It's official. Agilent just whooped Fluke's ASS!

[PetrosA]

http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/product.jspx?cc=US&lc=eng&nid=-34134.1006710&pageMode=OV

More to follow

Edit:

Here's a link to a video I did with some basic info about the U1177A:

http://youtu.be/tSodrChd4iU

[8086]

Price?

You could get a cheapy bluetooth module and make your own surely without too much effort?

[Joshua]

This is badass.

[PetrosA]

$48 according to Agilent's website.

This is WAY badass.

[EEVblog]

Price?

It says US$48 on the site.
Looks very nice!

Dave.

[8086]

So about £35? Pretty reasonable.

Shame they won't ship here, really.

...even though its clearly just a gimmick

[IanB]

Why only Android and not iPhone too?

[samgab]

Why only Android and not iPhone too?

...why not at least link with their PC application?

[Uncle Vernon]

Where's the ASS Whooping exactly? Should I put on 3D Glasses?

[kaz911]

Why only Android and not iPhone too?

...why not at least link with their PC application?

it does link with the PC data logger.... "Alternatively data logging and monitoring can also be performed at Personal Computer (PC) via Agilent GUI Data Logger Software"

[PetrosA]

The whoop ass is in what it can do. Fluke has DMMs and clamp meters with removable screens. Agilent's system allows you to use THREE separate DMMs OR clamp meters with a single Android device, and the software is very powerful. It can even phone home if you set it to notify you of a certain event (IOW, you can leave a meter and phone at a jobsite and get remote notification of events). The possibilities for utilities, electricians and technicians are amazing.

Here's a little teaser

http://youtu.be/tSodrChd4iU

[kaz911]

if Fluke makes one for my 287 - I'll buy it - just to keep the sunlight out and stopping the meter from logging. 

[Rutger]

Can you use this instead of the Infrared usb cable (part U1173A) to update the firmware as well?

Rutger

[PetrosA]

Can you use this instead of the Infrared usb cable (part U1173A) to update the firmware as well?

Rutger

I would think that should be possible, technically speaking...

[EEVblog]

Why only Android and not iPhone too?

...why not at least link with their PC application?

Sounds like it can:

Alternatively data logging and monitoring can also be performed at Personal Computer (PC) via Agilent GUI Data Logger Software

Agilent are trying to get me one ASAP.

Dave.

[Bored@Work]

So this is where V&A got the idea from to add Bluetooth dongles to their new bench(!) multimeters

http://va-instrument.en.alibaba.com/product/502180009-201181277/Bench_multimeter.html
http://va-instrument.en.alibaba.com/product/502184950-201181277/Bench_multimeter.html
http://va-instrument.en.alibaba.com/product/502184434-201181277/Bench_multimeter.html

It IMHO doesn't make too much sense for bench multimeters, and V&A doesn't tell you what the dongle really can do, but maybe we are about to see a new trend.

[EEVblog]

So this is where V&A got the idea from to add Bluetooth dongles to their new bench(!) multimeters

http://va-instrument.en.alibaba.com/product/502180009-201181277/Bench_multimeter.html
It IMHO doesn't make too much sense for bench multimeters, and V&A doesn't tell you what the dongle really can do, but maybe we are about to see a new trend.

Yeah, not as useful unless the bench meter can be battery powered.
What do they need a 9 digit display for?

New trend for sure.

Dave.

[PetrosA]

Yeah, not as useful unless the bench meter can be battery powered.
What do they need a 9 digit display for?

New trend for sure.

Dave.

Maybe the idea is for the boss to be able to monitor and make sure the bench workers in the sweatshop are probing and testing, testing and probing

[Uncle Vernon]

(IOW, you can leave a meter and phone at a jobsite and get remote notification of events). The possibilities for utilities, electricians and technicians are amazing.

I can see the possibilities, remote data is my bread and butter. There are however more than a few issues to be resolved.
Do I want to leave a test instrument or two and a cell phone on a customers site?
What's to stop the phone being used for the cleaners routine hour long call to Istanbul?
Do I want to work with half my test meters missing from my vehicle, while I monitor another site?
Do I believe I can leave eye candy meters and cell phones somewhere and not have then tampered with or pinched?

Sure I can see some applications for Agilent's new toy but I think reality might limit which of those are practical. And for the price of a top shelf meter and a capable Android handset, I can get an ugly black box GSM logger with more channels, more storage and less knobs to be tampered with.

