Author Topic: I am impressed with the Fluke 101.  (Read 9253 times)

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Offline BillyO

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Re: I am impressed with the Fluke 101.
« Reply #25 on: July 22, 2023, 01:44:40 am »
If you do need current ranges, the FLIR DM64 (Brymen BM235) is a solid option at $50, but it's quite a bit larger than the Fluke 101.

Where do you get it for $50?  Do you have a link?
Bill  (Currently a Siglent fanboy)
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Offline Veteran68

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Re: I am impressed with the Fluke 101.
« Reply #26 on: July 22, 2023, 01:51:37 am »
If you do need current ranges, the FLIR DM64 (Brymen BM235) is a solid option at $50, but it's quite a bit larger than the Fluke 101.

Where do you get it for $50?  Do you have a link?

https://www.flir.com/products/dm64
 
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Offline BillyO

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Re: I am impressed with the Fluke 101.
« Reply #27 on: July 22, 2023, 01:54:24 am »
https://www.flir.com/products/dm64
Thanks.

When I put in my location the price changes to $220 CDN.  I guess they got bitten by Canadian mosquitos or something.  Seems a bit discriminatory to me though.
Bill  (Currently a Siglent fanboy)
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Offline Veteran68

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Re: I am impressed with the Fluke 101.
« Reply #28 on: July 22, 2023, 02:00:10 am »
Thanks.

When I put in my location the price changes to $220 CDN.  I guess they got bitten by Canadian mosquitos or something.  Seems a bit discriminatory to me though.

Yeah, another poster said the EU cost was substantially higher too. I guess it's just a US sale.

It was mentioned they're now on backorder anyway. Someone else said they're clearing out discontinued stock, which if true might mean they won't get more. Then again if they're allowing backorders to be placed, that would imply they intend to get more.

 

Offline AxtmanTopic starter

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Re: I am impressed with the Fluke 101.
« Reply #29 on: July 22, 2023, 02:47:40 am »
BTW, I am noticing that my Fluke 101 is a slight bit off when measuring low voltages (below a volt). Also, the resistance reading is slow on low resistance (below 1 ohm). Other than that it is a great meter.
 

Offline J-R

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Re: I am impressed with the Fluke 101.
« Reply #30 on: July 22, 2023, 09:38:47 am »
The DM64 pricing is definitely good, approximately 50% of the price of the BM235 + Edition from Welectron (shipped to US, in USD).  The DM64 comes with covers for the probe tips, but not the banana plugs.  Otherwise, they are similar in that you get silicone leads with gold plating and a carrying case.

I grew tired of Flir's web store overselling things and then days later claiming it was backordered.  Ultimately I waited over a month with multiple extensions of the expected stocking date.  So I've just been purchasing from their eBay store, which seems to be more accurate.  If they have it listed, it will ship.


However, the BM235 & DM64 have some flaws, such as the small & stiff selector switch.  Compared to the BM235, the DM64 seems a lot more stable on the bench and you can change the batteries very easily.  But the case is hard plastic with a thin grippy coating, while the BM235 has more substantial and removable protection.  So for drops I think the BM235 would win.

The DM64 also has some LCD modifications, perhaps to align it better with Flir's other DMMs.  For example, the MAX/MIN/AVG are symbols instead, as is the EF function (very tiny icons).

But the innards are the same.  I could not find any differences on the PCBs.


If you want a small DMM, my go recommendation is the Brymen BM20 series (BM22s, BM25s, BM27s).  For current measurements, I suppose you could use 0.1 Ohms but that would perhaps be better with the BM22s which has a mV range.  Otherwise you may want to add 1 Ohm for low current measurements.  For example if you choose the BM27s.
 

Offline Veteran68

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Re: I am impressed with the Fluke 101.
« Reply #31 on: July 24, 2023, 02:27:47 am »
The DM64 pricing is definitely good, approximately 50% of the price of the BM235 + Edition from Welectron (shipped to US, in USD).  The DM64 comes with covers for the probe tips, but not the banana plugs.  Otherwise, they are similar in that you get silicone leads with gold plating and a carrying case.

I grew tired of Flir's web store overselling things and then days later claiming it was backordered.  Ultimately I waited over a month with multiple extensions of the expected stocking date.  So I've just been purchasing from their eBay store, which seems to be more accurate.  If they have it listed, it will ship.

