| Products > Test Equipment |
| U1271A/U1272A/U1273A/U1273AX models/likes/dislikes/tips |
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| LaurentR:
For any prospective buyer or happy/unhappy owner, here is an attempt at listing all the good and bad things about the U1271A/U1272A/U1273A/U1273AX. Feel free to add/comment. I am very happy about my U1273A (I love the screen and the local and remote logging capabilities) but the thing has definite quirks and could be improved. It's more than 4 years old by now, so let's just hope for an eventual refresh >:D Models: * U1271A ($347): U1272A minus some features (No Zlow, no SmartOhm, no AC+DC TrueRMS, 20kHz AC BW vs 100kHz, no 30mV range, no 30Ohm or 300MOhm ranges, no auto diode test, 200 entry logging vs. 10k) * U1272A ($378): Main model. * U1273A ($404): Same as U1272A but with OLED screen. * U1273AX ($451): Same as U1273A but with extended operating temperature range to -40C Latest Firmware: * U1271A/U1272A: 2.04 (2013-07-05) * U1273A/U1273AX: 1.95 (2013-08-05) Reviews: * Dave's U1272A teardown: * Dave's U1272A Fail (fixed in recent firmware versions): * Agilent's U1272A Response: * Dave's U1272A review: * Kiriakos' U1272A review thread: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/agilent-u1272a-review-by-kiriakos-triantafilloy-greece/ * Martin's U1272A review: * Roadtest at element14: http://www.element14.com/community/roadTestReviews/1002 Likes * Solid. IP54 rated. * U1273A/U1273AX OLED screen indoor. Very readable large digits. Scales down for dual display. Better GUI especially for setup. (LaurentR) * Lots of logging options with good memory size. Good Bluetooth modules and apps/sw (LaurentR). * Arbitrary V/A conversion factor (electr_peter). * SmartOhm (electr_peter). * Continuity threshold adjustable with Range button. Backlight continuity alert on U1271A/U1272A (Zbig). * Calibration certificate with calibration results for all ranges. * Leads are high quality silicone. 15A rated and AWG16 (higher than all Fluke leads). Two-parts for more flexibility. Dislikes * Continuity is scratchy. It is latching, but still scratchy while a firm contact is not made. There is a funky multi-tone option for continuity that plays a melody depending on quality of the contact. Continuity threshold can be changed with the Range button. The U1272A also has a really nice screen flashing option (backlight turns on), which actually works better than the buzzer. * Connecting the leads to mains (or any high voltage) for enough time changes measurements on some ranges (e.g. the lowest resistance range). This is possibly due to self-heating. Recovery takes several minutes. * Capacitance measurements seem marginal. I don't own a DMM I can trust with capacitance tests, so I am not sure how true this is. * Zlow mode shows ~2-3VAC with shorted inputs. * The U1273A/U1273AX OLED screen is hard to see in bright daylight. It is gorgeous indoor (and the dot-matrix gives it a better interface than that of the U1272A), but it's really bad outdoor, to the point of just not being able to see anything. See for a comparison of the 2 screens outdoor. * The U1273A/U1273AX have reduced battery life due to the OLED display. Rated at 60hr Alkaline / 100hr Lithium vs. 300hr Alkaline for the U1272A. * APO is fully settable but beeps right as it turns off, leaving no time to prevent it. * Off position is not the left-most one on the rotary selector. There is a "Zlow" selection completely to the left. Minor annoyance. * Beep on power-on. The frequency of the beep can be picked (or the beep can be turned off), but this option changes the beeps of all functions, including continuity. The most ridiculous is the U1273A that has a melody option on power-up... * The screen seems to scratch very easily (on the U1273A at least). See this thread. * Provided leads are good quality but the handle is in two parts, which makes them quite long. Tips * For faster stabilization of readings, turn off DC LPF in settings (that's a change in the latest firmware). * After doing mains work, wait several minutes before doing precision electronics measurements (watching Ohms of shorted leads is a good indication). * Turn off unused features in setup (dB, mA scale, melody). * If using rechargeable batteries, set the battery type to "SEC" in setup. Accessories: * U1177A IR-Bluetooth adapter (10m range class 2) * U1117A IR-Bluetooth adapter (100m range class 1) * U1173A/B IR-USB adapter * Free iPhone, Android and Windows apps |
| retiredcaps:
Martin's review of the U1272A. |
| LaurentR:
--- Quote from: retiredcaps on April 21, 2015, 06:06:27 am ---Martin's review of the U1272A. --- End quote --- I had watched but somehow didn't list it :( Thanks! |
| electr_peter:
--- Quote from: LaurentR on April 21, 2015, 06:00:28 am ---Continuity is scratchy. It is latching, but still scratchy while a firm contact is not made. There is a funky multi-tone option for continuity that plays a melody depending on quality of the contact. I find it better than the plain continuity buzzer, but it's funky. The U1272A also has a really nice screen flashing option (backlight turns on), which actually works better than the buzzer. The U1273A has no such option. --- End quote --- U1272A has nice solid buzzer plus it can show full resistance range (in the mega Ohms) in continuity mode if range button is pressed. --- Quote ---Connecting the leads to mains (or any high voltage) for enough time changes measurements on some ranges (e.g. the lowest resistance range). This is possibly due to self-heating. Recovery takes several minutes. --- End quote --- At least they protect and inform you about the danger which is the most important thing. Crap DMMs only show high voltage symbol when you select high voltage AC/DC range independent of actual voltage - this is utterly useless gimmick. --- Quote ---Capacitance measurements seem marginal. I don't own a DMM I can trust with capacitance tests, so I am not sure how true this is. --- End quote --- Such type of DMMs cannot accurately measure capacitance on low ranges. If you are desperate with low value caps, try using very short leads - it helps reducing overall system capacitance. --- Quote ---Off position is not the left-most one on the rotary selector. There is a "Zlow" selection completely to the left. Minor annoyance. --- End quote --- Annoying, but not quite, other manufacturers also do this if Low Z mode is available. Actually, LowZ mode has much strong de-tent on purpose so lighter turn of knob to the left will land you in off position. Also, both off and LowZ positions have a low impedance of ~1.7kOhm, be aware of this. --- Quote ---Beep on power-on. The frequency of the beep can be picked (or the beep can be turned off), but this option changes the beeps of all functions, including continuity. The most ridiculous is the U1273A that has a melody option on power-up... --- End quote --- U1272 beep cannot be fully turned off - beeper is not completely disconnected and you can hear faint clicks in silent room. You only have option of beeps or silence (meaning only one setting for turn on beep, button beeps, continuity beep). Separate settings would be nice. --- Quote ---Provided leads are good quality but the handle is in two parts, which makes it quite long. Nothing a good set of Fluke TL71 can't fix... --- End quote --- Get single piece construction Agilent leads if you don't like two piece design. Nice and accurate meter overall, has arbitrary amps/volts conversion factor and smart-Ohms measurement. |
| Muttley Snickers:
I have a couple of U1272A's and only use them periodicallyand out of all the meters that I use its the only one that I find that a quick refresher course is required every time that they come out, some of the hold down features are not that intuitive unless you are using them frequently. I keep meaning to print up and laminate a small cheat sheet and stick it in behind the bail, maybe tomorrow. Also nearly forgot, on my 189 and also on a twenty year old Dick Smith meter I have the ability to latch the continuity buzzer with a momentary contact on the probes, this is handy when working in large complex's and factories, maybe there is a trick to getting it to work on the U1272A's. Otherwise one of my favourite bits of kit...... :-+ Muttley |
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