u1253b or u1252b or ex570 or ex540

[Aido4ever]

Hi everyone. My name is Yossi and I'm new to this forum.

Dave, you have a nice blog , keep up the good work!!!

Anyway, lately after watching Dave blog I've decided to go with the fluke 289. I bought one on Ebay , but i have second thoughts!!!!
I have to say i loved the sexy look of agilent!!! but i hated the fact that a 500$ price tag meter can do nice and fast continuity test... (this is bullshit to my opinion).

After watching around, i found that some of extech products are quite interesting. I could not understand why Dave don't give Extech the credit Fluke and Agilent gets. I had the feel like (from dave reviews) that Extech is another low cost , low quality products, but after looking around i have mix filling about them.

For example the Ex540 looks like a great metter even compared with Agilent u1253.. It has wireless data logging which neither of the two big companies don't have. I ask my self "what the hell is the problem with adding wireless data transmition in 2011? It's not even expensive this days!!!"

Anyway... I want you to tell me what do you think about Extech and the products above...

And if someone can make review of extech products!!!

[saturation]

Just perusing the spec sheet of the EX540, I don't see any third party safety organizations listing its CAT IV ratings, like TUV, CSA, or UL.  Its just the self-attesting CE rating, which is not worth much.

For the money its sold for, $US270-300, the AC electrical specs are no better than low cost DMMs, so most of the money goes into the wireless data transmission and ruggedness, compared to the U1252a, which I own [ I think B vs A is just the color but its electrically identical].  For a few dollars more you can get a DMM with a much more solid reputation, and the 1252a was recently discounted in the US for $140.

Although basic DC spec is a defacto standard for comparing DMM accuracy as DC is more common to use, the true RMS AC accuracy is more difficult to implement and where most DMMs suffer.  It takes a lot of effort to get TRMS in the 0.5% range through to 1kHz or even 100kHz.  

[Aido4ever]

Thank you Saturation for your response.

Can you direct me to a shop with $140 for the 1253A and that has it in stock?
This is a very very low price for this amazing product!

[saturation]

Ah, sorry Aido4ever, as you are new here you missed the deal.  There was a run on all the 125x models for about 1-2 week when it was first brought to light by an eevblog user; it may happen again for something else.  But, the deal is over, they were sold for between $130-146.

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/index.php?topic=2958.msg39418#msg39418

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/index.php?topic=2912.30

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/index.php?topic=2306.15

The website, grainger.com has great deals now and again, but I think they will only sell to USA buyers.

Thank you Saturation for your response.

Can you direct me to a shop with $140 for the 1253A and that has it in stock?
This is a very very low price for this amazing product!

[Aido4ever]

Thank you again Saturation for your kind reply.
Few moments ago the Ebay seller refund me for the Fluke 289, since he has delay on supply.

My question is, Is it wise to get the Agilent u1253b instead of the fluke? I know the Agilent looks why cooler, but the fluke gives much more, like the graphic logging and more.

Also regarding the ex540. Is there any review on it? did someone check if the Bluetooth implemented in it does work without interfering? Is it a wise choice?
I know it's less accurate then the fluke and Agilent.

Looking for your respond.

[saturation]

Hello Aido4ever:

What kind of functions do you need?  Is graphing important?  Until you know your specifications its hard to recommend a model.

The 289 is a the better DMM, but adding on-site graphing cost a lot and its battery life is ~ 100 hours, but they are AA types very easy to find and use as new low self discharge rechargeable.

The 1253a or b eats batteries because the OLED screen, < 10 hours, so for practical purposes, the 1252a or b LCD screen is better, <~ 80 hours run time.  No graphing, but it will datalog that you can later download after you buy the $50+ adapter [ doesn't include it.]  Its list price is 1/2 that of the Fluke.

There are several 1253a on eBay but if you end up paying the same price for a used DMM, the 289 Fluke is superior overall.

I don't know of any reviews of Extech model in particular, but Dave has done several of their other products, and there have been glitches with the samples sent to him.  

