Great video... you really hit all the important features of each one. I’m not in the trades but I have an electronics background, and the most important feature for me is a tool that does the job but is cheap enough that I don’t sweat it if it gets stolen or dropped in a mud puddle! I’d be nervous setting down the Fluke and forgetting it, or dropping it... it’s quite an investment for most average people. The Ideal looks like the clear winner to me! 😊
As far as features pound for pound, I also think it can compare with the FLUKE. But as far as safety the Fluke wins hands down. As far as getting more for less price wise the IDEAL wins hands down. You need to take a quick look at my channel and checkout all the unique electronic test equipment I reviewed. Thanks for watching and posting.
I got the ideal meter for Father’s Day and I love it. I also love fluke I have the 16 and use the fluke 323 at work. And keep up the good work on this channel. Thank you
Thank you for the comparison. I purchased the IDEAL 61-747 after watching a few recommendations and the price was $99.99 on 12/4/2022. I am very pleased with the features, the auto-ranging, the probe holder, NCV and readable screen for these old eyes. Happy Holidays everyone.
Just picked this up on sale from Lowes. I’m just starting my apprenticeship. I just found your channel I enjoy your content and I love tools! Please keep it up and thanks!!
The Ideal#61-747 is rated for 600amps/volts. The #61-757 is rated for 1000amps/volts. The 61-757 also has a low impedance voltage measurement function. This is useful when interference may be suspected, as is the case whwn several circuits are run in close proximity. As of August 2023, The 61-747 is ~90$ and the 61-757 is ~140$.
Another great comparison and video.👍 I was very close to getting the Ideal 61-747. But for me, the cons were it lacked an inrush function and each time you turn the dial to select a function, it beeps. Not the biggest thing, but not crazy about it. And the jaws are slightly thick too. With that being said, bang for buck, the 747 seems very hard to beat for the overall features and build quality. It's an absolutely a great meter. You might recall, I recently had asked your opinion of the 378-FC in a previous video (btw, thanks for replying to it!). So a few weeks ago, Amazon had a temporary huge price drop on it--like over $200 off the regular price; still a pricey unit even on sale, but I ended up taking the plunge. I recall you saying that it was a bit overkill if you're not an industrial electrician, and I have no doubt that's true. In fact, I'm not even a professional/genuine electrician ⚡ lol! But I needed a clamp and figured I would treat myself to something nice.😊 I certainly don't make a habit of purchasing such high-priced testing equipment/tools/gear. But I do like the unit. Tbh, I think of the FieldSense feature as a more or less 'approximate' voltage measurement for convenience and safety by not having to use the leads on terminals. And if you are just taking current measurements via the clamp (without the black/COM lead plugged in for ground), it acts as a conventional clamp like the 376, etc. and it seems to yield accurate and reliable values. And just using the probes alone to measure voltage is going to be more accurate as well by bypassing the the clamp/FieldSense combination. On a smaller note, both the 378 and 377 models say 'Country of Origin USA' on the back. Although they still might be made overseas, hard to determine. The only thing I'm not crazy about is the size. It's longer than the 376 (the 376 being the perfect sized clamp, imo.) Anyway, sorry for the exhaustively long comment lol. I really appreciate you and your channel. Keep up the great work and thanks!👍
I hope your new man toy bring you years of great service. I really appreciate you posting, I love reading and hearing of other tradesman experiences. Thanks you for enjoying my channel.
I'm a Fluke guy and from Everett Washington so is Fluke, I've been using there meters for ever since I was a kid! I've lost or had stolen, but never broke one! I got a ideal from a friend and it's 2 yrs old. I put brand new batteries in it tonight and nothing! I took the back off and not empressed at all, matter a fact, junk! The circuit board was not sprayed with anything, nothing to keep moisture out! Even the cheapo harbor frieghts meters have been encapsulated with a clear coat moisture bearer of some sort! I can't find a fuse inside the Ideal either! Rather disappointed with the ideal, I was really hoping I could find something easy to make work again, but not getting that loving feeling from ideal! Any ideas on the problem, was working fine, put new batteries in It and nothing no power, no flash light , no reading on either screens! Just plain dead, can't find the fluke, last time I saw it the kid had it, but said he brought it back, right now I would settle for a Harbour freight meter! Really bumming Any ideas peoeple?? Thanks anyways!
