Need help for a decent sub $45 DMM - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Jaunedeau
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2021, 10:29:10 am
content: Hi,I have an old Vici 99 DMM that I paid I think about $25 nearly 20 years ago. I mainly use it to debug home electronic projects 3-4 times a year, and very occasionally to test 230V on a wall outlet or when I try to fix a vacuum cleaner.It is good enough for me, but I could use a second one, mainly because I need to take it with me in two different places. Buying a more recent one, I would be happy if I could find:-More reactivity one continuity check (mine need 1/4 to 1/2 seconds, which is a bit slow when you don't manage to position the porbes fast enough-More flexible cables on probes (I might also upgrade the VC99 with Aneng TP1008 $4 probes)-Globally, a bit better "feeling"-I would definitively have use for something that would allow me to follow live wires insides walls, but it seems even the $75 UNIT-T UT61E+ is not great at that (but it's continuity check reactivity is lovely)The VC99 has features I like very much:-Temperature probe-AA Batteries (I always have NiMH AAs ready, when finding a 9V would require I take my car and drive about 20km total)-It's cheap, works, and lasts.I could go with AN870: thought it does not have the best "feeling" (LCD is not that great) and thje continuity check is not as clean/fast as UT61E+, I could have it shipped here for less than $30 and it has better precision than my old VC99. Is there any option you think I should consider? I could not find reviews of the UT61/ABCD+Thanks,Jaune.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2021, 11:27:04 am
content: I'd go with the Aneng AN870.The 870's continuity is very, very fast, I don't know where you've seen that it isn't.Note that the probes have a huge effect on continuity speed and I tend to use gold ones when I can. You can get much better probes than the standard Aneng probes for $3-$4 on Aliexpress, just search for "multimeter probes" and you'll get a hundred sellers selling these:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001651448729.html(randomly chosen seller)nb. Those probes are like needles, you'll want to keep the safety caps.The LCD is good, too, no complaints from me there, and the NCV live wire detection is among the most sensitive I've seen. Certainly much better than the Uni-T.

author: wizard69
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2021, 02:17:28 pm
content: If you want to buy local, say from a hardware store, Homedepot has Klein (usually hanging on the wall) Sperry and Amprobe (online). I don't honestly thing you will get everything you want for $45 dollars.Cheap meters mean cheap probes. A good set of probes will set you back a significant amount, probably more than $45.Generally it is a good idea to have one "good meter" supplemented buy low cost meters. If at all possible expand your budget a bit. There are a lot of meters between $50 and $100 that will be of high quality and feature full. Considering your interest in AC powered systems, you might want to seriously consider a combo clamp on ammeter and DVM. A clamp on ammeter is very handy in appliance repair.DigiKey list about 49 meters $50 and under. That is a lot of meters and doesn't even consider all the brands including many Chinese offerings. This does make choosing a bit more complicated so why not stick with established brands? If you expand your budget by $15 you start to have interesting clamp on ammeters come on board.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2021, 02:27:19 pm
content: Quote from: wizard69 on March 17, 2021, 02:17:28 pmIt's all a question of how you define "good", I guess, but that's simply not true.eg. The official Brymen probes are under 10 Euros and they're as flexible, sharp, siliconny and gold plated as most people could want:https://brymen.eu/shop/silicone-test-leads-bl21s2-t4sc-brymen/The aliexpress probes I linked above are somewhere between the supplied Aneng leads and the Brymens. They cost $4 shipped. They'll definitely improve any low-cost meter.

author: ResistorRob
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2021, 05:40:10 pm
content: I usually find myself agreeing with what wizard69 says. This is no exception. If you want to buy local Klein is the way to go. I do like Southwire, but am aware they are just rebadges from another meter manufacturer and hated by many people. They were sold at Lowe's but they recently got dropped and replaced it with Ideal, Fluke, and Craftsman. I owned an Ideal it was total trash and exploded just from measuring mains on the correct setting. I also own a Craftsman meter which is actually pretty nice. My Lowes still has some Southwire stuff banging around the shelves! If you have a Menards they sell Sperry which was once a prominent meter manufacturer which at the time was called A.W. Sperry, and of course middle of the road Amprobe is also sold there.You may find some of these meters at Ace Hardware (especially Craftsman) or other hardware store but prices can be 200-300% more! The only time I shop at a hardware store is if I'm spending someone else's money, or I'm in a huge hurry and can just throw the part on the counter and say "I need one of these" and be out the door in 4 minutes.If I sound like someone who spends a lot of time in home improvement stores, it's because I do

author: derree
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2021, 05:53:06 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on March 17, 2021, 02:27:19 pmThis. The Brymen leads are my go to test leads, and are perfect for cheaper multimeters, as you get really nice quality for a small amount of cash.

author: Analog4
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2021, 11:20:32 pm
content: Maybe?? Klein Tools Digital Multimeter, Auto-Ranging, 600V MM400 Price: $40.07 & FREE Returnshttps://www.amazon.com/Multimeter-Auto-Ranging-Klein-Tools-MM400/dp/B018EXZO8M

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2021, 10:12:32 am
content: Quote from: Jaunedeau on March 17, 2021, 10:29:10 amJust one comment:Nometer is likely to be able to do that reliably.

author: Analog4
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2021, 03:05:27 am
content: Don't know If I would trust it, but my wall stud scanner does find electrical power wires.Here is one for the purpose:ElectriScanner™ e60cquickly and easily locates hot electrical wiring and metal behind walls, floors, and ceilings:https://www.zircon.com/tools/electriscanner-e60c/#tab-description"ElectriScanner™ e60cquickly and easily locates hot electrical wiring and metal behind walls, floors, and ceilings. The backlit display screen flashes, or lights red, to alert the presence of live AC in both modes. The Mode Selector Switch makes it easy to change functions, while the easy-to-read display screen, Target Indication Bars, SpotLite® Pointer, and audio tone all indicate the location of the target.AC Scan mode locates live, unshielded AC electrical wiring up to 2 in. (50 mm) deepWireWarning® Detection indicates the presence of live, unshielded AC electrical wiring up to 2 in. (50 mm) deep in Metal Scan modeMetal Scan mode locates non-ferrous metal, such as copper pipe, up to 1 1/2 in. (38 mm) deep, and ferrous metal, such as steel pipe, up to 3 in. (75 mm) deepTarget Indication Bars will begin to turn on as live AC electricity or metal is approached"

author: bc888
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2021, 04:55:51 pm
content: Around here I use to hear "Buy once, cry once". Which meant that you cryed one time - when you bought it (one time), but then enjoyed that choice forever -instead of cheaping out/scrimping and crying everytime you use it.Next: Dave's Eevblog 786 Brymen has the best non-contact voltage check I've ever used. Better than my old go-to 210E clamp meter. I think I'm finally going to be finished sawing through live wires behind walls. I have not tried the Zircon that is linked upthread though. It's out of your $ range but you only have to saw through a live wire once and you will be much further ahead paying more up front. Classic "buy once/cry once" thing. My son was standing next to a guy that had his cheapo meter essentially blow up in his hand probing house wires. I sent him one of my used ex-military Fluke 27 FMs as they have real fuses.As an aside -Fungus cheap $3.81/each US probes are awesomehttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001651448729.html.I had seen his earlier highlight of them and got 3 pairs. I literally used them last night to get into a tiny ittybitty connector that the Brymen probes were too large for. One look at hos slender they are I don't expect them to last long, but they are needles.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2021, 06:17:00 pm
content: Quote from: bc888 on March 19, 2021, 04:55:51 pmIf they're blowing fuses when probing mains wires then it's probably better to send them a Fluke 101.Quote from: bc888 on March 19, 2021, 04:55:51 pm(I've noticed that Big Clive is using them lately as well)Quote from: bc888 on March 19, 2021, 04:55:51 pmMine are holding up OK so far.They're so sharp I actually keep the little plastic caps on them when not in use. Normally those caps go straight in the recycler.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2021, 06:35:46 pm
content: Jaune, a bit of a step up in price when compared to the good and previously suggested AN870, I would also consider the Bside ZT-Y (also known as AnengSX18SZ18 or Richmeters RM777) which is very well built, compact and has an overall good usability, fast continuity, NCV, flashlight and a well implemented EBTN (reverse LCD) display.I got mine from the store below and the shipping was very fast and without hiccups.https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32706325739.htmlThe probes that come with it are standard PVC, so you may want to also get the ones mentioned by Fungus.I have a UT61E (not plus) and I find it excellent for electronics (not much protection for higher voltage, though), but it is higher than your price range. I personally did not thing the UT61E+ has enough clout to spend the extra US$20.00 when compared to the non-plus version.Good luck in your search!

