Weird multimeter.

[echen1024]

The Fluke 81438. Never seen this one before... Anyone know anything about ir?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fluke-81438-True-RMS-Multimeter-/141054955083?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20d787ce4b

[PedroDaGr8]

It appears to be a Fluke budget meter.

6000 count
CatIII 300V

It appears to be basically a cheap chinese meter with fluke branding based on the specs I see. Sold only through Sears, which explains the strange part number. That is a sears part number.

http://www.fluke.com/fluke/usen/digital-multimeter/Fluke-81438.htm?PID=56138

[Wytnucls]

 I wouldn't call it a cheap Chinese meter. Although probably made in China under a Fluke contract, it looks quite decent, with proper input protection and is TUV listed. Mostly basic functionality aimed at electricians, but it is a true RMS meter and has a Max/Min function.
Someone mentioned on a forum that the construction is very similar to the Fluke 17, although I haven't seen any pictures of the PCB to confirm this.

[retiredcaps]

For $75 + $15 s/h = $90, you are better off buying an original used Fluke 80 (83, 85, or 87).

[RedGrittyBrick]

That's a Fluke 111 (discontinued). http://www.fluke.com/fluke/usen/digital-multimeter/Fluke-110.htm?PID=55988

[alm]

The Fluke 110-112 series was the predecessor to the Fluke 114-117 series: their low-cost, compact multimeters intended for electricians. Better built than the current 114 series, US made, but less features (no mA or uA ranges) and higher prices.

[Lawsen]

This is similar to the Fluke 113, 115, and 117.  These are made in China, but built to Fluke's minimal specification.  That is why it is inexpensive compared with a Fluke 87 Series 5, that is the 5TH edition made in the U.S.A.  There is a huge price difference between made in U.S.A. versus made in China and not necessary where it is made in, but the over all design and internal protection circuit too like larger resistor shunts and double in line fuses.  The Fluke 11x, like the Fluke multimeter you mentioned, the Fluke 81438 is not as accurate as the 4.5 digits Fluke 87 Series 5.  The counting chip is not as accurate and fast thus less digits and lower price.  It does not measures milli (10^-3) or micro amps (10^-6) for specialized sensor or semiconductor work.  I will not go into the specifics.  Fluke 113 is around $120.00.  The Fluke 87 Series 5 is around $400.00 USD. 

http://www.gizmoholic.com/tools/fluke-117-review/

[Lawsen]

This is much better:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fluke-87-V-5-MULTIMETER-TRUE-RMS-Temperature-BRAND-NEW/290969020799?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D163%26meid%3D1176399287687950382%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D1088%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D141054955083%26

[alm]

These are made in China, but built to Fluke's minimal specification.

The early Fluke 110 meters, including presumably this meter since it looks identical to the 111, were made in the USA.

[echen1024]

I know that a used 87 would probably be better, but this model number just caught my eye.

[danb35]

This is much better:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fluke-87-V-5-MULTIMETER-TRUE-RMS-Temperature-BRAND-NEW/290969020799?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D163%26meid%3D1176399287687950382%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D1088%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D141054955083%26

Yes, and at 4x the cost it should be.

[tonyalbus]

Will have the 81438 soon and i do own a first version 111 .. so lets see, review and teardown

[Fungus]

So cute!

Fluke used to be way more interesting than they are now.

[tonyalbus]

Fluke 81438 vs 111

Not Friday yet.. but, here it is early release for EEVblog



Have fun 

[tonyalbus]

For the Fluke Fans,
i have a few more videos 

Fluke Friday Videos:
FlukeFriday (E1)  7-600,1ACII :
FlukeFriday (E2)  10,11,12 :
FlukeFriday (E3)  12B :
FlukeFriday (E4)  25,27,8025B :
FlukeFriday (E5)  30,32 :
FlukeFriday (E6)  37 :
FlukeFriday (E7)  51, 62 Max:
FlukeFriday (E8)  21,23 70,73,75,77,79 :
FlukeFriday (E9)  87-III and 787 Processmeter :
FlukeFriday (E10) 97 and 92B-Serie II Scopemeter :
FlukeFriday (E11) 123 and 192 Scopemeter :
FlukeFriday (E12) 91 Seire II Scopemeter :
FlukeFriday (E13) 164T Multifunction Counter :
FlukeFriday (E14) 287 in the AN/GSM-437 Army Kit :
FlukeFriday (E15) 893A AC-DC Differential Voltmeter:
FlukeFriday (E16) 233 Multimeter Remote Display:
FlukeFriday (E17) 893A AC-DC Differential Voltmeter Part 2 :
FlukeFriday (E18) 867 and 867B Graphical Multimeter :       
FlukeFriday (E19) 1900A and 7200A Series Frequency Counter :
FlukeFriday (E20) 81438 and 111 Special Multimeter :

FlukeOlderVideo - 87 III 87 V Brymen BM857s BM869s :
FlukeOlderVideo - 187 Calibration Procedure :
FlukeOlderVideo - 1900A Frequency Counter :
FlukeOlderVideo - 1920A Frequency Counter :
FlukeOlderVideo - PM2534 Bench Multimeter : 
FlukeOlderVideo - 5101B Calibrator First look :
FlukeOlderVideo - PM6662 120 MHz Frequency Counter :
FlukeOlderVideo - PM6685 RiFa Boom! :
FlukeOlderVideo - PM6685 8GHz Frequency Counter :
FlukeOlderVideo - 8000A 8010A Bench Multimeter :
FlukeOlderVideo - 8024A Handheld Multimeter :
FlukeOlderVideo - 8120A Bench Nixie Multimeter :
FlukeOlderVideo - 8125A MilSpec Nixie Multimeter :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko6Quk2e-F8
FlukeOlderVideo - 8200A Bench Nixie Multimeter :
FlukeOlderVideo - 8300A Lab Nixie Multimeter :
FlukeOlderVideo - 8500A Lab Multimeter :
FlukeOlderVideo - 8810A Bench Multimeter :

[edit]
Sorry... its embedding all the links... bur here it is

[BeBuLamar]

I don't see anything weird about it except for the model number.

[J-R]

So does the 111 have the backlight functionality or no??  Instead of drilling a hole or finding a 112 to test the theory, I would remove the selector switch from the front cover and press it against the PCB.  Just be sure to note the orientation.

[tonyalbus]

Drilling a hole was not serious of cource, who would do that?
instead i have a 112 coming soon.

[BILLPOD]

Good Morning Tony, have you done the Fluke 189?  If so, where might I find it?   You have become my favorite reviewer.  GOOD JOB, and thank you.