U1272A update

[Kiriakos-GR]

Well personally I do have an question that bothers me some how.
And probably only Agilent has the answer.

The U1272A will enter in the Greek market with three years warranty ..
And this is an very positive policy.

Even so, what bothers me is the total period, that Agilent plans to support the U1270 family.
Example:
Spare parts availability ? Software support ? and for how long ?
This sort of answers, they will totally kill any doughs that blows away confidence. 

[saturation]

Hi PetrosA,

So far I've taken it to 100% RH without a problem, the problem is only if there is condensation during the extreme testing, just wait for the socket to dry or dry it with compressed air or tissue.  It is water tight and O ring sealed.

I don't have any controlled way to test it, but after reading Saturation's post, I suspect the issues I've had with the probe alarms are related to humidity, and that less than 100% will cause the problem. From what Agilent has explained to me, the split plates in the socket are used to sense the presence of a probe in the jack by measuring for a short between the two plates. I speculate that depending on how that's done exactly, if more than one socket is detecting low enough resistance under high humidity levels, that could cause the sensor circuits to go whacky. Whatever the cause, it needs to be ironed out since many regions in the world have regular seasonal high humidity levels and the meter becomes unusable when the alarm is going off.

[EEVblog]

Agilent have now updated the firmware for the meter to fix the problem:
http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/editorial.jspx?id=2055659&ckey=2055659&nid=-34618.956189.02&lc=eng&cc=AU

Looks like they fixed a bunch of other stuff too:
http://www.home.agilent.com/upload/cmc_upload/All/version2_00_history.txt

1) “-“ sign intermittently show up in ACV for ZLow function while pressing Trig Hold/Auto Hold button
2) No showing “OL” when overloaded in Manual Range while Auto Hold is enabled
3) Frequency range does not change range accordingly
4) Bar graph does not show voltage reading in Peak Hold function
5) Showing invalid reading while pressing Trig Hold in Peak Hold function
6) Incorrect reading after pressing “Hz%ms” in MaxMin mode
7) In ACDC mA function, “OL” is shown even change to higher range in MaxMin mode
In Capacitance function, “OL” or incorrect reading is shown when change to higher range in MaxMin mode
9) Bar graph does not reflect the real measurement while in Continuity 300ohm range
10) Secondary display changed while pressing “Dual” in Auto Hold mode
11) Auto Hold function is disabled when single press one “AutoHold” button in Auto Hold mode
12) Temperature unit F-C or C-F display should show “F” only or “C” only in both 1st and 2nd display
13) Null not functioning together with other Math function
14) Continuity flash alert as fast as beep alarm
15) “ZLOW” display control by EEPROM location F4
16) Remove Frequency filter code for LPF
17) Add TRIG SCPI command
18) Issue fixed for ADC Initialising Failure

For those with effected units, they offer two options:
1) A replacement unit with the updated firmware
2) A FREE USB interface cable (to download the firmware)
This applies until Nov.

They are also fixed all their stock on the shelves with the authorised reps as quickly as possible, who have all been altered to the issue. And all factory stocked units have already been fixed.

And I just noticed there is a service guide too:
http://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/U1271-90020.pdf

Dave.

[saturation]

Awesome.  Again, it shows the value of a more insightful reviewer, as there were reviews elsewhere far earlier on other forums than on eevblog that did not discover any issues.

I've never seen a DMM with a user based firmware upgrade, this is a first for me, but its very welcome.  Have you?

The problems I've been experiencing do point to firmware, because the stability, casing and build are fairly solid .  I've recent had issues with its capacitance range, but will redo the accuracy checks with the new firmware.  I'm impressed how fast this has occurred from the onset of the complaints to the fix.

Agilent have now updated the firmware for the meter to fix the problem:
http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/editorial.jspx?id=2055659&ckey=2055659&nid=-34618.956189.02&lc=eng&cc=AU

Looks like they fixed a bunch of other stuff too:
http://www.home.agilent.com/upload/cmc_upload/All/version2_00_history.txt
....

