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!

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By YTB

29 thoughts on “Eevblog #57 – agilent thumbs up furore”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Manuel CV says:

    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

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars ArumesYT says:

    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…

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars iron man says:

    have the LCD version good enough for me

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Fried Mule says:

    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!

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars CCish says:

    Dammit i just rushed out and bought one

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Dan Uber says:

    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

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Crocellian says:

    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.

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars camtheham13 says:

    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

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars fleuroman says:

    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…

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Deus Irae says:

    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 🙁

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jan Pedersen says:

    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 😛
    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 😛

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Light Man says:

    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

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars unclesem555 says:

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

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ken Peek says:

    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!

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ken Peek says:

    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.

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars corpsecart says:

    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

  17. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars corpsecart says:

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

  18. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Varesa says:

    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?

  19. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars 000Ephyx000 says:

    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.

  20. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Eric says:

    right nou!!! ahem, Now..

  21. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Chris Church says:

    @EEVblog Actually the u1251 is not the same meter as the u1252/53 the accuracy is not the same. I love your reviews keep up the great work. I love your personality your not boring… Tech talk can be fun it does not have to be boring.. I could get both meters for around the same price @ E-sonic.com They have this meter for $389 ! thats by far the cheapest price. The U1252A was only $5.00 less 🙂 It was a tough decision because the U1253A display is so sexy.. Thank you for making it easy for me!

  22. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars leeYT321987 says:

    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.

  23. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars VolksTrieb says:

    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 🙂

  24. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars EEVblog says:

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

  25. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars shaolinskater says:

    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.

  26. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars wooosaiiii says:

    Thumbs up for dave, keep up with excellent blog…

  27. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars haggy38 says:

    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.

  28. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars EEVblog says:

    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.

  29. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Flapjackbatter says:

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

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