Yokogawa TY530 vs Fluke 87-V

[Rhythmtech]

Yokogawa TY530

VS.

Fluke 87-V

 Yokogawa may be unfamiliar to the handheld multimeter market, but their power meters and other test and measurement equipment is widely known in industrial, power, and electromechanical circles.

Take a look at the accuracy specs of both units they're pretty close.

	TY530	87-V	Winner
Price:	$232.50USD	$379.95USD	TY530
Accuracy:
DC Volts:	0.09% + 2	±(0.05%+1)	87-V
AC Volts:	0.5% + 5	±(0.7%+2)	Tie
Current DC:	0.2% + 2	±(0.2%+2)	Tie
Current AC:	0.75% + 5	±(1.0%+2)	Tie
Resistance:	0.4% + 1	±(0.2%+1)	87-V
Capacitance:	2.0% + 5	±(1%+2)	87-V
Frequency:	0.02% + 1	±(0.005%+1)	87-V

The AC bandwidth is only to 1kHz on TY530 as opposed to 20kHz on the 87-V and the TY530 only measures frequency to 100kHz where the 87-V does 200kHz, but for almost $150 less the TY530 holds its own. My experience with other Yokogawa units has always been positive, does anyone have any experience with one of their hand held DMM's?

I am always on the lookout for something comparable to the 87-V for cheaper, TY530 seems like it does it to me and you get the support infrastructure of a big name company. Anybody have any thoughts?

[saturation]

Amazon has been selling the 87V @ $300 +/- 5% depending on the deals, delivered, see Amazon.com prices.

The Yoko is a great DMM in a separate class, I think lower than the 87V but better than the $100 shootout meters Dave recently completed.

Other key differences are the Yoko has a data logger and runs on AA, the 87V uses 9V but also has a 20,000 count hi resolution meter mode.  While the rated specs of the 87V are stated, what it actually does is much better.  My 85-I series will measure to 800kHz down -3dB with the stated accuracy and the AC bandwidth works up to 100kHz.

What unfortunately needs to be done now is to personally work with it to check its ergonomics.  Workability seems to be more noticeably different that the upfront specs.

[Rhythmtech]

Yeah, anybody think they can get a Yoko rep to loan them one?

[McPete]

Well, I know guys at two of the Australian distributors of YEW test equipment. I'll try to have a word next week.

[squeezee]

The Yokogawa is also very similar in functionality/specs to the Agilent U1242A/B, perhaps another option at that price.

[Rhythmtech]

Well, I know guys at two of the Australian distributors of YEW test equipment. I'll try to have a word next week.

Right on

The Yokogawa is also very similar in functionality/specs to the Agilent U1242A/B, perhaps another option at that price.

True. If you have a facebook account Allied Electronics is raffling off two on the 19th.

[McPete]

I spoke to one distributor this morning, and he warned me off the YEWs for the simple fact that the display has a pretty poor viewing angle, apparently a common trait across the YEW handheld DMM range. For that reason, he didn't actually want to supply one for review.

Oddly though, when I asked about the 87V, he actually recommended me the 28II instead- They're cheaper by about $15 0_o

[ThunderSqueak]

I spoke to one distributor this morning, and he warned me off the YEWs for the simple fact that the display has a pretty poor viewing angle, apparently a common trait across the YEW handheld DMM range. For that reason, he didn't actually want to supply one for review.

Oddly though, when I asked about the 87V, he actually recommended me the 28II instead- They're cheaper by about $15 0_o

Out of curiosity, what were the prices?

[McPete]

Out of curiosity, what were the prices?

I won't list an ACUTAL price, but I'll say this; they're about 1.5 times what you can get one from Ebay for. For the certainty of after-sales service though, I'm thinking the saving might we worth discarding...

[ThunderSqueak]

cryptic


ok, anyway... all things being equal ( or close to it ) I prefer a warranty :>

Getting a discount on a product is common if you talk to the sales staff,  you would be surprised what people will do for a sale rather than let inventory get old.

