Flukes new meter family

[T4P]

Good thing about the Agilents are that you can buy their lower end meters and datalog wirelessly using your bluetooth device, i.e android, PC
but Agilent said support for that crap OS is coming out - they mean probably, because it's a bitch to write for Apple apps and they probably won't allow them and lots of people are thanking Agilent on facebook for supporting Android but not that OS ... Go figure.
I would be interested in them supporting Win8(which i tried and hate), but then again if they wanted to support the Win8 tablets they can't write in the same style as Windows as they need to be in "Metro" format, the Tegra tablets do not support the same programs like the full version does (They call it Windows 8 RT - Reduced Technology presumably)

[ilikepez]

I'm not sure I see the advantage to this system vs. the Agilent system. With Agilent's system, you only need to buy the snap-on modules for your existing DMMs (and hopefully soon, clamp meters too) whereas with Fluke's system, you need to buy all new dedicated units to have a useful kit. I can do up to three meters together now with datalogging on any of the functions the Fluke system does, and that software will certainly be upgraded to handle more at sometime in the future. While I think Fluke is making a decent effort, I don't think it's the best they could have done and it kinda looks like backpedaling to me. I'm curious what their pricing will look like for this stuff.

The big advantages in my eyes are that you can run more then 3 units, you don't have to be connected to them to data log, and you can run ten from a computer. But the Agilent system is very attractive, especially if you own a android device.

[EEVblog]

Do Agilent have any wireless clamp meter solution?

Dave.

[LEECH666]

Wouldn't an E-Ink display suffer from not so great update rate (thinking high speed bargraph display)?

[billclay]

Fluke's new process calibrator uses a backlit full color display, but the LCD uses only two colors: black and white.  Probably the same thing here.

Here is Fluke's article on this (including e-ink issues):

http://www.fluke.com/Fluke/usen/community/fluke-news-plus/ArticleCategories/Electronics-News/Tech-Tips-Better-Displays-Are-Here.htm?utm_source=TWITTER&utm_medium=TWEET&utm_campaign=FNP&flukecmpgn=TWITTER_TWEET_FNP

[MITTS]

Dave,  Fieldpiece does have a wireless clamp DMM among other instruments and accessories. Looking forward to the review of the CNX series. Most interested in the wireless range and PC connection. Looking for the most wireless range possible due to building material obstructions in the workplace. Was looking at the Redfish iDVM and Fieldpiece SC57 for other options but was waiting for this new Fluke series. The Fluke meter looks solid and well beyond what others offer as I would expect but the wireless range might be a bust with out a repeater or possibility of range extension with the PC accessory and a WiFi extender antenna if thats how it will connect to a PC.

[PetrosA]

Do Agilent have any wireless clamp meter solution?

Dave.

You can use clamps with their DMMs, and all their clamp meters have IR ports, but no mounting means as yet. This is supposed to change, or so I've been informed I have successfully taped one of the modules to the back of my U1211A and it worked flawlessly with both the METER and LOGGER software, so it's just a question of time till they get the new battery covers together.

[PetrosA]

Dave,  Fieldpiece does have a wireless clamp DMM among other instruments and accessories. Looking forward to the review of the CNX series. Most interested in the wireless range and PC connection. Looking for the most wireless range possible due to building material obstructions in the workplace. Was looking at the Redfish iDVM and Fieldpiece SC57 for other options but was waiting for this new Fluke series. The Fluke meter looks solid and well beyond what others offer as I would expect but the wireless range might be a bust with out a repeater or possibility of range extension with the PC accessory and a WiFi extender antenna if thats how it will connect to a PC.

I seriously doubt that Fluke is using WiFi for their system, or they'd have advertised more than a 20m range. It sounds like bluetooth, just like Agilent. My experience with Agilent's system is that US frame construction doesn't block the signal too much and in open space I have acheived 20m or more, but any kind of poured concrete walls will block it effectively, even at close range. I haven't don't much testing in cinder block buildings through walls, but I expect it will also limit the signal pretty seriously. A repeater could be used, but you'd have to establish line-of-sight between all the units, so to get through a concrete wall you'd have to place the repeater at the end of it (or in a doorway) so that you're not trying to penetrate the impenetrable.

One of the downsides to a WiFi network (as it's been explained to me) is that it requires two-way communication to work, which would create a large drain on the transmitters. As they're designed now, they simply stream the data out to whatever Bluetooth device is connected.

[MITTS]

I was thinking I might be able to extend the range with a Wireless USB Device.
 A wireless usb+something like a Bear Extender Wifi antenna should get me out of mechanical rooms or up to a roof.
It almost sounds like the main meter isn't necessary if you have the PC connected to the modules via whatever it is they have cooked up.
Just wish they included micro amps to the main meter and colder operating temps for all of the meters.
Looking forward to more info about this system. A operation manual and more info about the software would be helpful for us considering the system.

[MITTS]

Here is an image of the PC adaptor



http://www.fluke.com/fluke/usen/products/wireless-testers

No manual yet.

[Everett_Tom]

Looks like it's listed on their website now -- manual for the DMM, and modules..
http://www.fluke.com/fluke/usen/wireless-digital-mulitmeters/Fluke-CNX-3000-Wireless-Multimeter.htm?PID=74899

[MITTS]

Thanks. Looks simple enough.
Still looking for the CNX pc3000 PC Adapter and Software manual.

[MITTS]

http://download.fluke.com/software/DMM/cnx_3000_series_wireless_system/sw300_software/flukecnx_sw3000_seinstall.exe
Here it is now I just need to figure out how to work it on my mac 

[Monkeh]

Am I the only one noticing the lack of DC modules?

[MITTS]

Would like them too!! With a DC module I could use accessories from other manufactures but they would be supercharged with the data logging.
Would like to see some bundled modules for sale also.
The price in the kits looks far from the individual cost say you wanted to add some more temps and voltage to the hvac kit.
Dave if you get a temp module could you look at how well the cold junction works in a changing ambient? I'm not a fan of thremocouples 

[MITTS]

Not sure if you are looking for multiple DC inputs but it says the meter (DC measurment) could be used as a transmitter to another CNX meter or the PC

[Monkeh]

Not sure if you are looking for multiple DC inputs but it says the meter (DC measurment) could be used as a transmitter to another CNX meter or the PC

.. Well, yes, I'm talking about additional DC voltage/current modules. They only offer AC.

[MITTS]

So I took a look at the software at home on the PC and it looks like you can switch between 2 different PC adaptors so is that access to 20 inputs then? Looks like you can only live graph one input at a time........ bummer. 

[MITTS]

Not sure if you are looking for multiple DC inputs but it says the meter (DC measurment) could be used as a transmitter to another CNX meter or the PC

.. Well, yes, I'm talking about additional DC voltage/current modules. They only offer AC.

Just a shot in the dark but isn't stuff like DC mV most susceptible to interference form wireless signals at close range? One of the reasons I don't like thermocouples for temperature.

[rsjsouza]

I seriously doubt that Fluke is using WiFi for their system, or they'd have advertised more than a 20m range. It sounds like bluetooth, just like Agilent.

I am not sure, but due to the power saving requirements and small memory footprint I would bet these devices use Zigbee instead of BT or WLAN.

An interesting paper that does an interesting comparison is here.

[MITTS]

Your right. This is from a Q&A in a Fluke brochure.

"CNX uses zigbee radios with a proprietary overlay to communicate wirelessly. Zigbee was selected to allow customers to connect with up to ten CNX meters or modules and maximize battery life.
Other radio options, such as Bluetooth or WiFi, typically connect with fewer devices (3-7) and have higher energy consumption."

[Everett_Tom]

And a move away from 2-3 digit numbering to "CNX3000"? That doesn't roll off the tongue like 87V or 179.

What's CNX supposed to mean in marketing-speak?  Connects?  Connection?  Cancelled?

Apparently it's "Connects", See this youtube video.

[PetrosA]

I am not sure, but due to the power saving requirements and small memory footprint I would bet these devices use Zigbee instead of BT or WLAN.

An interesting paper that does an interesting comparison is here.

I wonder how much of that decision was made just to be different than Agilent. It could be they decided it really was a better protocol, but from that paper you linked to, it seems like 6 of one, half a dozen of the other...

[PetrosA]

I find it very interesting that so many posters are interested in the Fluke system over the Agilent system in spite of the fact that there are obvious problems getting things you want like DC voltage or current modules or multi-device graphing, all of which the Agilent system has already, and can also do math functions with them. Hmm. And the prices are very high - the only things you can get for under $100 are the PC adapter and carrying cases. Is the Fluke name really so meaningful that you'd chose their weaker system over the Agilent system that already rocks?

[T4P]

Of course not but every new product is worth checking out!