UNI-T UT61E vs B&K Precision 2709b - Can anyone help me come to a decision? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: salil
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2014, 02:29:32 am
content: I'm mostly going to use this inside for low voltage Hobbyist type projects so exceptional durability isn't really a concern. I currently have two two cheapo meters, (one analog, one digital) but I'm having issues with resistance and voltage measurements being inconsistent, seems to be the leads and jacks not always making full contact, I'm not really sure. But it's REALLY annoying waiting around for it to settle on a value and then measure it again to get another value. And of course, they don't have some basic features like auto-ranging, audible continuity, relative mode, etc. So I want to step up to something a little better instead of wasting my time checking not so critical measurements a million times.The B&K Precision is little bit of a stretch on the budget but I'd rather buy something that is reasonably responsive, works well (for the price) and has stuff I'm likely to need down the road when I'm less of a noob, so I'm considering spending a little extra money. I'm okay with the UT61E having no backlight and I think there's a way to modify it for installing one, either way that isn't a concern.Since I'm a noob when it comes to DMM's is there anyone out there who has an idea of what are the significant differences between these two meters? What are the main things I'm going to get by paying an extra $35-$40 for the B&K Precision?Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading.PS: This would become my primary meter for projects, I don't have a bench meter at home.

author: mfa
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 21, 2014, 02:48:57 am
content: Hi!I ain't expert and this is just a hobby that I'm quite new too. But I have both UT61C and and UT61E. The second one is faster and is my main one.The back light function isn't something I'm missing as I usually do not work in the dark and it's a hobby. It would probably be different if I was working a little everywhere and I usually carry a flashlight if I'm going to work with electricity and the light isn't that good.If anything one might spend some extra money on some better leads. I recently bought another meter but the reason for this is because I needed an LCR and ESR meter.GreetingsP.S. EEVB review:

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 21, 2014, 04:58:47 am
content: Based on what I have seen from Dave on the BK and my experience with the UT61E, I would say the BK. But if you need data logging, which most people don't, then the UT61E.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2014, 05:34:34 am
content: So, what do you get for that extra cash on the BK?BacklightMax/MinAuto power offAuto HoldNo PC connectionLess resolutionNo bar graphLess true RMS bandwidth.Not worth the extra expense, in my opinion.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 21, 2014, 05:59:19 am
content: You forgot better build quality and input protection for the BK.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2014, 07:08:09 am
content: For the intended electronic work, input protection is not really an issue.It is difficult to characterize built quality without first-hand experience but I don't have a problem with the sturdiness and built quality of the 61E. The BK seems small and fragile in comparison.