Just switched from a Fluke 87V to a Fluke 117 for my daily carry and I was wrong about it.

I always thought the 87V was the only real option for serious work, but its size was a pain in tight spaces like the avionics bay of a Citation CJ3. After a coworker in Dallas kept using his 117 on a job last week, I tried it and the smaller size and built-in non-contact voltage detection saved me a ton of time. Anyone else find a smaller meter actually works better for most line maintenance tasks?

4 comments

4 Comments

the_karen2mo ago

Wait, you're working on a CJ3? That's a seriously tight box to be crawling around in. I can't even imagine trying to wrestle an 87V in there, especially up near the overhead panel. The 117 just seems like it was made for that kind of job, where you're on your back and every inch counts.

harper_owens2mo agoMost Upvoted

Oh man, @the_karen isn't kidding about the tight fit... I swear I left half my skin on a conduit yesterday. The 87V feels like trying to swing a baseball bat in a phone booth, honestly. You really start to see the appeal of the smaller tool in that mess.

gavinp441mo ago

Oh man, totally! I had the same realization a few years back when I was elbow-deep in a generator panel on a hot day. The 87V is a beast but it's like trying to fish with a pool cue in some spots. The 117 just fits your hand better and the built-in NCV is a game changer when you're twisted up under a dash or in a tight electrical closet. I used to think the 87V was the only serious tool for the job, but I was wrong too (and it hurt my pride a little to admit it). Sometimes smaller and simpler really does win out when you're working in the real world, not just on a bench.

tara7451mo ago

Has anyone actually tried using the 87V when you're wearing thick work gloves? That rotary switch is a nightmare. Slipping all over the place. @gavinp44 you're spot on about the 117 fitting your hand better. But what nobody mentions is the weight difference. The 87V pulls your pants down if you're not wearing suspenders. I've nearly dropped that thing crawling out of a hatch because gravity took over. The 117 stays put in a pocket. Game changer for me.