SOLVED - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: 001
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2018, 11:58:10 pm
content: HII`m looking for benchtop multimeter4W resistance measurmentsfool proofLED display0.5% acc is ok tooPrice about 50USD

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 08, 2018, 12:13:22 am
content: Postage to Antarctica is going to suck...

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2018, 12:19:03 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on December 08, 2018, 12:13:22 amThe penguins can push it around as if it is their egg so the DMM can be shipped for free.There was a recent thread about very cheap (used) bench multimeters. Most of the candidates where discussed in it.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/help-choosing-between-these-3-budget-bench-multimeters/msg2005025/#msg2005025

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2018, 12:37:17 am
content: I am looking for the winning ticket in tonight's local lotto draw too. Would happily pay $50 but unfortunately it needs 100% accuracyNew - never going to happenSecondhand trawl evilbay etc like the rest of us and go hard or go without

author: 001
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2018, 07:50:44 am
content: Quote from: beanflying on December 08, 2018, 12:37:17 amNoI don`t need 100%, I will happy with 0,5% accuracy

author: Vtile
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2018, 08:03:01 am
content: Is the price range rigid? With $50 you can only get the last units in the barrel, which unfortunately means bench-top units which look like they are gone through concrete mixer. If you double it to $100 you have decent options. In reality it is hard to get one under $150 and you just need to get lucky with low cost and low postage.Well used Advantests are cheapish at times (but more at higher specs units, so not something found at your price range) as not as well known brand and not as much premium rep. Then Keithley 197 or Keithley 197A could be option. Another could be old (like 1980s) Fluke 4½ and 5½ digit meters.

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2018, 08:50:48 am
content: Quote from: 001 on December 08, 2018, 07:50:44 amSorry it didn't translate well then. My lucky ticket needs 100% accuracy for the numbers to winAs per the previous thread and the post above you may get a very rough Fluke or Ancient Keithley with a bit of postage your budget is to low. Apart from the 'Bench and 4 wire' I would be going Handheld if you are determined to stay at $50. I don't think you will meet your requirements for all the featurs/price.

author: 001
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2018, 09:40:14 am
content: OkI think that 5% accuracy is ok too(May be some analog meters?)

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2018, 01:38:44 pm
content: Can't find $50, but can do GBP 50. You do get a very nice panaplex display, 4 wire resistance, 1uV resolution and 0.01% for that though. You'll need to provide your own current shunts however!Postage will probably be higher to Antarctica (not listed).https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Datron-1041M-Multi-Function-Voltmeter/183558271997?hash=item2abcecf3fd:g:vjsAAOSwB8lbTcor:rk:1:pf:0P.S. I only paid £32.50 for mine, including postage.

author: 001
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2018, 01:05:49 pm
content: Well, "$50" is only to keep away from this tread any 6 1/2 meters funsIn fact, I`m happy with simple 3 1/2 meter for $3But it is hard to see small LCD display for meSo I`m looking for basic but BIG meterAny ideas?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 10, 2018, 01:19:57 pm
content: No one can really help you much unless you say were you live.

author: 001
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2018, 01:47:44 pm
content: I still liveI`m 66 years old onlyIs it problem?

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2018, 04:24:56 pm
content: Not a problem, just that nobody will give you useful information about meters ACCESSIBLE TO YOU. At $50 for a bench meter with 4w resistance, and LED display, that makes a big difference! If you don't think it's an issue, then buy the UK one.

author: 001
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2018, 06:40:58 pm
content: Quote from: Gyro on December 10, 2018, 04:24:56 pmOhshipping taxes doesn`t matter since I have adress in Albania

author: amlu
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2018, 08:46:35 pm
content: My best bet would be looking at your local ebay or Albanian equivalent and hunting down something nice second hand. $?£50 is not a lot for a bench meter, getting it posted from abroad can be half the budget.Otherwise some brand new aliexpress china special.

author: blacksheeplogic
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2018, 09:11:47 pm
content: Quote from: 001 on December 07, 2018, 11:58:10 pmHow about finding a new hobby?

