EEVblog #60 - Fluke 117 Multimeter Review and Teardown

Buy the Fluke 117 here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000O3LUEI?ie=UTF8&tag=ee04-20&linkC...

How does the made in China Fluke 117 Electricians Multimeter stack up?

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• fluke
• multimeter
• review
• teardown
• 117

[davidsfc9]

so amprobe and fluke related companies ?

[EEVblog]

@davidsfc9 Yes. They are both owner by the Danaher group who also own Tektronix and Keithley.

[silverdoggg]

wow... didn't know fluke had garbage range meters I was under the impression that anything with the fluke name was top of the line. Wish I knew that before I went out and ordered one now I have buyers remorse. So if not THIS meter what fluke model would you say is a good intro to electronics type to pick up?

[EEVblog]

@silverdoggg Just like every company, they make meters for different market segments. Nothing at all wrong with this meter, it is designed as a low cost electricians tool.

[tkromano1]

Dave, I going to start doing auto audio, mobile, installs and the course Im going to take mentioned that I buy a Fluke 115 Digital Multimeter? Is there another I can get which is better and last a live time? I heard you said that the 170 series are good and USA made, should I go for those?

[EEVblog]

@tkromano1 The 170 series are built like a brick shit house, almost indestructible. Better than the 110 series but cost a lot more.

[Jakstr1981]

@ElektroHut Many Chinese products have quality control issues. I will back pedal a bit and note that all of cell phones, computer motherboards, and graphics cards were also built in China and I haven't had an issue with any of them.

This being said, we buy enough from them. If I could get the same products made in the U.S., I'd have no issues with paying 5-10% more.

[uploadJ]

TNX for the review!

[truepres]

Thanks! Believe it or not, I really do appreciate your knowledgeable information. Your blog is indeed very helpful. I guess I've just become overly cynical lately in seeing much of my American culture go where it has gone. Keep up the good work!

[eurokid83]

@truepres And because at least 90% of electronic components are made in china to begin with, producing the meters in china becomes even less expensive because they don't have to factor in the additional cost of shipping the components to the states. Bottom line is, unless there is a component failure the biggest impact to the life of a meter is the end user. Not necessarily where it was made.

[eurokid83]

@truepres Fluke does not produce products that are "anticipated to fail" after a predictable usage life. When you produce a product for sale at a lower price point you have to meet certain design criteria. Electronic components, materials, manufacturing processes, etc have to be implimented at a lower initial cost. In the case of the Fluke 110 series meters, they can sell them cheaper because the labor rates in china are much cheaper than in the states.

[fourthplanet]

Thanks for the detailed review. Great info, I ended watching the entire 20 minutes (good entertainment value too). I work at a hospital in the building engineering department... we now have hvac controls that are digital (used to be pneumatic). I need a good meter that will not break the bank but does mA and mV. Any suggestions? Thanks

[truepres]

@ElektroHut

We could speculate on what their marketing motives are. That may even be correct as far as speculation goes - maybe. I'd rather rely on the gauge of where the company is placing its economic bets as expressed in its damage liability control. It's a reasonable bet that a long-lived international company will not extend the conditions that foster economic loss paying liability (warranty) claims on products that are anticipated to fail after a predictable usage life.

[ElektroHut]

@truepres Please that's just used to make you think that you need the next level Fluke. That thing isn't going to die unless they physically program it to. =p

[truepres]

@ElektroHut

You mean one that Fluke itself wont warranty for more than 3 years? I suppose that some people could call a tool that incorporates engineered limited-life duration, like the American-made automotive crap put-out in the 70's and 80's as a beauty. And than sell them on the deception that the naive public will be willing to continue to pay top dollar for it on the basis of brand-name recognition.

[truepres]

You referenced it for yourself. The meters made in China are not as robust, therefore Fluke will only warranty them for three years. They do not warranty them for a lifetime. The other observations are a mute point. The latest scam is that the Fluke sellers are selling them for the USA prices on the basis that they are as robust, even though Fluke itself knows better as indicated by their warranty duration.