Which of these multimeters looks best to you? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: XOIIO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2014, 11:11:11 pm
content: Alright, so I fried my multimeter, I have enough to buy a new one now, but I am deciding between these two. My previous one was the master craft from Canadian tire, I got it on sale for half price and it was great and would have lasted decades most likely had I not fried it, however I feel like I should maybe get a different one, I was going to get the one from the $50 shootout but the stand on that one sucked, the NCV sensor was nice, but I use the backlight and stand a decent bit.While looking around the only other good option was this klein tools. It seems that the mastercraft will be a much better option but maybe some of you have tried both, I'm not sure, but it seems mastercraft is the way to go, though unfortunately now it uses a AAA instead of a 9vhttp://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/autoranging-digital-multimeter-0520052p.html#.U17dvU2PK73http://www.homedepot.ca/product/auto-ranging-multimeter/814349There is also the probably better option of getting one of these UNI-T multimeters, I was going through electronupdate's videos again, and saw that they seem pretty damn good and also come with a decent number of accessories. I guess these are the two options.http://www.dx.com/p/uni-t-ut61c-2-6-lcd-digital-multimeter-red-dark-grey-1-x-9v-battery-168702#.U17fBk2PK70http://www.dx.com/p/ut61e-2-6-lcd-digital-multimeter-red-black-1-x-9v-6f22-battery-113306#.U17fjU2PK70Never bought from dealextreme but it's free shipping and that's great, and apparently they actually only charge what the screen says. $60 is pretty much the high end of what I can afford right now and these multimeters would have all the features I would need. I'm not sure if these ones are auto ranging though, I'm used to seeing a selection for AC voltage and DV voltage, not quite sure how these ones do it. Also unsure what the big differences are at a quick glance as the cheaper one I saw reviewed had NCV, but now they both have an optical port, and logging would be fun to mess around with. The review on the older ones (I guess) noted that one was 6000 count and one was 2200 count I think, but I'm not sure if one is 2200 count now or not)So, which one would be best? Waiting a week or so for the UNI-T will probably prove to be the better option, maybe there is another UNI-T one that is similar in price but better? I don't know. I'm open to other brands of course if you have a suggestion, preferably through dealextreme since they have free shipping.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2014, 11:19:08 pm
content: If you want to try fixing your existing meter, I can make some suggestions if you tell us what exactly is wrong and not working.I wouldn't pay full MSRP price for either the Canadian Tire or Home Depot one.Regarding the Canadian Tire model, seehttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/fellow-canadians-do-not-buy-mastercraft-dmm/

author: XOIIO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2014, 11:25:49 pm
content: Quote from: retiredcaps on April 28, 2014, 11:19:08 pmWell I'm pretty sure I fried the chip. Also, the video in that post is private.edit: bah I forgot how to embed

author: staxquad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2014, 11:34:25 pm
content: you'll get better service from iloveelectronics (Franky) on this forum for the UNI-T UT61E than DXhis Ebay store listinghttp://www.ebay.com/itm/UNI-T-UT-61E-UT61E-22-000-count-Digital-Multimeter-/200901686717don't know if he still discounts for EEVBlog membershttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/brand-new-uni-t-ut61e-for-sale/

author: at2marty
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2014, 11:43:27 pm
content: I'm just curious... how exactly did you "fry" your meter?

author: XOIIO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2014, 11:44:40 pm
content: Quote from: staxquad on April 28, 2014, 11:34:25 pmAh cool, a bit longer shipping time, but it is a couple bucks cheaper, if he discounts its definitely worth the extra shipping time.Quote from: at2marty on April 28, 2014, 11:43:27 pm

author: BennyBoy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 12:30:44 am
content: For cheap meters, I really like the Brymen BM257. I pick up a new one off Ebay for $75.