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 13, 2018, 07:30:15 am
content: You won't get a bench meter for $50 end of, you will be lucky to git a good handheld meter for that much.

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2018, 08:02:08 am
content: The venerable HP3456A

author: Vgkid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2018, 12:28:35 pm
content: Quote from: Towger on December 13, 2018, 08:02:08 amShipping would cost several multiples of his 50...

author: 001
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2018, 12:51:20 pm
content: What about 6USD at czech market for vintage German DMM marked "G-1002.500"?

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 13, 2018, 12:54:13 pm
content: OK, so why do yau want a "bench" multi-meter? because it looks cool? An old bench meter will be no better performing than a modern handheld meter and probably worse.

author: 001
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2018, 12:55:52 pm
content: Quote from: Simon on December 13, 2018, 12:54:13 pmRead my first postFor my old eyes big LEDs far better then any lcdsand no batteries requiered

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 13, 2018, 12:58:02 pm
content: Well then just pick up something cheap on ebay

author: Eric_S
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2018, 12:58:38 pm
content: Maybe a logging multimeter could be a ting?Computer sceens are big after all.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/inexpensive-data-logging-dmm/

author: 001
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2018, 12:58:48 pm
content: Quote from: Simon on December 13, 2018, 12:58:02 pmWelllink me something good

author: 001
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2018, 01:00:26 pm
content: Quote from: Eric_S on December 13, 2018, 12:58:38 pmYeaI see some universal datalogger project at this forumBut it die isnt it?

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 13, 2018, 01:01:29 pm
content: won't the backlight on an LCD screen help?

author: 001
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2018, 01:01:59 pm
content: Quote from: Simon on December 13, 2018, 01:01:29 pmNoAll LCDs suck then You 65And my Fluke LCDs suck too

author: Messtechniker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2018, 01:13:56 pm
content: I'd go for a handheld like the UNI-T UT61-B or one of its bretherens. It's cheap enough and via its RS 232 interface the display on your PC will definitely be large enough.. Maybe there are cousins of this DMM with an USB interface. Just look around.

author: 001
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2018, 01:30:48 pm
content: Quote from: Messtechniker on December 13, 2018, 01:13:56 pmI think about UNITbut actual software if full of datalogging advantages and digits not quite bigDoes anybody build some custom software that translate digits to a full screen mode only?

author: Messtechniker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2018, 03:50:47 pm
content: With "Profilab" it will take you just a minute or two to get a 72 pt readout. See pic enclosed. Also "Profilab" has a module for the UT 61E. The main drawback of "Profilab" is the limited number of drivers/modules. So you should first consult the hardware compatibility list for "Profilab".P.S. The point size list ends at 72 pt. But by entering the point size manually, you can go even larger. Just sucessfully tried 200 pt which pretty much fills the screen of a 17 in. monitor. Font height is just under 6 cm. Large enough?

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2018, 04:19:23 pm
content: We did develop a technology called glasses which seems to help many people but in the case of the OP, one has to wonder how they are able to read the computer screen and post with a claim of such poor eye sight.

author: macboy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2018, 05:47:43 pm
content: Venerable Fluke 8010A may be within reach.

author: blacksheeplogic
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2018, 08:02:20 pm
content: Quote from: 001 on December 13, 2018, 01:01:59 pmI'm disagree. You seem to be able to find fault in everything.

author: Nusa
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2018, 08:15:43 pm
content: Quote from: 001 on December 13, 2018, 12:51:20 pmIn working condition, that sounds like a hell of a deal to me.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2018, 09:56:03 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on December 13, 2018, 04:19:23 pmThe key is the amount of time you need to refocus. For big bright numbers this is easier than a small non-backlit LCD.

author: blacksheeplogic
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2018, 11:35:14 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on December 13, 2018, 09:56:03 pmI posted an example of a big LCD, I also have difficulty reading but you would have to be blind to not be able to see the display I posted.I don't think the problem is the display that's the problem here.Quote from: 001 on December 13, 2018, 01:00:26 pm1. is Personal preference2. Does not make sense (the kelvin probes alone would cost >$50.00) and WTF are you doing 4W resistance measurements for if 5% accuracy, 3 1/2 digit resolution is all that is needed.3. How much engineering are you expecting in your bench meter for your $50.00?

