Beta testers wanted

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PetrosA

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One of the things I do for fun is beta/field test equipment for Agilent's handheld division. If you're not familiar with Agilent, they are the test equipment division of Hewlett-Packard which spun off from the parent company a few years back and they make everything from sub-$100 DMMs to handheld and bench oscilloscopes, RF testing equipment and hugely expensive medical equipment. Their handheld division is based in Malaysia and they have in-house design and production - IOW, they don't sub the manufacturing out to others. They are the same kind of players as Fluke, Hioki or Gossen-Metrawatt in that sense. The handheld division is relatively new and is in the process of becoming it's own entity this year under a new name, Keysight.

Anyway, they take their jobs and their products seriously. I was first approached by them a few years ago to give feedback on the design of their new line of clamp meters (at that time...) which led to field testing of their U1177A Bluetooth system and it's been amazingly fun. I know that there are a number of people in addition to myself who do field testing, but the people in charge want even more feedback which is why I'm posting this here.

To be perfectly clear, this isn't a paid gig (although they may let you keep what you test), you have to want to do this kind of thing. If you DO enjoy using your test equipment to troubleshoot and do your daily work and you don't mind writing up relatively simple reports and talking with an organizer from time to time, you might really enjoy it. I really enjoy the challenge and they value the feedback.

If you think you might be interested, PM me so I can get some basic contact info to forward to them.

Thanks!

P.S. Here are some links to give you an idea of what they do, as well as what uses the feedback we give is put to:

http://www.home.agilent.com/en/pc-2106357/handheld-oscilloscopes-analyzers-meters?&cc=US&lc=eng

http://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5991-2084EN.pdf
 
Ok, I'm going to add some info since I see it's on the Agilent website now :)

An example of how the real-world feedback from field testing affects decision making at Agilent is the new U1117A Class 1 Bluetooth module, which will replace the U1177A Bluetooth module. When I was testing the U1177A, in spite of the amazing ability to get remote readings wirelessly, its 10m (30') limitation was definitely affecting its usability. I (and probably others) made this really clear to the developers. There were a lot of hurdles to get around including limitations of smartphone Bluetooth capabilities, but in the end, they came up with the new U1117A which operates at both the normal Bluetooth signal strength, so it maintains compatibility with Android (and now also iOS devices) and it also works with the new U1115A remote logging display at Class 1 strength, which boosts the wireless range to 100 meters or over 300 feet. That kind of range makes this system useful in larger commercial or industrial applications where you might need the ability to send a signal way farther than 10-20 meters and also, as far as I can tell, puts Agilent at the head of the pack in wireless strength.

One of the best aspects of their system is that it's more open than the systems that their competition uses. If you have a U12xxA series clamp meter that you got five years ago, all you need to do is ask them to send you a new battery compartment cover and you can go wireless. Almost every one of their DMMs is factory ready for the wireless adapters as well. The modular design means that as they upgrade to newer generations, you can upgrade your existing equipment at a lower cost. The ability to use it both with your smartphone AND the remote logging display means you can work however it's convenient for you.

They are also using the same system on whatever new equipment they release, like their new line of megohmeters, which are totally compatible for use with whichever Bluetooth system you have.

So, if you haven't already sent me your contact information and you're interested in shaping the future of the test equipment we use, PM me :)
 
Me again :)

I thank those of you who responded.

I spoke with the coordinator and he filled me in on some details that might make the decision to help out on this a little easier for some of you. Taking part in this stage of testing probably won't require you to sign an NDA. It sounds like for now they're specifically interested in testing out the new Bluetooth modules and receiver to get feedback on how the system performs in real life conditions. 300 feet line-of-sight range doesn't necessarily translate to anywhere near that distance in a warehouse filled with metal shelving and product on the shelves or in a supermarket or in a 8,000 square foot mansion or in multi-level housing/offices. Those of you who work in these conditions regularly would be ideal candidates for testing the system.


They are still looking to add a few more people to the testing program so please PM me if you are interested.
 
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