EEVblog #57 - Agilent Thumbs Up Furore

Dave responds to the furore over his thumbs up rating on the Agilent U1253A Multimeter

And it's all about the love, really.

ADDED COMMENT:
Agilent make the exact same meter in an LCD version (U1251A or U1252A) with longer battery life. So you get the choice of display vs battery life!

[EEVblog]

That's the trade-off with the OLED display. Agilent make the same unit in an LCD version with longer battery life.

[jacobbiljo]

I think you did a great review of the product. you cant do a specific review for each type of person, so your overview of the positives and negatives is great. Keep it going the way you are.

[Tutoelectro]

I think did a good review, everyone here can decide whether they would buy or not the meter even if you give it a thumbs up or down. You clearly said what you didn't like about the meter and what you liked about it and from that anyone can decide if it covers their needs or not. In my case I would agree with you, because if I had to choose between a non reliable multimeter with 600hours and this Agilent I would choose the Agilent with my eyes closed.

[KenWPeek]

Oh yeah, I also bought a Tektronix DMM4050-- it is a re-badge of the Fluke 8846A 6-1/2 digit DMM. What a fantastic machine!

[EEVblog]

Agilent are clearly aiming this meter at people who need the bright OLED display, and that comes at a battery life penalty (even if they did it right) So it's up to the buyer to weigh up that need between long battery life and other features.
The Fluke 289 for instance has shit battery life, but I gave that the thumbs up too.
If you are concerned about battery life, buy a meter that has 500+ hours life - simple!
Learn to understand "horses for courses".

[EEVblog]

Yes, battery is a BIG issue.
No, the screen is NOT a big issue, it is a natural by-product of the choice to use the OLED display. That is always going to have trade-offs. If you need to use a meter outdoors then buy any one of Agilents other LCD meters.
If you find the lack of a rubber holster an issue, then buy another meter.

[leeYT]

Hey Dave, I haven't watched all your reviews yet, but I have to say that up to this one, I think you do an EXCELLENT job. All the tests you show us are great, so by the time you get to the end and thumbs-up or down, I already know whether I want it. I wouldn't change a thing.

[Ephyx]

I actually really like the fact that you give an honest review. I hate reviews that are sugar coated. I for one, saw all the negatives and the positives and decided to order one. (U1253B) Thank you for your honest review. Due to your honesty, I was not afraid to order one and find something that I hated about it, because you already stated all of your dislikes.

[unclesem]

with oled display they really should put 6*AAA or even 6*AA batteries in it.

[ironman]

have the LCD version good enough for me

[haggy]

Maybe is thumb in the middle! Battery is a BIG issue, Screen outside is a BIG issue, if you dropped and don't has a rubber protection is a Big issue, all the good things this DMM are fading out. For more than 400 bucks is not worth it. Just my opinion.

Regards,
Gustavo

[EEVblog]

MY FINAL COMMENT:
For those one-eyed enough to still not see the context -
Agilent make the exact same meter in an LCD version (U1251/2A) with longer battery life. *you get the choice* of display vs battery life!
Also, compared to the Fluke 289 with similar specs, the battery consumption is on par (take into account 6 AA's vs 9V, and display type).
So for me to give an overall thumbs down because of the battery life which you get a choice of anyway, would be just silly. Horses for courses.

[crocellian]

We all know you will never cut off your feed trough. A dead cow from Agilent would be a thumbs.

Go on and continue to protect your sources. We don't care. But don't think we are stupid.

You are the most aggressive self marketer on YouTube. Just keep the high quality stuff coming and we will support you.

[JanPedersen]

All in all good points Dave! I couldnt care less about brands and where things are produced. If the product lives up to specs - if it deliver quality compared to the price - then it deserves the Thumbs up :)
Would I buy Fluke ? Yes if i needed it. Would i buy 0.05% precition equipment ? Hardly...seldom need it. I use to borrow a Fluke and compare a multimeters specs to it. Then i know its precition and i can use a 20 dollar multimeter for my needs...usualy a Uni-T :)
I seldom do measurements on 230V AC equipment - If i did I would care about security.
I seldom measure high currents - if i did i would also look at security.
Security - well that equals Fluke i think :P
As a professional you need to be able to rely on measurements...you need a product with durabillity - you also need to be sure that the product is safe in the situations where you are using it. Can a product live up to this - give it a thumbs up :P

[KenWPeek]

Based on your review of the U1253A, I purchased a U1252B instead. That is the same as the U1253B, but with an LCD instead of the OLED, and there are some functions that the U1253B does not have. The battery life on the U1252B is fantastic-- I have been using it on the bench for more than two weeks (not on all the time, I only turn it on to take a measurement, and then let it time out and turn itself off). The battery indicator has not budged at all, so I expect a lot of "real life" hours.

[EEVblog]

Not at all, I like harsh, it keeps me on my toes.
And yeah, the good thing about having my own blog is that it's MY view :) I give products what I believe they deserve. If I had used the technique of no summary thumbs up and down, and just did it based on the different aspects then I doubt anyone would have had a problem with it. I might have to do that from now on, because reviewing gear like Fluke and Agilent is almost never going to be bad enough to warrant an overall thumbs down.

[friedmule]

I think of the Fluke as a field multimeter for the repairman where precision is not a big deal (wary low count) but it have to take a beating.
The Agilent is the opposite of that, it's for the bench with high precision but do not take a beting like Dave says. What I hate about the Agilent is that it is useless while charging, that have to change!

[camtheham]

I think that it's all about personal needs, if you are working outside with this away from accessible mains power, than this may not be the meter for you, but if you are working in a lab with mains power and you like it, then great, and personally I think this is a well designed meter, and the non oled device could be flawless or close to it

[ArumesYT]

You say you love the Fluke, but we all know as soon as the vlog is done you're going to pick up the Gossen, if only to turn the dial a couple of times...

[wooosaiiii]

Thumbs up for dave, keep up with excellent blog...