Got a shipping notification with tracking# for the DM64 today, so apparently I did get in on the deal while they had stock. However they still don't show it as out of stock, so could well be taking backorders without making it clear before you order.
 

Offline J-R

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Re: I am impressed with the Fluke 101.
« Reply #32 on: July 24, 2023, 03:24:14 am »
When you add the DM64 to your cart it shows backordered with an estimated ship date of August 5th.
 

Offline Veteran68

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Re: I am impressed with the Fluke 101.
« Reply #33 on: July 27, 2023, 01:05:19 am »
Got the $50 Flir DM64 in today. Haven't done much but take it out of the box, install batteries (see below), and play with it for just a minute.

Pros:
  • Nice formfactor, and a build quality you'd expect from a name brand; although noticeably lighter in weight than a Fluke 117 despite being about same size
  • Nice silicone leads (with UL tags on them); not sure if they're Brymen leads as they're smaller than my BM786 leads and if the plating is gold it's very faint (like SS with the faintest hint of a patina) but feel like as good if not better quality than the BM786 leads
  • Fast continuity with flashing backlight
  • Comes with a nice case
Cons:
  • Tiny and very stiff selector dial; it feels almost delicate, like it's going to break easily due to the force required to turn it
  • Continuity buzzer is a bit on the quiet side, but some may consider that a pro
  • No buzz or flash on diode test, at all; not with the leads shorted, nor on a good diode
  • Supplied with a pair of shrink wrapped Energizer AAA alkalines, dated 12-2026. Put them in, turned it on, got a dim display and a low battery indicator. A couple minutes later the meter turned itself off and was done. Checked the batteries, one measured 1.5v the other wouldn't even activate the battery tester. Now if only I knew where to find a DMM... :o Replaced with AAA lithiums, then tested the bad battery with the DM64 and measured 300mv. Not really a knock on the meter, just a bad AAA from the factory it seems.

Overall, quite happy with the purchase. At $50, it's a steal, so thanks to edavid for pointing out the sale.

« Last Edit: July 27, 2023, 01:27:46 am by Veteran68 »
 
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Offline ledtester

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Re: I am impressed with the Fluke 101.
« Reply #34 on: August 10, 2023, 09:01:19 pm »
Yeah, $50 for a Cyber-BM235 is crazy cheap. Grab 'em while you can...

Just placed an order for one. They are currently on backorder - my expected shipping date is Aug 5th.


Just got an email saying that my delivery has been initiated.
 

Online Shock

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Re: I am impressed with the Fluke 101.
« Reply #35 on: August 11, 2023, 10:34:03 am »
I've used the Fluke 101 and it's a great little basic meter. My portable meter is the Fluke 112 it's a little heavier and the bumper/holster adds a little weight, but it has True RMS and current.

Soldering/Rework: Pace ADS200, Pace MBT350
Multimeters: Fluke 189, 87V, 117, 112   >>> WANTED STUFF <<<
Oszilloskopen: Lecroy 9314, Phillips PM3065, Tektronix 2215a, 314
 

Offline Fungus

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Re: I am impressed with the Fluke 101.
« Reply #36 on: August 11, 2023, 11:51:30 am »
I've used the Fluke 101 and it's a great little basic meter. My portable meter is the Fluke 112 it's a little heavier and the bumper/holster adds a little weight, but it has True RMS and current.

And was too much value for money so they killed it.
 

Offline ledtester

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Re: I am impressed with the Fluke 101.
« Reply #37 on: August 17, 2023, 09:24:36 pm »
Yeah, $50 for a Cyber-BM235 is crazy cheap. Grab 'em while you can...

Just placed an order for one. They are currently on backorder - my expected shipping date is Aug 5th.


Just got an email saying that my delivery has been initiated.

Here's how my order went...

As suspected, the Flir website allowed orders to be placed even though there was no more DM64s in stock. The email I got really was an order cancellation notice in disguise - although I didn't know it. When a few days passed and I didn't get a shipment notification I found a Flir phone number and got my way to the sales dept. The sales person looked up my order and explained they were out of DM64s. However, he graciously allowed me to purchase a DM66 at the DM64 sale price.

Today the DM66 arrived.

So now the question is... what's the big difference between the two models? Is it just the VFD mode of the DM66?
 

