Tektronix TX3 Multimeter Review

[mzacharias]

Here is an initial review of my brother's meter:



I have been informed the TX3 is the same as a Fluke 185.

Mark Z.

[saturation]

Most excellent review! 

Your brother wasn't kidding about how this DMMs fair in field work, they are great accuracy meters but it could have lost to Fluke in the ruggedness arena:

Here is an initial review of my brother's meter:



I have been informed the TX3 is the same as a Fluke 185.

Mark Z.

[Bambur]

Test it against the GSM interference 

[PetrosA]

The battery compartment design seems like one of the safest I've seen - all manufacturers tell you to remove the leads before changing the batteries, but this one forces you to do so. Thumbs up!

[chscholz]

I have been informed the TX3 is the same as a Fluke 185.

Mark Z.

Sounds plausible. Tektronix and Fluke, both are owned by Danaher.

Chris

[mzacharias]

I have been informed the TX3 is the same as a Fluke 185.

Mark Z.

Sounds plausible. Tektronix and Fluke, both are owned by Danaher.

Chris

As I understand it, Tek sold the design to Fluke. (and possibly their North American multimeter manufacturing facility?) Tektronix no longer had US made meters, and the TX3 was rebranded as a Fluke...six of the one, half a dozen of the other , I suppose. But yeah, I'd forgot about Danaher, they did own Fluke by that time.

Mark Z.

[BillGeo]

...and it seems like the TX1 model is the same except for the temp. function and some minor accuracy difference in Voltages measurement.

I was considering buying a Fluke 77 IV or a 177, but the Tektronix seems better! (well, except for ruggedness)
What do you think?

[Ernie Milko]

I really enjoyed your review, Mark.
I have watched a few of your other videos too, great work. Will watch more when I get time.
Please accept my condolences for your brother and use his meter with pride!

The TX1 and TX3 became the Fluke 183 and 185 respectively.
Excellent meters, very large display. We used to have some of the TX1s where I used to work; my only real complaint is having to push a button to toggle between AC and DC. I do prefer Fluke's method of using the rotary switch for this purpose.

In answer to BillGeo, the 77IV and 177 are good meters, certainly more general-purpose than the TX1/3.
I really don't see the point in the 77IV's existence; one may as well just buy a 177.

[BillGeo]

In answer to BillGeo, the 77IV and 177 are good meters, certainly more general-purpose than the TX1/3.
I really don't see the point in the 77IV's existence; one may as well just buy a 177.

Thank you for your answer Ernie.

That's exactly what I thought.

Now, that just leaves me to decide between a used Tek TX1 (if I can find one) (or a Fluke 177 for that matter) and a new Amprobe (Meterman) 37XR-A

Oh, decisions decisions!!!

[updatelee]

Most excellent review! 

Your brother wasn't kidding about how this DMMs fair in field work, they are great accuracy meters but it could have lost to Fluke in the ruggedness arena:

Here is an initial review of my brother's meter:



I have been informed the TX3 is the same as a Fluke 185.

Mark Z.

And yours for only $150

[tyblu]

Your brother wasn't kidding about how this DMMs fair in field work, they are great accuracy meters but it could have lost to Fluke in the ruggedness arena:
<image>

Cripes -- I know that look! That has been run over by a vehicle. Happened to mine!

[FreeThinker]

Just one question, Did your brother know you were taking his meter apart?  

[BillGeo]

Hey,

I just found and bought the TX1 on E-Bay...

Got it for 130$ plus shipping.



Yes, it doesn't come with the original leads or the blue rubber holster.
But I'll be keeping it on the bench most of the time.
And I'm planing on buying a Fluke 177 (or the Amprobe 37XR-A if budget is tight) for outdoors work.\

SO? Do you think its a good deal?

[mzacharias]

Just one question, Did your brother know you were taking his meter apart?  

Depends on whether you believe in a hereafter, I suppose, as he left me that and a couple other pieces when he died. But yes, he knew I was doing multimeter reviews, he just had other things on his mind what with the liver cancer and all...

But stand by; I have some new information on the TX3 and it also relates to the Gossen Metrahit Xtra!

[mzacharias]

Hey,

I just found and bought the TX1 on E-Bay...

Got it for 130$ plus shipping.

Yes, it doesn't come with the original leads or the blue rubber holster.
But I'll be keeping it on the bench most of the time.
And I'm planing on buying a Fluke 177 (or the Amprobe 37XR-A if budget is tight) for outdoors work.\

SO? Do you think its a good deal?

Seen a TX3 go for $66.00 US the other day, but that's life on eBay. I'm quite sure you'll be happy with the TX1.

[BillGeo]

Seen a TX3 go for $66.00 US the other day, but that's life on eBay.

Yea, you can say that again Zacharia!

Anyway, waiting on your update on the TX3 and the Gossen

[mzacharias]

Okie Dokie - here's the updated info on the TX3. Looks to me like the Gossen probably does it much the same way with MOS swtching of the current shunts.

The cool part, I think, is that you can monitor current continuously from the microamp range up through the 10 amp range without switching jacks.

[ErnestB]

Fluke 185 / Tektronix TX3 question: I know this is a very old video/post and a long shot, but I can always ask: Does anyone has the schematics, part list or more specific I try to found out the values of the 2 capacitors C99 and C100, that are part of the AC compensation network, as I have been told on EEVblog forum. What I am trying to do is to bring back the AC measurement back within the specs. DC is just fine.