Spent $180 on a Fluke meter that said 'water resistant' - not waterproof

Dropped it in a puddle under a CRJ wing last month and it died on the spot. Anyone else get burned by gear that doesn't live up to its specs?

3 comments

3 Comments

wrenwilson1mo ago

Yeah "splash proof" is the biggest scam phrase out there right now. It basically means "don't get it wet but we won't refund you if you do." This whole thing reminds me of how "water resistant" on a jacket means it'll keep you dry for like 10 minutes in light rain but anything heavier and you're soaked. Or how phone cases brag about "military grade drop protection" but drop it on concrete once and the corner cracks. It's like companies figured out they can use vague words to dodge responsibility while still getting that premium price tag. You ever notice how "premium" just became another way to charge more without delivering more?

sarahsullivan1mo ago

Yeah that whole "water resistant" thing is such a scam sometimes. I mean, I get that it's not the same as IP67 or whatever, but you'd think it could handle a puddle? What specific level of water resistance did the listing say? Like did it claim IPX4 or something vague like "splash proof"? Because that's a huge difference between surviving rain and surviving being submerged under a wing puddle with all that fuel residue and dirt mixed in.

matthew_owens91mo ago

That $180 Fluke thing hurts man, I feel you. It's like how my "water resistant" hiking boots said that on the tag but after one creek crossing my feet were soaked for the next four miles. It's the same trick with my phone case that said "military grade" but cracked when I dropped it off my truck seat onto gravel. They just throw those fancy words on there so you feel safe spending more money, but the actual protection is like a wet paper towel.