Offline J-R

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Re: I am impressed with the Fluke 101.
« Reply #38 on: August 17, 2023, 10:50:36 pm »
The DM64 has the VFD mode as well.  The only difference is that the DM66 also comes with alligator clips.  Why they thought they needed to label the DMM differently because of an accessory makes zero sense to me.

Ignore the data sheets, they have lots of mistakes.  If you look at the manual, there is no difference between the features and specs between the DM64 and DM66.  At least I could not find anything.
 

Online mwb1100

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Re: I am impressed with the Fluke 101.
« Reply #39 on: August 17, 2023, 11:00:54 pm »
there is no difference between the features and specs between the DM64 and DM66.  At least I could not find anything.

I reached the same conclusion a while back:  https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/flir-branded-meters/msg4918819/#msg4918819

So @ledtester just got a $100 set of alligator clips for free!

Interestingly(?), flir's site still has the DM64 on sale and says that it's in stock.
« Last Edit: August 17, 2023, 11:04:05 pm by mwb1100 »
 

Offline ledtester

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Re: I am impressed with the Fluke 101.
« Reply #40 on: August 18, 2023, 12:07:34 am »

So @ledtester just got a $100 set of alligator clips for free!


Woot!

Quote
Interestingly(?), flir's site still has the DM64 on sale and says that it's in stock.

Yeah - if you want one I'd just go for it and see what happens. What's the worst that can happen - they cancel your order?
 

Offline J-R

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Re: I am impressed with the Fluke 101.
« Reply #41 on: August 18, 2023, 08:46:43 am »
The DM64 is in stock.  They have 8 for sale on ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/155723756912
 

Offline ledtester

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Re: I am impressed with the Fluke 101.
« Reply #42 on: August 22, 2023, 12:16:14 am »

Here's how my order went...


Well - guess what just arrived today... the DM64 that I thought the sales guy cancelled for me.  :-//

Will be contacting Flir to sort it out.
« Last Edit: August 23, 2023, 03:20:23 am by ledtester »
 

Offline jasonRF

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Re: I am impressed with the Fluke 101.
« Reply #43 on: August 23, 2023, 03:16:55 am »
I just got my flir DM64 today, and will agree with the above posts for the most part.  However, the batteries packed with mine had already started corroding so went right in the trash.   Not the most inspiring QC.   But I needed a second “good” multimeter and $50 seemed like a no-brainer.
 

Offline Veteran68

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Re: I am impressed with the Fluke 101.
« Reply #44 on: August 23, 2023, 03:22:51 am »
However, the batteries packed with mine had already started corroding so went right in the trash.   Not the most inspiring QC.   But I needed a second “good” multimeter and $50 seemed like a no-brainer.

Yeah they seem to have got a bad batch of Energizers. One of mine was DOA. But I agree that for $50 you'll have trouble finding a better meter.
 

Offline ledtester

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Re: I am impressed with the Fluke 101.
« Reply #45 on: August 23, 2023, 04:01:50 am »
btw... I'm curious what people think of the DM64's slot for a hanging strap...

It's just made of soft rubber - not hard plastic. I'm kinda concerned that it might not last too long. Any opinions?
 

Online mwb1100

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Re: I am impressed with the Fluke 101.
« Reply #46 on: August 23, 2023, 03:09:32 pm »
I agree - seems pretty fragile.  I never noticed because it's rare that I hang my meters.  If you're going to use it a lot I'd try to come up with some way to reinforce it.

The Brymen BM235 "twin" has a hanger feature that's more like a hole to hang the meter on a nail.  It seems probably more durable, but less ready for hanging by most straps.  You'd need a strap that had a hook on it.

 

Offline Veteran68

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Re: I am impressed with the Fluke 101.
« Reply #47 on: August 23, 2023, 03:30:04 pm »
Brymen's BMH-01 magnetic hangers are a joke, really. Have you seen them?



I have a couple of these, and wouldn't trust any of my meters with them, especially one as big as the BM869s. The part that attaches to the meter is fine, but there is no strap -- only a very thin cord, like a lanyard string you might find on a USB thumbdrive or something. Do they seriously expect me to hang a full size meter from that? Maybe a DT830, lol.

As good as their meters are, I don't know why they don't make these a bit more robust. Granted they are only $4 each, but I'd rather pay $14 and have some kind of nylon strap. Not sure what they were thinking here.
 


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