I have to admit I was a bit surprised about the thumbs up initially, but on reflection I think I see your point, (more or less) on the whole the negatives aren't show stoppers, it still works, provides accurate fast readings is usable (for 6-8 hours) and brings some nifty additional features.
I think the performance of the display outdoors is a little disappointing, it is after all a ruggedized handheld device, so field use would I presume be a large part of where you would expect it to get used. The battery life seems a bit of an issue, but I suppose 6-8 hours gets you through the average working day, and I guess if you get in to the habit of charging it in your down time, it's workable if not desirable. I assume you can also use a standard PP3 to get you out of a fix if the battery dies. Having read the manual briefly, looks to me like the things out of action while it charges, why not supply with two batteries and a separate recharger (ideally one that will work from the mains and a cigarette lighter socket).
The rattles a bit of an oversight, maybe they should have used sprung connectors rather than cable, but if it really bugs you, you can pack it yourself, I notice the box you had for the U1253A was a little beaten up, I'm guessing it wasn't new, maybe it originally had a little foam filler to stop the rattle and someone's removed it.
I was a bit concerned by the argument that a market leader is somehow entitled to the benefit of the doubt. Big guys shouldn't get an easier time of it, every manufacturer should be judge equally on the evidence avaible, they should either all get the benefit of the doubt, or none of them should.
I'll be interested to see the review of the new meter, to see if any of the negative issues discussed in your review have been addressed. Will it still get a thumbs up if changes are just cosmetic and the negatives remain?
I have to admit I was a bit surprised about the thumbs up initially, but on reflection I think I see your point, (more or less) on the whole the negatives aren't show stoppers, it still works, provides accurate fast readings is usable (for 6-8 hours) and brings some nifty additional features.
I think the performance of the display outdoors is a little disappointing, it is after all a ruggedized handheld device, so field use would I presume be a large part of where you would expect it to get used. The battery life seems a bit of an issue, but I suppose 6-8 hours gets you through the average working day, and I guess if you get in to the habit of charging it in your down time, it's workable if not desirable. I assume you can also use a standard PP3 to get you out of a fix if the battery dies. Having read the manual briefly, looks to me like the things out of action while it charges, why not supply with two batteries and a separate recharger (ideally one that will work from the mains and a cigarette lighter socket).
The rattles a bit of an oversight, maybe they should have used sprung connectors rather than cable, but if it really bugs you, you can pack it yourself, I notice the box you had for the U1253A was a little beaten up, I'm guessing it wasn't new, maybe it originally had a little foam filler to stop the rattle and someone's removed it.
I was a bit concerned by the argument that a market leader is somehow entitled to the benefit of the doubt. Big guys shouldn't get an easier time of it, every manufacturer should be judge equally on the evidence avaible, they should either all get the benefit of the doubt, or none of them should.
I'll be interested to see the review of the new meter, to see if any of the negative issues discussed in your review have been addressed. Will it still get a thumbs up if changes are just cosmetic and the negatives remain?
The outdoor performance is not actually diappointing when you take into account this meter is not designed for outdoor use, and Agilent say this in their promotional blurb.
Quote:
"On the go or on the bench, you’ll get crystal-clear viewing indoors, even in dark, off-angle situations."
If you need an outdoors display you can buy the exact same U1252A meter which has an LCD display and longer battery life.
Some people have unfairly focussed on this meter saying it's a terrible design because of the screen. But if you think about it, it's not terrible, just different to the usual LCD offerings.
Yes, the battery choice is poor, but realistically few poeple would use this meter continously for 8 hours in a day, and you can get more battery life using a Lithium or Alkaline primary if you use it intermittently.
The battery consumption is actually on par with the competing Fluke 289, when you take into acccount the screen and battery type. So it's not as bad as it seems.
As to the solderng quality I believe I am judging Agilent fairly based on my experience. Agilent make first quality products, and I firmly believe that what I saw was a-typical. I would not think that was a-typical if the meter was a no-namer.
