Multifunction Testers??

[andrew692003]

Hi guyz I need some advice or recommendations.

To date when doing inspecting and testing I've just been use the good old IR tester, RCD tester and Loop Imp. tester but Its time I moved on.

I've been looking on the net and ask a few others and got the following but not sure whats best. I just do domestic and commercial work, never industrial and I would probably be looking to spend around £800 maybe even up to a £1000.

What do you think, what do you guyz use?

MFT 1553 +
MFT 1553 Bluetooth

MFT1720
MFT1730

Somebody also told me that Megger are coming out with a new range next month so not sure whether to wait for that or not or if that even true.

Anyway, any advice would be much appreciated

 

[MarkieSparkie]

The new Megger MFTs are the MFT17xx series you have already mentioned (you missed the entry version MFT1710 thou).
Megger MFT 1552 is a very good tester. With the new MFT17xx series becoming available, discounts on the price (new and used) will make it THE VALUE choice.
Don't waste money on the MFT 1553 bells and whistles, the Bluetooth transfer is good but the method is not intuitive and On-site software is pants. The SPL1000 illuminated switched probe is to big and bulky, it's probe tips are just not robust enough.
The bluetooth works very well with a quality dongle/laptop, but can be a bit variable with mobile phones and PDAs.
The software however is not intuitive and requires learning, so much so that Megger do a course solely for this. Even when you have done the course and climbed the learning curve it's still quicker with pen and paper. I know of 20 sparks who had it with their testers (including myself), all of which were sent on the Megger course, only 1 regularly uses it and even he's beginning to crack, enough said!

 

[Guest123]

I've just bought a new Fluke 1653B and am WELL impressed by it.

I do like the look of the new megger 17's though.

 

[trypod]

The Megger MFT1730 + On site software has the 3 pole earth spike kit with it

 

[DurhamSparky]

use i dilog 9083p!! not flash but roust and easy to use!!

mind you occasionally it lies!!

 

[Guest123]

The Megger MFT1730 + On site software has the 3 pole earth spike kit with it

I got mine thrown in too.

That earth electrode measuring facility was one of the deciding factors.

 

[mayfair]

Is it the owner that lies or the meter?????

use i dilog 9083p!! not flash but roust and easy to use!!

mind you occasionally it lies!!

 

[dim_bulb]

gota be mft 1552

just saw in ************* its over £1000 pounds who in their right mind would pay that!!! you can pick them up for half of that price anywhere with warranty etc

 

[dim_bulb]

ahh i see the ******************************************

the place i mean is nail but with a thread... fix

half the price in test-meter

 

[DurhamSparky]

Is it the owner that lies or the meter?????

bit 50 / 50

 

[High Tower]

I'm with Lenny!! I have got a 1653b and love it, I did however borrow a mates 1552 megger while mine was away for calibration, and it's a cracking bit of kit!!

Fluke is less clumsy and smaller
Megger is lighter
Meggers display is clearer
Fluke is quicker especially doing zs/ze
Fluke is more intuitive
Fluke has a better case
Fluke is better on batteries
Meggers supplied leads are better
Flukes switch probe is better

So it's about evens

 

[Penance]

Recently got a 1552 and very happy with it, would agree with HighTower tho. Zs/Ze can take a bit of time and battery life is not good.

 

[Amp David]

Looking at demos with the new megger it seems like your ze zs test are quicker than the 1500 models. They also seem to have made the display as per the fluke models too

 

[trypod]

The new Meggers are a lot better than the old ones plus the 1730 has rechargeable batteries

 

[johnboy6083]

ive got a fluke 1653, and onlty paid £400 for it. i had it calibrated, and the bloke (mike, whos number i got from on here) said that its a very reliable and bulletproof tester. the only thing i dont like, is the need to keep pressing the test button, where the megger (my works 1552) does it automatically.

 

[nickblake]

I got a 1653 had it about 5 years now been a good bit of kit replaced a few test leads as this is the weak point but its the same as any test lead ,has (had) a nice prod with a push button on it so easier to test having said that using in conjunction with the kew technik adaptors its brill

*(had) mishap with a cooker connection plate couldnt see for a few mins and no end left ,think youll understand what i mean........Opps

 

[robsparky1975]

Not forgetting that if you try test meter,the forum sponsor they give us all 5% extra discount,i have a fluke 1652 its easy to use,cant go wrong with any of these.

 

[mickys86]

It's funny you mention the 'mishap with the cooker plate' because I did exactly the same today. Used a brand new cooker as a desk and someone had all the hobs turned on. When I turned it on to do a loop test the jobs came on and started cooking.
Luckily only melted the leads and the boss see the funny side!!

I'm looking to buy a tester myself and after reading these posts I think I'm going to go for the FLUKE 1653b

(when I say exactly the same, I meant doing things without being able to see. Loop test behind cooker and the cooker lights being at the front)

 

[gibo]

I chose the 1730 coz of the earth spike kit as where I live most houses use TT systems as they are built on sand. not got it yet tho. ordered from test-meter.co.uk with 5% discount on 16/5/11. I knew there was a wait on them so I'm happy to wait patiently. will let you guys know what it's like when it arrives

 

[trypod]

you only get the earth spike kit with the on-site version

I got 2 today on order since Feb

 

[gibo]

it is the onsite version I ordered. where did you order yours from?

 

[trypod]

pass services

 

[gibo]

test-meter told me it would be around 2 weeks for mine to arrive. hopefully it was accurate. they said launch was delayed due to machine in production line breaking down and that they are still catching up with orders

 

[trypod]

I have had 16 on back order

I have them all now

I have just ordered 4 more

 

[mickys86]

gota be mft 1552

just saw in ************* its over £1000 pounds who in their right mind would pay that!!! you can pick them up for half of that price anywhere with warranty etc

I reckon in the next catalogue they are going to do

" an offer you can't miss "

where they say this has been on sale over a thousand pounds but you can have it at a (still overpriced) cost of about £700