[Mike in Canada]

First off Fluke snobs can kiss my grits.

Especially if their name is 'Mel'!

 

[243648]

Here is what might be almost the perfect clamp meter:

SC680 Swivel Head Wireless Clamp Meter | Fieldpiece

See the SC680 AC/DC Swivel Head Wireless Clamp Meter at Fieldpiece. It has everything you need to install, service, and troubleshoot any HVACR system.

www.fieldpiece.com

It connects to your phone up to 1000 feet away (so it says) to display values.
True RMS, low-pass filter, the clamp swivels so you can see the value when the wire isn't going where you want, and it has two features that I haven't seen on a meter before - it has a micro-amps DC range for sensor readings using the clamp (!) and it has a phase rotation check thing built in. Comes with TWO thermocouples that PLUG IN PROPERLY. Oh, man. I want this meter now.
Not cheap, but if it had Fluke's name on it it would be $1000 more.
Drawbacks - Looks pretty tall. Not sure how it would fit in a tool bag. There is a version that doesn't have the swivel clamp that is shorter.

That seems to be missing LoZ. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an electrician with a Fieldpiece. I’m surprised they don’t try to push more into the electrical trade.

 

[emtnut]

And then after that realize that there’s nothing that’s going to be good for everything. Instead he should have a durable tester that he’ll use 90% of the time, and then a second or third meter for those specific purposes.

Exactly !

 

[splatz]

That looks nice. But does Ideal make a good meter?

I still really like the Milwaukee fork meter that was made to compete with the Fluke T5. But I can’t get over the fact that it’s a Milwaukee.

I bought like a dozen of these years ago when they were discontinued they were selling for like $20 at liquidators etc., I gave some away, some I keep at customers' shops, family members homes for the inevitable "hey while you're here ..." and they have held up well. I don't think I've heard anything bad about Ideal first hand, and I haven't heard about a lot of recalls like Klein and Milwaukee.

https://www.idealind.com/au/en/category/product.html/61-096.html

 

[243648]

This thing ticks all the boxes to make it a T5 killer. LoZ, TrueRMS, 200A jaws, and a bunch of other nice features. But it’s made by Milwaukee, it just doesn’t feel right for a meter.

 

[Mike in Canada]

That seems to be missing LoZ. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an electrician with a Fieldpiece. I’m surprised they don’t try to push more into the electrical trade.

You're right... I don't see LoZ. That is unfortunate. However, it has a couple of other tricks that I didn't notice before... This is a power meter that can break down apparent power, power factor, etc. Kind of cool. It does a lot of tricks, but the input impedance is 5 megaohms and that's it. It can display delta temperature on the display using the two thermocouples and that is crazy good for dealing with heat exchangers. I really really want one now. I just have to figure out if I'm willing to suffer the extra height for the swiveling head.

 

[Mike in Canada]

This thing ticks all the boxes to make it a T5 killer. LoZ, TrueRMS, 200A jaws, and a bunch of other nice features. But it’s made by Milwaukee, it just doesn’t feel right for a meter.

View attachment 199553

I almost bought one of those some time ago, but I don't like that the test leads plug in the bottom.
[/QUOTE]

 

[243648]

I almost bought one of those some time ago, but I don't like that the test leads plug in the bottom.

Nowadays I don’t use it with test leads, I just use it as an amp probe since it fits around 200 amp service conductors unlike the T5.

Using it with test probes generally sucks because it’s very slow. It may only be a half a second or less, but it’s really damn annoying waiting for the reading. Especially when going down to test every breaker in a panel.

 

[99cents]

My experience with Ideal is good. This is my daily meter with Low Z volts, continuity beeper, NCVT and flashlight. It’s also backlit. No amps. 60 loonies. I love a meter I can abuse and don’t have to treat like it’s a Rolex.

Looking at Fluke pricing, it looks like they have jumped in price since I bought my 325. It’s now $500. That’s insane.

 

[243648]

My experience with Ideal is good. This is my daily meter with Low Z volts, continuity beeper, NCVT and flashlight. It’s also backlit. No amps. 60 loonies. I love a meter I can abuse and don’t have to treat like it’s a Rolex.