[Matt]

Well, I know guys at two of the Australian distributors of YEW test equipment. I'll try to have a word next week.

Right on

The Yokogawa is also very similar in functionality/specs to the Agilent U1242A/B, perhaps another option at that price.

True. If you have a facebook account Allied Electronics is raffling off two on the 19th.

Holy crap I was one of the winners!  Thanks for cluing me in to this contest    I think my trusty Radioshack meter Ive had for a couple years is going to be sitting on the sidelines 

-Matt

[MrPlacid]

I envy you Matt. Guess it's about time I get a facebook account.

[EEVblog]

Holy crap I was one of the winners!  Thanks for cluing me in to this contest    I think my trusty Radioshack meter Ive had for a couple years is going to be sitting on the sidelines 

SCORE!
Well done.

Dave.

[Rhythmtech]

Holy crap I was one of the winners!  Thanks for cluing me in to this contest    I think my trusty Radioshack meter Ive had for a couple years is going to be sitting on the sidelines 
-Matt

Sweet!

[Rhythmtech]

I spoke to one distributor this morning, and he warned me off the YEWs for the simple fact that the display has a pretty poor viewing angle, apparently a common trait across the YEW handheld DMM range. For that reason, he didn't actually want to supply one for review.

Oddly though, when I asked about the 87V, he actually recommended me the 28II instead- They're cheaper by about $15 0_o

Good to know, thanks!

[McPete]

I thought I'd mention- I got to have a very brief play with a Yokogawa TY720 (The range-topping model). It felt very solid, and had that general feeling of being a well built product, as one would expect from a big name like Yokogawa. Size felt similar to a 180 Series meter, which it a bit on the big side as far as I'm concerned.

The shuttering was different to my expectation- Essentially, when you're on a non-current range, the current terminals are blocked. When you switch to a current range, those terminals become open, but the voltage terminals stay open too. So not the full idiot-proofing, but not bad.

However, as I was informed, the screen isn't the best. It's not catastrophically bad, but the digits seem a bit faint. Maybe the contrast turned right down, but it irked me bit. The room was pretty bright, so the backlight could barely be seen, nothing special again, I would suggest. The viewing angle isn't as bad as was described to me, but it wasn't becoming of a good brand like Yokogawa.

For a top-end company like YEW, how something like that screen made it to market is beyond me. It's not a deal-breaker for me though though. It's still, so far as I can see a very nice meter, and if you need the features, you're getting more for your money from the YEW than a Fluke.

[Rhythmtech]

Thanks! It's good to hear that the only detracting annoyance is the screen, although it's probably one of the more detrimental things to get wrong.  I've always like Yew's stuff, maybe we can get them to do one better on the screen eventually...

[saturation]

Alas, the screen is a principle interface between the user and the DMM, you can't get results of functions unless you can see it. 

Thanks! It's good to hear that the only detracting annoyance is the screen, although it's probably one of the more detrimental things to get wrong.  I've always like Yew's stuff, maybe we can get them to do one better on the screen eventually...

[alm]

The shuttering was different to my expectation- Essentially, when you're on a non-current range, the current terminals are blocked. When you switch to a current range, those terminals become open, but the voltage terminals stay open too. So not the full idiot-proofing, but not bad.

Measuring current with the leads in the voltage terminal is not a safety issue, it just won't work, and any competent technician will figure this out. It's just to protect from the occasional oops-fuse blown, or worse, oops-flash-boom.

However, as I was informed, the screen isn't the best. It's not catastrophically bad, but the digits seem a bit faint. Maybe the contrast turned right down, but it irked me bit. The room was pretty bright, so the backlight could barely be seen, nothing special again, I would suggest. The viewing angle isn't as bad as was described to me, but it wasn't becoming of a good brand like Yokogawa.

For a top-end company like YEW, how something like that screen made it to market is beyond me. It's not a deal-breaker for me though though. It's still, so far as I can see a very nice meter, and if you need the features, you're getting more for your money from the YEW than a Fluke.