Don't get me wrong, I think this a great piece of kit, but a bit of kit rating somewhere below whoop-ass.

[Bored@Work]

What do they need a 9 digit display for?

Posing, to enter the Guinness book of Records with the most useless number of digits for a 0.2% or 0.03% meter?

It is probably "an artist's rendition". Maybe they have them on the drawing board only, and once someone orders 100000 they sort out the "minor details", order the glass , and start production and testing. And if you are lucky someone on the way figures 9 digits aren't really that useful.

[PetrosA]

(IOW, you can leave a meter and phone at a jobsite and get remote notification of events). The possibilities for utilities, electricians and technicians are amazing.

I can see the possibilities, remote data is my bread and butter. There are however more than a few issues to be resolved.
Do I want to leave a test instrument or two and a cell phone on a customers site?
What's to stop the phone being used for the cleaners routine hour long call to Istanbul?
Do I want to work with half my test meters missing from my vehicle, while I monitor another site?
Do I believe I can leave eye candy meters and cell phones somewhere and not have then tampered with or pinched?

Sure I can see some applications for Agilent's new toy but I think reality might limit which of those are practical. And for the price of a top shelf meter and a capable Android handset, I can get an ugly black box GSM logger with more channels, more storage and less knobs to be tampered with.

Don't get me wrong, I think this a great piece of kit, but a bit of kit rating somewhere below whoop-ass.

You bring up some valid points - especially about leaving eye candy around. You could do it at some jobs but not at others. I think for a lot of people though, the ability to buy even a few U1230A series DMMs plus a few U1177As for cheap and a cheap Android phone (with upgrade ) and have a wireless system that does all this could really be pretty meaningful to their business in a way that the (much) higher priced Fluke 233 isn't, because of the price barrier and the fact that one screen works with one meter and can't do the same kind of datalogging, graphing etc. Right now Agilent has a more flexible, trend setting product on the market that Fluke will need some time to develop a response to.

[Uncle Vernon]

and have a wireless system that does all this could really be pretty meaningful to their business in a way that the (much) higher priced Fluke 233 isn't, because of the price barrier and the fact that one screen works with one meter and can't do the same kind of datalogging, graphing etc. Right now Agilent has a more flexible, trend setting product on the market that Fluke will need some time to develop a response to.

I never quite got the Fluke 233 other than for measuring stuff where your likely to lose a meter and an arm, in those situations the 233 would mean you still have an arm and now have a display with nothing to connect to.

The Agilent makes more sense and is more adaptable, but sadly to be compatible with consumer cell phones has chosen bluetooth. In most of the places you'd like to use this, (around chillers or Gen sets, distribution boards etc) Bluetooth is invariable crap. ISM band wireless is a much better choice, but of course there aren't many if any cells or tablets which support it.

[EEVblog]

Don't get me wrong, I think this a great piece of kit, but a bit of kit rating somewhere below whoop-ass.

If anything, it's almost Agilent's answer to the Fluke 233

Dave.

[Bored@Work]

In most of the places you'd like to use this, (around chillers or Gen sets, distribution boards etc) Bluetooth is invariable crap. ISM band wireless is a much better choice, but of course there aren't many if any cells or tablets which support it.

Ahm, Bluetooth uses the 2.4 GHz IMS band.

But yea, this feature is for us armchair engineers who happen to sit in a cozy, nice and safe environment. We send the techs behind the machine to wire up a few multi meters. Then we pull out the latest Android phone, bought on company's dime, and watch the values, making concerned faces, stroking our beards, and shaking our heads a little bit. It is hard work, but someone has to do it.

[mikeselectricstuff]

Shame they won't ship here, really.

Current country type approval allows the U1177A to be shipped only to the following countries:

Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, European Union, Hong Kong, .....

[BravoV]

A reverse engineering at the IR protocol is coming ? 

[samgab]

Why only Android and not iPhone too?

...why not at least link with their PC application?

it does link with the PC data logger.... "Alternatively data logging and monitoring can also be performed at Personal Computer (PC) via Agilent GUI Data Logger Software"

Woops, my bad... I guess I should have read the not-so-fine print first. 
I see they have it in the Element14 NZ store already... for NZD$108.24... But not yet in stock.
http://nz.element14.com/agilent-technologies/u1177a/adapter-ir-to-bluetooth/dp/2079845?in_merch=true&MER=i-e1a0-00001046

[metalphreak]

http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/editorial.jspx?cc=AU&lc=eng&ckey=2147714&nid=-34618.991693.00&id=2147714

$Free is much better than $48 

[EEVblog]

http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/editorial.jspx?cc=AU&lc=eng&ckey=2147714&nid=-34618.991693.00&id=2147714

$Free is much better than $48 

Far out, Agilent marketing are having a field day!

