Alternative DMMs to Fluke?
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From: Richard Kanarek on 10 Apr 2006 03:54 Greetings, IMHO, the most important thing about a Fluke meter is not the quality of its build, but where it is built. Sure, Flukes cost more, but there built in the USA (AFAIK). You're getting some of your money back in the taxes they pay (assuming you're an American, an Iraqi, or a North Korean (eventually)). You may not like how much Fluke charges, but you can be reasonably sure that they're not going to use the extra cash to invade Taiwan or launch nuclear missiles at YOU. Back to your question: Although I don't think its made anymore, my favorite DMM was a Simpson 467. Very convenient for field/industrial use when "worn" with the high quality, real leather carrying case (which allowed the meter to dangle from your neck -- look out for door knobs!). It also had a swell set of features. Although I do own a Fluke, I generally use a cheap, but well liked (non-ROC) VOM at work, and a Triplett 630-PLK at home. (I think I'm the last person that has ever bought one new, but, as they're still for sale, you can beat me if you wish: http://www.triplett.com/) I've grow ever more fond of VOMs with age, and ever less fond of DMMs. Something about the way their digits keep staring at me whilst they drain, albeit slowly, their batteries disquiets me. <g> If your keen on investigating your meter choices, you might want to look around the eclectic collection offered (mostly exclusively) on line at Electronix Express/RSR Electronics (http://elexp.com/on_web.htm). Not only do they have what may be the worst FET-VOM ever built, but they also offer a Triplett Model 3250 DMM with a Head-up-display. (You wear a transparent monocle upon which your test results are displayed.) Anyone ever try it? Cordially, Richard Kanarek
From: Glen Walpert on 10 Apr 2006 08:44 My most frequently used non-Fluke meter is an Extech MiniTec 26, which cost around $35, includes good test leads, thermocouple, 10 Amp range (limited to 30 sec in 15 min), nice solid case with fold-out stand. No true RMS, but the capacitance measurement function has a wider range and is far more accurate than the the capacitance function on my Fluke 87.
From: Smitty Two on 10 Apr 2006 12:04 In article <9i2k32pga4dq3p0fd52tr4dsqtd2rlsdai(a)4ax.com>, Richard Kanarek <FirstInitialthenLastName(a)spamcop.net> wrote: > http://elexp.com/on_web.htm Thanks for that link, Richard. I see they also sell the best diagonal cutters on the planet, Erem brand, at very competitive prices. I love good tools!
From: Joel Kolstad on 10 Apr 2006 17:05 "Jim Yanik" <jyanik(a)abuse.gov> wrote in message news:Xns97A0963DB25AAjyanikkuanet(a)129.250.170.84... > Those TEK DMMs come from Taiwan,not from TEK. > They were rebadged,just like the cheap function generators and counters. Hmm... my Tek TX1 says "Tektronix Inc., Beaverton, OR USA" on the back of it. The box for it says the same thing; I don't see "Taiwan" anywhere. Are you sure they came from Taiwan? Not that, for low-end equipment, I think it matters that much anymore anyway. I'm sure the Chinese, Taiwanese, Russians, Africans, etc. -- anyone on the planet -- can crank out decent designs these days. And I'm told that traditionally low-quality equpiment providers such as Chinese manufacturers *can* build to pretty much any level of quality you're willing to pay for... it's just that relatively low-quality/cheap goods are still "good enough" for many uses. If I'm buying an 8GHz real-time oscilloscope or a 40GHz network analyzer, I am more reluctant to stray outside of the well-known manufacturers (i.e., the short list is Tek, Agilent, Rohde-Schwarz, LeCroy, etc.).
From: Jim Yanik on 10 Apr 2006 20:05
"Joel Kolstad" <JKolstad71HatesSpam(a)yahoo.com> wrote in news:123li6kbnj0hq8e(a)corp.supernews.com: > "Jim Yanik" <jyanik(a)abuse.gov> wrote in message > news:Xns97A0963DB25AAjyanikkuanet(a)129.250.170.84... >> Those TEK DMMs come from Taiwan,not from TEK. >> They were rebadged,just like the cheap function generators and >> counters. > > Hmm... my Tek TX1 says "Tektronix Inc., Beaverton, OR USA" on the back > of it. The box for it says the same thing; I don't see "Taiwan" > anywhere. Are you sure they came from Taiwan? What's the serial number begin with? A "T"?? Beaverton TEK-made stuff comes with a "B" prefix s/n. "T" s/n prefix=Taiwan origin,H=Heenveren,B= Beaverton. No letter prefix =Sony/Tek,IIRC. At the time I separated from TEK,they were buying Taiwanese DMMs and selling them as TEK meters. One was identical to a Beckman DMM. TEK itself only makes scopes now,most other "TEK" gear comes from other companies,rebadged. The very first item TEK did this with was a Dolch LCD handheld scope. At least the Telequipment scopes(British)retained the Telequipment badge. > > Not that, for low-end equipment, I think it matters that much anymore > anyway. I'm sure the Chinese, Taiwanese, Russians, Africans, etc. -- > anyone on the planet -- can crank out decent designs these days. And > I'm told that traditionally low-quality equpiment providers such as > Chinese manufacturers *can* build to pretty much any level of quality > you're willing to pay for... it's just that relatively > low-quality/cheap goods are still "good enough" for many uses. > > If I'm buying an 8GHz real-time oscilloscope or a 40GHz network > analyzer, I am more reluctant to stray outside of the well-known > manufacturers (i.e., the short list is Tek, Agilent, Rohde-Schwarz, > LeCroy, etc.). > BTW,TEK TDS scopes use a purchased power supply. -- Jim Yanik jyanik at kua.net |