Fluke Fluff - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2018, 01:54:30 am
content: Finally got my two "ultimate" (LOL) bench meters, so it's time to move up in the world.After some prolonged Ebay trawling, (in US dollars) came to $120 for both combined. Total savings of approx $890 and shipping buying them new here. I did trade another Fluke as part of the deal which saved $30 or so.A lot of rubbing former owners grime off the Fluke 87V restored it. The Fluke 117 ended up being as best as I can tell, brand new.The deals I passed on were two Fluke 87Vs at around $160 each, two dirt cheap Fluke 117s one which was practically free but the seller scared me off.The golden missed deal of the century, a sub $100 Fluke 289 that had a poor listing (owner replaced it with some cheap meter because the Fluke 289 was too fancy). A couple of years ago I hesitated and missed out on another "buy it now" expensive Fluke.So now in true EEVblog fashion I will say all Chinese brand meters are junk and you're wasting your money. Joking, but after seriously sampling the secondhand Fluke market and buying over a dozen Flukes under $30 each (20 and 70 series) and some slightly more expensive 110 series it redefines wasting $100 on a Chinese brand when there's plenty of secondhand deals around.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2018, 02:22:38 am
content: Quote from: Shock on May 17, 2018, 01:54:30 amThat is an excellent deal.When the Canadian dollar was par with the US dollar and USPS shipping rates were reasonable, I would buy broken Fluke meters for under $20 USD. Sometimes I would get a good deal on a working meter for under $100 like a Fluke 87V or 18x.But those days are long gone and I haven't look on ebay in nearly 3 or 4 years now.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2018, 02:53:59 am
content: Quote from: retiredcaps on May 17, 2018, 02:22:38 amI did exactly the same. When the US exchange rate returned to normal and shipping prices went up it made things a little sad. I have a bit of a workaround in place for shipping now (I do my own) which makes it a little less expensive.The Fluke 117 is really just because it has LoZ and Voltalert which is a bit extravagant. I've got two Uni-T 71Ds for logging and my shelf queens are two Keithley 179s. Plus I'm keeping spare sets of Fluke 27/FMs for voltage/current monitoring.I'm not really compelled to have a billion features on a handheld DMM nor digits but may just upgrade the Keithleys next. Sort of a work in progress like everyones bench I guess.I feel a purge coming though, as I'm expanding to critical mass. It's like keeping children from a former marriage, you know you love them but they are occupying all the rooms.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2018, 12:14:59 pm
content: Quote from: Electro Detective on May 17, 2018, 10:37:17 amThanks I'll do some comparisons. I've only played with the Fluke 87V a little so far and need to sit down with it. I was quite impressed with the DC mV range, forget what I was doing at the time, watching a circuit discharge or something exciting like that hahah.Yeah I want, I've been coveting the Fluke 287 BravoV and the Fluke 289 Shahriar has as I keep seeing images of them.Something I do have though now is a Fluke 98B Series II Scopemeter in the repair pile. It's a bit of an oddball scope but the price was a giveaway. I'm hoping it's a supply problem, my preliminary testing seemed to indicate it's having issues drawing startup current.Here is a photo another user posted of his in mint condition. I did get most of the case candy with my Fluke 98B but it will need some TLC to get it this sparkly.

author: PTR_1275
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2018, 12:24:10 pm
content: There are definitely bargains out there on the flukes. I’ve bought a 289, 381, 233, 1587FC (new in box), 724 and then a 725(new in box but 6 years old). All up it’s cost around 2 grand.Each meter has its specific use and application in my line of work. Most of them can’t be matched easily with cheapies. A mate has a Fluke 28 ex (got it for a similar price to the standard 28 on eBay) and that’s a solid meter.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2018, 02:27:12 pm
content: Quote from: PTR_1275 on May 17, 2018, 12:24:10 pmNice set of meters, I'll have to pretend for now my Fluke 27/FMs are like your mates Fluke 28 II Ex. My whole workshop is probably the same price as that meter alone.You reminded me with your clamp meter, I have a Fluke 322 for repair with a display issue that needs scoping and a few Fluke Y8100 Current Probes to restore which might be useful for something.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2018, 04:24:25 am
content: Ok it appears I have another new old multimeter (I know right?), needs a little TLC but is operational.Wondering if it's even worth messing with. Anyone know which model in the 80s series this is?

