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I dropped $400 on a Fluke meter and honestly I think it was overkill
Everyone in this sub seems to swear by Fluke for everything, but I picked up a 87V last month and for basic bench work it's way too much. I'm just doing radio swaps and checking continuity on old wiring... not flying space shuttles. My old $80 Craftsman did the same job for 5 years without a hiccup. Has anyone else regretted going top-tier when a mid-range tool would have worked?
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joel_clark3728d ago
Not flying space shuttles" killed me, man. I had to read that twice. You're telling me you spent $400 on the 87V just to check if a wire is live or not? That's like pulling up to a dirt track race in a Ferrari when your buddy's beaten up Honda gets the job done. In my experience, Fluke is a cult at this point. People act like any meter under $300 will explode in your hands. I used a cheap Extech for years doing general electrical work and never had a problem. Unless you're chasing down millivolt signals in some industrial control panel, that 87V is just a status symbol. Your mileage may vary, but I side with you on this one.
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kim.jake28d ago
Haha yeah that dirt track analogy is spot on @joel_clark37. Reminds me of when I brought a $600 thermal imaging gun to find a draft in my house and my neighbor just used a wet finger in the window frame. Sometimes the cheap way works just fine.
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Hold up, you spent $600 on a thermal imaging gun for a draft? That is insane actually. I can't believe someone would drop that kind of cash just to find a cold spot by a window. My buddy used a cheap laser thermometer from Harbor Freight for the same thing and it worked fine. That's like buying a full on mechanic's lift for your garage just to change your own oil once a year. Seriously though, a wet finger is old school and totally free. I bet that neighbor was dying laughing inside when he saw you with that expensive gadget.
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