I have to ask was it working, or did you see it working when your friend gave it to you ? Maybe something happened to it that's why your friend gave it away? There are a lot of reasons why it stop working batteries could've exploded inside before. Look at the the user manual and see if you're installing the correct type of batteries that the manufacturer ask to be installed ( Alkaline, Nickel, etc.) Take the back off and set the meter outside in the sun for a couple of hours to completely dry up the moisture. If that don't work ask your friend for any purchasing receipts for the meter contact IDEAL tell them the issue and they may send you another meter depending on how long you've had the meter. But don't mention that you opened the meter up and tried to work on it. Thanks for posting.
I've been there and said that before, it'll never die. You'll have to destroy it yourself. It's a FLUKE what else can you say!!! Thanks for posting your experience.
Between the two I choose the ideal cause it the most affordable of the two the fluke maybe the better of the two I get what I can afford so that being said if I could afford the fluke I would consider it .
I already have 5 meters! 😁 Now you going to make me buy more! I need it, because I work on the ships, and they have motor starters and other components in the most weird and unusual places, and sometimes it is a royal pain to read voltage or amperage on something. I already have the amp clamp that can be extended on the leads ( Fieldpiece), and the “Hook” shape from UEI - all I am missing is the one you can read from the bottom ( this one), and the “field sense”.
Great video... you really hit all the important features of each one. I’m not in the trades but I have an electronics background, and the most important feature for me is a tool that does the job but is cheap enough that I don’t sweat it if it gets stolen or dropped in a mud puddle! I’d be nervous setting down the Fluke and forgetting it, or dropping it... it’s quite an investment for most average people. The Ideal looks like the clear winner to me! 😊
As far as features pound for pound, I also think it can compare with the FLUKE. But as far as safety the Fluke wins hands down. As far as getting more for less price wise the IDEAL wins hands down. You need to take a quick look at my channel and checkout all the unique electronic test equipment I reviewed. Thanks for watching and posting.
I got the ideal meter for Father’s Day and I love it. I also love fluke I have the 16 and use the fluke 323 at work. And keep up the good work on this channel. Thank you
Thank you Pete for watching and supporting the electricians tool channel 👍🏽
Thank you for the comparison. I purchased the IDEAL 61-747 after watching a few recommendations and the price was $99.99 on 12/4/2022. I am very pleased with the features, the auto-ranging, the probe holder, NCV and readable screen for these old eyes. Happy Holidays everyone.
👍🏽 Thanks for watching
Just picked this up on sale from Lowes. I’m just starting my apprenticeship. I just found your channel I enjoy your content and I love tools! Please keep it up and thanks!!
Good luck 🍀 on your electrician career Scot. Thanks for watching and supporting my channel 👍🏽
The Ideal#61-747 is rated for 600amps/volts.
The #61-757 is rated for 1000amps/volts.
The 61-757 also has a low impedance voltage measurement function. This is useful when interference may be suspected, as is the case whwn several circuits are run in close proximity.
As of August 2023, The 61-747 is ~90$ and the 61-757 is ~140$.
True, well said.
Great Stuff
Thanks 👍🏽
I just got that same Ideal meter I absolutely love it great meter hands down !!
Right on!
Convinced me. I bought my ideal right in the middle of you video. Thanks for sharing.
You won't regret it. You'll get more bang for your buck.
No way!!!
Another great comparison and video.👍
I was very close to getting the Ideal 61-747. But for me, the cons were it lacked an inrush function and each time you turn the dial to select a function, it beeps. Not the biggest thing, but not crazy about it. And the jaws are slightly thick too. With that being said, bang for buck, the 747 seems very hard to beat for the overall features and build quality. It's an absolutely a great meter.
