Author Topic: Bunch of keysight U1252B meters around  (Read 145791 times)

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Offline tooki

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Re: Bunch of keysight U1252B meters around
« Reply #75 on: January 17, 2017, 12:49:20 am »
So how long does the gold plating on the ProbeMasters last? I am fairly gentle with my probes, but they do get rubbed and held against metal all the time.

Also, is it best just to get them factory direct? Or is there some cheaper source? They are not too pricey even from the factory.
I only just got mine a year ago and I'm not a heavy user, so alas I can't give you any experience on longevity.

I don't think ProbeMaster sells to distributors (at least within USA), they've been catalog direct-sales only as long as I can remember (which goes back to the 1980s).
 

Offline bobaru

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Re: Bunch of keysight U1252B meters around
« Reply #76 on: January 20, 2017, 05:04:03 pm »
Looks like the seller has another batch available again.   Currently listing more than 10 available.   They probably won't last long.   I got one on the first round.    Highly recommended.

-bob
 

Offline amirm

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Re: Bunch of keysight U1252B meters around
« Reply #77 on: January 20, 2017, 05:20:08 pm »
I got mine a couple of days ago.  The meter was in a loose bag which made me a bit suspicious that it was repackaged.  But otherwise, all is well.

It is a nice meter other than the continuity section as reported.  I wanted to test with probemaster probes but they have walked away from bench so could not.  :D

Tested the voltage rage with my reference and it reads a tad low compared to the reference and my Keithly.  I think it was 4.996 instead of 5.001 or something like that.  Better than my Fluke and other meters though.

Didn't know it came with rechargeable 9 volt battery.

The dial is a bit too small but has a very nice feel.

Overall I am pretty happy with it. 
 

Offline FlyingHacker

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Re: Bunch of keysight U1252B meters around
« Reply #78 on: January 20, 2017, 11:14:44 pm »
Odd, mine came in the original box with sealed packaging.

Great deal.
--73
 

Offline amirm

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Re: Bunch of keysight U1252B meters around
« Reply #79 on: January 21, 2017, 12:59:32 am »
Sorry was not clear.  Mine came in the original box.  But the meter itself was in a plastic bag that didn't look like factory.
 

Offline FlyingHacker

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Re: Bunch of keysight U1252B meters around
« Reply #80 on: January 21, 2017, 02:06:18 am »
Ah, mine was in what looked like a factory sealed bag. The accessories and manual were sealed.

Anyway, it works well.
--73
 

Offline ocw

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Re: Bunch of keysight U1252B meters around
« Reply #81 on: January 23, 2017, 12:30:31 am »
Quote
Tested the voltage rage with my reference and it reads a tad low compared to the reference and my Keithly.  I think it was 4.996 instead of 5.001 or something like that.


I purchased one as well.  I was disappointed that the least significant digit, even the two least significant digits at times, would take almost 30 seconds before a voltage reading would finally settle at its most accurate value (those digits would slowly increase).  After that amount of time the reading was within its 0.025% accuracy specification.  1 - 10 volt readings were more likely to be that way.  I compared its reading with a similar reading via my 34401A meter at the same time and the 34401A reading was steady.

I saw a similar drift on the U1252B current readings over an amp.
 

Offline amirm

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Re: Bunch of keysight U1252B meters around
« Reply #82 on: January 24, 2017, 07:02:36 am »
Yeh, I noticed the same thing.  My Keithly is lightning fast and accurate.
 

Offline bitseeker

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Re: Bunch of keysight U1252B meters around
« Reply #83 on: January 24, 2017, 07:43:51 am »
Comparing handheld DMMs to much more capable (and expensive) bench ones isn't going to end well. Use each for its strengths.
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Offline ocw

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Re: Bunch of keysight U1252B meters around
« Reply #84 on: January 24, 2017, 04:30:47 pm »
Quote
Comparing handheld DMMs to much more capable (and expensive) bench ones isn't going to end well. Use each for its strengths.

If you want to compare apples to apples, my U1252B just took 25 seconds to get a precise reading of 2.4982 volts.  My "economy" Mastech MS8218 took under 3 seconds to settle to 2.4985 volts.  Part of that 3 seconds was probably the stabilization of the source voltage.  I would expect the Keysight meter to come closer to matching the Mastech on reading speed for full resolution.
 

Offline ArcticGeek

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Re: Bunch of keysight U1252B meters around
« Reply #85 on: January 24, 2017, 04:38:17 pm »
Regarding the slow readings, one thing you might want to check is that the Low Pass Filter is turned off in the configuration settings.   I don't recall if the U1252B has the LPF or not, but the U1272A will be slow until you disable the LPF....just a thought.
 

Offline ocw

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Re: Bunch of keysight U1252B meters around
« Reply #86 on: January 24, 2017, 05:55:52 pm »
Quote
Regarding the slow readings, one thing you might want to check is that the Low Pass Filter is turned off in the configuration settings.

