Agilent U1272A DMM Handheld 30,000 Counts, True RMS

purchased two of these for the lab and i am sadly un-impressed.PROS1) basic meter functions are good, Volts, current2) fast update, very responsive3) decent tech support to help you wade through the 180-page user manual.CONS1) terrible user interface. setting your preferences has never been more difficult in a multimeter2) sold uncalibrated...our meters were showing 7 Volts out of the box on the "Zlow" function3) spent hours getting tech support and i eventually could still not figure out how to reset the functions like "low pass filter"4) limited time in operation before battery shutdown and limited time for backlight.

PROS:1- Smart Ohm to check ground resistance, Auto diode(test diode both way)2- Low impedance(Z) volt meter(2K Ohms input compare to the 10M Ohms of the standard input) This explains why the Low Z is to the left of the OFF position.Ohm Meter is 300M' max, NanoSiemens(nS) capable, of course the Max nS is 300nS as well.3- An extensive owner’s manual that explains every feature of the meter. This is not a 4 pages manual that will leave thinking “ahhhhh?” like those Chinese meters, plus some 4 application notes, and a calibration manual that explains how to calibrate the meter, basically you can calibrate the meter if you have the right tool. The documentation is very extensive.4- Certificate of Calibration. Here they explaiened who, when, and what was calibrated and the results. This is cool stuff. Mine says it was calibrated Oct 25, 2015. They used the 35K Dollars Fluke 5520A to calibrate this puppy.5- Made in Malaysia. May be this is not bad at all, I prefer this than Made in a backyard in China.CONS:The test leads suck big time. They are thick, the tips shroud cannot be removed. They are really a piece of junk. The Ohm Meter behaves erratically with the original test leads. This explains why all the reviews in youtube are shown not using the original test leads. This would have been enough to me to send the meter back. Luckily, I ordered a pair of test lead from ProbeMaster, perfect match.The frequency counter is only 1Mhz.UPDATE:The firmware 2.04 has problems, I contacted Keysight, it seems to me they do not care. They have not responded at all. Instead, I keep getting a bunch of emails and phone call trying to sell me crap, but not response about the issue with the current firmware.Here is the BIG problem that I have observed: LOGGING DATA. If the meter logging capability is set to T-Trig which is the settings that the meter will log automatically the readings, let's say, voltages or resistors, does not work. If you log 5 DC voltages readings, you get all kind of readings, nothing close to the voltages you are trying to log. Same for AC and resistors.What you need to do is expend another 50 Dollars and buy the USB cable and update the firmware to 3.04 , issue resolved! The 3.04 firmware was released before they calibrate my meter, why in the world they did not update the software right away? My Goodness! I am doing Quality Control Check for Keysight, I will send the bill to Keysight. I am sure Fluke 87V is not doing that. Malaysia flaw??? Two stars out.I am sure the Fluke 87V does not have this problems. Still, I like the meter.UPDATE2:I had enough with this meter, so it was sent back(Sorry Techni-Tool). As I said, Keysight did not care replying to my concerns. The meter came with serious issues. One of them is not able to recorder anything. To dot hat, the firmware MUST be upgraded which mean extra $50.00 Dollars getting the cable. Another problem is the AC mA mode, if using LED lamps which is very common now a days, the meter tells you the lamp is using double current, and this, of course when you do the math, will give you the wrong wattage. Using traditional incandescent lamps, seems to be OK.The test leads were already mentioned, a truly peace of junk.Very poor quality control to say the least.

Frankly, it took a while before I was ready to pony up the money for this device. With so many inexpensive handheld DMM's currently available, it is hard to justify the price for this unit. However, this unit has a feature set that is unique and fit my requirements to a tee.I work on multi-bay avionics test stands, typically fully automated. The important characteristics for me in a DMM are:- Accuracy (10000 counts minimum)- Remote control (I often work alone)- High resolution AC volts and resolution down to 1 uVAC- DurabilityThis was the only meter I could find that scored high on all these counts, even when comparing it against the similarly priced Fluke models. In use it has met or exceeded all of my expectations. My only complaint is that the user interface, especially for the more esoteric functions, is not very intuitive. However, it does have a detailed and well-written manual that explains every feature thoroughly.This is not a hobbyist meter. It is a professionals tool. As such it is in an investment but one I am glad I made.

If you need a DMM that is at minimum, as good as the $315  Fluke 87-5 Digital Multimeter , do not need the ruggedized and more expensive Fluke 28II  Fluke 28-2 TRMS Digital MM Rugged IP67, Waterproof , require the functions and accessories this DMM has the Fluke doesn't to justify its higher cost, $370+, the 1272a is a winner.In strict basic measurement, the 1272a is slightly more accurate than the 87V in DC amps, VAC, and ohms; it is slightly less accurate in VDC, will only measure to 1nF, while the Fluke will go down to 10 pF. However, on the whole for accuracy, they are roughly on par, IMHO. Tests were done with a calibrated HP3456a, using 4 wire ohms and a current limiting resistor for amps. The accuracy of the 1272a and 87V are true from 0F to 100F, to 100% RH as tested.ProsLow ohms function comes in handy discharging capacitors and isolating ghost voltagesBuilt in 100+ flash data memory stores readings obviating a need to write them on paper, data can be sent electronically to a PC or the DMM remotely controlled via an optional $30 optical serial to USB cable. The connection is reliable and the software is free.Its ACV ranges have bypass filters to remove high frequency noiseDual display makes measurement faster, for example you can see voltage and frequency simultaneously rather than toggle it as with the 87V30,000 count allows for more measurement resolution, but its not available on all rangesReads AC+DC simultaneouslyBright visual and audio safety annunicators. The continuity tests not only is as loud as the 87V but it visually flashes the screen and reads the ohms rapidly. This gives dual confirmation for continuity and the flashing can be seen easily if the workplace is very noisy and requires ear protectionIt uses easier to obtain AAA batteries, and the fuse compartment is easier to access than the 87VHigher IP rating than an 87V makes it officially rated more rugged, but historically the 87V has taken most work related abuse: splashing, dust, and dropping, very wellOrange motif makes finding the DMM easier in surroundings than the yellow of 87VTemperature measurement is over 2x faster and more accurate than the Fluke 87Includes basic probes, sleeved probes and a type K thermocoupleConsThe meters were released with substantial bugs. V2.0 firmware was released this month and corrected them. Until 11/11, Agilent will provide a free serial cable to those who ask so new firmware can be uploaded. The process of updating the firmware is straightforward and reliable.The LCD is slightly less contrasty, and the digits are smaller than the 87VMy tilt stand is defective, it doesn't lock down in place, but it holds down when test leads are wrapped around the DMMRotary switch is not recessed like the Fluke, and can be accidentally actuated in a tool box; the OFF function in the 1272a is not the first position on the left, a fairly odd and error prone designWarranty is standard Agilent 3 years, versus limited lifetime on Fluke 87V [ many stories of Fluke owners using this warranty successfully without issue]. The meter is a new design, so unlike the Fluke 87V, a legacy of usage spanning 20+ years, how this meter will hold up over time is unknownCapacitance is as low as 1pF resolution in the 10nF scale but I could not get a stable reading lower than 1nF