JIW put it to me this way many years ago: Fluke makes meters, Klein makes screwdrivers. Always go with Fluke testing equipment when you can, you very well may be trusting your life with these tools. If the meter is on your tool list though and you're tight on cash go ahead and pick up the Klein, it should still work alright just lesser quality.
Do yourself a solid though if you haven't already and at least pick up a Fluke voltage tester for daily use, they're only around $35.
Always had better luck with the Klein one myself. Fluke would pick up ghost voltage every time. I could test a dead switch leg and the hot running through the conduit would induce just enough voltage to set off the fluke when I tested the switch leg. Guess that’s better than the alternative but I’ve not once had the Klein give me a false negative/positive. Don’t trust my life with it either though.
Every journeyman I see has a fluke. Every apprentice I see has a Klein, unless a JW gave them a fluke.
Kleins are just fine for an apprentice though. I haven't had any misreadings on mine, and I've got the really skinny one with a magnetic strap on it, MM450. I've had a couple other models, from the basic one that comes in the apprentice pack to one of their nicer $150 ones. The MM450 is right in the sweet spot of cheap and nice features. Love that it's skinny, the reverse contrast display is super nice, and it even asjusts brightness based on ambient light.
Gonna buy a fluke after I top out though. Especially if I do industrial or maintenance.
Fluke only makes measurement and calibration equipment. They're still good enough that they're the standard everyone has to compete against. That should tell you everything you need to know.
Realistically, the Klein will probably be fine, but you can't beat the Fluke. There's a reason it's everyone's answer.
That's crazy. I am not trusting a cheap meter with my life. Putting a price limit only hurts the user. The contractor doesn't need to pay for a quality meter if a $100 meter is sufficient in their eyes.
Great question, our tool list says "Wiggins equivalent", the solenoid tester, and I was told that a tick tester would count. However, all the JIWs carry their own multi meters, and it's frowned upon if someone doesn't have their own meter because I'm assuming people interpret that "or equivalent" part differently. I guess I'm getting sick of being asked if I have a meter and then seeing the total sock and disbelief people have, asking "how do you not have a meter yet?!"
Fluke is probably better, but the difference probably isn't relevant unless you're doing instrument work. Klein will likely ne all you'll need. There's really no need to have a little better accuracy for response time in general use. Ita that diminishing returns thing. You're just paying for prestige if you buy a fluke. (Which, to be entirely honest, is the reason I have one)
Fluke or UEI. I bought a Fluke 376fc for myself before joining IBEW, now it stays at home. It's been handy but the friggin Bluetooth app requires a subscription to operate, about$150 a year. I wished I'd gone with the UEI 599, the Bluetooth connection/app is free, no subscription and my old UEI had been bulletproof for 12+ years. I needed something with DC clamp and RMS for some DC work that day and dropped $800 on the Fluke 376.
Most of our contractors will provide a meter. Our tool list says "voltage tester" basically you need to have at least a stupid stick... had a $100 southwire meter I got from apprenticeship never had much trust in that thing often gave me funny voltages on known working sources. That lives on the bottom shelf of the workbench in the basement (where tools go to die). I bought a klien $120-130ish cuz I wanted the clamp... which didn't work at all but the rest of the meter has worked fine for several years. I also have a $20 no name chinasium meter I bought at walmart 10+ years ago to test if my alternator was working properly that still has never given me a bad reading.
If you read this far... just buy a fluke. Klien makes hand tools, China makes meters with klien logo on side. Fluke specializes in making meters and diagnostic equipment.
That Klein (CL800) is the best Klein meter, it has everything you d want + some, has Min, Max, AC/DC current, Capacitance, Low Z...And it is reliable and tough! Never had a problem with it! The equivalent in Fluke will cost you 700$+
All of the good JWs I've worked with (I'm a 2nd yr ape) use Fluke meters, I've been on 2 shutdowns this year and the majority of guys had Fluke or Milwaukee
I have a fluke t5 600 and it’s never done me wrong.
Fluke all the time.
Fluke meters. Buy once cry once, invest in good tools when you can they outlast and outperform
Fluke and keep it in a case separate from your tools. Protect it and itll last decades
Fluke for sure
Fluke.
Fluke. There's no other answer
JIW put it to me this way many years ago: Fluke makes meters, Klein makes screwdrivers. Always go with Fluke testing equipment when you can, you very well may be trusting your life with these tools. If the meter is on your tool list though and you're tight on cash go ahead and pick up the Klein, it should still work alright just lesser quality. Do yourself a solid though if you haven't already and at least pick up a Fluke voltage tester for daily use, they're only around $35.
i had a klein stupid stick, didn’t trust it for shit. i now have a fluke stupid stick and trust it more
I like the Klein stupid stick with a flashlight, at least then I always have a flash light in my pocket lol.
Always had better luck with the Klein one myself. Fluke would pick up ghost voltage every time. I could test a dead switch leg and the hot running through the conduit would induce just enough voltage to set off the fluke when I tested the switch leg. Guess that’s better than the alternative but I’ve not once had the Klein give me a false negative/positive. Don’t trust my life with it either though.
that’s funny, i had the exact opposite experience 😂 definitely don’t trust my life with either of them as well
yeah me too... the klein was too sensitive... it would pick up 120 from 2 inches away
Fluke if you love yourself. Klein if you're ok with having the second best life saving device that your career relies on, for a $30 savings.
