Fluke 233 Remote Display Multimeter
3.7
5
24
24
Battery life kills what could be a fantastic product.
First let me say, been using many different types of Fluke for over 20 years and I will probably never use any other meter than a Fluke. On initially getting my hands on the 233, I thought it was going to be the most fantastic addition to my toolkit. The single issue of terrible battery life though means it lies at home while my old 83 is back in the kit. I figure if somebody is not going to use this everyday with the remote function and spend more time actually using it than changing the batteries, or, really really need the remote function, then go for another model.
I have read the Fluke explanation and cannot really accept that in post product release customer surveys anybody would prefer to change batteries almost weekly than have to just push a separate power button or dock and undock the remote head.
Come on Fluke, this design is just not up to your usual standard.
March 29, 2013
Expensive novelty!
Bought this meter with the hopes it would make my job easier. And....it doesn't! Its a guessing game whether it will turn on or not. Fluke claims a battery life of 400 hours approximate? "B.S." I'm sorry but there is absolutely no way that statement is TRUE!! False advertising! And they know it by stating that the fix is to either remove the batteries or insert paper tabs in the battery compartment.
Seriously FLUKE have you lost your minds?
March 17, 2013
Great Meter
Bought this meter over a year and a half ago. I have not had any regrets..
To the people that are having battery issues.. I would highly suggest staying away from Lithium batteries for this meter. The first time I used energizer lithium batteries I noticed that they only lasted 3 months.. and I didn't even get a low battery warning.. just dead. Tried another set.. same thing. After this I have just used standard AA batteries not lithium.. No problems.. The meter is used almost every day. This set of standard AA batteries has lasted almost 6 months with no indication of letting up.
March 4, 2013
Stay away.
Purchased two of these battery eaters. Each has gone through two sets of batteries in 6 months. Last time was a real issue as the meter was needed on the spot for services but dead, delayed the process for over 2 hours waiting for a store to open in order to purchase new batteries. Will not be using either of the units again, not reliable. Would like to send back and get a 87, I know that will work every time.
January 29, 2013
Nice meter with awful battery life/design
I purchased this meter to use while working in tight places where a second body just cannot fit, to take measurements on moving satellite communication antennas, and to reduce safety issues by standing at a distance when taking measurements. When operational, the meter performs well and has many useful features which makes troubleshooting much easier and safer.
With that said, the reason I cannot give the meter more than the generous 2 star rating is the horrible battery life. I had the same issue that everyone else has reported with the batteries having to be replaced after any significant period of storage and after a relatively short period of extended use. I nearly threw this meter into the ocean when working on an antenna high above the island of an aircraft carrier when expensive, high grade batteries that were less than a month old died while in use. I have not had this issue since I started isolating the batteries from the terminals when not in use. I was doing this well before FLUKE posted their reply to do so in order to extend battery life.
Where this does in fact extend battery life it is such a MAJOR inconvenience. FLUKE'S reasons for designing the meter as described in their post is pitiful. Claiming that power switches on each unit would be less attractive than replacing batteries every month is comical. This makes me wonder how long they actually "tested" their design. I find it sad that a company with so many great products would post a comment like that.
It seems FLUKE preferred to put the costs/burden on the consumer instead of spending the money to add switches or redesign this meter to be more efficient with batteries. How hard would it have been to add switches that allow the user to select off/on/auto shut off and design the firmware to shut both units down after a selectable time delay? There are so many different other options but putting paper in the battery compartment is their "fix."
FLUKE, you have been and still are my preferred brand for test equipment for the majority of my nearly 30 year career, and have impressed me with the concept of this meter. You have really disappointed me with the poor design that causes the batteries to fail so quickly with this model. This is even more true with your statement that, in the end, states the design is what it is so deal with it.
I expected something more in line with admitting to the design shortcomings and offering to provide an upgrade to address this issue. Another option would be to give credit towards a newly designed meter by returning an operational 233 and paying the difference.
Again, the concept for this meter is outstanding! I really hope FLUKE fields an improved model that corrects the battery issue. This would make it a no-brainer 5 star product.
