Technitool Good?

[tony3d]

Getting ready to order my new multimeter, and was just wondering if anyone has used TechniTool? If so, were they good to deal with? Any issues?

[nanofrog]

They're a reputable company (owned by Grainger).

[tony3d]

What about TEquipment? I can save a few buck with them. If I order the Agilent U1271A from them I can get it shipped for about $355.59.

[PedroDaGr8]

What about TEquipment? I can save a few buck with them. If I order the Agilent U1271A from them I can get it shipped for about $355.59.

Heard nothing but good things from USA customers. Plus you get the eevblog 6% discount. Though international customers have had issues. Their VP (I think he's VP or CEO) posts on here a somewhat often.

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk

[tony3d]

Thanks a lot. How do you get the 6%EEV blog discount? Just mentioning it?

[tony3d]

Yes, Just checked back with TEquipment, and I can get the Agilent U1273A for $386.76 with the EEVBLOG discount! That sounds like a great deal to me. I would have settled for the U1272A, but for some reason they don't have access to it, which I find strange since it is a current item in Agilent's lineup.

[nanofrog]

I've never had any real issues with Tequipment.net.

Only thing you might want to be aware of, if you're ordering more than a single item, your order could end up being shipped from 2x separate warehouses (one in NY, one in PA). Confusing if you don't know this, and see an order with some items shipped, while others not (PA seems to be slower on order fulfillment in my experience).

Other than that, prices are excellent, as is service should you ever need to call them (not just on orders, but if you've a question about something you're looking to buy or have purchased already, they'll work with the manufacturer to get you an answer).

Their site indicates the U1272A is sold out, and discontinued (appears they've decided to no longer carry that unit, even if it's still in production - may not be selling that many units to keep them on hand).

As per the U1273A, I'd skip any of the models with an OLED due to reliability/usability of the display over time (they go dim).

Keep in mind, you'd be able to get the U1252B with higher counts, better accuracy, and additional features for all of ~$44 more based on the discounted price for the U1273A at Tequipment ($419 for the U1252B at multiple sources).

Any particular reason for going after the U1272/3xA vs. a U1252B?

This is what I've not yet gathered from the other thread, particularly when it's so close to the BM869 you were initially interested in, and offers more for electronics use vs. the U1272A.

[echen1024]

However, Dave seems to have many complaints about the Agilent U1252, while he had nothing but good words for the 1272. I would have happily purchased a 1252/3, but his review held me back. And I believe Tequipment uses Ingram micro for order fulfilling.

[nanofrog]

However, Dave seems to have many complaints about the Agilent U1252, while he had nothing but good words for the 1272. I would have happily purchased a 1252/3, but his review held me back. And I believe Tequipment uses Ingram micro for order fulfilling.

I only recall Dave reviewing (and teardown) of the U1253A, which is the previous model with an OLED screen. Even then, I didn't really see horrible issues for bench use. Other reviews seemed to bear out it's issues as well, but again, I saw nothing that made it unusable by any means.

The OLED display units are a major pig regarding battery life, but that's extended with the LCD screens (jumps from ~36hrs to ~52hrs IIRC). When on a bench, it's also possible to keep a couple of spare NiMH low self discharge batteries on a separate charger ready to go. For field work, this could be a bit more of an issue (i.e. up on a microwave comm. tower or something).

Continuity is a bit on the slow side, but it's fast enough for practical use (i.e. take ~1.5 seconds to electrically test PCB traces to be sure it latches, otherwise you can go too fast and get a false negative).

Off hand, that's all that comes to mind, and they're not all that significant anyway (extent just seems to be overblown). Oh, and changing fuses are a bit of a PITA vs. others that have much easier access (open case, remove main board from front cover, flip, swap fuse/s, reassemble). Simple solution to that is know what you're doing so you don't blow fuses.   

I've had excellent service from mine (U1252B; had it at least 3yrs now), and will definitely concede there's a couple of compromises. They can be lived with however, so not utter crap by any stretch of the imagination.

[JoeyP]

I've used Technitool for chemicals (solder paste etc.). They're kind of haphazard about getting orders out (expect a possible 1-3 day delay before shipment), but otherwise good.

[echen1024]

I am basically trying to decide whether to get the U1272A or the U1252B with the Chinese new year money. So, I need a recommendation. I also saw elsewhere that the input impedance quickly drops to 5 Mohm.

[nanofrog]

I am basically trying to decide whether to get the U1272A or the U1252B with the Chinese new year money. So, I need a recommendation. I also saw elsewhere that the input impedance quickly drops to 5 Mohm.

In AC+DC mode. Otherwise, 10Mohm (it's in the specs).

Not a huge cost difference between the two (~$44 more for the U1252B), but the U1252B is better suited for electronics work. U1272A is more of an industrial meter.

[echen1024]

OK. SO when I decide to purchase a meter, 1252 it is! That OLED screen looks so tempting though...

[nanofrog]

OK. SO when I decide to purchase a meter, 1252 it is! That OLED screen looks so tempting though...

I skipped it due to OLED lifespan being shorter than LCD. Worth a search if you're not familiar with this. 

Besides, you'll get a bit better battery life, and save a little bit of money as well.