I agree with saturation that the screen is a major part of the user interface, so I would definitely consider this important. On the other hand, you're the only one that has actually seen the screen, so only you can judge how bad it is. I'm not a big fan of unbacklit LCD in general, especially if the contrast or viewing angle is bad.

[Rhythmtech]

Alas, the screen is a principle interface between the user and the DMM, you can't get results of functions unless you can see it. 

Thanks! It's good to hear that the only detracting annoyance is the screen, although it's probably one of the more detrimental things to get wrong.  I've always like Yew's stuff, maybe we can get them to do one better on the screen eventually...

I completely agree, was trying to state it in a mostly positive light. I am tying t work less negativity into my gripes....

[McPete]

Alas, the screen is a principle interface between the user and the DMM, you can't get results of functions unless you can see it. 

Very true, but I maintain it isn't catestropically bad. It's just not to the up standard I'm accustomed (Fluke 179).

Measuring current with the leads in the voltage terminal is not a safety issue, it just won't work, and any competent technician will figure this out. It's just to protect from the occasional oops-fuse blown, or worse, oops-flash-boom.

Again, I agree. I just had it in my head that it would cover the V/Ohm input when current measurement was selected. Certinally not a danger, unless one goes probing things one shouldn't. It's an alternative to input alert, in a way.

[Mambo]

I spoke to one distributor this morning, and he warned me off the YEWs for the simple fact that the display has a pretty poor viewing angle, apparently a common trait across the YEW handheld DMM range. For that reason, he didn't actually want to supply one for review.

Oddly though, when I asked about the 87V, he actually recommended me the 28II instead- They're cheaper by about $15 0_o

I've just come across this thread while looking for something else on the web. Yokogawa's DMM's may need a bit of work on the display the meter itself is a well made product. Other than the DMM range, they have some of the best Oscilloscopes on the market (refer DLM 2000 series). This is comparable to the DSO3000 series from Tektronix, and you need to see both if you are considering a Tek 3000.

Further they have very good Clamps & Bench Power Meters. Some would say Industry leading in the latter.

I don't want this to look like a ad, but If Dave wanted to look at a DLM2000 series I'd be only too happy, although given they are about $6000, I'd rather he not take it apart 

One last thing about Warranty,  be mindful about importing Fluke products if you are worried about warranty.

Refer - http://www.fluke.com.au/auen/support/warranty/default.htm

[saturation]

This is good news.  Mambo, you should offer Dave to review Yoko gear.  I don't get to hear much of it, and if you are confident it its capabilities, Daves honest opinion could help publicity more.

I spoke to one distributor this morning, and he warned me off the YEWs for the simple fact that the display has a pretty poor viewing angle, apparently a common trait across the YEW handheld DMM range. For that reason, he didn't actually want to supply one for review.

Oddly though, when I asked about the 87V, he actually recommended me the 28II instead- They're cheaper by about $15 0_o

I've just come across this thread while looking for something else on the web. Yokogawa's DMM's may need a bit of work on the display the meter itself is a well made product. Other than the DMM range, they have some of the best Oscilloscopes on the market (refer DLM 2000 series). This is comparable to the DSO3000 series from Tektronix, and you need to see both if you are considering a Tek 3000.

Further they have very good Clamps & Bench Power Meters. Some would say Industry leading in the latter.

I don't want this to look like a ad, but If Dave wanted to look at a DLM2000 series I'd be only too happy, although given they are about $6000, I'd rather he not take it apart 

One last thing about Warranty,  be mindful about importing Fluke products if you are worried about warranty.

Refer - http://www.fluke.com.au/auen/support/warranty/default.htm

[McPete]

We've got a DLM2000 at work... Ours is the two-channel, 200MHz, sans-logic analyser version. Really nice scope, but one of those bits of gear we haven't sat down and actually worked out how to use... Along with so much else.
We've also got a WT-3000 Power analyser. That thing is beyond words... It's an amazing machine.