Dave.

[samgab]

http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/editorial.jspx?cc=AU&lc=eng&ckey=2147714&nid=-34618.991693.00&id=2147714

$Free is much better than $48 

That's a freaking amazing deal... It says in the small print that it can be combined with promo 5.859 (the free DMM with a handheld scope(?) deal). See the two deals:
http://www.home.agilent.com/upload/cmc_upload/All/5865PFS.pdf
and
http://www.home.agilent.com/upload/cmc_upload/All/5859PFS.pdf

Edit: I don't think I understand promo 5.859...

[EEVblog]

That's a freaking amazing deal... It says in the small print that it can be combined with promo 5.859 (the free DMM with a handheld scope(?) deal). See the two deals:
http://www.home.agilent.com/upload/cmc_upload/All/5865PFS.pdf
and
http://www.home.agilent.com/upload/cmc_upload/All/5859PFS.pdf

Don't forget:
http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/editorial.jspx?cc=US&lc=eng&ckey=2133877&nid=-11143.0.00&id=2133877
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/test-equity-sale-for-an-e3600-agilent-basic-bench-powersupply-with-multimeter/msg89044/#msg89044

So for about $400 you can get an Agilent PSU, a U1272A, and now presumably a Bluetooth adapter too?

Dave.

[EEVblog]

I found this
https://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/editorial.jspx?cc=US&lc=eng&ckey=1416459&nid=-11143.0.00&id=1416459
A beta program for the adapter

on their promotion page:
http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/facet.jspx?t=186334.g.3&cc=US&lc=eng&cmpid=20765

Dave.

[samgab]

That's a freaking amazing deal... It says in the small print that it can be combined with promo 5.859 (the free DMM with a handheld scope(?) deal). See the two deals:
http://www.home.agilent.com/upload/cmc_upload/All/5865PFS.pdf
and
http://www.home.agilent.com/upload/cmc_upload/All/5859PFS.pdf

Don't forget:
http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/editorial.jspx?cc=US&lc=eng&ckey=2133877&nid=-11143.0.00&id=2133877
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/test-equity-sale-for-an-e3600-agilent-basic-bench-powersupply-with-multimeter/msg89044/#msg89044

So for about $400 you can get an Agilent PSU, a U1272A, and now presumably a Bluetooth adapter too?

Dave.

Yeah, but sadly "Availability: United States and Canada" with the power supply one.
Pity, because the cheapest of those power supplies is NZD$750 and the U1272A is NZD$600. So to get both for $750 would have been great.
But even apart from the country restriction, they wouldn't allow the power supply deal and the free bluetooth adapter deal, the only combined deal is that stated one "5.859" because later on in the small print it also states: "This promotion cannot be combined with other current programs or special offers."

Pity, but that's marketing for ya, they think of everything. 

[metalphreak]

So for about $400 you can get an Agilent PSU, a U1272A, and now presumably a Bluetooth adapter too?

Dave.

Probably not. "8. This promotion cannot be combined with other current programs or special offers"

Also, as mentioned, the PSU deal is USA & Canada only. The bluetooth deal does NOT include USA & Canada.

I think the Americans get the better deal though

[saturation]

A really great idea and it will value add all their data logging DMMs.  Its a 1mW max. output power bluetooth transceiver, so its class 3, or 5 meter or 15 feet, maximum range.  IIRC the Fluke 233 is about 30 feet so its in its ballpark.

This is a better solution than the data cable and more cost effective, so a good review helps.  Now, if you can upgrade the firmware as needed via the BT, it would be replace the cable entirely.

Note: it has the shortest warranty I've every seen, 3 months [ unless its a typo]!

[PetrosA]

I've gotten way more than 5m range out of it. 10-14m is more common in frame construction buildings. The worst range I noted was in the basement of a building with poured concrete walls. The signal was unable to penetrate 3m through the wall, but there was no GSM service available in that basement either

[WBB]

With this out of the way maybe now they can find the time to fix the craptastic continuity buzzer.

[saturation]

Ah, it suggests you already have one   and ask you said more to follow.  That video was very informative.  Looking forward to your review! A video would be great. 

