New DMM: UNI-T UT18B MAX - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: mlord
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 12, 2025, 12:20:04 pm
content: I've been on the hunt for an affordable DMM to take the place of my not-very-good UNI-T UT61-C. While that one has done okay for the past 10 years (?) or so, I'm designing and building more digital circuits here now and wanted toimproveon a few things:-- need FAST continuity response, for tracing circuits.-- need a backlight that's easy to switch on, and that STAYS on when needed.-- want a faster sampling/update rate.-- want faster capacitance measurements.-- need higher voltage for LED testing.-- the display must have thick, overlapping segments for readability.Unfortunately, I have difficulty with elongated/gapped digits like those on the EEVBlog meters -- something about how my mind processes information makes those types of displays, with the empty/gap section midway up the digits, difficult to read/process quickly. So those regretfully were quickly ruled out, having previously had bad experiences with that type.Along the way, I picked up the amazing ANENGAN8008, which ticks the first three of those requirements and has an excellent display. Ashockingly goodlittle meter, perhaps literally so should one also use it for mains work.I also tried the moderately affordable Fluke17B+. This one feels nice, and has an unbeatable quality of display. The cheap included test leads were not very good, and it is slow updating, slow on continuity, and glacial when measuring capacitance. Nice and pretty on the inside though!Then, last week, AliExpress offered me a UNI-T UT18B MAXfor about CAD$100 delivered. Wary from some of Dave's reviews of earlier ones, and from experiences with my own, I carefully read up on the specs, and on the similar/discontinued UT18B PRO, and decided it was worth a flyer.Well, it arrived. FAST! And not just the shipping. Update rate is about 5/sec, and the continuity test (audible only) is instant/latched, as least as quick as the AN8008. Capacitance measurements are very, very quick, and can handle large electrolytics as well as tiny SMDs. The display is not quite as good as on the AN8008 or Fluke 17B+, a bit elongated vertically. But the segments are thick enough and overlap enough that I have no issues with it. If only Dave's meters had that!Two different UNI-T zipper cases were included, along with two sets of gold plated leads: one normal set, and one very sharp fine-tipped set for SMDs. Both sets are LONG, soft, flexible, work fine, and measure 0-Ohms, but are not silicone leads.There are three models in the UT1x-B MAX line-up. The UT17B MAXis probably the best overall, as it has a MIN/MAX button instead of the LED test feature of the UT18B MAX. I can live without MIN/MAX, as my other meters have it. Oneshortcomingthat did catch me by surprise -- didn't read closely enough -- iswith theRELbutton. On the other UNI-T MAX models,RELworks in most measurement modes. But on the UT18B MAX,RELworks only for capacitance, because it has been combined with the RANGE button. Bit of a bummer there, but I'm more likely to want/use the quick, high-voltage LED test capabilities than theRELbutton.Input protection looks improved over the last time Dave did a UNI-T review: the large "missing" resistor has been added in, and the fuses are now the same Bussmann ones as with the Fluke, but in better quality holders. Fuse access requires removing six self-tapping screws, similar to the Fluke.There isnoserial/data output capability on this one.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2025, 01:19:06 pm
content: based on the Hycon 3131 so nothing new there, but may be "hack-able" at some point, there is an eeprom near the mcu, some poking there ?input protection seems good, now the big dmm fuses, put it in the big leaguefor capacitance get an de-5000 dont mix cap checks with an dmmthat introduction really seems like an infomercial Uni-t sales pitch loll

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2025, 09:33:31 pm
content: https://meters.uni-trend.com/product/ut15b-17b-18b-max/I thought when you mention LED test it would be a useful LED/Zener test on the meter leads themselves. But its just some socket you plug through hole LEDs into, not useful IMO.Diode test is decent but regular 3V range.Seems expensive for what it is, but, if it does work well and everything is fast maybe it is justified.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2025, 12:58:42 am
content: These look like direct rip-offs of the Fluke 1xB MAX series.

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2025, 01:50:45 am
content: I don't see any formal safety certificates, like 61010 so I wouldn't trust it. Uni-t is known to play dodgy.When I see input voltage divider MELF's (R4, R14) a mile away from the input jacks, makes me cringe.Anyone know why it has a DC-DC converter with isolation transformer? Maybe LED test feature for the 18b.The UT15B PRO/UT17B PRO/UT18BPRO1000V True RMS Digital Multimeters are discontinued. No idea why.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2025, 02:31:37 am
content: Well, the UT MAX models are independently certified by ETL to meet ETL, CSA and UL standards for a CAT-III rating. That's something.However, in my experience UNI-T support is in the bottom of the industry porta-potty. They f'd me over twice, I'll never let them do it again. Ur $$$ Ur choice.I recently picked up a Fluke 17B MAX KIT with TL75 and TL31 test leads, the really nice Fluke thermocouple and a soft case for $200 CAD shipping in. To me, that's a far better option.

author: GigaJoe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2025, 02:32:05 am
content: for couple years owon b41t , with oscillator on 8Mhz ... 10 read\sec , that fast0.3 sec to measure resistance ...

