Fuke Process Meter

[reallybigone916]

I'm in the market of getting a Fluke process meter.
Any recommendation, pros and cons ?
Main usage:  verification and diagnostic  between transmitter and PLC.

Model that I'm looking at:
773
789
787

Thanks,

[Smith]

I regularly use a Fluke 726 process calibrator. It's accuracy is good, but the device has mayor drawbacks. It only works a few hours on 4 AA batteries. No external adapter possible. We do have a Fluke battery extension (officially for handheld multi meters, not for this calibrator, but it fits) which holds 4 C cell batteries, so we can use it for over 20 hours.

The in/outputs won't accept standard spaced terminals like BNC to banana converters. Really annoying, this makes connecting a BNC a hassle with multiple converters. It's not that simple to connect, I've seen multiple users make wrong connections. It's ground is NOT it's current output return. Quite a simple mistake to make. It also doesn't connect standard thermocouple connectors, only the smaller types (don't know it's exact name).

The interface is not handy. It does have some handy features like creating default steps (for simulation with default values). 

It boots in about 5 seconds, which is not to bad.

[KGB]

The 787 and 789 are true RMS DMMs (with limited current measurement capability) and loop calibrators in one. I have a 789, it has 4000 counts in auto range mode, but 6000 counts in voltage and manual range. The display is huge, but the backlight is annoying swamp-green. It has Touch Hold. And so, what we expect of a Fluke (but the bar graph is lacking).
Oh, and which is worth considering, the battery life, catalog datas:
789: 140 hours typical (measurement), 10 hours typical (sourcing 12 mA), 4 AA.
787: 50 hours typical (measurement), 12 hours typical (sourcing 12 mA), 9V.
773: 12 hours @ 12 mA sourced into 500 ?, 4 AA.
The 773 is a very special tool with which we can measure current without removing a wire and breaking the loop (but up to 100 mA) and a "standard" loop calibrator, but not more. The price / performance ratio is the worst - I think.

Cheers.

[reallybigone916]

Thanks Guys.

The 773 seems very attractive (the clamp on function ) to me. My only concern is the "standard" loop calibrator vs. the more advance loop calibrators from 787 or 789.