Opinion sought on Testo 760-2 multimeter - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Lomax
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2016, 11:52:40 am
content: So I finally got fed up with the poor viewing angle and the lack of a mA range on my Fluke 117 and got rid of it. In my search for a replacement I stumbled upon the Testo 760-2, which looks quite interesting. It certainly ticks all my boxes, wrt price, functionality, display and size (because the best multimeter is the one you happen to have with you). But before I jump in I thought I'd check here if anyone has any experience of these beasts?Here is a link to the datasheet, if anyone's interested.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 24, 2016, 09:09:38 pm
content: That is a rather interesting meter. Buy it and give us a review and tear down!

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2016, 10:12:41 pm
content: Is it aCherman meter ?

author: Lomax
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2016, 01:16:58 am
content: Quote from: Lightages on October 24, 2016, 09:09:38 pmYour wish is my commandOrdered from Test4Less @ £140 inc VAT & free delivery. Can't promise anything on a tear-down (don't want to void the warranty), but I'll do a little review for y'all. As you say, it's an interesting little meter! On paper, it has all my "must have" features:Pocketable sizeLarge displayBacklightRMSmA rangeKickstandMin/MaxBargraphAnd some very nice bonuses, which tipped me over the edge:Dual displayuA rangeDuty cycleLow pass filterWide frequency count range (up to 60MHz)Wide capacitance range (down to 1pF)AAA battery powered

author: Lomax
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2016, 01:05:26 pm
content: I got the meter today, and here's my initial impression. It's a bit bigger bigger than I thought, blacker and more orange-y as well, and it feels quite light. Viewing angles on the display are excellent, and it remains readable at all angles. The backlight is nice and even with no noticeable hotspots, but it times out after just one minute with no way to force it to remain on. The display is responsive with the bargraph being particularly snappy, and this also shows the current range (e.g. 0-6, 0-600, etc). The dual display function is limited to displaying the frequency of the measured AC voltage/current, which is a little disappointing. On start up, the meter is autoranging and will select AC/DC measuring automatically based on the input signal - while this can be overridden by pressing the A/V buttons to force AC or DC mode, there is no way to manually set the range. Similarly, when pressing the Ohm/continuity/diode/capacitance/etc button, the meter will try to guess what you're trying to measure, which works as poorly as one might suspect, though it's easy to loop through the modes by repeatedly pressing the button. A reassuring "click" from one or more mechanical relays can be heard as you switch between the modes, and it will beep angrily at you (and refuse to switch) if you try to choose current measurement while the probes are in the wrong holes (and vice versa). The selected mode is easy to see thanks to the corresponding button lighting up. The min/max/avg functionality is good, with the meter emitting a gentle beep when the value changes. The kickstand and probe holders on the back are well designed and work very well, and the supplied probes are of high quality with supple silicone leads. The kit also includes a K-type thermocouple adapter with its own internal coin cell battery. This is a meter that has clearly been designed for field use, by a service engineer, and as such it is probably less suitable in an electronics lab.I like:The display and backlightButtons for selecting modeThat it's IP 64 ratedThe A/V safety featuresThe kickstand and probe holdersI don't likeThe inability to manually set rangeThe backlight timing out after 1 minThe toy-like coloursIt's a bit bigger than I hoped!Edit: Note that the photos have all been taken with the protective plastic still covering the screen - I haven't decided yet if this is a keeper or not!

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2016, 01:17:00 pm
content: Can't wait to see the insides, the internal build quality will really tell if this is a serious contender or just an interesting idea.

author: Lomax
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2016, 02:06:33 pm
content: Quote from: PedroDaGr8 on October 26, 2016, 01:17:00 pmThe lengths I go to satisfy my fellow eevbloggers... I opened the case, which is sealed with a rubber o-ring, and rubber washers under the screw heads, and removed the PCB. I immediately regretted doing this; a bizarre design decision has made the LCD panel a separate unit, which stays attached to the front half of the case - while the backlight LEDs remain attached to the PCB, on a flimsy vertical structure which invetiably bent slightly. I managed to put it back together again but it was pretty scary since the diffusion film was loose and I know from experience how easily you end up trapping dust (and fingerprints!) when messing around with them. So, yeah,it's a toy.