I've gotten way more than 5m range out of it. 10-14m is more common in frame construction buildings. The worst range I noted was in the basement of a building with poured concrete walls. The signal was unable to penetrate 3m through the wall, but there was no GSM service available in that basement either

[PetrosA]

Ah, it suggests you already have one   and ask you said more to follow.  That video was very informative.  Looking forward to your review! A video would be great. 

I did post the link, but here it is again, and I'll move it to the first post if I can still edit that

http://youtu.be/tSodrChd4iU

That's me

Edit: I think maybe I misunderstood you the first time around - I guess you already saw this video. I will try and get some more up soon and it would be very helpful if you could let me know what kind of things you'd like to see discussed. It's not exactly a product I can do a comparison of, since there's really nothing else like it on the market, and certainly nothing in a price range I could afford just to do a shootout

[geo_melb]

Why only Android and not iPhone too?

At the risk of side-jacking the thread...

Developing an Android application is a lot easier... No need to apply to access the software development kit (SDK), quicker to get accepted (Anrdiods Marketplace doesn't screen applications much at all). Alternatively, side loading the application from your own web server is quick and easy.

From a marketing perspective it makes some sense also, purchase a dirt cheap android phone, throw it into a lock up box with the multimeter and you are done. Might need a sim card in case you want the phone to report back when an event happens (such as under voltage).

Caveat: I haven't seen the device in question nor the Andriod app but it appears to make sense to me.

[T4P]

Why only Android and not iPhone too?

At the risk of side-jacking the thread...

Developing an Android application is a lot easier... No need to apply to access the software development kit (SDK), quicker to get accepted (Anrdiods Marketplace doesn't screen applications much at all). Alternatively, side loading the application from your own web server is quick and easy.

From a marketing perspective it makes some sense also, purchase a dirt cheap android phone, throw it into a lock up box with the multimeter and you are done. Might need a sim card in case you want the phone to report back when an event happens (such as under voltage).

Caveat: I haven't seen the device in question nor the Andriod app but it appears to make sense to me.

Cheap android phones in mind : LG Optimus series .

[metalphreak]

Just saw the thread where the americans and canadians could get a U1272A for $329... and then get a $100 mail in rebate! Come on Agilent, why are we paying DOUBLE? I'd rather have two multimeters than a free BT dongle

[saturation]

Its great, sorry I didn't think it was you, we at least know now how you look like as there was a reflection on the Asus screen  .  That's a good test under your hands, you sure have a lot of Agilent DMMs.  Do the other functions also get sent via bluetooth, like say frequency counter or capacitance?

How do you like your Asus Android pad?  Can you read pdfs well on it, like Agilent users/service manuals, schematics or electrical drawings?

Thanks a bunch for doing it.

Ah, it suggests you already have one   and ask you said more to follow.  That video was very informative.  Looking forward to your review! A video would be great. 

I did post the link, but here it is again, and I'll move it to the first post if I can still edit that

http://youtu.be/tSodrChd4iU

That's me

Edit: I think maybe I misunderstood you the first time around - I guess you already saw this video. I will try and get some more up soon and it would be very helpful if you could let me know what kind of things you'd like to see discussed. It's not exactly a product I can do a comparison of, since there's really nothing else like it on the market, and certainly nothing in a price range I could afford just to do a shootout

[bsgd]

That is WAY too cool!

But why cant Agilent Brazil have such promos?     My lab would be complete in a month if they did  !!

[shadowless]

I heard about this bluetooth thing a while ago during a survey. Wasn't as excited as i have yet to use my ir-usb cable as i don't use PC much and disappointedly they don't have a mac software for all these data logging stuff. 

They also said that Apple doesn't allow them to write application to connection to the popular ipad/iphone platform so there is only support for android.

Wifi would have a longer range, what would be the range of the BT device in actual use. I would rather have a wifi than a blue tooth dongle  .

[Nermash]

Come on Agilent, people really need identical pricing for your gear, all over the world (within 10%), and same promotion deals as in USA. I know it can be done, just ditch the greedy dealers that you now do business with!

And a robot that can go with the meter and probe stuff on our instruction while we lay on the sofa with the android pad:)))

[metalphreak]

Element-14 have started selling Agilent stuff in Australia, and while their prices are still nowhere near USA prices, they're still a bit cheaper than the other (two) dealers in Australia.

