which Fluke?

amplifiednation · Post by **amplifiednation** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 1:09 pm

I'm biting the bullet and getting a fluke. I can't take the frustrations of a sub par multimeter anymore. Which Fluke? The 87v? What do you recommend?

Post by **Colossal** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 1:43 pm

amplifiednation wrote:I'm biting the bullet and getting a fluke. I can't take the frustrations of a sub par multimeter anymore. Which Fluke? The 87v? What do you recommend?

I have a Fluke 87V and I love it. Easy to use and lots of great functionality. Highly recommended. You might be able to find some good deals on new ones on the Bay. I can't remember what I paid, but it was a very good deal indeed and brand new in the box.

John_P_WI · Post by **John_P_WI** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 2:11 pm

I bought a Fluke 85 back in the early-mid 90's when I first started heavily tweaking amps. It is still going strong-even after testing b+ in the "ohm" setting numerous times.

That meter has gone to hell and back, I believe in Fluke.

David Root · Post by **David Root** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 2:47 pm

I bought a 187 a few years ago, measures capacitance too which is nice. No complaints, Fluke is good.

amplifiednation · Post by **amplifiednation** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 2:51 pm

Nice so the 187 or 87V.

Yes i want something to test capitance.

Flukes are no joke they are pricey but sounds like they are 100% worth it.

vibratoking · Post by **vibratoking** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 3:06 pm

Almost any Fluke will do. I am not aware of any 'bad' models. Mine has a capacitance tester, which I very rarely use. There is some value in cap testing, but the test is done at very low voltage and will not tell you how the cap behaves at amp-like voltages.

I've always bought mine used and cheap because new pricing is high IMO. I also have a Micronta from Radio Shack and it has been a great multimeter for over 25 years.

For what it's worth, most DVMs use the same chip ICL7106. Here is a link with some information.

http://www.logwell.com/tech/oscilloscopes/meters.html

Phil_S · Post by **Phil_S** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 7:06 pm

It is hard to argue with the idea of buying a Fluke. There is an alternative

You are looking at hand held meters. Do you actually take it anywhere? If it just sits on your bench, consider a used (eBay) Fluke bench meter. Get the kind without the batteries (they are a PITA and you can't bypass them). You can guess how I know this. That is where you'll find a true bargain for a very nice piece of equipment. They aren't too big for your bench either. Actually, they are fairly compact.

Examples:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DIGITAL-MULTIME ... 4ab13aa428
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fluke-8050A-Dig ... 3a65caeb78 "make an offer" do it at 65% of the asking price!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fluke-8520A-Dig ... 5644fe0832 This one looks very nice.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fluke-8050A-Dig ... 3a6d5c8939 This one is so low, I might bid on it!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FLUKE-8810A-DIG ... 2569f1fc7d Dirt cheap at the moment.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FLUKE-8810A-DIG ... 1e68ed5b47 another one!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fluke-DMM-digit ... 29fab8d428 Calibrated, you pay extra!

You get the idea!

amplifiednation · Post by **amplifiednation** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 7:12 pm

wow that is really cool. that bigger one is about 20 minutes from my house!! They are much cheaper than the handhelds.

That is also interesting that the chipsets are the same.

ESCOPUNK · Post by **ESCOPUNK** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 7:26 pm

My choice is 187, had mine for years.

brentm · Post by **brentm** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 8:20 pm

I have an old 77 which I've used for years, love it. I recently picked up a used 87-5 from pawnmart.com for 150 bucks, and couldn't be happier. Came with a case, extra leads, and was pretty clean.

I'd probably get an 87-5 simply for the capacitor test option. As mentioned previously, it's not going to do much more than tell you the value of the cap, but it's good if you geek out and want to hand pick caps for certain locations.

I'd check your local pawn shops for a while and see if you can score a decent deal on one used. Just watch out for the counterfeit ones on eBay. They're pretty easy to spot.

rdjones · Post by **rdjones** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 8:36 pm

I decided to update my old meter (a cheap copy of a Fluke 73) and always wanted a real Fluke.
The 87-III had the features I wanted, but the 87-V also has the added function of a temperature probe.
eBay prices on good used ones were almost that of a new one, so I got a new 87-V.

It's about twice as big as my old meter.

reddog

Phil_S · Post by **Phil_S** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 10:08 pm

amplifiednation wrote:wow that is really cool. that bigger one is about 20 minutes from my house!! They are much cheaper than the handhelds.

That is also interesting that the chipsets are the same.

Offer $75 and see if you can save $30 by doing a pickup. I love that "make offer" button. That one looks like it takes up a full rack space, but does that really matter?

M Fowler · Post by **M Fowler** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 10:14 pm

I use a Fluke 187 as well nice meter.

I was wrong I have the Fluke 115 must have been dreaming about the 187

Also use my Fieldpiece LT17.

Mark

passfan · Post by **passfan** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 10:17 pm

Lots of flukes in pawn shops right now at great prices.

selloutrr · Post by **selloutrr** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 1:10 am

I've got the Fluke 867B, 83, and a couple of bench units I don't remember the model of. greyish white with green.

Get the 867B it's awesome!!!

The old grey 83 is a great basic meter cheap and easy to use

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