TM’s 2008 Favorites: Fluke 77 Multimeter
By Sean O'Hara
When someone asks to borrow a tool from the Toolmonger shop, we usually don’t say, “Over our dead bodies” — unless the tool in question is our faithful Fluke 77 Multimeter. Though it’s not the latest model out there, it still keeps pace with any meter currently on the market.
My dad gave me this meter fifteen years ago when I was trying to diagnose my rather finicky first car. Since then it’s been at my side during nearly every electrical project I’ve undertaken, and the projects where it wasn’t involved I spent half my time cursing whatever other meter I was using.
In trying to nail down what makes this meter so special, I have to start with the digital/analog meter readout. Though totally digital, the bottom of the display gives the operator an analog feel with a swing bar that mimics an old-style needle. The hard case for it, seen here, is set up for linemen, electricians, or straight-up bench guys. The whole unit has a positive feel and finish to it — even in a sixteen-year-old tracing down shorts in an old Toyota Corolla, it breeds confidence.
This old 77 doesn’t sport the sexy yellow covering or contoured shape of the 77 mark IV. It’s grey, blocky, and completely reliable — after 15 years of service, when we reach for it, it delivers.
77 Multimeter [Fluke]
Street Pricing [Google]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]
December 30th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Sadly the one in the picture belongs to Sean, which means when he doesn’t bring it over I’m stuck with my generic piece of crap meter. One of these is totally on my list for this year.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:52 am
One of my favorites too. I got my original 77 as a birthday gift when I was 16 in 1983. It was new to the market and the hottest meter out there. Still works great, though it’s dirty and beat up. It’s been replaced by a 78 Series IV(?) on the bench, but continues to do yeoman duty in the garage.
They look downright girly without the heavy rubber holster, but once secured in it they are nearly indestructible and have a healthy heft to them.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
I got my 79 in the early 90’s. Best meter I own.(I think I have 6 or so) Flukes are tough to beat.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
“It it works, it must be a Fluke!” - Fluke company sales representative I used to know.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
“IF it works, it must be a Fluke!”
Grrrr.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
I have my Grandfather’s FLuke that is identical to the one pictured. He was an Electrician for Ford for 30 years+. He died suddenly of cancer. I have many of his tools, and use them as often as I can. The multimeter has been one of the best tools, and the one I got to first for electrical stuff. The continuity with the tone is especially helpful.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
I’ve had mine for 16+ years also.
It’s pretty scuffed up, but still does what it’s suppose to.
Can’t remember the last time I changed the battery in it though….
Reminds me of the old Timex watches, “Takes a lickin and keeps on tickin”
December 30th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
While we are not electricians - we carry Fluke meters on all our plumbing trucks. Our latest ones are 177’s.
December 30th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
I still use the one I bought in 1984. For instrument techs used to Beckmanns or older Flukes like the 8040 that simple rotary switch with manual- or autoranging, the nice leads they came with and that 320 count display that gave you a 32 mA range made them really popular. I think I saw them first without the holster and the size and weight were really impressive at the time– especially compared to something like a Simpson, which you still saw the sparkies using a lot back then. It won a special place in my heart for Flukes I guess I’ll always have.
December 30th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Dependability is no fluke - pun intended.
December 31st, 2008 at 8:34 pm
I traded my Fluke 77 for a Fieldpiece. Needed the RMS for working with frequency drives and wanted the backlight for working in the dark. A good meter. The 77 is one heck of a meter though.
January 1st, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Mine was stolen, it was inside my 20 year old telecom tool kit. damn kit was just getting broke in. I replaced the 77 with an 83. The kit is no longer made.
January 2nd, 2009 at 10:14 am
[...] TM’s 2008 Favorites: Fluke 77 Multimeter When someone asks to borrow a tool from the Toolmonger shop, we usually don’t say, “Over our dead bodies” — unless the tool in question is our faithful Fluke 77 Multimeter. Though it’s not the latest model out there, it still keeps pace with any meter currently on the market. [...]
April 30th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Where can I find a manual for this exact model?
Thank you.
June 27th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
The Fluke 77 manual can be downloaded at http://us.fluke.com/usen/Support/Manuals/default.htm
I’ve used Fluke products for 30 some years. I currently have a 79 that I use daily in my industrial service engineer work. I seem to have to replace the test leads about every six months.
I’ve sent it in for repair twice in the last 10 years. The first time I wore out the banana jacks; after witch I purchased the lifetime warranty. The second time I wore out the switch.
As we use to say in the Navy cal lab “If it works, it’s a fluke!”