You might recall, I recently had asked your opinion of the 378-FC in a previous video (btw, thanks for replying to it!). So a few weeks ago, Amazon had a temporary huge price drop on it--like over $200 off the regular price; still a pricey unit even on sale, but I ended up taking the plunge. I recall you saying that it was a bit overkill if you're not an industrial electrician, and I have no doubt that's true. In fact, I'm not even a professional/genuine electrician ⚡ lol! But I needed a clamp and figured I would treat myself to something nice.😊 I certainly don't make a habit of purchasing such high-priced testing equipment/tools/gear. But I do like the unit. Tbh, I think of the FieldSense feature as a more or less 'approximate' voltage measurement for convenience and safety by not having to use the leads on terminals. And if you are just taking current measurements via the clamp (without the black/COM lead plugged in for ground), it acts as a conventional clamp like the 376, etc. and it seems to yield accurate and reliable values. And just using the probes alone to measure voltage is going to be more accurate as well by bypassing the the clamp/FieldSense combination. On a smaller note, both the 378 and 377 models say 'Country of Origin USA' on the back. Although they still might be made overseas, hard to determine. The only thing I'm not crazy about is the size. It's longer than the 376 (the 376 being the perfect sized clamp, imo.) Anyway, sorry for the exhaustively long comment lol. I really appreciate you and your channel. Keep up the great work and thanks!👍
I hope your new man toy bring you years of great service. I really appreciate you posting, I love reading and hearing of other tradesman experiences. Thanks you for enjoying my channel.
I agree with you. Thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching 👍🏽
400AMP.
IDEAL 61-747 NCV CATIII 600V 400A TRUE RMS 4000 count display
Thanks for posting.
I'm a Fluke guy and from Everett Washington so is Fluke, I've been using there meters for ever since I was a kid! I've lost or had stolen, but never broke one! I got a ideal from a friend and it's 2 yrs old. I put brand new batteries in it tonight and nothing! I took the back off and not empressed at all, matter a fact, junk! The circuit board was not sprayed with anything, nothing to keep moisture out! Even the cheapo harbor frieghts meters have been encapsulated with a clear coat moisture bearer of some sort! I can't find a fuse inside the Ideal either! Rather disappointed with the ideal, I was really hoping I could find something easy to make work again, but not getting that loving feeling from ideal! Any ideas on the problem, was working fine, put new batteries in It and nothing no power, no flash light , no reading on either screens! Just plain dead, can't find the fluke, last time I saw it the kid had it, but said he brought it back, right now I would settle for a Harbour freight meter! Really bumming Any ideas peoeple?? Thanks anyways!
I have to ask was it working, or did you see it working when your friend gave it to you ? Maybe something happened to it that's why your friend gave it away? There are a lot of reasons why it stop working batteries could've exploded inside before. Look at the the user manual and see if you're installing the correct type of batteries that the manufacturer ask to be installed ( Alkaline, Nickel, etc.) Take the back off and set the meter outside in the sun for a couple of hours to completely dry up the moisture. If that don't work ask your friend for any purchasing receipts for the meter contact IDEAL tell them the issue and they may send you another meter depending on how long you've had the meter. But don't mention that you opened the meter up and tried to work on it. Thanks for posting.
I have that fluke and thing is it never dies.
I've been there and said that before, it'll never die. You'll have to destroy it yourself. It's a FLUKE what else can you say!!! Thanks for posting your experience.
Between the two I choose the ideal cause it the most affordable of the two the fluke maybe the better of the two I get what I can afford so that being said if I could afford the fluke I would consider it .
I understand Ruben👍🏽
I usually stick my meter in a Veto meter bag...
Perfect 👌.
I already have 5 meters! 😁
Now you going to make me buy more!
I need it, because I work on the ships, and they have motor starters and other components in the most weird and unusual places, and sometimes it is a royal pain to read voltage or amperage on something. I already have the amp clamp that can be extended on the leads ( Fieldpiece), and the “Hook” shape from UEI - all I am missing is the one you can read from the bottom ( this one), and the “field sense”.
You won’t be disappointed purchasing the IDEAL clamp meter 👍🏽
How is the Ideal display outside in sunl8ght?
No issues 👍
I'm sorry do you know me
Maybe ?