redwrench60
Well-known member
Yeah, it's a mistake. Read the technical specs for both meters. It even says true RMS on the face of an 87 but not on an 88
Difference between fluke 87 and 88?
- Thread starter signcrafter
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Yeah, it's a mistake. Read the technical specs for both meters. It even says true RMS on the face of an 87 but not on an 88
Is it purely a square wave form, or is it a sine wave with a square wave on top of it? On a constant square wave form doesn't Vp=Vrms=Vavg? Out of curiosity when do you find the 88 to be more useful than the 87?
I believe they left out the RMS feature on the 88, because it can cause issues with the pulse reading "feature". The 87V has a built in low pass filter that you can turn on and off if you need to calculate pulses via frequency and duty cycle.
Ironically the 88 overall is a more basic, not as accurate meter aimed at the auto pro. Where as the 87V is more of a basic all around advanced meter. It can do dang near every thing under the sun short of a scope, but sometimes you just have to get tricky about how you do it.
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redwrench60
Well-known member
I've often wondered why they didn't make a "super meter" and just combine all the good features of the 88 and 87 in one meter. Guess it'd have a "super price"...........
Oh and my misinformation comments weren't directed at you.
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Earlier you mentioned the lag of the of the RPM accessory clamp, would you mind elaborating on that? How often is a multimeter that reads RPM useful as a full time auto pro? What would be the preferred tool if someone needs to measure RPM with good response on a modern automobile? Just for kicks a few times, and mostly on outboards. I have measured RPM with my 87, just based on a frequency reading and then calculating RPM based on # of cylinders.
I think fluke was just trying to get an edge into the market with the 88. If you look at the general accuracy specs it is really not that great. But they do have the features (Like RPM) to advertise to the Auto field. Which we all know, advertising is more than half of the game.
I think fluke was just trying to get an edge into the market with the 88. If you look at the general accuracy specs it is really not that great. But they do have the features (Like RPM) to advertise to the Auto field. Which we all know, advertising is more than half of the game.
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redwrench60
Well-known member
Basically the RPM features baud rate is just too slow and it lacks fine resolution. Ive tried to use it a few times to set idle on old non tach equipped vehicles and got frustrated due to it's inability to show a real time RPM.
Really I have no need for a meter to read RPM. This info is readily available on a scan tool or just the dash tach, lol. But it could come in handy for small engine repair and diag.
Most homeowners, hobbyists and part-time auto mechanics would go a lifetime without ever understanding let alone needing to measure "True RMS AC" voltage... I certainly wouldn't make that particular feature central to a decision on which multimeter to purchase unless you had a specific need for it.
Electronic technicians and engineers do often need the true RMS AC and higher accuracy DC capabilities that some Fluke meters offer, but buying a meter because it has those capabilities when you have no need to make those types of measurements is pointless... and as mentioned earlier, if you are working with equipment that is putting out non-sinusoidal AC voltage, you are probably going to want to be looking at it with a scope, not a meter.
I have an 88 as well as some Fluke high-accuracy true RMS meters... One useful feature of the 88 is the ability to measure and tune older Bosch fuel injection systems (like air cooled Porsche) using the duty cycle measurement feature.
Electronic technicians and engineers do often need the true RMS AC and higher accuracy DC capabilities that some Fluke meters offer, but buying a meter because it has those capabilities when you have no need to make those types of measurements is pointless... and as mentioned earlier, if you are working with equipment that is putting out non-sinusoidal AC voltage, you are probably going to want to be looking at it with a scope, not a meter.
I have an 88 as well as some Fluke high-accuracy true RMS meters... One useful feature of the 88 is the ability to measure and tune older Bosch fuel injection systems (like air cooled Porsche) using the duty cycle measurement feature.
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Interesting, thanks for the info. Yea I have used the 87 a few times on outboards and other small engines to adjust idle and high low setting, but nothing real mission critical. I must be one of the few that has a manual transmission and no dash tachometer. (Seriously)
It is the true definition of an econo box. 
But hey for 35-40mph I can't complain.
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...additionally,
I don't think either the 87 or 88 is necessarily the best choice for most of the people on a forum like this.
Fluke 117 is an awesome meter at $166 brand new and shipped on Amazon. Less than you'll spend on a used, no warranty 87 or 88.
I don't think either the 87 or 88 is necessarily the best choice for most of the people on a forum like this.
Fluke 117 is an awesome meter at $166 brand new and shipped on Amazon. Less than you'll spend on a used, no warranty 87 or 88.
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Lurch67
Well-known member
When reading AC voltage signals, a true RMS meter (such as a Fluke 87) provides a different reading than an average responding meter (such as a Fluke 88). The only place this difference is important is when a reading is to be compared with a specification. See attachment.
Attachments
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richfinn
Well-known member
...additionally,
I don't think either the 87 or 88 is necessarily the best choice for most of the people on a forum like this.
Fluke 117 is an awesome meter at $166 brand new and shipped on Amazon. Less than you'll spend on a used, no warranty 87 or 88.
I agree the 88 is plenty good enough for vehicles and its extra features are better suited to the average tech.
I still have an old 78 and besides not having a backlight or pulse width it's been fine for me, I do have a scope mind you.