Fluke 101 multimeter

[Helmholtz]

Before this thread turns into a Fluke commercial, I should mention that there are much cheaper and partly better alternatives by Brymen (Taiwan).
Compare the specs of the BM859s (100kHz TRMS AC+DC, dB conversion) or the BM869s to a Fluke 87V.

https://brymenmeter.com/

http://www.brymen.com/Products2.html

I think a new 87V is way too expensive. For the price I can get an equivalent Brymen meter + a nice 200Mhz 2-channel Siglent DSO scope (providing a wealth of measuring functions).

[g1]

I think a new 87V is way too expensive. For the price I can get an equivalent Brymen meter + a nice 200Mhz 2-channel Siglent DSO scope (providing a wealth of measuring functions).

While I agree with you about Fluke pricing in general, it must be way worse where you are. In US, the 87 is only about $100 more than the Siglent, so you couldn't get both the scope and Brymen for the same price as Fluke. The 87's go for around 450 and the Brymen around 250.
In defence of the Fluke pricing, they do take a lot of abuse and the 87's have lifetime warranty. I don't need anything that tough for shop use, but if I was doing a lot of field work, it would probably be a worthwhile investment.

[mozz]

Working with Fluke meters and other Fluke equipment, at my day job, I have to say most are well made, out of the price range of most individual working people. 99% spot on cal with their specs. And will probably be around 40+ years just like older HP equipment.

[Axtman]

Yes I admit. I am a Fluke fan boy. Living in Seattle I think I am required by law to own a few. ;-)

There are other manufacturer's that make good quality meters. Check out all the "multimeter shootouts" on YouTube. I have owned (and do still own) other brands, Radio Shack, Amprobe, Wavetek, Extech, Sperry, EEVblog, Klein, BK Precision, Gardner Bender, etc. but I keep going back to Fluke. They are safe, reliable and consistant. I have some 50 year old Flukes that are still going strong and still withing spec!

Yes Flukes are expensive, but if you average their price out for how long you use them they are probably cheaper.

BTW, my Fluke 101 meter cost me $52 delivered with probes, manual and batteries. Now that is a bargain!

[Helmholtz]

While I agree with you about Fluke pricing in general, it must be way worse where you are. In US, the 87 is only about $100 more than the Siglent, so you couldn't get both the scope and Brymen for the same price as Fluke. The 87's go for around 450 and the Brymen around 250.

Last time I looked the Fluke 87V was 635 € (!), the Brymen 199 € and the nice Siglent SDS1202X-E (love it) was 403 €.

I have the Fluke but at that price and after having tested a Brymen BM859s I wouldn't buy again.

[Chuck H]

My first meter was a BKP bought from a big brick and mortar shop (when that still happened) for US $70. It had all the right features and lasted for 18 years!!! Using the 87 has been great but I do miss the capacitance feature on the BK. It could accurately measure pF's. The 87 has a capacitance meter but It's uF range. I've used it to measure nF's by putting them in series with larger caps that were pre measured as a null point and that seems to work ok. I've never tried to get a pF measure this way.

[Helmholtz]

I generally don't trust DMMs with cap measurements.
They tend to interpret cap leakage as increased capacitance.

[Helmholtz]

I do like the test leads that came with my Fluke. They allow to vary the exposed length of the tip.

[Axtman]

I know I am preaching to the choir here.

I do understand that Fluke meters are really designed for the professional electrician or HVAC technician. That is why the meters are rugged, reliable and safe.

They are not designed for little Jimmy who building battery controlled robots in his bedroom. That said there are plenty of good accurate cheap multimeters on the market. Just beware of their limitations.

Here is a good (but old) video from EEVblog on selecting a meter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gh1n_ELmpFI&t=2411s

[Helmholtz]

Check out the (many) Brymen reviews on YT.

E.g.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v61TEQ9v74c

Show me a Fluke that measures True RMS up to 100kHz either AC or AC+DC.
The 87V measures up to 20kHz with pure AC only.

For the price of the 87V I can get 3 top-of-the line Brymens.

[Axtman]

Yes I agree that the Brymen is a good meter AND it has good safety features MOVs, PTCs, shielding, shunt resistors, etc. I own a rebadged EEVblog meter (Brymen BM786).

The Fluke 87V says it will test frequencies up to 200kHz. I just tested my Fluke 87V and it will go up to 230kHz. Beyond that the readings get weird.

[Helmholtz]

The Fluke 87V says it will test frequencies up to 200kHz. I just tested my Fluke 87V and it will go up to 230kHz. Beyond that the readings get weird.

Not true. Maybe you tested the frequency counter?
The specified bandwidth for AC true RMs voltage is 20kHz.

My 87V reads AC voltage - 20% low at 100kHz .
But that's with a pure sine, where no one needs a true RMS meter.
With a square wave the error is - 31% @100kHz.
The Brymen 859s is way more accurate (less than - 3% @100kHz square wave).
All measurements with 1Vrms. At lower level the error typically increases.