Using wireless in an industrial environment is problematic; if you are a professional its not advisable because the meter may not work under all industrial conditions because the location could be full of RF noise from many devices.  Since Extech doesn't have third party safety certification, and since there is no standard for bluetooth or even GHz wireless transmission interference tests in an industrial setting that a 3rd party agency can test for [AFAIK], the buyer has to take the risk.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/wireless/ps9391/ps9393/ps9394/prod_white_paper0900aecd807395a9_ns736_Networking_Solutions_White_Paper.html

Its well known that BT and 802.11 wifi interfere with each other if proximity is close.

Thank you again Saturation for your kind reply.
Few moments ago the Ebay seller refund me for the Fluke 289, since he has delay on supply.

My question is, Is it wise to get the Agilent u1253b instead of the fluke? I know the Agilent looks why cooler, but the fluke gives much more, like the graphic logging and more.

Also regarding the ex540. Is there any review on it? did someone check if the Bluetooth implemented in it does work without interfering? Is it a wise choice?
I know it's less accurate then the fluke and Agilent.

Looking for your respond.

[Aido4ever]

hello Saturation. I'm just a hobbiest , working at my private lab at home.

Thanks to your replys, I'm re looking to buy the fluke again, hopefully to find it again at the same price of 550 including shipping!!!

Regarding the Extech 540. It seems that you and dave don't think of it highly, while it got the "2010 Product of the year" aword from Ec&M, am i missing something here?

I thought about buying it, maby in addition to another meter, since it only cost 299 usd!!!

[Aido4ever]

Saturation , hi.
Can you tell me what comes with the Agilent u1253b bundle? I'm very confused from all the info around.
Does it came with the data logging software? and if not, what software do i need to download or purchase?

I just found out that fluke sell this software at very expensive price....

How many accessories comes with the Agilent?

Thank you very much.

[saturation]

Hi aido4ever, I don't know enough of Extech and the meters specs as a instrument are a bit low; $270 can buy a lot of Agilent, Fluke or other top brand meter.  It does look plenty rugged though.  Dave however, always manages to find valid design issue in products he reviews, for example, see at the end:

http://www.eevblog.com/2011/03/03/eevblog-151-extech-multimeter-canyon-trip/

As the write up shows, it does have safety certification by UL.

http://www.extech.com/instruments/product.asp?catid=48&prodid=265

Also, when you look at its other products, complaints by other owners suggest there is something wrong either in production, design or quality control, including some basic items like its measurement accuracy:

http://www.amazon.com/Extech-EX330-Autoranging-Multimeter-Thermometer/product-reviews/B000EX0AE4/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

http://www.amazon.com/Extech-EX505-Industrial-MultiMeter-Waterproof/dp/B001AGO9SW

http://www.amazon.com/Extech-EX410-Ranging-Multimeter-Thermometer/dp/B00023RXGE/ref=sr_1_10?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1302037046&sr=1-10

So, given other makers of DMM in the world, and they are many, its recurring faults in different products puts its brand not high on my list. 

hello Saturation. I'm just a hobbiest , working at my private lab at home.

Thanks to your replys, I'm re looking to buy the fluke again, hopefully to find it again at the same price of 550 including shipping!!!

Regarding the Extech 540. It seems that you and dave don't think of it highly, while it got the "2010 Product of the year" aword from Ec&M, am i missing something here?

I thought about buying it, maby in addition to another meter, since it only cost 299 usd!!!

[saturation]

http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/product.jspx?pn=U1253B
See link for pdf file, it lists all enclosed accessories.

Saturation , hi.
Can you tell me what comes with the Agilent u1253b bundle? I'm very confused from all the info around.
Does it came with the data logging software? and if not, what software do i need to download or purchase?

I just found out that fluke sell this software at very expensive price....

How many accessories comes with the Agilent?

Thank you very much.

[Aido4ever]

Saturation, thanks again.
I've found out from this link that the 1253A comes more equipped with accessories then the B version. My concern is if the B version is a revision update of the board and not only differ by the color and accessories.

Now i know that the fluke is very expensive with the software and cable needed for data logging on the pc. what about the Agilent? Does it's software come free? can you see graphs on the Pc At least?