[Rutger]

I haven't seen a $400 PSU, they all start at $ 461.

[chrome]

Let's see if I get this right, per meter you own, you'd need a ~50$ device, if you want it to send you a notification when something happens you need it connected to a constantly running computer or another phone that is always connected to the Internet?

Yeah, I don't see any advantage aside from maaaaaaaybe data logging (which I think you can also do via IR to USB cables?)

[DavidDLC]

Agilent... err they need to fix some of they DMMs first.

I have a problem on my U1232As that does not happen on the Fluke or any other DMM I have tried, it even does not happen on my scope.

Agilent asked me  to send the units back because they thought the units were defective and I received two new DMMs with the same problem.

Seems like they are not willing to fix this issue.

I can post my findings if somebody is willing to know.

David.

[cybergibbons]

DavidDLC - 50% of this forum is multimeters. Of course people are interested!

[Uncle Vernon]

Ahm, Bluetooth uses the 2.4 GHz IMS band.

2.4 GHz is A possible ISM band, not THE ISM band! Fish live in the sea! Carp are fish! By your reasoning therefore all fish must be carp!

Incidentally the IMS band you refer to turns out to be a brass outfit at a Florida school so I'm not sure how it relates to the 2.4 GHz or any other part of the topic.

But yea, this feature is for us armchair engineers who happen to sit in a cozy, nice and safe environment.

True enough! My comments were pointing out that you may need to have that armchair located closer to the action than you may have hoped.

[sonicj]

identifying circuits in a unlabeled breaker panel is the first application that comes to mind.

if this couples to the IR serial connection, then i suspect its just a SPP module with IR input. i have a RN-41 dongle that i keep handy for such occasions. wish my fluke had serial out.
-sj

[PetrosA]

Here's an interview with Tak Tsang, one of the people responsible for bringing the U1177A to market. He goes into some better detail about what's possible in the software, including writing your own apps.

http://www.engineeringtv.com/video/In-Bluetooth-Adapter-Android-Me

[Bored@Work]

Go back to your hut and use your fuckin mac !

Thanks for this detailed evaluation. Now, can you please tell us what you think of using Linux?

[Bored@Work]

2.4 GHz is A possible ISM band, not THE ISM band!

Your knowledge of the English language leaves a little bit to be desired.

[T4P]

Go back to your hut and use your ******** mac !

Thanks for this detailed evaluation. Now, can you please tell us what you think of using Linux?

I Love linux but hate apple .

[Simon]

Go back to your hut and use your ******** mac !

Thanks for this detailed evaluation. Now, can you please tell us what you think of using Linux?

I Love linux but hate apple .

We noticed and your free to hate whatever you like but there is something called making ones own choice !

[Uncle Vernon]

2.4 GHz is A possible ISM band, not THE ISM band!

Your knowledge of the English language leaves a little bit to be desired.

Same could be said about your knowledge of bandwidth usage and allocation. 

[saturation]

Thanks PetrosA.  That video provides more details but it looks like your own video put a lot more in.  Tsang looks fairly nervous, his voice stresses but he sails into his spiel once he's given the floor. 

Here's an interview with Tak Tsang, one of the people responsible for bringing the U1177A to market. He goes into some better detail about what's possible in the software, including writing your own apps.

http://www.engineeringtv.com/video/In-Bluetooth-Adapter-Android-Me

[Rutger]

I have asked Agilent if the U1177A  could be used to update the firmware and they replied with the following:

> U1177A is only applicable for AMM application. It cannot be used to upgrade firmware. For upgrading of firmware, please use the normal procedures via USB-IR cable.

>I hope it helps.

>Best Regards,

>BENNY KOH
>Technical Customer Support Engineer
>Agilent Technologies Basic Instruments Division

I replied with the following email:

Thanks for the fast reply, I think however that this is a shortcoming and Agilent should really think about allowing/adding this feature.
Most new PC Laptops have Bluetooth, mine does, and why should I have to buy 2 types of connectors/cables that can both do the same thing.
I would also think that Agilent should write and application or make the protocol open for 3-party software to be written to allow data logging on PC / Mac applications.

Agilent could even write a small app that checks the Agilent website and does and automatic firmware update when the device is connected via the web.

Please explain why Agilent thinks this is not possible or what restrictions there are to do this.

Another topic:

Another issue with the U1272A which is discussed extensively on the Web is the Smoothing feature, on the Fluke 87V this feature slow the update rate down.
With the next firmware update of the U1200 series why can’t there be a separate option in the menu to allow the same functionality, I think this is one of the ‘last’ and only feature were the Fluke is better right now.

