I really like your reviews and very happy you take the time to do this well done. I will tell you I am a key sight user and I prefer them over the others. I love the orange back light for me and love the color scheme. I know it is different from my flukes which are fine but I guess we all have our comfort zone. I love Linux and don't like Apple and tolerate Windows because I have to. I have used Fluke 87, 187,289, and 27 and 107. Own most of them but I have a U1253B and U1231, U1232 and U1242 and I normally just use Keysight for Ham Radio repairs. Yes, it is different in way they did things so I went into the menu which is PDF and downloaded it and printed it but now it is second nature funny I have to think before use the fluke. For capacitance I never use a DMM as I have a U1733C LCR key sight and use it. But at least it does meet mfg specs and works for me. It is different but not a stay away meter. I have seen and used a few off branded cheap Chinese DMM that I consider dangerous. overall I am glad you took the time to review this and give your honest assessment which I am not downgrading in anyway. Fluke has been around for a long time, I only wish they would update their stuff more. I expect Keysight to improve their stuff as the acquired Agilent. Best 73s Mike WB7QXU
Hey Tom, great review! your going to find this funny, possibly. I've had a fluke 27 multimeter since it came out back in the 90s and still love it. It's only a 3000 count but the great thing is the battery life is insane. I replace a 9-volt battery and this thing maybe once a year it's like a smoke detector even if I happen to leave the meter on overnight I would consider another meter as a backup only if it had superb battery life. I have been spoiled and I don't want to rechargeable or annoying auto shut off. So any Insight you might have on which meter has this level of battery life would be a welcome addition to your information. Thanks 😎
I think you are right, 87V max is a better meter in this category/price range. I think the Keysight U1282A is a better choice than the Fluke 289 but it does retain some of the things you don't like.
Short answer: Yes. Long answer: in 1999 HP split the company apart, the computer side kept the name HP and the test and measurement & medical part was called Agilent. In 2013 Agilent split into two companies, the medical side kept the Agilent name and test and measurement became Keysight. Depending when a device was first made you could find one with HP, Agilent or Keysight logo on it. The U1242C first came out during the Agilent time. Here is much more detail about Keysight history: www.keysight.com/us/en/about/keysight-technologies-history.html
Yes, they are being more conservative in their specs. To me, the drift is more important, and I SUSPECT that Keysight will be better over time than Brymen in particular. Also, Keysight had been providing online access to ACTUAL calibration readings for each meter. You should check to see if you can pull that down, as that is a huge plus.
I really like your reviews and very happy you take the time to do this well done. I will tell you I am a key sight user and I prefer them over the others. I love the orange back light for me and love the color scheme. I know it is different from my flukes which are fine but I guess we all have our comfort zone. I love Linux and don't like Apple and tolerate Windows because I have to. I have used Fluke 87, 187,289, and 27 and 107. Own most of them but I have a U1253B and U1231, U1232 and U1242 and I normally just use Keysight for Ham Radio repairs. Yes, it is different in way they did things so I went into the menu which is PDF and downloaded it and printed it but now it is second nature funny I have to think before use the fluke. For capacitance I never use a DMM as I have a U1733C LCR key sight and use it. But at least it does meet mfg specs and works for me.
It is different but not a stay away meter. I have seen and used a few off branded cheap Chinese DMM that I consider dangerous.
overall I am glad you took the time to review this and give your honest assessment which I am not downgrading in anyway. Fluke has been around for a long time, I only wish they would update their stuff more. I expect Keysight to improve their stuff as the acquired Agilent. Best 73s Mike WB7QXU
Hey Tom, great review! your going to find this funny, possibly. I've had a fluke 27 multimeter since it came out back in the 90s and still love it. It's only a 3000 count but the great thing is the battery life is insane. I replace a 9-volt battery and this thing maybe once a year it's like a smoke detector even if I happen to leave the meter on overnight I would consider another meter as a backup only if it had superb battery life. I have been spoiled and I don't want to rechargeable or annoying auto shut off. So any Insight you might have on which meter has this level of battery life would be a welcome addition to your information. Thanks 😎
I think you are right, 87V max is a better meter in this category/price range. I think the Keysight U1282A is a better choice than the Fluke 289 but it does retain some of the things you don't like.
Sorry for question, Keysight is the same as Agilent?
Short answer: Yes. Long answer: in 1999 HP split the company apart, the computer side kept the name HP and the test and measurement & medical part was called Agilent. In 2013 Agilent split into two companies, the medical side kept the Agilent name and test and measurement became Keysight. Depending when a device was first made you could find one with HP, Agilent or Keysight logo on it. The U1242C first came out during the Agilent time. Here is much more detail about Keysight history: www.keysight.com/us/en/about/keysight-technologies-history.html
As always a great review, will keep my brymen bm829s as Ifeel that it is a great value meter compared to the Keysigh U1242C.
Yes, they are being more conservative in their specs. To me, the drift is more important, and I SUSPECT that Keysight will be better over time than Brymen in particular. Also, Keysight had been providing online access to ACTUAL calibration readings for each meter. You should check to see if you can pull that down, as that is a huge plus.