2026 rant: FLUKE pricing about carrying case for HH digital multimeter

[Kiriakos GR]

Back in 2011, I got my first FLUKE handheld multimeter.
This was at medium pricing range of 450 Euros, and at the same time, FLUKE has the offering of vinyl soft case at 50 Euros.

Now at 2026, this DMM model its priced at 900 Euros, and identical FLUKE vinyl soft case at 90 Euros.

I have a better things to do than examining of how unreasonably are priced today, anything with a yellow stripe and the FLUKE logo on it.
But I do feel the need to write this rant, as awakening for other consumers.

For us hardworking people, the purchase of an worldwide recognizable and of high quality handheld multimeter, this is a big day, and or a significant milestone.
Its expected the new owner of such an instrument, him to bounce from enthusiasm, he succeed getting something this considered as equal to super car, but at the sector of handheld multimeter.
Many people driven mostly emotionally, they do fall as victims of buying unreasonably priced accessories.   
   
Since the beginning of FLUKE Corporation, they see them self as a brand this serving industrial sector.
Made of vinyl soft case, this primarily serves as a shield, against oil (lubricants) contamination.   
Vinyl this also repels water drops, and it texture this has a pleasant shiny looks.

From the other hand, 99% of  FLUKE zippered soft cases, they are designed for transport of an equipment, and not for using the equipment within the soft bag.   
Since 1985 FLUKE started the distribution of Chinese zippered soft cases, back then gray this was their flagship color.
At about 1995 and later, Yellow this become their flagship color.

In practical level, all designs of FLUKE transportation cases, soft bags or plastic boxes, they are not items for general use.
Therefore here comes the question, why buying something not compatible with your own lifestyle or work-style?         

Yes, pricing of all FLUKE branded for DMM storage and transportation solutions they are today insane.
I am assuming that FLUKE marketing assumes, that industrial customers they are rich and it is easy for them paying such tariffs.

Production cost of regular vinyl soft bad this is 1~2$ USD in China and this is called as pricing.
Retail pricing can be ten times higher worldwide, but even this is called as pricing.
Entire retail price list of FLUKE products at 2026,  this is sum of tariffs.

Final advice and conclusion.
At 2026, you may find a zippered soft bag with a yellow strip for cheap, even at your local hardware store.
The soonest that you will toss away the thinking of buying genuine FLUKE branded storage solutions, this will be the best thing for your emotional health. 

According to my experiences, Keysight and HIOKI soft bags, they are much more usable.
They are not cheap, but they are designed to offer maximum impact protection and usability.

But for indoor HH DMM storage and use, you may also go along with non branded zippered soft bag, they are everywhere for just 4~5 Euros.

Beware Note: Never buy for home use used FLUKE branded soft bags, they might hide hygiene risks. 

[overvolt]

The teaching that I did receive from this article, this is that you will never get your money back, by selling your used Fluke accessories.
I am less emotional than other people, I have a lesser passion of having a specific company logo printed over my tool bags.

I will agree with Kiriakos, at product design alone, that Keysight and HIOKI soft bags they have much more to offer.
While the offerings of BRYMEN they are nothing special, BRYMEN did not request any customization this elevating product design.
You can find them as unbranded for a few Euros at AliExpress.

[Andrew-88]

I vote for PRADA ..  Italian style