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2016, 02:22:00 pm
content: Thanks for opening the meter! Input protection looks OK, not stellar, but certainly not bad. SIBA fuses are good, the other assorted input parts are there though they are rather small in size. The weird design decision is a huge fail. You need to be able to easily open the case to replace fuses if they blow. Very very disappointed in the soldering quality too. Flux flux everywhere, and not a sign of cleanup to be seen. Next time you open the case, you might want to take some isopropanol to that soldering flux.

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2016, 02:52:05 pm
content: Typical China meter construction

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2016, 02:56:58 pm
content: A pro multimeter internal to make a side by side viewLook at the details

author: ModemHead
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2016, 03:07:59 pm
content: Yes, thanks for opening it up!I can't help but wonder if all the FETs and/or bilateral switches required to make up for the lack of a rotary switch will make the front end more susceptible to failures. It brings more control lines in close proximity to the input potentials.Second the notion of cleaning up all that flux residue from hand-soldering.

author: Lomax
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2016, 03:37:15 pm
content: Quote from: ebclr on October 26, 2016, 02:56:58 pmLook at the price tag.

author: Lomax
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2016, 03:39:45 pm
content: Quote from: PedroDaGr8 on October 26, 2016, 02:22:00 pmYeah, and you can; the fuses are on the back of the PCB - no need to remove it from the case to get to them.Quote from: PedroDaGr8 on October 26, 2016, 02:22:00 pmAgreed!

author: Lomax
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2016, 03:42:35 pm
content: So, since I can't return the meter, it will probably end up being a christmas present for one of my non EE friends who is in need of a decent meter, and my own quest will go on. Not sure which brand/model to try next though?

author: Lomax
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2016, 03:49:17 pm
content: And a tip to anyone who might stumble upon this thread in the future, perhaps wanting to open/service one of these meters: in order to avoid damaging the LCD backlight and/or diffusion layer, you need to desolder the two points ringed in red in the attached image before attempting to remove the PCB. This separates the backlight LED module from the PCB.

author: Lomax
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2016, 03:58:18 pm
content: Quote from: ModemHead on October 26, 2016, 03:07:59 pmThe switching isn't entirely solid-state; there are two rather nice looking Omron 3V relays on the back of the PCB - so I wasn't imagining hearing them!

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2016, 04:10:34 pm
content: Glued relays you mean

author: mos6502
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2016, 04:14:42 pm
content: Nothing says quality like hot glue inside your meter

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 26, 2016, 04:28:02 pm
content: Thanks for the review and look inside. I would guess that it probably doesn't meet the CAT ratings solely based on the appearance of the fuses. It would be nice to know their ratings too.

author: vladimirmalic
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 08, 2017, 08:08:30 pm
content: In episode #986 Dave's is giving review of this Testo multimeter.https://youtu.be/n-pZHhqP4XU?t=651

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2017, 08:34:49 pm
content: seems to be hackable in a way, there is a footprint for an bluetooth module ??

author: Ralf_CT
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 05, 2020, 06:47:20 pm
content: Thanks for the review! I'm a total electronics newbie from a mechanical background, was considering the Testo 760-1, but now decided against it.

author: BeBuLamar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2021, 03:41:15 am
content: May I ask where is it made? I know that Testo is a German company but the styling of the meter does look like a German design but don't know where it is made.

author: threephase
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2021, 02:32:05 pm
content: I believe their head office is in Lenzkirch in the Black Forest, Germany. My 760-3 was inspected and tested at a facility in Titisee-Neustadt, a few miles north of Lenzkirch. Looking at their website though it implies that they started investing in development and manufacture in China in 2001.https://www.testo.com/en-UK/company/testo-milestones