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 12:37:07 am
content: Quote from: XOIIO on April 28, 2014, 11:44:40 pmHe ships from Hong Kong so shipping is faster than from China.

author: at2marty
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 12:37:59 am
content: I'm going to assume that you are in Canada (your flag under your username is just black).I'm going to offer a few simple suggestions. First off, I saw the video a while back where you shocked yourself while doing a tear-down of your soldering iron. In that video, you did a few things that were quite unsafe.Second, watching you start to test this projector, you are using metal tools (the tweaker) while working on electronics and mains voltages. Not a smart thing to do. Also, I don't know what the meter and/or test leads that you were using are rated for, but when messing around with mains voltages, you should be using decent equipment at best.Finally, I would suggest ditching the videos until you learn electronics PROPERLY first and get some better equipment for producing videos. The couple of videos that I've watched of yours are... let me put this politely, they're not very good.Please don't get me wrong. I understand that you are young and interested in this hobby/profession, and in fact I encourage it. However, there is the right/safe way of doing this, and there is the "amateur dangerous" way of doing it. You are on the latter side. I really don't want to see you hurt yourself and I would rather you not put dangerous stuff out on video for others to "learn" from.That being said, I do have a cheap meter that I bought while traveling to use when I was "in a pinch". Mind you, I was using it for a low voltage hobby project that I was messing with. I didn't use it to measure mains, or anything above 5VDC and way less than 1 amp. At the time, I just needed something simple and not necessarily accurate.Thisis the model that it is (I think).If you want it, pay the shipping cost and it's yours. Save up your money and eventually buy yourself a good quality meter. In the meantime, this should be enough for you to use for LEARNING.If you don't want it, no big deal. Mostly what I use are my bench meters, and I only pull this one out well.... never.

author: XOIIO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 01:46:44 am
content: Quote from: at2marty on April 29, 2014, 12:37:59 amI checked the switch beforehand to make sure it was isolated from anything else, it was a simple lever kind, and besides, there was nothing else to touch to complete a circuit unless I really, really wanted to. Also, I'm not going to be able to get "proper" equipment for a very, very long time.I didn't shock myself on the iron, I burnt myself, I don't really see how it would be possible to get a shock from an iron, unless it was so cheap it actually had mains current somehow on the iron's tip itself.The meter/leads are fine for mains current.Anyways, these videos aren't for others to learn from, it's more just documenting stuff. I was going to do a nice series/maybe one long video on the projector finding a good cooling solution, comparing the light output and whatnot, but since whatever power is going to the bulb fried the millimeter, it's not worth trying to rid something up. I'll just buy a second hand projector for another hundred or so when this one dies.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 02:01:18 am
content: ahem,http://www.mortoncontrols.com/index.php/clearance.html?dir=asc&limit=all&order=nameFrom:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/sale-(us)-uni-t-clearance-at-morton-controls/I got the UT71B because the 71D has been sold out. The 61E is gone too but the 61C & 61D are there at a great price, so are the UT71B & UT71C.

author: XOIIO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 02:04:03 am
content: Quote from: miguelvp on April 29, 2014, 02:01:18 amOh cool, I'll take a look at those, I guess UNI-T is a pretty big brand looking at the number and price of products.edit: I'm really liking the look of this one, and it's on for a pretty good deal, if it's 22000 count I'm sold.http://www.mortoncontrols.com/index.php/clearance/ut71c.htmledit2: oh damn it's 40000 count! I'm totally buying this one the second I can afford itedit3: oh man 36 bucks shipping, and that's the only option :/

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 02:14:08 am
content: Quote from: at2marty on April 29, 2014, 12:37:59 amI think you are confusing him with echen1024 our resident 15 year old future EEhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/hakko-fx-888d-teardown/

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 02:23:49 am
content: Quote from: XOIIO on April 29, 2014, 02:04:03 amThey been selling them quick I wouldn't wait too long. At least get one of the UT61 for $25 and under you can't go wrong. Also for $49 the 71B is a great deal, I'm happy with mine!In any event, they been on sale for a week, save money fast! they are up to 75% discounted you can't find these prices on ebay for sure.$36 shipping? I paid $8 2 day priority USPS to IL, where are you located?

