87 V Arrived today

[apelly]

It's bloody glorious!

I read a bunch of reviews, watched a bunch of videos, but the quality feel of this sucker just doesn't come across. Now I understand why Dave "loves" his. I thought he was just being a brand victim. Wrong.

Seriously, even considering the price this thing is amazing.

Buy one!

[lowimpedance]

It is true, there is nothing like having one in your hand to appreciate the quality  ...........the 87V of course!.

[VK5RC]

Fully agree regarding the main unit; I was a bit disappointed with the standard/supplied leads, ProbeMasters or Agilents to me are a bit better. I like a soft flexible lead.
Enjoy!
Robert Culver

[apelly]

I was a bit disappointed with the standard/supplied leads, ProbeMasters or Agilents to me are a bit better. I like a soft flexible lead.

That's a fair observation. I have some very nice Pomona leads though. The ones with the unit do seem slightly industrial.

[BravoV]

Congratulation, yep, one of the best and it just "oozes"  quality when you touch it.

Is that new ? If it is, what is the firmware version ?

Edit : To show firmware version, while off, hold the AUTOHOLD button, then switch to DC Volt directly from the off position, it will show X.XX number.

[Fsck]

the one fault is that from now on, you'll compare every other meter's build quality to the 87v.

[BravoV]

the one fault is that from now on, you'll compare every other meter's build quality to the 87v.

I know this sounds weird and sorta "fan-boy-ish" statement  , but I concur. 

[apelly]

Is that new ? If it is, what is the firmware version ?

Edit : To show firmware version, while off, hold the AUTOHOLD button, then switch to DC Volt directly from the off position, it will show X.XX number.

3.03

No idea how long it was in stock for, but I ordered it a week or so ago.

[Fsck]

the one fault is that from now on, you'll compare every other meter's build quality to the 87v.

I know this sounds weird and sorta "fan-boy-ish" statement  , but I concur. 

I'd also have to add that the non-mechanical specs are outdated for the 2010s.

[JoeO]

$318 in the US.

http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/fluke/dmm/87v.htm?ref=gbase&gclid=CJTDlvbMlrsCFa9cMgod6G4AUQ

12/07/13 - THE DEAL IS GONE.  IT IS BACK TO $399.

[VintageTekFan]

I know this sounds weird and sorta "fan-boy-ish" statement  , but I concur. 

It's not a fan-boy-ish statement if its universally true.

[BravoV]

I know this sounds weird and sorta "fan-boy-ish" statement  , but I concur. 

It's not a fan-boy-ish statement if its universally true.

OMG, just realised we have a mob here. 

[neslekkim]

I got an partial TPAK kit with mine, damn, that thing is handy, hanging my fluke on my shelves, going to buy one for my 289 also.
The stand is kinda ok, but it takes some space, but hanging it makes it easy to use there, or snap with you to grab'n go..

[jolshefsky]

I bought one recently too, and really can't bear to bother with any of the junky handhelds I had before.

I agree about the supplied probes. I take issue with the alligator-clips most of all: the safety-based design makes it impossible to clip onto a grounded component lead so I can measure around with the positive lead's tip ... fortunately I have some junky, "dangerous" plug-on-tip alligator clips around.

Oh, and I already blew the mA fuse being careless. That's why I usually measure current with a 1? (or bigger or smaller) shunt — plus I can check it on my 'scope in case there's some big HF component. And if I'm measuring the current draw of a device, it's usually because it's battery operated and it often has at least one thing driven with a HF oscillator (i.e. PWM LED).

[olsenn]

The 87 is outdated spec-wise; however, it is a time proven industrial multimeter that is build like a brick shithouse. With Fluke, you only ever really need to worry about your product being too outdated... never about your product malfunctioning

[geo_leeman]

I've been debating the 87 V vs. Agilent U1272A for quite a while.  The U1272A is about $60 more in the US, but that's not the issue.  From what I've read on here the Agilent is more bang for the buck, but not nearly as durable.  Considering I end up taking my meter lots of places other than the bench, maybe the 87 V will be the better meter? Can't beat it for simplicity, but the bells and whistles of Agilent are nice as well.

[staze]

I've been debating the 87 V vs. Agilent U1272A for quite a while.  The U1272A is about $60 more in the US, but that's not the issue.  From what I've read on here the Agilent is more bang for the buck, but not nearly as durable.  Considering I end up taking my meter lots of places other than the bench, maybe the 87 V will be the better meter? Can't beat it for simplicity, but the bells and whistles of Agilent are nice as well.

What do you use it other places for? If it's for electrical work, you could always get the U1272A for your bench, and a less expensive Fluke 115/116/117 for travel...

That said, while I don't have a 87V, I have a 189, and I love the thing (sorry, I don't agree with the battery complaints. I'd rather it take NiMH AA's that don't last that long vs take a 9V that are generally not rechargeable, and in a pinch, harder to find at a random convenience store). Best meter I've ever had.

[apelly]

Why the U1272A and not the U1252B?

Haven't looked at the specs recently, but I thought the latter was superior. I was planning to get the latter later this month. But now you make me think I might have missed something.

[neslekkim]

http://dmm.findthebest.com/compare/34-61/Agilent-U1252B-vs-Agilent-U1272A

[geo_leeman]

Why the U1272A and not the U1252B?

Haven't looked at the specs recently, but I thought the latter was superior. I was planning to get the latter later this month. But now you make me think I might have missed something.

The 1252A seemed a bit more rugged.  The comparison link above seems to agree, but it's also not totally accurate... The 1252B does have autoranging for example (according to Newark anywho).  I work in a rock testing laboratory, so I need quite good resolution when designing circuits and troubleshooting on the bench as well as in the lab tucked in between hydraulic hoses and such.  Mostly looking at DC analog circuits.  The group recently acquired some 87 V meters and they are quite nice and rugged enough to stand up to students, but I'm thinking the Agilent may be a nice one to keep for personal use.

[nanofrog]

Haven't looked at the specs recently, but I thought the latter (1252B) was superior. I was planning to get the latter later this month. But now you make me think I might have missed something.

It is for electronics IMHO (own one).

http://dmm.findthebest.com/compare/34-61/Agilent-U1252B-vs-Agilent-U1272A

The data for the U1252B isn't entirely correct in the comparison. I have one, and just off the top of my head, it definitely has Auto Ranging (can be disabled if desired). Seems it's better for electronics use, while the U1272A is aimed more towards industrial electricians & field work.

U1252B isn't quite as rugged, but is more than sufficiently sturdy for bench use (can take a 1m impact). Now on a ladder and it falls 2m+, not so sure (too chicken to use my as a crash test dummy for that).

[apelly]

OK. A bit of revision and I'm still thinking the 1252B, but there's stuff all in it.

[geo_leeman]

Looking around some I think the 1252B wouldn't be a bad meter really, and the extra counts are nice... Would it survive Santa's drop down the chimney? We can hope!

[Kryoclasm]

I got mine a couple of weeks ago and it is already hard at work.  I'm very happy to be using a Fluke again. It has been many moons. 

[BravoV]

Talking about Agilent U1525B, some talks on the NiMH battery and it's charger, I think you should read throughly and check this thread -> HERE

<87V fanboy mode : OFF>