Rutger

[metalphreak]

Something wifi based would have a much shorter battery life. People already complain about the battery life on the OLED display meters

Wifi also means having to create an ad-hoc wifi network (ruling out also connecting to a wifi AP for remote data transmission as most devices only have one wifi module). You could connect each device up to a single AP, but that means a cumbersome method of programming the dongles, as well as another piece of equipment to power/take with you. Wifi just doesn't make much sense in this type of device.

Also, when specifying range on bluetooth, 5m would generally be the minimum distance it's expected to work, not the maximum. 

[baljemmett]

2.4 GHz is A possible ISM band, not THE ISM band!

Your knowledge of the English language leaves a little bit to be desired.

Same could be said about your knowledge of bandwidth usage and allocation. 

A shame the time tags don't work on embedded clips, but the last thirty seconds of this seem apt: 

[Uncle Vernon]

A shame the time tags don't work on embedded clips, but the last thirty seconds of this seem apt: 

Fozzie, what is it your trying to say? 

[ronwoch]

Call me silly, but the use for this that jumps to my mind is having meters in various locations around a room, and being able to monitor them all from your phone. Simple, but no one seems to have picked up on that. Or even being able to compare readings without having to look from one side of the bench to the other. Again, silly maybe, but that's what popped in my head.

[grenert]

I think the best thing is the ability to turn any standard multimeter into a (hopefully realtime) graphing one with a really nice display.  How many times do folks really use the graphing feature on the brick Fluke 289?  Probably not too much.  Having a much smaller meter with an easy-to-read segmented display while retaining the ability to do graphing when needed would be a big advantage, I think. 

[PetrosA]

Its great, sorry I didn't think it was you, we at least know now how you look like as there was a reflection on the Asus screen  .  That's a good test under your hands, you sure have a lot of Agilent DMMs.  Do the other functions also get sent via bluetooth, like say frequency counter or capacitance?

How do you like your Asus Android pad?  Can you read pdfs well on it, like Agilent users/service manuals, schematics or electrical drawings?

Thanks a bunch for doing it.

Saturation,

I do have a few Agilents at this point Four, including the clamp meter, but I also have an Metrix MX26 and a Greenlee CM-450 clamp meter I haven't gotten to the point where I have too many yet.

All the functions I've tried get sent fine via the Bluetooth with the exception of the scaled volt reading on the U1272A (I have to test the other units now too...). It always seems to send the unscaled reading. This is only a problem when I'm using an amp clamp with the DMM. Ultimately this shouldn't be a problem since AFAIK they will be releasing modified battery compartment covers for the clamp meters to allow the U1177A to be used with them. I have used it by taping it on to my U1211A, so I know it works.

I like my Asus tablet. I've used Asus motherboards since my first PC, so I had a lot of trust in them to begin with. It's a huge improvement over my 1000H netbook, especially for work. I used to use that with the IR/USB cable and Agilent software, but it was just too much of a pain in the ass. I have two programs I use for PDFs, Adobe and one other, since Adobe doesn't render my invoices correctly. But Adobe does all the catalogs I've thrown at it perfectly, including some 100MB+ lighting catalogs with tons of photos. It's not as fast as a PC, but I wouldn't expect that from a tablet yet.

[PetrosA]

Let's see if I get this right, per meter you own, you'd need a ~50$ device, if you want it to send you a notification when something happens you need it connected to a constantly running computer or another phone that is always connected to the Internet?

Yeah, I don't see any advantage aside from maaaaaaaybe data logging (which I think you can also do via IR to USB cables?)

The advantages are huge for people out in the field. Some examples of how I've used mine:

- Locating a breaker in a basement panel for a receptacle in a third floor apartment
- Analyzing single phase loads (monitoring voltages/currents on lines A and B and current on the Neutral)
- Identifying circuits in commercial buildings
- Identifying bad Neutral connections from the power company at a customer's service point

Just that last example makes this setup worth it's weight in gold. To identify a bad neutral on a single phase service here in the US, you have to analyze what's happening to the voltages on each leg simultaneously (one goes up, the other goes down when the neutral is bad, but this can also happen with a good neutral and bad transformer). Being able to remotely monitor both readings on one screen, especially with the graph function is incredible.

