Fluke 87v, Megger AVO835 or 121GW to Replace AVO M2006 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Perrin21
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2019, 04:39:02 pm
content: Hi, apologies for the common style of question here but as the 121GW is receiving updates, previous answers may be invalid. I am considering a new meter and would like to achieve the best accuracy and capability to test and diagnose circuit faults mainly. I would ideally like to have a meter that will last a long time and be flexible enough to measure as many components as possible so a high feature count is a must. Previously I had an old AVO meter M2006 and loved the build quality, however I'm sure things have moved on a lot from those days. I welcome recommendations for other high quality meters upto £300 used. I'd also consider spending more for Integrated osilloscope functionality if it meant one device instead of two if there are any decent ones that are also exceptional multimeters. Thanks for any help

author: MosherIV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2019, 04:50:25 pm
content: Either is a good choice.Also consider Brymen BM867 or BM869. Very well regarded by many in this forum.In the same price range will be Keysight U124x or U125x series of dmms.Not sure if the U127x series will be your the price range.The Keysights dmms are far better value than the Fluke87V. They provide the features of the Fluke287/289 but are in the price range of the Fluke87VEdit: just spotted that you look UK based and mentioned buying used.The Keysight/Agilent rarely come up on Ebay.I did spot the U1241 from CPC on offer last year (not there anymore). I wanted to get one but just could not justify another dmm for myself even at the bargin price.The Brymens are within your price range NEW !

author: Perrin21
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2019, 05:13:16 pm
content: hi, thanks for the prompt response. I am also considering the Megger AVO835, how well regarded are these products? my previous AVO M2006 lasted decades. Which fluke would be comparable to this unit?

author: CDaniel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2019, 05:22:08 pm
content: Quote from: Perrin21 on June 23, 2019, 04:39:02 pm121GW has the potential to be very good but the firmware is not quite "finished" yet , if you are professional stay away for now .With Fluke you can't go wrong .

author: MosherIV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2019, 06:25:38 pm
content: QuoteI do not know how well regarded AVO835 are.There is no talk about it on this forum that I am aware of.By specification, AVO835 looks like it matches the features and specification of Fluke87V.If you do get the AVO835, we would like you to share your experience of it.If you good enough, do a tear down for us please.Edit: my view is that Megger/AVO have become the main name to go to in the electricians field. That is why people in this forum (electronics hobbiest) do not know much about them.

author: The Soulman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2019, 06:44:07 pm
content: Quote from: Perrin21 on June 23, 2019, 05:13:16 pmThe AVO M2006 is a re-branded Metrawatt M2006, the AVO853 is probably another re-brand but I don't know from what OEM.

author: Perrin21
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2019, 06:58:43 pm
content: Currently, my favourite after watching a few videos is the AVO035, im fairly sure i will buy one of those if i can find a good price. I will do a teardown and share if i do go ahead with the purchase.

author: Perrin21
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2019, 02:23:09 pm
content: from what I can see online, the AVO835 looks to be made by Kyoritsu or Yokogawa, I could be wrong. This has now led me to looking at the KEW1062. any thoughts on this meter? it's a clone of the Yokogawa TY720.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2019, 05:03:14 pm
content: Quote from: MosherIV on June 23, 2019, 04:50:25 pmThe Brymens are better than the Fluke 87V, for half the price. If you don't need the internal data logging of the 121GW then I'd definitely get a Brymen (plus USB interface if you want PC data logging).

author: Perrin21
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2019, 05:10:07 pm
content: is the EEV 121GW a hit or miss device?

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2019, 05:12:29 pm
content: Quote from: Perrin21 on June 26, 2019, 05:10:07 pmThere's three sticky topics for that.A lot of improvements are possible because it's firmware updateable.

author: windsmurf
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2019, 06:32:55 pm
content: Quote from: Perrin21 on June 26, 2019, 02:23:09 pmIf you're considering the TY720, then Hioki DT4282 would probably be a better choice. Also consider Fluke 287/289 and 187/189 (discontinued).

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2019, 06:34:58 pm
content: Quote from: windsmurf on June 26, 2019, 06:32:55 pmYeah, DT4282 is a winner.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2019, 08:49:23 pm
content: Quote from: Perrin21 on June 23, 2019, 04:39:02 pmI saw your post about the AVO and responded. Personally, for home use I can't think of a time I needed anything better than my 34401A. If you really need the best accuracy, I would suggest looking at something like the old HP3458A. I've had to use one from time to time and they are a very nice system. PC interface with Labview is really simple.https://www.keysight.com/en/pdx-2905513-pn-3458A/digital-multimeter-8-digit?cc=US&lc=engOf the handhelds I have looked at, about the closest I have seen to the performance of my old HP34401A is the Gossen Ultra. That meter has some big problems though and for the $900 price, it was a real let down. That said, the front end was done right and the meter appears very robust, if you care about such things.There was a recent discussion here about a French meter, Metrix MTX 3293BT. It costs a bit more than the Gossen Ultra. It's looks very fancy but the more questions I asked, it became apparent that it would have been another disappointment. Latching relays, front end looks weak... That doesn't mean that it wouldn't be a good fit for you.When I started looking for a higher end handheld to use on the bench, I ended up with the Brymen BM869s. It's a decent all around basic meter. I've shown several videos where I have stressed these meters far beyond what I expect most users would and they continue to perform very well. The vast majority of the meters I have looked at, even ones costing more, did not survive these tests.

author: Perrin21
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2019, 12:42:07 pm
content: I've been watching your videos already and your tests are indeed OTT. very nice channel content (subscribed). I also saw the issues you encountered with the Yokogawa meter and it misreporting a live AC voltage as Zero which basically destroyed my faith in that meter. a part of me wonders if yours was functioning correctly though or if that's the norm. I do love the basic build of that device though, it reminds me of my old AVO 2006 just a shame about the crap display. could that be swapped out or improved?

author: Perrin21
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2019, 12:43:35 pm
content: I know but are they coming? Will they fix everything and is it useable now as my only meter?

author: Perrin21
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2019, 12:51:38 pm
content: sadly in the UK the Hoiki is above my budget of max £250

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 27, 2019, 12:55:34 pm
content: Quote from: Perrin21 on June 27, 2019, 12:43:35 pmSeveral thousand people use it every day, including myself. I have never put it aside because it can't do what I want because of a firmware bug.

author: Perrin21
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2019, 12:56:33 pm
content: one feature I do like on the Megger AVO835 is it appears to have the capability to detect and discharge a capacitor if its been missed. is this feature unique? it does seem to be very well thought out if not the most top spec accuracy compared to others.

author: Perrin21
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2019, 12:59:27 pm
content: that's kind of the answer I was hoping to hear. it's hard to discern if some of the issues are extreme edge case scenarios I'm unlikely to run into or if it's basically unfit for purpose as some of the comments lead prospective owners to believe. is it better than the brymen 869? what spec comparitor is it closest too, what are it's limitations? thanks for responding. how frequent are the firmware updates etc

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2019, 01:55:48 pm
content: Quote from: Perrin21 on June 27, 2019, 12:51:38 pmI know that feeling.

author: Perrin21
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 02, 2019, 11:23:08 am
content: I've ordered the Brymen 869S after careful consideration. I would have liked to try out the EEV blog meter but as its my only meter I need to be able to rely on it to be perfect out of the box and can't wait for FW updates. maybe in time I can get a rev 2 model if it comes. I loved the design of the Megger but I couldn't risk it not being as capable as the brymen and can't afford to ignore the advice I've been given here by othersfor £180 delivered I think the Brymen makes the most sense.