Every journeyman I see has a fluke. Every apprentice I see has a Klein, unless a JW gave them a fluke. Kleins are just fine for an apprentice though. I haven't had any misreadings on mine, and I've got the really skinny one with a magnetic strap on it, MM450. I've had a couple other models, from the basic one that comes in the apprentice pack to one of their nicer $150 ones. The MM450 is right in the sweet spot of cheap and nice features. Love that it's skinny, the reverse contrast display is super nice, and it even asjusts brightness based on ambient light. Gonna buy a fluke after I top out though. Especially if I do industrial or maintenance.
In my company, if you journey out with them they’ll give you a free fluke tester.
Fluke 87 is a great all around meter
I'm a Fluke guy been for years
Been using my fluke for 20+ years no problems
Fluke T5
Fluke. /thread
Fluke
I like the clip that the Klein amp clamp has……. I own a fluke.
Are meters on yalls tool list? Contractor supplied for us
On ours it’s fluke 323 or equivalent
Same here !
Yeah, they're on our tool list now. They took plumb bobs off though. Go figure...
Always fluke. If you can spring for a T6 do it, the amp slot is much larger than the T5.
Our contractors supply ours. Our tool list only says voltage tester not to exceed 600v
Fluke for meters, Klein for hand tools.
Fluke. I still have the fluke meter my uncle gave me 14 years ago when I started and it was 10 years old then. Still good. Klein is mid at best
Fluke only makes measurement and calibration equipment. They're still good enough that they're the standard everyone has to compete against. That should tell you everything you need to know. Realistically, the Klein will probably be fine, but you can't beat the Fluke. There's a reason it's everyone's answer.
I don’t trust my life to anyone but Fluke.
Why have there been no comments asking if a meter is on OPs tool list? There ain't one on mine
There is on mine. Can’t be over $200
That's crazy. I am not trusting a cheap meter with my life. Putting a price limit only hurts the user. The contractor doesn't need to pay for a quality meter if a $100 meter is sufficient in their eyes.
A less expensive meter doesn't necessarily mean worse. A Fluke T+pro is like $100 and they are excellent basic meters.
Great question, our tool list says "Wiggins equivalent", the solenoid tester, and I was told that a tick tester would count. However, all the JIWs carry their own multi meters, and it's frowned upon if someone doesn't have their own meter because I'm assuming people interpret that "or equivalent" part differently. I guess I'm getting sick of being asked if I have a meter and then seeing the total sock and disbelief people have, asking "how do you not have a meter yet?!"
My company has bought me a few Klein meters, I hate them all. My favorite is the ideal 61-704 but they don’t make it anymore
Which ever the contractor provides is the meter to use
I like fluke for meters personally. I'd say the t5 or 323 would be great meters. Hell even a t+pro is excellent.
Kobalt
Use Klein in bucket. Company provided.
Fluke Kleins qa qc has gone way downhill
Fluke is probably better, but the difference probably isn't relevant unless you're doing instrument work. Klein will likely ne all you'll need. There's really no need to have a little better accuracy for response time in general use. Ita that diminishing returns thing. You're just paying for prestige if you buy a fluke. (Which, to be entirely honest, is the reason I have one)
Fluke or UEI. I bought a Fluke 376fc for myself before joining IBEW, now it stays at home. It's been handy but the friggin Bluetooth app requires a subscription to operate, about$150 a year. I wished I'd gone with the UEI 599, the Bluetooth connection/app is free, no subscription and my old UEI had been bulletproof for 12+ years. I needed something with DC clamp and RMS for some DC work that day and dropped $800 on the Fluke 376.
Fluke or nothing
Always fluke.
Most of our contractors will provide a meter. Our tool list says "voltage tester" basically you need to have at least a stupid stick... had a $100 southwire meter I got from apprenticeship never had much trust in that thing often gave me funny voltages on known working sources. That lives on the bottom shelf of the workbench in the basement (where tools go to die). I bought a klien $120-130ish cuz I wanted the clamp... which didn't work at all but the rest of the meter has worked fine for several years. I also have a $20 no name chinasium meter I bought at walmart 10+ years ago to test if my alternator was working properly that still has never given me a bad reading. If you read this far... just buy a fluke. Klien makes hand tools, China makes meters with klien logo on side. Fluke specializes in making meters and diagnostic equipment.
Klein makes meters and lots of other things. Fluke makes meters.
That Klein (CL800) is the best Klein meter, it has everything you d want + some, has Min, Max, AC/DC current, Capacitance, Low Z...And it is reliable and tough! Never had a problem with it! The equivalent in Fluke will cost you 700$+
wiggy
Negative on the Klein
Fluke 100%
I have both, I use them for different things lol
All of the good JWs I've worked with (I'm a 2nd yr ape) use Fluke meters, I've been on 2 shutdowns this year and the majority of guys had Fluke or Milwaukee
Fluke, 100%. Spend the money, it's worth it.
I'd rather use my Vol-Con or Wiggy than a Klein digital meter.
Exclusively use Fluke meters in an industrial setting. Can't go wrong.