Fluke 87-5 Digital Multimeter
by Fluke
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List Price: Our Price: $319.99 You Save: $79.96 (20%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $250.00 (click here) Category: Tools See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Fluke 87-5 Digital Multimeter
Customer Review: Absolutely Top-Quality
Summary: 5 Stars
First, Fluke itself: Fluke makes best-quality meters. In fact, they are overwhelmingly regarded as the best meters available. That's not to say there aren't other very good brands (e.g., Agilent, Hioki), or that 2nd tier brands (e.g., Extech, Meterman) don't have their place - they do. But Fluke meters in general offer the combination of best specifications, best build, and best protection (for you as well as the meter). The thing is, you will pay top dollar.
The 87 is a very tough meter in very widespread use in the field. The 80 series meters, like the 70 series that preceeded them, have a reputation for holding their accuracy and lasting for decades. They are well-fused and well-shielded, tightly-sealed, and stories of Fluke meters surviving falls, high voltages and currents, weather, and a myriad of other challenges are legion.
Look carefully at specs and responsiveness. The 87 is exceptionally responsive. Continuity detection, for example, is extraordinarily fast, to the point where it's hard NOT to trigger the beep when testing by touching the probes, no matter how quickly and briefly you try to touch them together. Compare that to other meters with lesser response characteristics and it will dawn on you how easy it is to miss an intermittent. Basic accuracy is very good in the 80 series and also limited to +1 or +2 digits in most ranges. Compare that to many others where it's often +4, or even more, plus the 87 can be put into 20,000 count mode, and relative mode can be used to get more accuracy as well where you need it.
Finally, the 80 series carries a lifetime warranty. Considering Amazon's aggressive pricing on these meters, the premium over a lesser meter like, say, the Fluke 117 (which carries only a 3-year warranty) is low enough that it makes sense to upgrade to the better meter.
FYI - the Pelican 1200 case is an excellent fit for this meter, as long as you don't need to carry a lot of accessories. Pelican 1200 Case w/Foam (Black) Probably the most rugged case you can buy.
Customer Review: every essential diagnostic I need for automotive or home work, professional grade
Summary: 5 Stars
I build prototype cars full time right now as a start-up business. Typically other team members would build out the wiring harnesses and test them, and integrate the OBDII and CAN systems. I asked our team which multimeter to get, after going through 5 that didn't have the accuracy or a critical feature half-way through testing a system. Our SAE certified master mechanic said the Fluke 87 series (currently newest is the 87-5). I Balked at the price, compared to the $1.99 voltmeters from Harbor Freight how could I justify a several hundred dollar meter? He convinced me, and I'm glad he did. Now I have a multi-meter capable of voltage drop testing to find any excessive resistances or shorts- which is the most used function- and this being the automotive edition of the 10-year guaranteed Fluke with an impact resistant rubberized boot let's me know I won't be stuck without the right tool for all repair shop level diagnosis. Other team members do have an oscilloscope, voltage divider and bench power supply for more nuanced electronic testing, but with this Fluke we can even check individual microchips for operational flaws. I highly recommend this unit, it is rugged, more accurate than our other 5 volt meters, guaranteed for 10 years, and has every function I need for bumper to bumper automotive electrical bug tracking and resolution.Customer Review: don't waste your money on Cheap meters!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been in the RV repair industry for a long time and one thing is for sure, I cannot do my job without a top quality meter. I have in the past bought Snap-On, Mac, Matco,ect, but have never been as pleased with a meter as I have with this one. Beyond the normal functions of a meter, I love this one for its temp probe, no more are the days of carrying a therometer to take readings inside fride, a/c/ unit, all I do is plug it into the meter put the probe inside and shut the door within 30 seconds I have a very accurate reading. But probably the most important thing about this merter is the "true RMS" readings I get, this is very important when working with power converters and inverters..This meter is very well protected also with fuses (fuses are pricey though) have not blown one yet but I would recommend purchasing a set to keep on hand.Customer Review: FLUKE 87-5
Summary: 5 Stars
This multimeter is everything I expected. No disappointments. The meter is used in automotive and general use. It replaced a Fluke 8060A multimeter which was over 20 years old and finally failed. The 8060 required range selection and did not have an auto shut off.
Greatest features are Autorange and automatic shut off. It was difficult to find where in the documentation battery replacement instructions were located and these instructions did not indicate that the protective casing needs to be removed to access the battery door. It was also not clear that the unit was supplied with an installed battery. These documentation issues however do not significantly detract from the quality of the product.
Customer Review: Best Multimeter I've owned
Summary: 5 Stars
I've used a couple of cheap multimeters in the past. Once I ordered my new tube amp, the manufacturer recommended not to use a cheap multimeter, and get a Fluke 87-5 as this would give accurate readings.
Well, after spending that much on the tube amp, I had to get the Fluke. Upon receiving it, build quality was excellent. Manual was also pretty good. Although, the manual presupposes that you know how to work a multimeter unit already. I had to slowly figure it out as I am no engineer.
Bottom line, this is a great product! I only wish it were readily available in the Philippines. The price of this here in Manila is double srp in the US.