Which multimeter should I buy Fluke or Agilent - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: ticktock3t
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2013, 05:42:24 am
content: I'm looking to buy a good multimeter for around $100 for electrical work. I'm majoring in EE in college and want something good for electrical stuff. I just saw this Agilient meter(used) going for $100 and it seems pretty good:http://triosmartcal.com.au/1164-agilent-u1241a.htmlOr I am looking to buy a Fluke 177 from a local guy for $100.

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2013, 05:45:44 am
content: Get both and be damned. You're worth it.Seriously, you want to consider the amount of time you'll spend using the bloody thing. Based on that, you want the meter that will annoy you the least. Try each one. Really try them. You'll then know which one you want.

author: psycho0815
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2013, 08:22:22 am
content: For Electronics i'd probably go with the agilent, i have the B Version of it and like it quite alot. The Fluke doesn't have µAs. But you realy want at least to Meters anyways, so yeah, get both.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 27, 2013, 09:01:58 am
content: The Fluke 177 is the tougher meter, but it's also the least feature equipped.The Agilent is a proper electronics grade meter, a more useful all rounder so the speak. It can switch-on default to either AC or DC too.If it's for field use, I'd go the Fluke, otherwise the Agilent is better value.But here's a tip, the Fluke is a bargain at $100, buy it. You could get >$200 for it on ebay oz, easily!That means you get the Agilent for free, or maybe even two of themDave.

author: ConKbot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2013, 12:51:26 pm
content: Quote from: Ed.Kloonk on February 27, 2013, 05:45:44 ambut if you get two, then you'll never know which one is right, its like two watches!

author: SLJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2013, 03:10:35 pm
content: It's kinda like cars. Do you want something with lots of cup holders or do you want something that's going to last.They will both do the job but here's my take on it in one picture. None of these have cup holders.

author: DavidDLC
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2013, 06:35:14 pm
content: If you look to some posts here, you will see more issues with Agilent meters, compared to the Fluke.I will get the Fluke.

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2013, 07:50:22 pm
content: Out of those 2: Actual electrical? Fluke all the way. Electronics? AgilentBut, I agree with Dave. Buy the Fluke 177 and resell it.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2013, 08:26:07 pm
content: While a Fluke 177 might easily go for $200 in Australia (not Austria), an used 177 doesn't fetch anywhere near $200 USD on ebay.com for USA residents. You can verify by looking at the completed listings.A new 177 is $252.37 USD on Amazon.com

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 27, 2013, 09:20:35 pm
content: Quote from: retiredcaps on February 27, 2013, 08:26:07 pmYep, but I presume the OP is from Australia given that he's looking at buying from Trio Smart Cal.Dave.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2013, 09:58:44 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on February 27, 2013, 09:20:35 pmticktock3t is in US? by this questionhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/for-sale-agilent-u1241a-multimeters/msg196162/#msg196162

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2013, 10:13:47 pm
content: Yeah, probably not 200 in NA, but should be more than 100.

author: Spawn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2013, 02:15:34 am
content: OP is asking for a electrical multimeter if I understood right, so in that case Fluke.SLJ hit the spot there with comparing, Fluke’s don’t have fancy stuff unless you go to higher price range, I can’t say anything about Agilent meters since I don’t own one but I can talk a long when it comes to Fluke’s and they will serve you for long time in most environments.

author: aparlett
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2013, 07:24:01 am
content: I have Both a fluke and Agilent multimeters I just picked up my fluke 233.I think the fluke 233 is great for working in the lab as you can detach the screen got mine for $180 with current cal.If you want a good meter form Agilent speak to Charles at TRIO Smartcal I got a great discount

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2013, 10:12:20 am
content: Headless meters: disturbing.

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2013, 10:13:43 am
content: SLJ, the Fluke 75 brought feelings of nostalgia. I miss that meter.

author: ftransform
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2013, 11:36:47 am
content: do you shove batteries down the throat of the headless meter?

author: Colfaxmingo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2013, 04:28:34 pm
content: Quote from: Ed.Kloonk on February 28, 2013, 10:12:20 amI think it looks ghoulish.

author: smackaay
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2013, 02:47:58 am
content: My Agilent 1271A and my 1232a both work flawlessly and the 1232 has taken a real beating and functions perfectly. For a 100 dollar meter the 1232 is awesome, it's tough and it's worked every time I've needed it. I dunno, judging by how everybody fights over it, I'd say it simply falls down to preference rather than "better" or "worse".

author: aparlett
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2013, 01:19:38 pm
content: Quote from: ftransform on February 28, 2013, 11:36:47 amIts been so good so far but just chucked and old pair of rechargeable in there. But not going to be sing it alot till next week

author: iamnothim
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2013, 08:29:28 pm
content: I own a Fluke 88V automotive meter. 5 yrs old.Now I'm getting into electronics basic for now, no IC'sI'm considering the Agilent U1273A. I especially like the OLED display.Worth the $400 ?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 02, 2013, 08:55:07 pm
content: Quote from: iamnothim on March 02, 2013, 08:29:28 pmThe OLED display is gorgeous. BUT yu pay a huge price in battery life, and it's useless outdoors.I'd suggest the U1272A, an excellent meter.Dave.

author: iamnothim
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2013, 09:01:13 pm
content: I just ordered the Fluke 287 True-rms for $420I really like the display and it seems targeted to electronics rather than field work and I thought $420 was a great price.

author: M. András
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2013, 02:08:33 pm
content: Quote from: iamnothim on March 02, 2013, 09:01:13 pmget a few 2500mah eneloops for it too

author: iamnothim
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2013, 07:00:55 pm
content: Excellent idea.I love enenloops. I have bunches of 1900mah but only 4x 2500mahI also need a new set of pin probes.I kinda, sorta fried mine learning how to measure current.

author: M. András
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2013, 07:36:20 pm
content: Quote from: iamnothim on March 03, 2013, 07:00:55 pmbuy 2 brand new packs of the black aka 2500mah eneloops you need only 6 for the meter, i put the new packs into my 289 a month or two ago and it still showed 2 bars, hooked it up to the usb cable set it for loggin on resistance while keeping the backlight fully on took 2 days from this to remove 1 bar, i guess it will be going much longer than 200 hours with these during normal use

author: iamnothim
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2013, 08:16:04 pm
content: got it. thx

author: iamnothim
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2013, 03:43:33 am
content: I just unboxed my Fluke 287.I am delighted.It's so easy to use / read and the data storage is awesome.I'm a rookie and I can see how this will be a big time saver for me.Voltage set MIN/MAX record... push SAVECurrent ditto.Resistance ditto.Need to perform calculations..... press VIEW and cycles through the saved data.

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2013, 03:44:35 am
content: Good. Enjoy your new meter. Don't teach it any bad habits!