author: XOIIO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 02:28:27 am
content: Quote from: miguelvp on April 29, 2014, 02:23:49 amI'm in Saskatchewan, Canada. Unless I get real lucky and get some decent computer work in the next couple days I probably won't be able to get it, I've got $55 to my name right now

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 02:33:58 am
content: Just because a meter is 40000 count or has some feature, doesn't mean it's better than other.Uni-T meters are good, but some models are better designed than others. Also, not all meters in the series have the same specs.. ex just becuase 71D is well reviewed, doesn't mean 71C has the same electronic inside and same quality. Just like UT61E is 22.000 count and well reviewed and well known, while UT61D is only 6000 count and uses another chip inside that has lower specs.Talk to Frankie and buy the UT61E and use your head better before placing the probes in some unknown locations, especially if you don't know how a device works.Maybe also see if he can source you one of those Uni-T UT33b or UT33c for less than about 11-12$:33bhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Uni-T-UT33B-Digital-LCD-Palm-Multimeter-Ohm-Volt-meter-/281148476980?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4175c14e3433c (with temperature and k probe for 1-2$ extra)http://www.ebay.com/itm/UNI-T-UT33C-Digital-Multimeter-Handheld-AC-DC-Volt-Ohm-Temperature-Meter-/370880429846?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item565a323f16or ut136b if you like autoranging for about 17$:http://www.ebay.com/itm/UNI-T-UT136B-Auto-Range-Digital-Multimeter-AC-DC-Frequency-Resistance-Tester-/201070219955?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ed0b812b3

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 03:36:10 am
content: 71C and 71D have the same components, except for data logging memory which is reduced to 100 registers on the C model.Specs are the same, otherwise.

author: XOIIO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 10:34:28 am
content: Found a review of the one model up from what I wanted, I have to say that display update speed is disappointing, I was hoping for something faster, though the extra resolution is nice. Still watching now.edit: oh man it has a faster speed 4000 count mode, awesome! well at least that one does but I bet the next step down does too, that's fantastic. The times I'd really want the speed is for lower voltages anyways when adjusting power supplies or step up/down transformers, than the slow one for precise tweaking.

author: London Lad
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 11:25:57 am
content: Just watched your video.Just my 2 cents worth but one of your best diagnostic tools are your eyes. If you don't know how something workslookat the circuit layout before you power up or start probing.Shorting fuses is always a bad idea. It blew to protect something.Oh and if I were you I would buy a cheap second hand Fluke DMM

author: Yago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 04:06:25 pm
content: Quote from: London Lad on April 29, 2014, 11:25:57 amCould go a bit further!Should always do research before opening up, IE you may have found the projector uses a HID lamp.I also agree with the earlier poster, safety principles are always first.If you are unaware or not trained, then seek a mentor or course.EG: Not sure I saw correctly, but it seemed you opened meter to check fuse with leads still connected to the projector.

author: XOIIO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 10:01:56 pm
content: Quote from: Yago on April 29, 2014, 04:06:25 pmYes, the leads were connected to the projector, but not the multimeter.Also around here finding a second hand fluke is basically impossible.Quote from: London Lad on April 29, 2014, 11:25:57 amConsidering the fuse was not the issue and I smelt smoke coming out of the multimeter, I was confident it was already beyond repair, I just wanted to see if it would have any life in it.

author: XOIIO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2014, 11:36:20 am
content: yaaaay! The multimeter should be here today!Well, I think anyways, in Canada stuff usually only takes one day or so, but the estimated delivery date is the 12th

author: XOIIO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2014, 05:46:23 pm
content: Well Canada post is pissing me off right now, estimated delivery date is the 12th, that is two days past the maximum time that the package is supposed to get to anywhere in the world unless priority mail international means something else, the only tracking info is "in transit", and their stupid phone system is being a pain and dropping the damn call. It was all automated, and stayed on the same damn menu saying "press pound to return to a previous menu" and that did nothing, finally mashing it got me to a person, and then the call dropped.edit: yeah the way tog et a representative is to hit the pound button a dozen times or something like that. All representatives are busy though, sheesh.