US made Flukes with backlight? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Lomax
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2015, 04:26:41 pm
content: I've got a Chinese made Fluke 117 which is driving me nuts since the display can only be read at a very narrow angle. Often it is not possible to place it in a way that allows both reading the screen and taking measurements, for example whenever the only available place for it is above head height. So I've been thinking about getting a different model, but this time I would like to make sure what I'm buying was actually made by Fluke themselves, which I guess means getting a second-hand unit. I am somewhat bewildered by the many models they've made though, and thought I'd ask here for some recommendations as to which models to look for. Backlight is a must, and I'd prefer something not too large (the small size is what attracted me to the 117 in the first place). Bargraph, min/max and mA range are all desirable (the lack of mA range being another reason why I want to replace the 117). Grateful for any suggestions!

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2015, 05:33:08 pm
content: If you are set on getting a Fluke, regardless of where it is made, go to a brick and mortar Fluke seller to see yourself firsthand what the backlight looks like at different angles.Afterward, then you can shop for one second hand to save cost.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2015, 05:44:42 pm
content: I'm willing to be proved wrong but I doubt there's a difference between Chinese/USA LCDs. It simply wouldn't save any money.Does it have a contrast adjustment?You could try taking it apart andfiddle with the zebra strip. This seems to fix many Flukes.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2015, 06:33:54 pm
content: Here is a bargain:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fluke-True-rms-179-Multimeter-BNIB-Free-P-P-/201444479407?hash=item2ee706d1afSlightly larger, but has more features.Comes with temperature probe and what looks like TL75 instead of TL175 Fluke test leads. Could be old stock.

author: Lomax
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2015, 08:18:34 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on October 07, 2015, 05:44:42 pmIt's not that I think there's a difference between US/Chinese LCDs (aren't all LCDs Chinese these days?), but I do think there is a difference between cheap stuff and absolute rock bottom junk. The 117's LCD is awful, trust me. Look at it from anything less than 90 degree angle and the digitscompletelydisappear - from below it looks like you're looking at a meter that's switched off. I do not understand how this passed Fluke US QC, and I'm not the only one who's unhappy about it. I've looked for a contrast adjustment on the PCB but couldn't find one - i suspect it's set in code, or with a fixed resistor. Not that it is likely to make much difference; contrast is just fine when viewed between 100 and 135 degrees or so - fine if you're standing up next to a workbench, poor when sitting down and useless when above head height. And the "zebra strip" isn't that the squishy connector made from conductive rubber (or something) that connects the LCD to the PCB? I'd look at this if I had any missing digits or segments, but it's all displaying correctly.

author: Lomax
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2015, 08:27:18 pm
content: Quote from: retiredcaps on October 07, 2015, 05:33:08 pmAgreed, but getting to a shop that sells high-end multimeters involves a four hour round-trip for me... Maybe next time I'm going to London I'll see what I can find. I do feel guilty though, checking out stuff in a shop only to buy it online later...

author: Lomax
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2015, 08:29:29 pm
content: Quote from: Wytnucls on October 07, 2015, 06:33:54 pmThat is a good price indeed! Hmmm... I'll ask the seller if it says "Made in the USA" on the back (there are other reasons why I want a US made one, but they are pretty irrelevant on this forum, I think).

author: Lomax
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2015, 08:44:24 pm
content: Actually, I just looked at the meter again, and it's the other way around; the digits disappear from above and are better from below. My memory playing tricks againIn any case, it's bloody annoying! I have an old Tillquist which I've had since my school days and the LCD on that can be viewed side on from all directions, with digits remaining pitch black. It's still a good meter but lacks a lot of features compared to the 117 (though it does have 20mA and 200mA ranges) - including the backlight. Could that have something to do with it?

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2015, 09:01:20 pm
content: Quote from: Lomax on October 07, 2015, 08:27:18 pmPeople comparison shop all the time wrt to brick and mortar vs online. Ask the brick and mortar store if1) they will match online prices2) they are authorized Fluke dealerThe second is important if you want warranty.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2015, 09:03:14 pm
content: Quote from: Lomax on October 07, 2015, 08:29:29 pmIf COO is important to you, seehttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/fluke-87-v-c/and avoid the "C" suffix.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2015, 09:11:39 pm
content: Quote from: Lomax on October 07, 2015, 08:44:24 pmPossibly, it might have better contrast/viewing angle due to lack of backlight? I'm not an expert so I don't know.Note the Fluke 17x series has a green backlight.If none of the Flukes meters have a viewing angle + backlight that you deem suitable, check out the Agilent 123x series and the Brymen BM25x series. Both are similar size to the Fluke 117 and both backlights.Both alternatives have several video reviews so you can get an idea of their functionality and how they look. Neither though are made in the USA.http://www.keysight.com/en/pd-2000224-pn-U1232A/true-rms-6000-count-handheld-digital-multimeter?&cc=CA&lc=enghttp://brymen.com/product-html/cata250/Bm250s.htm

author: Lomax
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2015, 09:13:05 pm
content: Quote from: retiredcaps on October 07, 2015, 09:03:14 pmI thought the "C" suffix indicated cheaper versions intended for the Chinese market? There's a 117C as well, but both the 117 and 117C are made in China...

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2015, 09:18:04 pm
content: Quote from: Lomax on October 07, 2015, 08:29:29 pmSellers on ebay are unlikely to be an authorized Fluke reseller which means you get no warranty from Fluke. See attachment.If you buy a Fluke meter from an ebay seller, regardless of condition, you should consider it used and possibly abused without warranty/support from Fluke. Thus, you should bid/price it accordingly.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2015, 09:24:49 pm
content: Quote from: Lomax on October 07, 2015, 09:13:05 pmWe don't have teardown pictures of the "C" models so we can't say if the build quality is as good or better as the non C.If you are using "cheaper" in the price context, I don't know if the "C" models are priced less expensively in China.The difference between the 117C and 117, as far as I know, is just the writing on the back of the meter (Chinese and English) and supplied manuals. The 117C may also exist for marketing reasons or "completeness" for the Chinese market?

author: Lomax
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2015, 12:42:02 pm
content: Never mind, I've just bought a second-handTTi 1705 bench multimeterinstead - and I only paid £75 for it too!

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2015, 01:19:21 pm
content: Quote from: Lomax on October 07, 2015, 04:26:41 pmWhat happened to the Fluke quest?

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2015, 01:33:40 pm
content: List price for the TTi 1705 is 490$. Did you steal that one?

author: Lomax
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2015, 01:43:06 pm
content: Quote from: Wytnucls on October 08, 2015, 01:19:21 pmHehe, well I spotted this TTi meter on the bay a few days ago (while looking for Flukes...), and noticed that it had an odd ending time; 1.30pm is not a good time if you're the seller, people tend to be out for lunch, or at least at work, which limits the number of potential bidders. Since I already own a couple of Thurlby Thandar units (a PSU and a function generator) and like them both a lot I figured I'd have a go and got my bid in at the last moment. I was attracted mainly by the dual channels and the RS-232 port since I'm trying to design a trickle charger and need to monitor battery charge current and voltage over time. A bench multimeter was also lacking in my workshop. The unit looks pretty much brand new in the photos, though it's in the older dark grey enclosure. Sometimes you get lucky!The Fluke quest never ends though!