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2025, 03:50:10 am
content: Quote from: BillyO on July 17, 2025, 02:31:37 amNo, not quite I think. Intertek ETL to IEC 61010-2-033 and I don't see any reference to 61010-1...I've seen their test reports and most everything is "N/A", I don't see any transient testing aside from "5198 Vrms for 5s. Rxx, fuse, varistor and PTC opened" as an example. Cheating again by disconnecting internal parts. Many tests are skimmed by. It's kinda scary, their ethics are a bit low rung.The thing is, Uni-T is fully capable of making something robust and certified- which they do for their OEM products.Uni-T chooses to cut corners and mislead for their own products, I realizeit's intentional.The deception over safety approvals is what pisses me off about them.Brands they OEM for: Actron, Amprobe, Düwi, Granger, Greenlee, Klein Tools, Koban, Magontec, MCM Electronics {now defunct}, Milwaukee Tool, Extech Instruments, Bosch, Besantek, Minipa, PeakTech, Tenma, Southwire, Sperry, Voltcraft and many more.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2025, 04:02:49 am
content: Quote from: floobydust on July 17, 2025, 03:50:10 amAre you talking about ETL or UNI-T?Where can we all see the test reports, if you don't mind sharing. Nothing I'd like better than to discredit UNI-T.

author: Adrian_Arg.
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2025, 11:47:31 am
content: Hello friend, I have had the UT61C unit since 2013, which is the one I always have on hand, but for more specific measurements I have a UT61E plus unit that works perfectly for my hobby electronics requirements. I regret having sold my CEM DT3352 clamp, which was the ideal complement, which I think I will replace with a UT216C, which is not the same but works well.Hola amigo, yo poseo el unit ut61C desde el año 2013, que es el que siempre tengo a mano, pero para mediciones mas especificas poseo un unit ut61E plus que para mis requerimientos de electronica hobby funciona perfecto, lamento haber vendido mi pinza CEM DT3352, que era el complemento ideal, que creo que reemplazare por una ut216c, que no es lo mismo pero funciona bien,

author: mlord
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 12:34:03 pm
content: Quote from: thm_w on July 16, 2025, 09:33:31 pmNo, it is more than that socket. LED test works even better with the test leads -- though I don't know why they didn't make the socket behave the same way. Much higher voltage (up to 30V), thus the DC-to-DC convertor.This UNI-T is far, far better than my Fluke 17B+ in every way except for the Fluke LCD display. And at less than half the cost. If only the Fluke were remotely as good. Maybe the newer Fluke "Max" version is better?Cheers

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 01:45:17 pm
content: Quote from: mlord on July 22, 2025, 12:34:03 pmA little better than the 17+. Larger display, over range/high voltage warning, probe placement warning, slightly improved internal protection.However, there is a Fluke 18B+ with the same LED test feature of the UNI-T 18 MAX.One thing yo have to give up going to the 18B+ is the temperature measurement.It seems the Fluke 18B+ goes to 30V at the socket. Are you saying the UNI-T is not 30V at the LED socket?

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 05:23:42 pm
content: UT18BMAXhas the Temperature Measurement and LED Test Feature. I think this is the reason for the DC-DC converter (transformer) on the board, but it does have a bunch of boost converters I can see. Powered from 2x AA batteries.LED VF<9V constant and up to 12V pulsed, displays to 6V.

author: mlord
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 23, 2025, 02:18:40 am
content: Quote from: BillyO on July 22, 2025, 01:45:17 pmNo, I don't know how high the voltage can go at the LED socket. But It doesn't show the LED "on" voltage at the socket, whereas when using the leads it does show it. That's a difference I was surprised by.I don't seem to be able to find a "Fluke 18B MAX" on the Fluke site, but there is a "17B MAX" there. The specifications for it say it only updates 3 times/sec, a bit slow compared with the 5 times/sec of the UNI-T. Ditto for the "17B+" there. If the Fluke 18B MAX is similar, then that's a bit behind the curve as well.Cheers

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2025, 02:36:37 am
content: Quote from: mlord on July 23, 2025, 02:18:40 amIt's the Fluke 18B+.They have not made a MAX version of the 18B yet. Maybe they never will.

author: BILLPOD
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2025, 04:39:41 pm
content: Quote from: BillyO on July 17, 2025, 12:58:42 amUni-T also makes the UT117C, which is VERY similar to the Fluke 117C.