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2018, 06:01:18 am
content: Quote from: Electro Detective on May 17, 2018, 10:37:17 amYou're right, I tested the continuity on the Fluke 87V and it's very quick to beep.The Fluke 117 seems fast as well but the bar display seems slightly quicker on the 87V.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2018, 10:03:18 am
content: Quote from: Electro Detective on May 18, 2018, 08:19:56 amI gave the Fluke 87V the clean from hell when I got it, the sockets were clogged. The Fluke 117 is immaculate I think it's probably been only used half a dozen times.They are both very fast, probe tip cleaning makes a huge difference, it's a pity the bananas are harder. They could benefit from a comparative accuracy/calibration check though. I might line up a few and see who is the odd one out.Quote from: Electro Detective on May 18, 2018, 08:19:56 amCouldn't tell from photos so I tore it down, with the cover off I can faintly see it's a Fluke 87. So apparently I have two now. Random, as I wasn't really trying for a second but pulled the trigger on the price (rather than the model). I think you're right it looks like the first series and I can see photos with Fluke 87s with blue buttons.Is there any other way to tell the model without reading the label on this series?While it was apart I checked the fuses, it seems to zero out ok. Another filthy one, I am not in love with it at all.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2018, 10:07:40 am
content: Next aim ... Fluke 189 ... duck&cover&run ....

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2018, 10:12:05 am
content: Quote from: BravoV on May 18, 2018, 10:07:40 amWhats better Fluke 180 series or 280 series, and which model?

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2018, 10:21:06 am
content: Quote from: Shock on May 18, 2018, 10:12:05 amWell, for me as I own 287 (similar to 289) and 189, word better is subjective as 28X series is more for logging meter with high accuracy, graphic display for log view & deep memory, while 189 ... subjectively of course, to me is the most versatile daily use grab meter as it boots really fast (hate 28X boot time) and with a really sharp & contrast LCD display compared to 28X, also feature wise is really good too especially for electronics instead of electrician work like 87X does. And 18X models use 4 AA cells.The 28X models are the successor of 18X which is discontinued.Used Fluke 189 which I scored while ago.Size comparisons between this popular Fluke models => 87V 189 287.BBB .. the Beauty, the Beast and the Brick.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2018, 03:41:03 pm
content: Quote from: BravoV on May 18, 2018, 10:21:06 amThat's not a brick, this is a brick!Might be too extravagant in the immediate future. I wouldn't know where to put all the numbers on those big displays.(image removed)

author: Rabid Badger
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2018, 07:34:49 pm
content: I've had my Fluke 87V/117 pair for going on 4 years now. They compliment each other nicely.I got the 117 when my old Craftsman died. I knew nothing about meters or electronics in general at the time except that Fluke was supposed to be good. Then I saw Dave's review of the 117 (the first EEVBlog video I ever watched) and heard him say that my shiny new meter was useless for electronics."Well shit, what does this crazy Australian think is a good electronics meter?"I eventually found his 87V review, bought one, and subsequently fell into the electronics hobbyist rabbit hole from which I've yet to emerge.Thanks a lot, Dave.

author: shteii01
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2018, 05:52:24 pm
content: there was an eBay guide to flukes. one of eBay regulars wrote it. if I recall right, series 1 and series 2 have the lightning bolt, series 3 is when they started listing cat rating. find that guide, very useful.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2021, 04:01:21 am
content: Here is the end result a few years later.Aside from a box of boards for repair I'm about done.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2021, 04:06:33 am
content: The scopemeter didn't make it?

author: med6753
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2021, 04:11:00 am
content: Quote from: Shock on May 18, 2018, 04:24:25 amThat is indeed a first generation 87 as shown here.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2021, 05:13:55 am
content: Quote from: bdunham7 on June 10, 2021, 04:06:33 amStill have it but it needs some more work. The repair pile is huge.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2024, 05:17:00 pm
content: I added a new pair of Fluke TL71 leads to the Fluke 87, cleaned it up and gave it away to a beginner, so happy it will finally get some use. Thanks to H.O for supplying a (free) new old stock front cover to replace the old one.

author: NoisyBoy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2024, 10:16:36 pm
content: That is very generous and a very lucky beginner