I've also noticed the U1251 version, which the main different is the TRUE RMS of an ACV and also the frequency is down to 30khz.. will i need it? It seems that this is for people who are working with high voltages AC current and i'm only designing microchip based PCBs..

your help is very appreciated!!! thanks!

I've tried to call Agilent customer support, but it's not the working days... i'll tray again in few more hours.

[saturation]

Yes software is included in the 1252a, but they don't give you the interface cable, so I can't test it.  There are 2 frequency counters, one tied to the Vac range that cuts off at 100kHz and another as a separate counter range limited to 20 MHz.  For uchip base designs, the counter isn't that useful but it great to have it free   but I wouldn't pay extra money for this feature in a DMM for just 20 MHz, its better to get one separate to count to the GHz, or use the free one on the Rigol 1052e [ if you have one].

Accessories are:

• Soft carrying case
• 9 V alkaline battery
• Rechargeable 7.2 V battery (for U1252A only)
• Power cord & AC adapter (for U1252A only)
• Standard Test Lead Kit [ plus and accessory connector kit]
• Quick Start Guide
• CD containing the User’s Guide, application software and
instrument drivers
• Certificate of Calibration

P.S. Nearly everything you asked me can be found on the Agilent website if you hunt for it, its faster than using the telephone.

Saturation, thanks again.
I've found out from this link that the 1253A comes more equipped with accessories then the B version. My concern is if the B version is a revision update of the board and not only differ by the color and accessories.

Now i know that the fluke is very expensive with the software and cable needed for data logging on the pc. what about the Agilent? Does it's software come free? can you see graphs on the Pc At least?

I've also noticed the U1251 version, which the main different is the TRUE RMS of an ACV and also the frequency is down to 30khz.. will i need it? It seems that this is for people who are working with high voltages AC current and i'm only designing microchip based PCBs..

your help is very appreciated!!! thanks!

I've tried to call Agilent customer support, but it's not the working days... i'll tray again in few more hours.

[saturation]

Just a quick notification to the eevblog crews, my 1252a battery charger spontaneously died, the unit is less than 1 year old.

Its not a big deal to replace, but it speaks of Agilent's HH quality.  The same PSU is used in the 1252b and 1253 models and it lists for $50 from Agilent, its puzzling it should fail, since most brick or wallwarts can be made to last a lifetime.

Per Agilent, the main DMM is warranted for 3 years, and all accessories 1-3 months.

The 1252a is discontinued and was first released ~ 2006, and is one of the still heavily Escort influenced designs, before Agilent bought them out. 

[BravoV]

Saturation, since its out of warranty & broken, any chance for a complete teardown & internal photoshoots session ? 

[alm]

1-3 months warranty on the charger is way too short, there's no reason why it shouldn't last as long as the meter. It's not like test leads or those stick-on 'skins' which are likely to see much more wear and tear.

[BravoV]

1-3 months warranty on the charger is way too short, there's no reason why it shouldn't last as long as the meter. It's not like test leads or those stick-on 'skins' which are likely to see much more wear and tear.

Agree, thats why I'm so curious to see the so called "Agilent grade" charger.

[saturation]

Yes, was thinking of tearing it open since the leads are worth salvaging



FWIW all the accessories: test clips, probes etc., that come with the 1252a and the 1272a look and feel very cheap.  The only quality item is the main probe and silicone test leads, but its not near Fluke's quality, which are among the best.  When I use the Fluke leads, I don't feel like putting the leads down, they are actually pleasant to hold. 

This Agilent quality only affects items in the handheld division, other tools in the others groups, such as the oscilloscopes, appear better.

A copy of the warranty is enclosed, this is a far cry from the pseudo-lifetime warranty offered for an equivalent Fluke DMM.  Just some things to think about in a $300-400 DMM.

1-3 months warranty on the charger is way too short, there's no reason why it shouldn't last as long as the meter. It's not like test leads or those stick-on 'skins' which are likely to see much more wear and tear.

Saturation, since its out of warranty & broken, any chance for a complete teardown & internal photoshoots session ? 

[nanofrog]

I'd be interested in a tear-down as well.