Fluke 115 is professional digital multimeter designed for general purpose electronical work. Fluke 87 V is a high grade professional multimeter designed for high grade industrial work. Both of these products aim at professionals, the only difference is in the amount of work required, as industrial multimeters are obviously going to be used a lot more.
Fluke 115 vs Fluke 87V: Which one is the best?
These multimeters will be judged according to needs and possibilities of clients that these multimeters are aimed at. I will also compare them to the standard set by other multimeters in their price range, since it wouldn’t be fair to compare them with multimeters from higher or lower price ranges.
Quality of build
Since both of these multimeters are professional models, quality of build is very important. Standard feature when it comes to professional multimeters is the rubber shell. Body made from reinforced plastic is also quite common when it comes to high grade multimeters.
Fluke 115 is made of reinforced plastic that is encased in a rubber shell. Plastic is tough, yet subtly soft when touched and the shell is made out of very tough rubber that can protect your multimeter so that it can withstand drops from more than ten meters and remain intact.
Fluke 87V is built from reinforced plastic that is very thick. You can see that when you go to change the battery or replace the fuse. Outer layer of this multimeter is so sturdy that I am not even sure if that’s rubber. It feels like a mixture of rubber and tough plastic. Incredible.
Winner: Fluke 87V
Accuracy
All multimeters in this price range are very accurate. Nevertheless, some multimeters are more accurate than others and some can have a True RMS function.
Fluke 115 is highly accurate. Although the accuracy could have been further improved with an RMS function, it will still do its job well, as it should.
Fluke 87V is calibrated when you first take it out of the box. This multimeter also has a True RMS feature. A lot of multimeters have that function, but this model delivers results that are outside of this world. This is above True RMS. It’s incredible.
Winner: Fluke 87V
Safety
It is customary practice on the market to make professional multimeters very safe to use, as they should be.
Most multimeters in this price range are CAT III and CAT IV certified and all are fused. Multimeters nearer to the higher price range will also have two or more fuses. Fuses that come shipped with multimeters in this pice range are usually high quality ceramic fuses.
Fluke 115 is CAT III 600 V certified and fused. This level of protection is standard for multimeters in this price range.
Fluke 87 V is CAT III 1000 V certified, CAT IV 600 V safety rated and fused.
Winner: Fluke 87V
Ease of use
Easiness of use can vary greatly depending on the type of the multimeter, since all types of multimeters can be found in this price range.
If a multimeter is aimed at beginners, it will be easy to use. The same goes for multimeters that can measure only basic functions. Multimeters that are a bit more difficult to use than basic ones are specialised multimeters, like models designed for HVAC or automotive use.
After that we have so called ‘all in one’ multimeters. Although models of these multimeters from lower price ranges are not so good, when you get this type of multimeter from a higher price range, you will be pleasantly surprised. And then, with all of this, we need to factor in the manufacturer’s ability to design products that are easy to use.
Fluke 115
Easy to use for professionals and beginners alike. Highly intuitive design.
Fluke 87V
Fluke 87V will not be so easy to use, like the Fluke 115. This multimeter has a lot of functions and that is enough to confuse an experienced user, let alone a beginner who has never used a multimeter before.
If you don’t have at least five years of experience, I highly recommend that you avoid this model because you will be overwhelmed by vast number of its functions.
Winner: Fluke 115
The final verdict
It is very difficult to pronounce a winner on this one, but I think that it has to be Fluke 115. Fluke 87 V has a lot more functions and better safety ratings but the overall difficulty to use is a deal breaker.
There is no purpose in getting a multimeter with a ton of functions when you don’t know how to use it. Many people could use its basic functions but everything else would definitely prove out to be too confusing.
That would be an insult to such a fine product like the Fluke 87V. It is definitely the best multimeter I have ever seen, but if you are like the majority of users, you probably don’t have enough experience for it.
It would be best if you would gather some experience with Fluke 115 and then buy Fluke 87V.