And I just noticed there is a service guide too:
http://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/U1271-90020.pdf

Dave.

[EEVblog]

I've never heard of a DMM with a firmware upgrade, this is a first for me, but its very welcome.  Have you?

I just updated my Gossen Energy firmware.
But it does require a $450 USB cable! 

Dave.

[EEVblog]

Here is the official Service Note for the problem, and details on how users can contact Agilent for their FREE USB cable!

http://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/U1272A-02.pdf

Could Agilent have possibly given a better response in a more timely manner?

Compare that with the response we got from Fluke on the GSM phone problem... 

Dave.

[johnboxall]

Fantastic news, and thanks to you Dave for being a squeaky wheel 

[Mechatrommer]

1) A replacement unit with the updated firmware
2) A FREE USB interface cable (to download the firmware)

number 2 looks like a clear winner to me if i own one agilent. later when they have rev3 fw, no need to send back. and can play around with the cable

Compare that with the response we got from Fluke on the GSM phone problem... 

a silence may means "oh we cannot fix that hardware problem unless you send back the unit and repaired by us, which is uneconomical, from our side point of view"

[Kiriakos-GR]

squeaky wheel 

Yes he use to do that quit often    ( we have many solid proofs about that ..)
If he continue doing that, eventually he will enter and in the Guinness Book too.   

About Agilent I can not hide how happy I am about them.
And about Fluke multimeters, they do have very respectable people working for them,
in their development department, but they are not magicians. 

I feel privileged and happy, that due my activity at the EEV forum,
I managed to have direct communication paths with people who care about my opinion,
in both castles. 


About the Agilent move, like free  PC connectivity modem, for every DMM with older firmware,
this is an true surprise !!
I had never see something like that, ever.

Call me romantic, but it feels to me like that there is a new sheriff, in multimeters town.  LOL
 
 

 
 

[Floyo]

It is good to hear that Agilent have fixed this problem so quickly. And it's a very nice gesture of them to give all the affected people the option to receive free means of resolving the problem, service as it should be.

Now just some extra "beep" options so I don't disturb the whole house whilst working with my dmm, and possible even an pdf describing the serial commands so people can write their own logging applications (maybe even in embedded systems). If Agilent makes these things available as well, they might have a winner on their hands, both for the professional and the advanced hobbyist market. 

[EEVblog]

1) A replacement unit with the updated firmware
2) A FREE USB interface cable (to download the firmware)

number 2 looks like a clear winner to me if i own one agilent. later when they have rev3 fw, no need to send back. and can play around with the cable

Yeah, unless you have a beat up meter you want replaced, the USB cable is by far the better deal!

Dave.

[mikeselectricstuff]

Could Agilent have possibly given a better response in a more timely manner?
Compare that with the response we got from Fluke on the GSM phone problem... 
Dave.

And the response of Rigol to..... well pretty much everything

[elCap]

This great news! Very well done, Agilent! This is how the customers should be handled. I don't mind a few bugs if I get a free gift (of value!) when they are fixed

Here is the official Service Note for the problem, and details on how users can contact Agilent for their FREE USB cable!

http://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/U1272A-02.pdf

Could Agilent have possibly given a better response in a more timely manner?

[Freighternut]

Great news indeed, and it is certaily great to see a responsive supplier at last.

Dave....how far of is the review. I am hanging off from buying one until I get your good oil on the usability and
any quirks.

[EEVblog]

Dave....how far of is the review. I am hanging off from buying one until I get your good oil on the usability and
any quirks.

As usual, not much of an idea, sorry. There are at least couple of other theory/project blogs I want to do first, a Tek scope teardown, FX-888 review too.
I need a USB cable first, but can likely get one from Triosmartcal around the corner.
But as always, I work on whims!

Dave.

[zaoka]

Any chance to get new Hameg scope?

[Freighternut]

Hi dave,

Whim's are good...in lieu of a full review, any likes/dislikes with the U1272A so far?

Keep up the good work, I am enjoying the blogs and forum immensely.

Roger...

[EEVblog]

Whim's are good...in lieu of a full review, any likes/dislikes with the U1272A so far?

There is a lot to like (assuming the firmware does fix the issues as claimed)
I like the 7/times sec updating and all the extra features over the Fluke.
I like the feel and the construction, esp holding in the hand.
I like the extra digit of resolution on mV.
The display digit size isn't as good as the fluke, but you do get all the extra display functions, and the contrast is better than fluke, particularly from above the display.
I don't like the Off position not being at the end, can't just slam the knob around to shut off.
The backlight is very nice, brighter than fluke.
I hate the LOUD power on beep which can be disabled, but then you don't get button beeps which I like.
Continuity speed is slower than the fluke, enough to be a slightly annoying, but much faster than many other meters.
I like the battery choice and fuse compartment, better than fluke.
I don't like the removable probes tips, they are annoyingly long IMO.

Hard to compare the two really, as the Agilent obviously kills the Fluke for functionality and bang-per-buck, but it hasn't proven itself long term yet.
If you are after just a basic meter that you could bet your life on, and will likely still work in 15-20 years, the fluke would still be my pick. The Fluke has a lifetime warranty, bigger and less "busy" display, removable rubber holster, and proven reliability and parts support.

If it was my own money on the line though, I'd buy the Agilent I think, just for the bang-per-buck...  

Dave.

[Freighternut]

Thanks Dave!

Very helpfull!

Is the dual display any good for viewing DC voltage and ripple simultaneously. Most supplies that I work on are low voltage Dc
(Max 40 Volt) but I need to observe ripple down to about 5 - 10 mv.

Roger...

[EEVblog]

Is the dual display any good for viewing DC voltage and ripple simultaneously. Most supplies that I work on are low voltage Dc
(Max 40 Volt) but I need to observe ripple down to about 5 - 10 mv.

Yes, the secondary AC display can display 0.0000V whilst displaying autoranged DC volts.
But the 2nd AC display does seem to get fooled initially and autoranges to 0.000V display and does not range back down to give you the extra digit (when probing a 9V battery).

Oh, and the autoranging is not very fast either.

Dave.

[ruessel]

Thanks Dave!

Very helpfull!

Is the dual display any good for viewing DC voltage and ripple simultaneously. Most supplies that I work on are low voltage Dc
(Max 40 Volt) but I need to observe ripple down to about 5 - 10 mv.

Roger...

Yes, it does that. But it takes almost forever until you get a stable reading for the AC ripple.
My beat up, 20 year old Fluke 45 dual display bench multimeter is way faster!
Also have a new Agilent U3401, bought as a replacement for the old Fluke 45 -but this one is almost as slow as the U1272.
I guess in this respect the old Fluke 45 is hard to beat.

Helmut

[saturation]

New buyers assume no further bugs exists after this firmware release, but that remains to be seen.

[EEVblog]

New buyers assume no further bugs exists after this firmware release, but that remains to be seen.

They fixed an awful lot of bugs in this release!
You gotta wonder what else is lurking in there...

Dave.

[Kiriakos-GR]

New buyers assume no further bugs exists after this firmware release, but that remains to be seen.

They fixed an awful lot of bugs in this release!
You gotta wonder what else is lurking in there...

Dave.

I like this hypothesis, if it turns as true,
that would translate to, that I will have my chance to find it.   

And another thing, Agilent had proven with their actions,
that they do listen.
Lets help them out with full thrust.

Lets give a lesson to the big boys who hides behind their big castles. 
Primarily the Internet it is an communication tool, and marketing and advertising comes second or last to me.

Who cares about robustness and fame, when one DMM has twenty functions,
and the selection of those options was wrongly made ?

Some people they seek even today the champion DMM in aspects like speed at AC voltage or Continuity speed,
I care for the productivity factor mostly.
 
     

[PetrosA]

Has anyone actually been able to update their firmware for the 1272 yet? I keep getting a "file not found" screen every time I click on the Firmware Update Software link (top link of the four). The other three files are there, but not that one