January 23, 2013
Never know when it'll work.
I went from a Fluke 87 V to this one. Big-time regrets. This meter goes through batteries like crazy. I never know if or when this meter is going to work. The first Fluke 233 I had locked up and only read "Err" on power up. There was nothing I could do to get the "Err" to go away. Fluke replaced that one. Now the replacement will frequently read "---" on power up. The only way to clear it is to remove the batteries and try again. Very inconvenient when I'm at the top of a ladder working on a hoist motor. Tried turning it off and on again to no avail. I'm going back to a Fluke 87 V. Another Electrician I work with had the same issues with the 233. He went to an 87 V.
January 4, 2013
Good all around meter
I would like to see a fix for the battery problem and make the fix avable to people that allredy own it.
It is a great meter for a first time user. I down graded from a Fluke 88 and now I am going to buy another Fluke 88.
I do use it almost every day at a auto dealer. It cover most bases for me.
September 11, 2012
Needs more R&D
Great DMM--when it works. This meter eats batteries like crazy; definately a design flaw that will need to be addressed. Would give 5-stars if it wasn't so battery hungry.
August 20, 2012
Kills batteries
Every time I pick it up I have to put 5 new batteries in it. I wish Fluke would redesign it and recall mine. It is not handy at all.
August 3, 2012
Most useful meter I've used!
This is a great idea! No more looking for someone else to hold or read the meter. The magnet on the remote puts the remote where you need it to be. The only problem I have with this meter is the battery life. I used the meter for only two weeks and the batteries died, so I put in new batteries and used the meter for about a half an hour more. I didn't use the meter for about a month after that and when I went to use it again, it was dead. When the batteries do start to go, you don't have much time before the meter stops working alltogether. Fix this problem ( 9Vs maybe?) and this would be my #1 meter!
July 11, 2012
Where have you been all my life
This DMM is great! I can now watch my equipment controls operate while I change the state at the controller. No more selecting an ouput and walking around to check the proper state. Perfect thank you Fluke!
July 2, 2012
best meter out there for field tech!
This is the only way to go. Im field to for Komatsu equipment and this bad boy saves my a** everyday! Having to test things while in the cab and having monitor down there makes it nice.
July 1, 2012
Great for construction equipment.
The remote face make working on large construction equipment much easier than having someone help you the whole time. The magnet is a huge help when you don't have enough hands.
June 24, 2012
Awesome
i love the removable display it helps in so many ways makes life alot easier as a maintenance tech
June 12, 2012
Have to gloat about remote!
I was recently troubleshooting an problematic SCR which controlled a heater zone within an extruder barrel .
I connected the Fluke 233 to the line side of the SCR at the main control panel, removed the remote display, connected my Fluke 289 to the field barrel heater terminals, energized the load, and was able to see in real time the problem that was occuring. Without the Fluke 233 I would have needed 20ft+ leads.
The 233 is a must have!
June 11, 2012
Best meter I ever bought.
I use this meter almost every day. I love how it's auto ranging. Very easy to read numbers on the gauge and on the meter.
June 9, 2012
This meter works great
This meter is great because you can do the work of two people by taking the display where you can see it.
June 8, 2012
Awsome meter
I recieved this meter a a gift from fluke in 2011, and it is the best meter I have ever used. The remote display is ideal for trubble shooting any thing from motor controls to a bad three way switch situation. I purchaced the magnetic stap for it as well. This makes it completely hands free.
June 8, 2012
love the remote display!!!!!
I have had this meter since last spring and i love the remote display which is magnetic also. I can do things others cant without long lead extensions and such. Does everything i ask it to do and more. The only gripe i have is that it consumes battery life quickly, especially if utilizing the remote feature and requires 5 AA batteries so keep some close by or you are dead in the water!!! Has had batteries changed 4 times in the first year under moderate usage. A little more efficiency would be appreciated with this meter but that's just my opinion.
June 7, 2012
Best meter ever!!
Best meter I've ever used...all of my coworkers that have seen it in action have gone on to purchase...it is really like having a helper with you probing a circuit that is unseen from your vantage point ...excellent product!
June 7, 2012