Looking at Fluke pricing, it looks like they have jumped in price since I bought my 325. It’s now $500. That’s insane. View attachment 199554

I like smaller meters like that for the one that you carry around with you all the time.

Fluke makes an adorable little meter that I would love to have but from everything I have read it’s a piece of trash. It seems more like Chinese junk that Fluke put their brand name on.

 

[LeisureDave]

Well basically in terms of doing everything, the cl800 seems to check all my boxes…only worry to me is it’s not specifically a meter brand. But people I know who have it are pleased with it

 

[99cents]

I like smaller meters like that for the one that you carry around with you all the time.

Fluke makes an adorable little meter that I would love to have but from everything I have read it’s a piece of trash. It seems more like Chinese junk that Fluke put their brand name on.

The only thing I don’t like about this little meter is that it times out quickly and you have to push the button again for the backlighting or flashlight.

You night be talking about the Fluke 302. It isn’t True RMS but that doesn’t matter for a daily driver.

 

[243648]

The only thing I don’t like about this little meter is that it times out quickly and you have to push the button again for the backlighting or flashlight.

You night be talking about the Fluke 302. It isn’t True RMS but that doesn’t matter for a daily driver.

I just looked it up, it’s the Fluke 101 series. Starting at $45

The 302 is a good meter. It’s sort of like an upgrade to the 322 that I always liked.

 

[243648]

Well basically in terms of doing everything, the cl800 seems to check all my boxes…only worry to me is it’s not specifically a meter brand. But people I know who have it are pleased with it

I’m not sure if you’re aware or not, but multimeter leads are not all that durable. And they are generally very long. Testers (like the T5, T+ Pro, etc.) generally have more durable leads that are shorter and easier to deal with on a daily basis.

 

[99cents]

Well basically in terms of doing everything, the cl800 seems to check all my boxes…only worry to me is it’s not specifically a meter brand. But people I know who have it are pleased with it

You have already convinced yourself to buy it so buy it. Klein owns half of UEI so they’re not complete idiots when it comes to meters.

My experience with Klein is that the display kept bouncing around and it had a cheap feel to it. Maybe they’re okay. Your money, not mine.

For the record, I rarely test current. I rarely test resistance either (in actual ohms).

 

[LeisureDave]

I’m not sure if you’re aware or not, but multimeter leads are not all that durable. And they are generally very long. Testers (like the T5, T+ Pro, etc.) generally have more durable leads that are shorter and easier to deal with on a daily basis.

Fair, but leads are replaceable. I get the whole quality thing but is it really such a difference that it makes sense to spend more on a Fluke with way less functionality than a Klein?

 

[243648]

Fair, but leads are replaceable. I get the whole quality thing but is it really such a difference that it makes sense to spend more on a Fluke with way less functionality than a Klein?

I wasn’t talking about Fluke, I just use those models because I’m familiar with them. I was talking about tester versus multimeter.

I like the shorter and more durable leads for when I’m in the thick of it.

 

[LeisureDave]

I wasn’t talking about Fluke, I just use those models because I’m familiar with them. I was talking about tester versus multimeter.

I like the shorter and more durable leads for when I’m in the thick of it.

Is there a difference between tester and multimeter? I wasn’t aware

 

[243648]

Is there a difference between tester and multimeter? I wasn’t aware

Yes. Testers are usually a little bit more durable, made more to be used handheld, less functions but more specific for the tasks someone would need for frontline troubleshooting. Digital multimeter are usually larger and have far more functions and are a little bit more suited towards putting down on something while doing more precise testing.

 

[LeisureDave]

Yes. Testers are usually a little bit more durable, made more to be used handheld, less functions but more specific for the tasks someone would need for frontline troubleshooting. Digital multimeter are usually larger and have far more functions and are a little bit more suited towards putting down on something while doing more precise testing.

Thinking about it, if my current (haha) Klein multimeter only lacks the amp clamp, I could get away with a t5 or t6 as a daily driver and if I ever need to measure something it can’t, I have a backup.