Thanks!  I forgot to double check.  While my U1252B was still in its default settings which is supposed to be with the DC filter off, it actually was on.  After turning it off the reading went almost immediately to 2.4986 volts on the U1252B--the reading never made it quite that high with the filter on.  My MS8218 is still looking good with its 2.4985 volt reading.
 

Offline bitseeker

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Re: Bunch of keysight U1252B meters around
« Reply #87 on: January 24, 2017, 06:51:23 pm »
If I recall correctly, Keysight changed the firmware of many of their DMMs to have the LPF on by default. They used to be off by default.
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Offline FlyingHacker

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Re: Bunch of keysight U1252B meters around
« Reply #88 on: January 25, 2017, 08:13:01 am »
So I was at my local electronics store and noticed they had the ProbeMaster probes. So I grabbed a set (like $1 more than online, but I support my guy).

They are very nice probes. I already stabbed myself! Ouch!

There was no effect on the speed of the continuity tester on the U1252B. It is still only fast on the 51Meg or 510Meg scale.

But the probes are very nice, and feel great in the hands. It is a toss up between the Fluke Twist ones, the Probemater, and the surplus Elwyn probes. They all have their strengths and weaknesses.
--73
 
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Offline eeviking

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Re: Bunch of keysight U1252B meters around
« Reply #89 on: January 25, 2017, 06:52:42 pm »
If I recall correctly, Keysight changed the firmware of many of their DMMs to have the LPF on by default. They used to be off by default.

From the U1252B user guide:
Filter defaults
Firmware version Default setting
2.17 and below oFF
2.18 and above oN

Still waiting for the one I ordered, should be here tomorrow  :)
 
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Offline bitseeker

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Re: Bunch of keysight U1252B meters around
« Reply #90 on: January 25, 2017, 10:51:39 pm »
So I was at my local electronics store and noticed they had the ProbeMaster probes. So I grabbed a set (like $1 more than online, but I support my guy).

They are very nice probes. I already stabbed myself! Ouch!

LOL! Welcome to the club. You're now official.
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Offline iainwhite

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Re: Bunch of keysight U1252B meters around
« Reply #91 on: January 25, 2017, 11:20:03 pm »
thanks to this thread, I now have a U1252B and set of Probemasters -  maybe i'm getting ready for T.E.A. membership?
 

Offline bitseeker

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Re: Bunch of keysight U1252B meters around
« Reply #92 on: January 26, 2017, 02:55:09 am »
thanks to this thread, I now have a U1252B and set of Probemasters -  maybe i'm getting ready for T.E.A. membership?

No worries. You've got a few DMMs to go, yet. But you can still stop by and say, "hi". We're a friendly lot.
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Offline mrrrwhat

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Re: Bunch of keysight U1252B meters around
« Reply #93 on: January 28, 2017, 10:12:20 am »
Do anybody know how to upgrade U1252B firmware?
I can't find any information form official website
 

Offline bitseeker

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Re: Bunch of keysight U1252B meters around
« Reply #94 on: January 28, 2017, 11:19:15 pm »
If I remember correctly, only the U1253B firmware can be field updated by using the USB-to-IR cable. U1251B and U1252B have to be updated by Keysight.

Of course, if there is a DIY way to do it, I'd be interested as well.
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Offline nanofrog

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Re: Bunch of keysight U1252B meters around
« Reply #95 on: January 29, 2017, 12:07:44 am »
If I remember correctly, only the U1253B firmware can be field updated by using the USB-to-IR cable. U1251B and U1252B have to be updated by Keysight.
IIRC, the U1252B can be upgraded the same way (via USB - IR).

Unlike the U1253B however, they've not released any firmware updates for the U1252B (just checked to be sure). They have updated the logging software.
 

Offline FlyingHacker

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Re: Bunch of keysight U1252B meters around
« Reply #96 on: January 29, 2017, 12:10:19 am »
Did you have an issue with the existing firmware?
--73
 

Offline nanofrog

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Re: Bunch of keysight U1252B meters around
« Reply #97 on: January 29, 2017, 12:33:24 am »
Did you have an issue with the existing firmware?
No, not at all.  ;D
 

Offline bitseeker

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Re: Bunch of keysight U1252B meters around
« Reply #98 on: January 29, 2017, 12:36:18 am »
I didn't, either. However, there are various things I'd enhance about the meter, which may or may not be firmware related. :-DMM
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Offline iainwhite

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Re: Bunch of keysight U1252B meters around
« Reply #99 on: January 29, 2017, 01:54:41 am »
Looks like the latest firmware is more than a year old:

Version:    3.1.51130.01
Release Date:    2015-12-03

according to the 1253B tech support page Here
 


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