[hvacpimpin]

I've been trying to research this on the actual company websites but they really don't post much information other than the initial warranty. I deal a lot with Fluke and know they have some good warranties and you can always send your meter back to them after the warranty expires and they will fix or calibrate for a price.

I figured this would be the best place to ask. What multimeter and equipment (vac pumps, reclaimers, etc.) manufacturers have the BEST and/or WORST warranties, durability (other than Fluke) customer service, and after the initial warranty expires; what kind of experiences have all the masters and business owners here have/had?

My main brands I am thinking of are Fluke (already know how they work.) But what about UEi, Amprobe, Fieldpiece, Testo (I think they are really good but only from what I have read here).

I really wouldn't buy anything electronic made by Klein, Greenlee, Ideal for HVAC purposes but has anyone had good luck with the warranties/durability/customer service on those too? Maybe I'm totally wrong.

I'm looking into getting a dependable and greatly accurate digital psychrometer (looking into the UEi DAFM3) even though I already have a Fluke 971 and the ARH4 accessory head for the Fieldpiece HS36. (Just noticed the Fieldpiece PRH2 too but still not on the market.) I'd like to get a Testo 605-H2 but it looks like it's so chintzy and small for the $130 price and I personally have never seen anyone with one or at a supply house and have read some bad reviews here. It looks like the thing would only last me a week but I love the fact of being able to put it into the supply and return plenum to get a great reading.

The UEi DTH31 I have also seen a lot of people use and the thing does its job but for $80, I've seen matchbox cars more durable. (A lot of other manufacturers also slap their name on that same EXACT made in China model (Yellow Jacket, Amprobe, etc.))

UGH. Sorry for so much text. Just really looking for what company REALLY stands behind their products even after warranty expires. I'd like to see Russel and Doug chime in here too on their company policies.

 

[Chuck]

I have had fieldpiece SRH2 for several years, SC56 for 1 year, and just got the STA2, but have not had any occasion to try out the warranty dept. Check out the SRH3, its a psychrometer with a telescoping wand to get in duct measurements.

Testo is usually big $$ for out of warranty repairs. Even within the warranty period they seem to find some reason why warranty won't cover your particular problem.

:.02:

 

[mark beiser]

The awesome thing about Fluke is that if you send something in for repair that is "obsolete", and they don't have repair parts for it, they will call you with an offer to sell you the current generation of the tool at a DEEP discount.
I sent in an ooooollllllld Fluke 52D for repair and got a brand new Fluke 52II for $135 a few years ago.
My old Fluke 32 True RMS amp clamp was replaced with a Fluke 337 for under $200.

The key with Fluke is to call them directly for a repair RMA, rather than going through a supply house.

 

[hvacpimpin]

Nice Mark. I guess everyone on here loves Fluke too much to know much about brands other than Fieldpiece. :bump:

 

[jeep6275]

ive dealt with fieldpiece on returns a couple times. i have several of there tools but the only thing ive had problems with are the meters... and then its my problem something about excess voltage and abuse????

anyway ive sent them in under warranty and out of warranty, either way it seemed like i got them back within 5 or 6 working days.. and they have even warrantied stuff that was not under warranty.

ive got nothing but praise for fieldpiece!!

 

[hvacpimpin]

ughhhhhhhhhhhhhh.... just when im thinking about getting RID of all my fieldpiece stuff... it really is a hassle trying to keep accessory heads cased up with accessories and have any room for anything else maybe i should look into the fp bag that holds like every access. head?

 

[Chuck]

ughhhhhhhhhhhhhh.... just when im thinking about getting RID of all my fieldpiece stuff... it really is a hassle trying to keep accessory heads cased up with accessories and have any room for anything else maybe i should look into the fp bag that holds like every access. head?

Personally I don't really like the accessory head system. I prefer to just buy the stand alone meters I need.

For example the superheat and subcooling measurement head, why wouldn't I just put my digital gauges on?

To each their own, I like fieldpiece and have very good luck with them, I just prefer their stand alone meters.

:.02: