Suggestions - looking for bench meter with dual display, GUI, USB & possibly LAN - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: v81
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2016, 06:57:57 am
content: Hi all,Am looking to add a bench multimeter to the lab.I've searched and read several threads here and away from eevblog, but in case I've missed an option i'd like to ask.I'd prefer something with a GUI and USB/LAN ability, being able to capture readings on my Rigol DS1054Z has been great.Dual display would be good as i can anticipate measuring voltage and current a bit, but i wonder at what performance cost this feature comes at?. My only experience is seeing it on the Siglent on youtube where the display refresh seems to drop back to 1Hz or less.Is this standard behavior for dual display meters measuring volts and current?Budget is limited, but am happy to stretch for a suitable, reliable unit with all the bells and reliability to outlast me.All prices from here on in this post are AUD inclusive of GSTPreference is to get something local (Australia), but won't rule out an overseas purchaseunder AUD$1000Advice on where to buy would also be appreciated.Models i have considered...Siglent SDM3055Have some concerns on this being a quality long term unit, but it's price is pretty lowA few bugs, but on the upside these appear as if they're being dealt with, firmware has been making progressThe relay switching for dual volt/current measurement is maybe a concern? Looks like the update rate is pretty poor with this feature on.triotest.com.au - $755 deliveredAgilent / Keysight 34450ALooks like it does dual display, i might need to try to research this one more.One basic question i'll be looking to answer is can i get a screen capture from this to a flash drive?Can anyone comment on their experience with this unit?triotest.com.au - $1200 deliveredmeasurement.net.au - $1200 deliveredAgilent / Keysight 34461ALoved Dave's review on this, looks like a really nice bit piece of gear.Seems like it might lack dual display which is disappointing, but looks like it can defiantly run USB/LAN screen caps, web interface etc.I'm sure this one would outlast me, lack of dual display and the the higher price is holding me back.triotest.com.au - $1606 deliveredmeasurement.net.au - $1588 deliveredAside from the above are there any other units i should consider, is there anything on it's way to market in the next 12 months or so?

author: TheSteve
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 26, 2016, 07:14:40 am
content: The 34450A has no USB flash interface, only a USB interface to connect to the computer(and GPIB enabled via firmware license). It does have dual measurement capability. It works great with Benchview. The screen is only green but is absolutely killer, its massive and and has insanely good contrast.The 34461A does have limited dual measurement capabilities that were added with version 2.x firmware(Dave's video is out of date), USB front/rear and network support. GPIB is a hardware option. Version 2.x also added capacitance measurements.The dual measurement in both involves switching a relay and the update rate is isn't super fast. You can measure DCV and ACV but can't measure voltage and current at the same time with the 34461A (with the cheaper 34450A you can measure voltage and current at once though!)I have both in front of me, if you any specific questions I will try to answer them.btw, the Siglent is likely a fine meter but for reliability and resale value down the line I'd try to stick with Keysight if at all possible.

author: v81
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2016, 01:48:41 am
content: Thanks for the replay TheSteve,I'm now wondering if i'd be better off putting up with what i have for another year or so and seeing if there are more options then.The 34450A is probably the most tempting, i do like OLED displays.I'd get something second hand to tide me for a while if the used equipment market was anything like the US (pretty dry here in Aus)

author: v81
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2016, 02:48:21 am
content: I'm still procrastinating on this decision.Just FYI for Aussie readers, the current Connect mag from Element 14 have some better prices on the Keysight gear...34450A @ $1072.5 delivered inc GST34460A @ $1259.5 delivered inc GST34461A @ $1463 delivered inc GST

author: TheSteve
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 12, 2016, 03:01:08 am
content: I'd offer to sell you my 34450A but I'm not sure I'm ready to sell it yet.

author: owiecc
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2016, 06:29:35 am
content: Take a look at Hameg HMC8012. Very small, LAN, dual display

author: nugglix
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2016, 07:41:40 am
content: Hi!Yeah, the HMC8012 is a good choice.Got mine last year and I'm a happy camper!But it might be over the op's budget.Hameg is not known for low prices...CheersGuido

author: v81
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2016, 11:19:51 pm
content: Quote from: TheSteve on January 26, 2016, 07:14:40 amI'll give the Siglent idea the boot, especially after reading about their stunt having legit ebay listings for used gear taken down.Myst admit i was slightly adverse to the lack of colour on the 34450, but i love OLED displays, so i guess that makes up for it.All my gear has LAN capability so far, would love to have a meter that includes that, but i guess USB could work, just ties it to one computer only.When you mention "with the cheaper 34450A you can measure voltage and current at once though!" i assume this also involves switching?The Hameg HMC8012 seems do do it without much relay noise (referthisvideo) and the power (watts) reading is nice.As measuring power supplies is something i'm often likely to do i'm still curious on the 34450A.Question if i may...1) Would you say it has a similar update rate to the Hameg unit in DCV / DCI dual mode?2) Does it by chance have a facility to calculate and display power at the same time?3) Is anyone able to explain the "5¾" part, what does the ¾ refer to?Still in the running34450A @ $1072.5 delivered inc GST (Favorite)34461A @ $1463 delivered inc GST (2nd Favorite)HMC8012 @ $1371.70 (3rd Favorite, would probably be second if it was 6 digit)

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2016, 11:31:09 pm
content: Do you really need 6.5 digits?

author: TheSteve
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 15, 2016, 04:17:18 am
content: Quote from: v81 on February 14, 2016, 11:19:51 pm1 - the update rate on the Hameg when in dual mode is quite a bit faster then the 34450A, probably by a factory of 10 to 20. The 34461A can't measure DCV and DCI at the same time(it is something they could add though if they wanted, sigh)2 - I've seen no option to display power on the 34450A or 34461A3 - I'm sure Dave has done a video explaining the number of digits/count on a DMMI love color displays as well, which is one of the reasons I have the 34461A. The OLED display on the 34450A has got to be the biggest/highest contrast alpha display ever put in a production DMM - it is absolutely beautiful to look at and puts VFD(and LCD to a lesser extent) to shame. I have no problems reading it from 10 meters away. That said I only own the 34450A because I got a great deal on a broken one that was under warranty and Keysight replaced it with a brand new one a few months ago.Whatever you buy make sure you have good warranty support on the off chance you need it. With Keysight it was a phone call, wait a day for approval and then mail it to the next province(In Canada) away. Less then 2 weeks later they overnight couriered me a brand new one.

author: v81
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 18, 2016, 05:20:10 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on February 14, 2016, 11:31:09 pmRight this minute... no.Tomorrow... Who knows?But if i'm buying a meter anyway, couldn't hurt right ?

author: v81
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 18, 2016, 06:20:34 am
content: Quote from: TheSteve on February 15, 2016, 04:17:18 amQuite right, just looked it up and i'm still a little fuzzy specifically on the 3/4 or 7/8 examples, the 1/2 example is understood.As Dave says in the video the move to referencing a count number is a great idea to quell the confusion.The video, specifically at the point where Dave talks about the 3/4 count.https://youtu.be/U4JFeU-o2kc?t=1m

author: v81
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2016, 06:05:25 pm
content: Quote from: nugglix on February 12, 2016, 07:41:40 amEnded up going with this.Delivered for just under AUD$1kHad it for a few days, but not yet had a chance to play with it.It is certainly compact, a little more compact than expected.For somone with sub par vision the text o the display can be difficult to read, but my young eyes will handle it.