fluke meters

[47chevy COE]

Im starting to buy my tools for college next year and i need a test meter. i want a fluke. the sheet says that i need a fluke 23 or equiv. which i believe is the 177. should i get the 177 or 179. whats the difference and what would you recommend? im kind of leaning towards the 179. thanks in advance. by the way Im going into auto tech.

 

[olsenmotorsports]

I have the 233 with the remote display and couldnt be happier..... that a test light and a power probe IV and you should be in good shape

 

[cryan]

I think the only difference between 177 and 179 is a temperature probe. For auto use I would get the 177 and buy a laser thermometer separately. Fluke are the best multimeters though.

 

[BreeStephany]

I have a Fluke 87V and a Fluke 289. I have never had an issue with either, though the 289 is far beyond what most would ever need for college, and I would imagine in the auto industry in general.

My Fluke 87V is what I had throughout college and it was always more than enough meter for the work I was doing. It had a temp probe, but I almost never found myself using it and always used a Fluke 60 IR temp probe, as it generally met all of my needs.

Both the 87V and 289 are a bit pricier than the 177 or 179, so it would probably be best to go with the 177, as it seems it will meet your needs in school and long term and will likely save you some cash.

You can never go wrong with Fluke. They are by far the industry standard when it comes to meters

 

[RCStocker]

Read the spec sheets. Figure what you will need for your line of work.
Fluke makes the best meters in the world. They are owned by Danner who makes all the tools. The compay is the largest maker of medical tools and equipment in the world. You can't go worng. Buy a good used on on E bay, They are still not cheap but a lot less than new. I have picked up some good used one there.

 

[richfinn]

Assuming you are training to be an auto tech. I would want the following features

Backlight

Min/max record

Bar graph display

Diode test

m/s pulse width

20 amp ammeter

Fast refresh rate on the display

Being able to swap the fuses without opening the meter is a nice feature

The load-pro leads are really useful as well as some utility leads with 4mm banana plugs on each end so you can fit croc clips/back probes etc.

DC current clamps are great for things like alternators/fuel pumps/glow plugs on Diesels.

Flukes are good and pretty rugged and the 87/88 automotive meters would last your whole career, but there are other decent brands like UEI out there for smaller budgets.

 

[jfcasey]

Man I wish my tech school let us get away with something cheaper than the 88! That being said if you are getting it on a discount, take advantage of it and pick up the 88v kit with the tach and extra test leads. You will be set up for the rest of your career with that kit.

 

[richfinn]

Man I wish my tech school let us get away with something cheaper than the 88! That being said if you are getting it on a discount, take advantage of it and pick up the 88v kit with the tach and extra test leads. You will be set up for the rest of your career with that kit.

I have used my RPM80 tach adaptor once in ten years, Cars don't have HT leads anymore apart from classics over here, get an amp clamp instead.

 

[metaldad]

Can't go wrong with Fluke.
Part of my collection:

 

[jfcasey]

I have used my RPM80 tach adaptor once in ten years, Cars don't have HT leads anymore apart from classics over here, get an amp clamp instead.

The tach adapter is just a bonus, I more recommend the kit because it comes with a fist full of attachments like back probe leads and temp probes. Its just easier to specify which kit when you mention the tach adapter

 

[danielhp89]

Watch the pawn shops, I'm in the electronics industry and we buy all of ours at pawns shops cheap with blown fuses and replace them.

 

[Bill Ramsey]

179 gets you temp, -40 to 752 F. Unless you'll need to take direct temp readings of coolant or oil, probably not needed. Both 177 and 179 have backlight, which is a really handy feature when you're under a car or under a dash. Either one will do you well for auto work. I recently picked up a like-new 179 in a pawn shop for $140; there are good prices to be had if you're patient.

 

[bsaint]

I have the 179 and 289. Both are great. My dad has a 77 (I believe its non RMS) and a 87-III. Im on the hunt for a Fluke 28-2.

 

[koditten]

I have an 87 that is way more meter then I will ever need. I find myself using my HF unit for almost everything I do these days.

I should sell the thing.

KO

 

[skulldrinker]

I have an old original 73 and I use it for everything on the car and my test bench. I can't afford to upgrade nor do I think I need to. (I wish I had capacitance sometimes.)

But if I were you for the $10 more I'd get the 179 over the 177.

 

[daveblank]

They are owned by Danner who makes all the tools.

Danner is a boot company. They are owned by Danaher.