[PetrosA]

I think the best thing is the ability to turn any standard multimeter into a (hopefully realtime) graphing one with a really nice display.  How many times do folks really use the graphing feature on the brick Fluke 289?  Probably not too much.  Having a much smaller meter with an easy-to-read segmented display while retaining the ability to do graphing when needed would be a big advantage, I think.

I'm not sure, but I think the update via Bluetooth is limited to around 1-2 readings per second. The graph will be useful, but not realtime like what you have on the DMM. My guess is that the limitation is to keep the battery from dying too fast.

[billclay]

They also said that Apple doesn't allow them to write application to connection to the popular ipad/iphone platform so there is only support for android.

Apple doesn't allow them to write an app?  Sounds fishy, I see no reason why not.  I'd like to know more details.

Android only and no iOS = Partial FAIL

[Bored@Work]

They also said that Apple doesn't allow them to write application to connection to the popular ipad/iphone platform so there is only support for android.

Apple doesn't allow them to write an app?  Sounds fishy, I see no reason why not.  I'd like to know more details.

Probably a simplification, likely meaning Apple rejected or indicated to reject admission to the Apple app store. And it is not a good idea to base a commercial product on an app requiring jailbreaking.

[mikeselectricstuff]

ISTR reading that Apple have crippled their Bluetooth so it's only useable for stuff like keyboards and headsets.
What Agilent could have usefully done is add a mode to their BT module that makes it emulate a keyboard, to spit out keypresses for readings either on demand or at a configurable rate.

However from experience I know that it is very hard to find an off the-shelf Bluetooth module that will do HID for keyboard emulation instead of SPP for serial port- I'm sure Agilent are big enough to get a manufacturer to tweak their firmware to do it though.

[kaz911]

I think the best thing is the ability to turn any standard multimeter into a (hopefully realtime) graphing one with a really nice display.  How many times do folks really use the graphing feature on the brick Fluke 289?  Probably not too much.  Having a much smaller meter with an easy-to-read segmented display while retaining the ability to do graphing when needed would be a big advantage, I think.

I use my 287's graphs quite a lot. On average on in 10-20 times I use it. Not so much due to the graph - but due to the 287 captures glitches - so no matter what - every "large" sudden movement is captured.  That is really neat.

[T4P]

They also said that Apple doesn't allow them to write application to connection to the popular ipad/iphone platform so there is only support for android.

Apple doesn't allow them to write an app?  Sounds fishy, I see no reason why not.  I'd like to know more details.

Android only and no iOS = Partial FAIL

Let's see , how many people actually use android nowadays ? 53% . Apple ? 30% .
FAIL .
What does Dave Jones use ? A Desire . I ? I use a Optimus Black .

[benemorius]

ISTR reading that Apple have crippled their Bluetooth so it's only useable for stuff like keyboards and headsets.

This. I tried writing an IOS app to connect to embedded devices over bluetooth for a serial debug console only to find that the necessary parts of the bluetooth API were missing. The calls just simply don't exist in IOS and Apple doesn't give a flying fuck about it. Of course, someone has by now written another bluetooth stack which you can use on a jailbroken device, but I didn't look very far in to it and I certainly wouldn't expect Agilent to go that route.

Perhaps the hardware was just about done by the time someone got an SDK set up and started playing with software and they decided to put the IOS app on hold for now. A half implemented bluetooth stack on such a mainstream device is certainly the last problem I expected to run in to.

[IanB]

I suspect that for anything other than basic keyboard and mouse comms, bluetooth is a bit obsolete. You can get an SD card for your camera now with a built in wi-fi connection to your computer. I think there is almost no reason not to use wireless networking for data transfer these days.

[mikeselectricstuff]

I suspect that for anything other than basic keyboard and mouse comms, bluetooth is a bit obsolete. You can get an SD card for your camera now with a built in wi-fi connection to your computer. I think there is almost no reason not to use wireless networking for data transfer these days.

Bluetooth has lower power draw and is easier to set up, especially in a corporate IT environment, and for low-bandwidth stuff like this will usually be a better choice.

[cybergibbons]

I suspect that for anything other than basic keyboard and mouse comms, bluetooth is a bit obsolete. You can get an SD card for your camera now with a built in wi-fi connection to your computer. I think there is almost no reason not to use wireless networking for data transfer these days.

Bluetooth is great for short range comms. It needs very little power, the stack is implemented almost entirely in the hardware so your code remains compact and simple, and it's much more immune to noise and interference.