Fluke vs Fieldpiece

[Tempted]

I grew up on fieldpiece and like the accessories. I bought a fluke and have it for a spare. I have had issues with my fieldpieces mainly in the temp areas but then I dont treat them like I should either. I'm pretty rough on my my tools.

[jtrammel]

I use fluke and field piece, the fluke 902 is my backup to my fp hs36. I also like the fp bag for the hs36 you can actually fit fuses jumper wires wire nuts etc in it, my fluke bag is barely big enough for the meter itself.

[Nytefog]

I grew up on fieldpiece and like the accessories. I bought a fluke and have it for a spare. I have had issues with my fieldpieces mainly in the temp areas but then I dont treat them like I should either. I'm pretty rough on my my tools.

I'm very rough on my tools as well. This is why i either buy very good quality tools that can withstand my punishment or very inexpensive tools that i can replace often and easily. Any tool that if its malfunctioning could cause me to lose my life i make sure to buy the most reliable and well built. I consider a voltage tester and CO & combustable gas detection devices to be on the top of my list not including eye, ear, breathing, and skin protection devices.

I'm pretty particular about tools and almost always have replacements available. It only took one time of having something breaking during a job. Ever since, i have certain replacement tools i keep on hand at all times. Same thing with certain parts.

I'm not a big fan of the Fluke 902. I don't like its resistance/cont. testing. I don't find it to be accurate enough. I keep my 902 in my personal vehicle for emergency. I just put lithium ion Batteries in it so i don't have to worry about them failing for 10 years.

[chuckcrj]

Like Nytefog said, I also buy Fluke because its hands down the BEST meter you can buy. I bet my life with it every day when I use it.
When working with 460 volts 3 phase every day that meter needs to work and with-stand the harsh environment on a daily basis.
I got a trusted meter which is an old Fluke 27. It was the best in its day and still works great. Sure I have had it re-calibrated because I need accuracy not guess work. Oh and it does zero out better than any other meter which I have. Its not my every day meter though. In my bag a normally use a Fluke 902 which has a CAT III rating @ 600 Volts and is True-rms. The only thing I don't like about it is that it will not read below 10 micro fared for capacitance. No big deal for me though as I normally don't require such a low reading, and when needed I break out my new Fluke 87v.

Now the Fluke 87v is a must have for me. I got jobs where I can not bring a meter that has less than a CAT IV @ 600 volts and this meter is rated @ CAT III 1000 volts. This meter has it all. Its great when servicing VFD's as it easily reads hertz. Amperage is easily read with the use of the i400 current clamp. Great for start ups so that the enclosure can be closed. Beware of the arc flash.

That reminds me of the time when we were in a very large panel and when one other the guys said he was gonna go out and get his meter. (A real meter) and the electronic genius that worked at the plant wiggled his way in between us and landed his meter on the buss bars and that toy meter blow up. Thank god he did not hurt himself or the guys standing around.

Sure I have used the cheaper brands in the beginning of my career when I started. But after seeing videos and u-tube clips on arc flash explosion. Never Again will I use a cheap meter.

So if my non-fluke meter is rated CAT 3 and certified by IEC, UL, and CE, it is somehow less safe to use than a Fluke???

[buzhall]

if you feel safe with it use it,i tried a yogagawa once and while on a roof the outdoor temp was like 100 and the thing lied to me

So if my non-fluke meter is rated CAT 3 and certified by IEC, UL, and CE, it is somehow less safe to use than a Fluke???

[buzhall]

i was shocked,lol

if you feel safe with it use it,i tried a yogagawa once and while on a roof the outdoor temp was like 100 and the thing lied to me

[ADillon]

I have both and have never had a problem with either. I like FP for the price and versatility over FLUKE

[dannyp19]

Simpson 360. Best damn meter ever built. My grandad gave me his old one 30 years ago and he used it for 25 years. It had the leather case and was dropped, rained on, and abused for 50+ years. I retired it to the shop a few years ago and it still works. Can you say that about any meter on the market now?


Now I use a Fluke. Fieldpiece is OK also. UEI is unreliable electronic instrument! Every UEI instrument I have owned is crap after 2 years.

[nsula_country]

So if my non-fluke meter is rated CAT 3 and certified by IEC, UL, and CE, it is somehow less safe to use than a Fluke???

If it is rated CAT III then it should be a good instrument. Personally I still like a Fluke, especially my 187.




CT

[jguy4427]

Only buy the Fluke models made in the USA! They have a longer warranty and higher price then their outsourced models. I've used fluke since i was a kid playing with my fathers so thats all i trust when it comes to playing with high voltage Did you know you can fit a penny into a receptical? I did around age 4-5 oops!!. Fluke makes models for everyones price range but dont think its worth buying the low end models.. Like anything else higher quality items cost more and usually have a better warranty. I have used other brands and have nothing against fieldpiece but i trust my life to my fluke 28II, 1587 megger and a 179 i lent to a friend and it has appeared to disapear!! I did buy a 327 clamp meter with the iflex to for safety and convenience.......I confess... i am addicted to tools i have way to many meters and digital refrigerant analyzers. I reallly wish the AK900 had clamp sensor temp probes i made my own but i find it crazy they don't develop an oem model. I do like the sensors with the rubber boots and velcro straps. They do work well but take longer to attach and time is money and extra 2-3 minutes adds up quickly. I was considering popping out my testo thermisters and pop in the digicools thermister in their place. The think is i do like my testo DRSA especially my new 570 so i can print results to show customers. I do have have the sman 3 but am letting another employee using them this summer until he can get his ak900's. I rather have him gettting accurate measurements and prevent callbacks. Customers LOVE when they see you using "high-tech" tools on their equipment. You can then explain to them how things work which make the customer feel more at ease know you know your ISH!! rather then the guy with his analog guages and thermometer trying to set superheat without wet bulb measurements.

MY all time favorite with new customer is " i've never seen any other techs using tools like the ones you have" i just smile and say you have someone that know what their doing now. I mau cost more but if you want to done right these tools cost money!! lol SORRY for stealing the thread!!

BTW, Combustion Analyzers blow customers away. You should them how poorly their systems been running for so many years.... I've found many brand new gas furances with two/three stage heating with gas pressures so off they were luck they didn't kill people and set the places on fire.

Are certain model numbers made in the USA and others made elsewhere?

[Nytefog]

Yes, the higher end DMM are made in the USA and others, i believe are made in china. MY 28II is a USA made model and has a better warranty then some other models.

Check out this link for 80 Series DMM
http://www.fluke.com/fluke/usen/Digi....htm?PID=56135

VS. This link for 117 DMM
http://www.fluke.com/fluke/usen/digi....htm?PID=55994

Notice the warranty difference and where it says its made or the exclusion of this information.....

Check out this dude that tears apart meters.

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[jguy4427]

Thanks Nytefog. Very informative.

[bfusch]

I've always had great luck with my Fieldpiece. Plus, it's got a cannon on it. SOLD!