EEVblog #57 - Agilent Thumbs Up Furore

[@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.

[@Tutoelectro1]

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.

[@EEVblog]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@leeYT321987]

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.

[@000Ephyx000]

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.

[@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.

[@unclesem555]

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

[@ironman7261]

have the LCD version good enough for me

[@haggy38]

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

[@wooosaiiii]

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

[@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.

[@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...

[@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

[@shaolinskater]

The battery life is crazy. 6 or 8 hours is like one work days worth of use. Imagine having to change the batteries in a radio or clock EVERY day, that would be ridiculous. It probably wouldn't be left on all day, and at that point you would probably just be using a bench meter, but that's still pretty bad.

[@crocellian2972]

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 KZbin. Just keep the high quality stuff coming and we will support you.

[@VolksTrieb]

I dont need that precise meters. But if I did i would buy it. I got an LCD meter here which battery life is like idont know 5h (used rechargeable too). I like rechargeable batteries but even with normal batteries it holds about 10h or so, i dont know why but it was a meter about 30 bucks or so. I would buy that one anyway because you can recharge it over the DC slot :)

[@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.

[@friedmule5403]

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!

[@corpsecart]

i think you should be a teacher in a trades school.... you are inspiring a very contagious

[@camtheham13]

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

[@haggy38]

Hi Dave, I just wishing that all the stuff you receive(Fo free) for a review, you return it back, if not I think you will compromise your thoughts..... Your impressions sometimes are overact and then is when we think something is wrong with this equipment. Don´t get mad for a little constructive opinions, that´s the idea of your Blog right? Regards, Gustavo PD: I really enjoy your videos and thanks for answer my questions.

[@macartm]

I too am disappointed it's Made in Malaysia, as I used to work, long time ago, for HP Test and Measurement Operations in South Queensferry, in Scotland (which, after I was laid off, became part of Agilent). Ah, those were the days ... :) Still, they do STILL make good gear. I only wish the other remnants of HP (soon to be split again into HP Consumer Stuff and HP Good Stuff ... I forget the names) were as great as the huge conglomerate of Hewlett-Packard once was. Long gone are the days of the HP Way :(

[@EEVblog]

Yes, OLED uses more juice. They knew this but still stuck with the old 9V battery for reason only known to them (hint: internal politics). Stupid idea! They could have had a much more usable meter if they got the battery right.

[@ccish8098]

Dammit i just rushed out and bought one

[@EEVblog]

You said it yourself "it's still a great meter". Hey, guess why I gave it the thumbs up then! No, it's doesn't mean slap the Agilent or Fluke name on it and it's automatically thumbs up. It just that Fluke and Agilent do not make crap meters. I might give one the overall thumbs down one day, but I doubt it.

[@corpsecart]

also... i understand the need for outsourcing... $ ... but like in everything... their is QUALITY outsourcing , and cheap outsourcing... and the quality is equal if not better.... for the same price you can have more for the same money... unlike in the clothing industry, in all electronics, quality outsourcing gives you more for the same money

[@fleuroman]

As a bench multimeter it seems great, leave it plugged into 240 and bob's you know what, but I'll stick with my fluke working in the field, that oled display would tick me off...

[@MasterNiva]

Repeting so many times "Agilent The Bigest Multimeter maker in the world" some people can misunderstanding to be as a paid advertisment and also, this thump up thing,Unfortunely that is the way some people see things

[@EEVblog]

You've failed the grasp it again. Stick a lithium primary in it and use it occasionally and you'll get more usable battery life (use it say 10 minutes a day and you'll get a few months use for example). And you don't need to be in the dark, just not outdoors. If you have not seen the display yourself then you are not in a position to comment. Agilent's horse is just running on a track you don't like, get over it. Stick with bets on the race track that suits you.

[@esavarem]

It is not uncommon to have to charge your phone or laptop once a day, so why is it so hard to do the same with a multimeter?

[@danuber558]

Furore my underpants. The Agilent U1253A cost about 200 dollars. Of couse it should be better than a cheap Uni-t of 60 dollars, but is not a Fluke that cost 3 times more. If you think something built outside of USA is lower quality just because you don't see the flag , you need to get out of your house and learn moreabout manufacturing. Plus, do you want excitement ? Take a ride for Central Park at night

[@EricDanwer]

right nou!!! ahem, Now..

[@Flapjackbatter]

I don`t think you have created furore. This is just a frew loudmouth spammers who sees things in black and white.

[@manuelcv9475]

Sasi siempre con la pijadita para confundir a los que ven tus videos. Ni buen ingeniero ni buen divulgador, solo un poco de carisma hace que te sigan unos pocos

[@baddspella]

sell-out lol