
content: Quote from: Robomeds on September 30, 2015, 08:04:47 pmPossibly known problem, bad firmware or pcb problem? Same symptoms reported by others in this 28 II thread ...https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/fluke-28-ii-battery-life/

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2015, 11:30:37 pm
content: Quote from: Robomeds on September 30, 2015, 08:04:47 pmWas it sold "as is" as per your thread?https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/fluke-87-v-mystery-low-impedance-input/

author: Robomeds
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2015, 12:04:34 am
content: That was it! Yes, I forgot about that. I don't recall if it was sold as is or listed as having an issue. Either way I was able to fix it. If I recall (and apparently I don't). I sold my 87-3 for about what I paid for the 87-5. The 87-3 was a fluke purchase, no pun intended. I logged onto ebay one morning and did a search. The 87-3 was just listed for $50 buy-it-now. So I did. I think shipping was free but it turned out one or both of the fuses were blown. Not bad at all for an 87 that was in good shape. I actually liked a number of things about the 87-3 better than the 87-5. The 5's big plus for me is the temp function.