Halle-flippin-luyah...the AVO835 is on route...

[PEG]

At last,after a period of one year's worth of excuses,from Megger,the long awaited AVO835 is actually available

After being allowed a play with one,a long while back,they did not release it for sale,and had run out of viable reasons for evading my money.

I have allowed a short period of settling,just in case the said item was just a fancy looking novelty radio...anywho,i have one ordered,and can't wait to see if it proves to be as useful,as it promises

 

[telectrix]

Drool, drool.....

woww click on the image.... scary.

 

[PEG]

Yep,it may be a sad admission,but i am really looking forward to giving it a baptism of fire,in the field.
It should replace 2 or 3 three other bits of kit (not that i'll be getting rid of them ) and should simplify some fault finding operations,where meter swapping,just adds another thing to do...

....But don't worry,although i am partial to the odd Megger device,if it's bobbins - i WILL tell you

 

[MJPD29]

Looks like a great piece of kit, probably carry a big price tag though

 

[PEG]

Well,it's less than a quarter of the price,of a late mobile device....and i don't intend dropping/losing/crushing it

It should,if all else is equal,be easy enough for it to pay for itself,on the right task.

I'm giddy with anticipation,for it's Saturday arrival....if it's in three halves,or someone has swapped it for a Rolf Harris Stylophone...i will need tasering

 

[PEG]

Well,it's landed and i've been playing with it constantly....some snazzy features,including a few surprises...

Up to now,the only minor gripe,was the temperature probe connector needed a little teasing of the crossed male prongs,to keep it firm in the test sockets,but i've forgiven it already

I will share any startling features,but the min/max/av function,may be handy...mini data logging,10 minute time-out can be bypassed,and batteries are good for 150 hours with no backlight,so...

Have to admit to willing it a success,as it was not free,and i have waited VERY patiently for me toy,but my testing will continue...

...Oh,it has a "volt-stick" feature,with a change of sensitivity and everything ....like a fat,expensive neon

 

[freddo]

I think I'll stick to the Avo 8.

 

[PEG]

Yep,nowt wrong with that model,had a few versions and done some battery mods on them.
My go-to tester for 6 - 24V dc gear,so automotive,plant,etc,is a Mac-Tools piece of kit,which is 30 years old. It is safe for use on electronic systems,and i can more or less,ID a possible source or component,from the colour and differential,between the two LED's

I have a "new" one,i purchased as a spare,some 10 years ago,just in case it got dropped,but i think they still have it in production.

Some lads still insist on having an old Drummond,or the new MTL20,against all the other modern style options,as there is a certain comfort,in the stalwarts

 

[PEG]

Right then....i did say,i would be sharing ALL my experiences,warts an' all...and it's got warty

During my testing,of all it's functions,some pretty major issues came to light,which lead me to believe,the build quality of this particular device,is not up to scratch.

I will go in to detail,regarding these faults,when i have calmed down....the supplier and Megger,have been sent a video regarding the issues,and have accepted a return and refund.

I am genuinely disappointed,having looked forward to using this device,for 2 years,and yesterday,falling back to the 410,it should have replaced.

As this is Meggers "flagship" DMM,i will be looking to another marque,for the device required,probably Fluke. The 117 initially looked the part,but i think i'll add a few quid,and go for the 28ii,hoping they're not from the same Indonesian factory

 

[Bobster]

@PEG I've got the Fluke 179. It has never missed a beat.

However, I believe the quality of Flukes DMMs has decreased in the last few years when they changed manufacturing countries.

Just looked over the specs of the AVO, what is it specifically you were needing it to perform that you were willing to wait 2 years for?

Or was it more of a shiny new toy situation?

 

[PEG]

Yep,i like the notion of a tiny excuse to buy toys
I didn't wait the two years....bought a rake of toys,in that period,it was just how long it took,from trying one,to being able to have one sold to me.
Every once in a while,you see a device,which you know on a particular job,would save having two or maybe three others....and this was one.

I do admit to looking at one thing,and then seeing another behind it....and wanting that
I've bought torches,guns and properties,just like that.

I'm now between a Fluke and an Agilent.....could be worse....could be a rock and a .....wots the other? ⅕

 

[Bobster]

You could always get both???!?

You know, always need a backup.

 

[PEG]

You're right...and you're not helping my addiction

The 179 is a cracking tool,i just have a vision of an old Robin meter,i had,tumbling in to 5000 litres of human waste...and wishing i could have just run it under a tap,afterwards the 28ii will stand that

 

[freddo]

old Robin meter,i had,tumbling in to 5000 litres of human waste

I dropped my favourite Robin analogue insulation and continuity tester in a similar sort of fashion, though I dropped mine beside a toilet rather than in any waste, the taut band broke and that was the end of that.

I've got 2 more so it's OK now.

 

[PEG]

I dropped my favourite Robin analogue insulation and continuity tester in a similar sort of fashion, though I dropped mine beside a toilet rather than in any waste, the taut band broke and that was the end of that.

I've got 2 more so it's OK now.

....Like it ...why buy one more,when you can have 2 more