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2018, 11:51:12 pm
content: If your only issue is the display readability, then there are plenty of cheap handheld meters with large digits and/or OLED displays. For example some Extechs, one of the recent Anengs, etc. That is likely going to be a better option than either an utter crap new or a (very) beaten up second-hand bench meter ($50 is really too low to get anything decent when it comes to bench meters).For $120 or so you can also get the Mooshimeter which can use a phone or tablet as a display (and runs circles around most $50 meters) - so buy a tablet as big as you need in order to be comfortable, problem solved.4 wire resistance measurement is pointless on a meter with so low precision, only the higher end instruments have that.

author: 001
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2018, 12:22:12 am
content: hey boysI KNOW WHAT I`M LOOKING FORbut I don`t know how it is calledIt is not ANY handheld and LCDs models. I have handheld Flukes yet.Now I`m go with this basic RFT meter. It provide me all that is I needBUT! Idea about translating display to PC is ok tooDoes anybody run this program?https://www-user.tu-chemnitz.de/~heha/hs/UNI-T/

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2018, 05:50:07 am
content: It must be one of these.

author: 001
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2018, 06:29:24 am
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on December 14, 2018, 05:50:07 amno ledsno 4Wsilly joke

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2018, 06:31:25 am
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on December 14, 2018, 05:50:07 am+1 good one, here in quabec Canada, some CSA inspectors still use needle meters for leakage tests lolll

author: 001
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2018, 11:07:39 am
content: trolls everywhereWhy do You recomend me things what I use for a decades?

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2018, 11:17:36 am
content: It is very hard to be serious while you seem to want to maintain unrealistic expectations on price. Unless you are prepared to consider at least double your budget plus some freight to get even a fairly poor secondhand bench meter then this topic is a WOFTA bandwidth.

author: 001
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2018, 11:40:03 am
content: Quote from: beanflying on December 14, 2018, 11:17:36 amHiSee my post about eastgerman meter for $6Commie gear is almost free at Europe now

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2018, 11:51:21 am
content: If it suits you then buy it. Really unlikely anyone here will ever have seen or used one so you either take a chance or look again.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 14, 2018, 01:04:18 pm
content: Quote from: 001 on December 13, 2018, 01:01:59 pmHow bad are your eyes really? I have a Fluke 27/FM and the LCD is very readable to me and I have been wearing glasses for over 50 years-bifocals now with bad vision in 1 eye. I am 62.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2018, 01:17:21 pm
content: Quote from: coromonadalix on December 14, 2018, 06:31:25 amAre they using an analog clamp meter like this?http://www.multimic.com/e/products/detail/288

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2018, 04:09:53 pm
content: Quote from: 001 on December 14, 2018, 11:40:03 amYou would be pretty badly mistaken, lot of that gear are collector items (especially if it is working). Also finding something in good working order is like searching for a needle in a haystack. Most of that stuff has been thrown out after the 1990 when better hardware became available. In addition, do keep in mind that depending where you are, the postage on these items alone could be more than your $50 budget - e.g. the East German meter weighs 4kg. Sending that e.g. to the US would be really expensive. Oh and it won't work on 110-120V neither, no such BS in the former Soviet bloc, we had everything designed for 220V only ...Also good luck trying to find components if something breaks in it - keep in mind that we didn't have access to western components. So what you are going to find inside are obscure "commie" parts, in the best case straight clones of the western ones (e.g. 7400 logic), in the worst case a custom Russian-made chip that is a complete unobtanium. I have found a schematic of this meter online and it seems to be a mix - 7400 logic + obscure, specific parts, such as the main IC controlling the entire meter.Nobody serious is going to recommend you a meter like this, even less so because most people here aren't familiar with this gear.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2018, 10:45:17 pm
content: I've just spotted a whole bunch of HP 3466A 4.5 digit DMMs on Ebay for $50 (ex. shipping).

author: Richard Crowley
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2018, 11:41:41 pm
content: Quote from: 001 on December 14, 2018, 11:07:39 amSomeone who lists their country as "Antarctica" is a perma-troll.Antarctica is not even a country.Since we have no clue where you are, how do you expect anyone to know what is available to you?If you are in Albania, then change your country flag to Albania.Or else it is difficult to take you seriously.

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2018, 12:34:55 am
content: Quote from: Richard Crowley on December 15, 2018, 11:41:41 pmWouldn't a Perma-troll live under a Bridge surrounded by frozen Tundra? That would also clearly eliminate Antarctica

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2018, 01:12:17 am
content: Quote from: 001 on December 13, 2018, 01:01:59 pmNot to mention when was the last time you heard a 65 year old say something sucked?

author: blacksheeplogic
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2018, 08:08:13 am
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on December 16, 2018, 01:12:17 amAntarctican's also apparently have highly specialized needs - 4W measurement on their 5% precision 3 1/2 resolution DMM.

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2018, 08:24:33 am
content: Quote from: blacksheeplogic on December 16, 2018, 08:08:13 amAlso interesting given that resident claims to own or has owned an Instek 8245 (October 2017)https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/fluke-117-vs-china-branded-meters/msg1334114/#msg1334114Looking to make their own Sept 2018 ?https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/another-4-12-bench-dmm-project-(say-why)/msg1797452/#msg1797452Wanting information on 3.5 and 4.5 digit bench meter Sept 2018https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/3-5-vs-4-5-digit-bench-dmm-(not-volt-nuts-thread)/msg1797485/#msg1797485Asking questions about the Instek 8245 November 2016 before buying?https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/gw-instek-bench-multimeter-is-it-_ok_/msg1068601/#msg1068601Want to buy a Fluke 45 or Instek December 2018?https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/vintage-used-fluke-45-or-some-new-like-gw-instek/msg1101762/#msg1101762And of Course this one December 2018....Yes I wasted 5 minutes of my life on this and I am sure there is moreNothing wrong with starting threads by any means but seriously.The answer will not change no matter how or how often you ask it. Get a sensible budget go looking like the rest of us then spend it.

author: med6753
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2018, 02:41:51 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on December 16, 2018, 01:12:17 amI'm 65 years old and I find things...sometimes multiple things....that suck everyday.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2018, 03:45:45 pm
content: Plus changing a thread title from something informative to the completely uninformative "SOLVED" is not very social. It prevents people coming along later and benefiting from the discussion.The very social and helpful way to proceed is to prepend the thread title with , since that encourages people to look at a thread with a useful conclusion.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2018, 04:12:13 pm
content: Quote from: med6753 on December 16, 2018, 02:41:51 pmThen you must be a big fan of Electrolux vacuum cleaners. 'Nothing sucks like Electrolux'.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2018, 05:42:45 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on December 16, 2018, 04:12:13 pmThat's catchy.https://adland.tv/content/nothing-sucks-ad-myth

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2018, 08:21:51 pm
content: Could you perhaps retain a descriptive thread title? The current one makes the thread less useful to people with similar questions.

author: Dubbie
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 17, 2018, 02:39:42 am
content: What I’m curious about is how you can do any other task related to electronics if you can’t read an ordinary meter? I’m not giving you a hard time, just curious.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 17, 2018, 03:24:32 am
content: Quote from: 001 on December 13, 2018, 12:58:48 pmWhy don't you show us what you've found first instead of demanding that people link you "something good"e.g. "I like this one (link), but it's too expensive.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2018, 03:54:48 am
content: Quote from: beanflying on December 16, 2018, 08:24:33 am

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2018, 03:56:28 am
content: Oh add this :https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/best-way-to-build-hv-probedivider/I did waste 5 mins too, to tell my story, damn i've been had loll