One of the first things a person might notice about the Fluke 179 digital multimeter is the design. Fluke takes pride in its products, and the overall design shows it. The meter is comfortable to hold and use, right down to the smooth action of the rotary switch. This can also be attributed to the meter’s country of manufacture, the good ol’ US of A. If buying products produced on American soil is important to you, then this multimeter should be near the top of your list. Other Fluke meters (Fluke 115 or Fluke 117) might be made in China, but Fluke has decided to keep this one in-house for maximum quality and construction.

The Fluke 179 true rms multimeter has great features, and people who rely on taking accurate measurements can trust it to be reliable and accurate. Furthermore, the meter’s ability to read frequency is outstanding, with the capability to measure up to 100 kHz without a problem. For someone who works with CCFLs, this is important, since many spec sheets list 60 kHz as the proper frequency for the CCFL inverter, but many meters top out at 50 kHz.

Price of this multimeter varies from 220$ to 290$ in fluke 179 combo kit (EDA 2/DMM). You can buy Fluke 179 multimeter at Amazon.

Furthermore, this meter is suitable for use in high voltage or other similar dangerous situations because of its “Autohold” function. Many people are used to having to prop the meter somewhere visible while they try to place the probes on difficult targets, and then trying to maintain their probe position to get an accurate reading, while simultaneously trying to glance at the meter. Not only is this difficult, it can even be dangerous, depending on the situation. Fluke has solved with this with their “Autohold” function that allows the operator to focus on the task at hand while the meter looks for voltage. When the meter senses a good connection and stable voltage, it beeps, signaling the user that it has found the voltage, and he or she can focus on removing the probes safely. For cramped quarters or small targets, this is a great feature to have. That, plus the integrated holster design, means that the user doesn’t have to worry about juggling the meter in situations that demand concentration.

The 179 model fall short in a couple areas, but these aren’t deal-breakers. First off, the “ESFP” designation only means that the user manual is printed in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese, not that the meter itself has controls in these languages. Curiously, Fluke also included the ability to measure Hz in the VDC position, when anyone who would require this meter should probably already know that VDC precludes the ability to measure Hz. Lastly, even though Fluke has done a good job with integrating the holster in the design of the meter, they should have also included a carrying case and hanging strap.

Most people that work in or are familiar with an industry that requires electrical testing will probably have come across a Fluke product in his or her career. Fluke is a name that is well-known and well-respected by those who rely on their products to deliver accurate electrical information regarding a given subject. Their meters are in use in countless applications, and set the standard for quality.

While it may not have all the features of the Fluke 87-5 (the ability to measure microamps, take relative measurements, or take high temperature readings), the Fluke 179 is a feature-packed meter that helps you get the job done right.