Bunch of keysight U1252B meters around

[BravoV]

Also beware of the printed label, these Agilent's Escort models are susceptible of chipping/fading.

My Fluke dmms that are older and even experienced harsher treatment don't have this problem.

I own U1242B and U1252B as these have identical case molding types and label printing.

This is what happened to mine, never used in harsh place nor sweaty fingers.

[mtdoc]

Also beware of the printed label, these Agilent's Escort models are susceptible of chipping/fading.

I guess that's what the extra skins are for!

[FlyingHacker]

Having used the Fluke 87V for years I gotta say I much prefer this Keysight. Sure, the Fluke is more rugged to put in a toolbox, but for electronics use the dual display of the Keysight (which can read AC and DC at the same time to handle biases AC signals), the far superior backlight, superior screen in general, the adjustable backlight and meter timeout turnoff settings, and the current mode that doesn't default to AC like the Fluke make the Keysight a clear winner for non-industrial use.

I mean how many times have you wondered what the bad reading was on the 87 when in current mode only to realize you were in AC current?

How many times have you had to turn the backlight back on on the Fluke?


The orange is a lot nicer than the yellow too.

I do agree both are overpriced.

[unimorpheus]

Also beware of the printed label, these Agilent's Escort models are susceptible of chipping/fading.

I guess that's what the extra skins are for!

So if you apply a skin you can never peal it off!!!! 

[Gandalf_Sr]

I just boughtone for $202 plus shipping which was my 3rd offer.  Seems reasonable for a meter that's going for $575 on Amazon.  I have a nice Fluke 177 but I think this is better for electronic workbench work, especially the dual meter functionality - thanks for the heads up guys.

[tooki]

Not to change the subject but after having purchased two of these meters it just reaffirms in my mind how far off track HP/Agilent/Keysight have strayed. Other than some performance specifications I don't see how Keysight thinks this meter competes with the 87-V, its obvious rival. Depending on where you quire it (outside of eBay obviously) they are $30-$100 more expensive than the 87-V. I my mind the U1252B falls short on build quality, battery life, orange color scheme (subjective), including stickers, sorry "skins" with a professional piece of[…]

Ummm… you do realize this meter is from the product line Keysight is killing off? As others have said, this model is one of the old designs from Escort, which Agilent-at-the-time purchased. One by one they've been replacing the Escort models with "native" Keysight designs, which by all accounts are much superior. So I think your choice of words, "strayed" is kind of off-base.

[Gandalf_Sr]

Wow! It may be last year's model but, having just read through the spec sheet, I am definitely NOT having buyers remorse 

[mtdoc]

Wow! It may be last year's model but, having just read through the spec sheet, I am definitely NOT having buyers remorse 

I think you'll be very happy with it.  The accuracy of mine surpasses the already impressive specs. 

After using it for several days now, I had reason to use both is and my Fluke 87V simultaneously on a project and I couldn't believe how much nicer the screen/backlight is on it. The extra resolution and dual display also came in handy and meant I didn't need to fire up one of my bench meters.

I'm liking it more an more every day.  No question it's a bargain for $200.

[unimorpheus]

Ummm… you do realize this meter is from the product line Keysight is killing off? As others have said, this model is one of the old designs from Escort, which Agilent-at-the-time purchased. One by one they've been replacing the Escort models with "native" Keysight designs, which by all accounts are much superior. So I think your choice of words, "strayed" is kind of off-base.

I've seen the "new" ones at Fry's. My comments stand. 

[electrolust]

I just boughtone for $202 plus shipping which was my 3rd offer.  Seems reasonable for a meter that's going for $575 on Amazon.  I have a nice Fluke 177 but I think this is better for electronic workbench work, especially the dual meter functionality - thanks for the heads up guys.

Not really fair to pick the highest price as a comparison.  Keysight themselves sells it for $426 shipped, on ebay.  Apparently MSRP is $485?  I wonder how folks can sell it for higher than MSRP esp. on Amazon.

Anyway, a bargain regardless.  I snagged one @ $200.  I think I'm now officially out of the novice league now that I own too many DMMs. 

[natman69]

After reading this thread, I've a Keysight U1252B on my way...

I've noticed that in EU the ir to usb data cable is about 50 euro.

It's time to do a diy cable! 

[Kennylxix]

I just boughtone for $202 plus shipping which was my 3rd offer.  Seems reasonable for a meter that's going for $575 on Amazon.  I have a nice Fluke 177 but I think this is better for electronic workbench work, especially the dual meter functionality - thanks for the heads up guys.

Anyway, a bargain regardless.  I snagged one @ $200.  I think I'm now officially out of the novice league now that I own too many DMMs. 

I'm not sure what you mean.   I wasn't aware it was possible to have too many dmms

[Gandalf_Sr]

After reading this thread, I've a Keysight U1252B on my way...

I've noticed that in EU the ir to usb data cable is about 50 euro.

It's time to do a diy cable! 

Glad to hear you snagged one   I was thinking the same about a DIY cable but Allied only wants $32 (plus tax and shipping no doubt) here in the US for a U1173B. Even if this is as simple as taking an FT232R based USB-serial board like the one from Sparkfun and adding IR TX/RX diodes, it hardly seems worth the trouble for that kind of money.

[natman69]

After reading this thread, I've a Keysight U1252B on my way...

I've noticed that in EU the ir to usb data cable is about 50 euro.

It's time to do a diy cable! 

Glad to hear you snagged one   I was thinking the same about a DIY cable but Allied only wants $32 (plus tax and shipping no doubt) here in the US for a U1173B. Even if this is as simple as taking an FT232R based USB-serial board like the one from Sparkfun and adding IR TX/RX diodes, it hardly seems worth the trouble for that kind of money.

Probably, you're right! I've noticed that RS sells it at 37 euro + tax and shipping. 

[Gandalf_Sr]

There's also the wireless U1117A IR-to-Bluetooth Adapter that goes for around $99.  Be careful if you choose this route as the U1177A (all orange) is very similar, only about $50, but only works with Android (not iPhone) and PC but, by some reports, the U1177A is buggy.  If I were going this route, I would look for the newer U1117A (orange and black).

[natman69]

There's also the wireless U1117A IR-to-Bluetooth Adapter that goes for around $99.  Be careful if you choose this route as the U1177A (all orange) is very similar, only about $50, but only works with Android (not iPhone) and PC but, by some reports, the U1177A is buggy.  If I were going this route, I would look for the newer U1117A (orange and black).

Thank you for your suggestions!

[scopeman]

Just bought one at a 200.00 make offer. As if I need another multimeter.

However I have a couple of HP branded DMM's (E2373 (Gray) and a 971A (Yellow)) I bought at a hamfest probably close to 20 years ago (I think they are the ones that Fluke sued them over, similar to the older Fluke 77 design, which are also great meters) that were made by Y-HP (Yokogawa - HP) that have been excellent meters and seem to run forever on a 9V battery.

If the U1252B is half as good overall as those two meters it will be a great meter.

Sam
W3OHM

[electrolust]

Sam
W3OHM

Is that really your call sign?   

You sir probably are the most deserving of yet another DMM.

[Gandalf_Sr]

Glad to hear another purchase has been made.  Hopefully the guy who sold me mine will now ship it to me along with Sam's.

The accuracy of the U1252B is astounding, 0.05% on many ranges!  I also like the fact that it has a very low current range, 500 uA with a resolution of 0.01 uA, that's 10 nA!  I admit that there's the +- digits to affect that but even so, this is pretty awesome.  I do low current design work and the only meter I have that is better than this is an Agilent 34461A bench 6.5 digit multimeter (Basic accuracy: 0.0035% DC, 0.06% AC and DC current resolution down to 1 nA) which cost $1,000 after discount.

I'm on the fence about buying the U1117A Bluetooth-IR adapter, at $100 it's half the price of the meter.

[bitseeker]

I'm on the fence about buying the U1117A Bluetooth-IR adapter, at $100 it's half the price of the meter.

It's all in how you look at it. Alternatively, you saved more than the cost of a U1117A, so buying one is practically free. Imagine if you had paid regular price for the DMM and then had to shell out another $100.

[shteii01]

Ordered two.  Should be here next week or sooner.

[Luap2]

Got mine today ( Yea ) Date on cal. cert is  October 2012. Wonder if he running out ? Any one else have one with that old of a date?
the battery  was dead of course  but charged up in 35-40 min. Now  time to do some reading and watch some video's on this unit.

[Gandalf_Sr]

2012 seems a long time ago, I'd worry that the rechargeable battery is OK, NimH are better than NiCads for shelf life but 5 years may be long enough for them to be dead.  Spec sheet says that batteries can be:
 9 V alkaline battery (ANSI/NEDA 1604A or IEC 6LR61)
 9 V carbon-zinc battery (ANSI/NEDA 1604D or IEC6F22)
 7.2 V or 8.4 V Ni-MH rechargeable battery
I wonder what the rechargables are like?  Are they just regular 9v rechargeable? If so Harbor freight almost give them away.

I just got an eBay message saying mine had shipped.  When I checked the tracking number with USPS, it said the mailing label was printed at 1:49 am today (Wednesday) although the order was placed and paid for last Saturday (4 days ago).  It's supposed to arrive next Saturday.

[grumpydoc]

I just got an eBay message saying mine had shipped.  When I checked the tracking number with USPS, it said the mailing label was printed at 1:49 am today (Wednesday) although the order was placed and paid for last Saturday (4 days ago).  It's supposed to arrive next Saturday.

Yes, mine "shipped" 4 days ago but USPS tracking says it is still to arrive with them - it does not exactly instil confidence 

[Gandalf_Sr]

Doc, I checked nmori87-us's eBay records and his scores are very high and has been around since 2012.  I suspect that, now he has 2 or 3 orders, a trip to the Post Office is on his to do list.  Having paid through PayPal, I'm not worried about the money.