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2021, 06:43:43 pm
content: Quote from: rsjsouza on March 19, 2021, 06:35:46 pmI think you mean Aneng Q10 - the SX18 doesn't exist.It's mentioned here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/aneng-goes-crazy-with-new-meters/msg3301822/Note:Allthe "Aneng" meters are just rebadges of meters made by Zotech and are sold under many different brands/names.I'm not sure why Aneng is the favorite label of EEVBLOG.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2021, 09:17:11 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on March 19, 2021, 06:43:43 pmI meant Aneng SZ18 - I fixed my post.Although the Aneng Q10 is very similar to the SZ18 - quite hard to differentiate between the two apart from the rotary switch colors.

author: cdev
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2021, 11:44:18 pm
content: I would get the new version of the UNI-T UT61EIts the best deal I think in that price range. It has a backlight and NCV now too. I own an original UT-61E and its always been there for me. Its accurate, has 5 digits.. well built, considering what it is. I just use it with low voltage and electronics stuff, not line voltage. But NCV will be a good thing to have for that. I have another UNI-T clamp meter that has NCV and its nice for safety and peace of mind.Quote from: Jaunedeau on March 17, 2021, 10:29:10 am

author: Analog4
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2021, 03:53:08 am
content: Quote from: cdev on March 19, 2021, 11:44:18 pmYes, for the price. UNI-T UT61E Multimeter teardown photos:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/uni-t-ut61e-multimeter-teardown-photos/msg45069/#msg45069......

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2021, 06:09:28 am
content: Quote from: cdev on March 19, 2021, 11:44:18 pmExceot that:a) It costs a lot more than $45b) The NCV doesn't work

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2021, 10:47:33 am
content: How's the Uni-t UT139C doing compared to other meters these days ?It's around 45$ on eBay

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2021, 12:20:29 pm
content: The UT139C is still a great meter and has good protection in its price class and much better when compared to the non-EU UT61E.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2021, 12:23:38 pm
content: Quote from: rsjsouza on March 20, 2021, 12:20:29 pmI'd buy one before a UT61E.6000 counts is probably enough for what the OP wants.

author: cdev
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2021, 03:11:37 pm
content: I like the "fake analog" portion of the UT-61's LCD. I think the UT-61's features are a good match to what I need it for. I paid around $60 for it on ebay. I think for somebody in the US (which as 115-120v mains voltage who intends to use it mostly for electronics - not an electrcian, its a particularly good value.It doesnt have temperature, or NCV. (which would be nice)

author: DaneLaw
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2021, 12:42:21 pm
content: Readworthy AN870 testwalkthrue (solid)..https://lygte-info.dk/review/DMMAnengAN870%20UK.htmlThough have not tried it myself, got one of those small ZT101 from numerous years back..were like 6USD in total on Aliexpress, as the seller shipped the wrong one and not the one with temp as displayed, so gave 50% back from the 12USD.The biggest con with that unit is the discomfort that I keep using that el-cheapo ZT101 and not the more expensive DMMs I got & purchased, that is just laying in their bag and getting old, not ideal.// Are this one ZT101. .(link-credit : EEVuser Microcheap)https://zotektools.com/products/zt-101/