Affordable, Accurate, basic use multimeter? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: 22khz
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 23, 2018, 12:54:41 am
content: Hello everyone, Greetings from Greece! (Yes we can still afford internet)The moment I've entered the forums to ask some basic questions of my concerns, I'm instantly greeted with nostalgic web 2.0 theme, and the classic cheesy emoticons that brings back so much memories.Alright, Straight up; I don't really use multimeters all that much, to be honest It will be in a rare situation when I'm diagnosing a malfunctioned or a dead device I have to use a multimerer.I never have done any heavy duty measurements, like measuring the current, volts, amps and watts in my house, on outlets, killswitches e.t.c, I plan on using a multimeter for electronic devices, like computers, video game consoles, phones, mobile phones and all that good stuff..For Instance, I will give you an example in a situation I am in. I have a Playstation 2 Slimline model (SCPH 77xxx), It doesn't read any Discs or any DVD's. 90% That means the laser module, in my case a PVR-802W is dead. Beneath this device there are two potentiometers that lower or increase the Ohm resistance of the module. That's where a use of a multimeter comes in. I need to measure how much e Ohm's each potentiometers hold.Problem is, I had a dodgy multimeter that I bought for 8 bucks a year ago, It worked on some voltage tests, not sure about the accuracy, 1.5v batteries measure okay, but really hesitated to do something dangerous like measuring the power outlets. It really was a naive rush buy, I did a year ago, didn't really thought about it because I don't really use multimeters on daily basis, but after I have done with holiday season work, I returned to my home and things settled in, I have all the time in the world. I stumbled the guy on eevblog, watched a couple of the videos relating affordable and good multimeters, sure I realized he is nitpicking on certain aspects of the multimerer, the grip feel, the backhold, the sturdiness of the knob, but it was a very informative video. Turns out he had a point, most of the 20$ range multimeters, we're terribly unreliable and unsafe. The question is why did I bothered buying a 10$ multimeter in the first place? I never had high expectations about it, but I hoped it would do at least the very basics for a hobby use.In the end, it was a rushbuy, I was stupid for not doing my research before hand, It was a nobrainerThat piece of crap despite working, I threw it in the garbage, money wasted, lesson learned.Now, I'm willing to spend max 60 bucks, but it better be worth the money. For a hobby use, not professionally. I'm a very casual user, also at the very beginning but I want it to be accurate, reliable and safe and lasting me for a long time. I have laid my eyes on the Extech EX330, it lays on my Amazon.co.uk basket, ready to order.What do you guys think, go for it, or could be again a no-brainer?!

author: basinstreetdesign
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2018, 02:45:41 am
content: Take a look at the ANENG AN8008. Dave reviews it here:https://www.eevblog.com/2017/07/15/eevblog-1007-is-a-25-multimeter-any-good/It take him about 8 minutes to start warming to it but eventually pronounces it "excellent for the price".I have one and its pretty good for me. Only US$25 SHIPPED. Even includes a cheesy multiple frequency square wave signal generator. It took between 3-4 weeks to get to me.

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2018, 02:58:07 am
content: I have a few meters around the 40-50 ( US $ ) range and the AN8008 is the one I use the most. Buy about a half dozen of them, if not then at least 2. Very few negative reviews. And they do not use 9v batteries

author: ledtester
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2018, 03:28:50 am
content: My $0.02...In my several years of dabbling in electronics I have never found a need to use a multimeter on mains voltages. Usually there is another way to diagnose the problem. A NCV (non-contact voltage) detector is a safe way to detect the presence of mains voltages.The function I use most is the continuity tester.The EX330 is a fine 4000 count meter - I own one. As I recall it can be a little sluggish in auto-range mode.The first meter I ever bought was the Radio Shack pen-style meter, and it served me well for several years:http://i32.tinypic.com/10hw26x.jpgI've also done a lot of useful work with a $5 CENTECH 2000 count meter.If you pursue electronics as a hobby you'll find it useful to have at least two meters -- one to measure current and another to measure voltage. Right now I own four "budget" meters including two Extechs and an Aneng. If I were to buy another meter I would look at getting a high-precision meter like a Fluke.The Aneng 8008 and 8009 meters are 10K count meters, cost about $25 and have gotten a lot of attention here on the forums, so I would check those out. For $60 you could get one of those meters and a decent set of probes.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2018, 03:46:02 am
content: I am one of those unfortunate (or unfortunate) souls who has literally dozens of multimeters, ranging from many of the 2000 count Centek meters up through bench models capable of ppm resolution.I have found none of them that don't meet their basic accuracy specs, and all of them have accuracy more than sufficient for the type of diagnosis and troubleshooting you are describing, and that most of us do.What I have found is that the low end meters often come with extraordinarily poor test leads, that result in flaky unreliable readings. I suspect that if you bought (or made) a good set of leads to use with your current meter you would solve your problems.A second meter would let you verify readings that seem odd or funny. Unfortunately in the cases where the two meters disagree you need a third meter to resolve the issue. So there is real benefit to settling on a low priced meter. You can still end up paying less than you would for one of the big name suppliers.

author: daybyter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2018, 05:13:58 am
content: How much would a uni-t 139c cost you?

author: soubitos
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2018, 10:05:58 am
content: Kalimera Patrioti!Get a ANENG/ZOTEK/RICHMETER variant and you are good to go....

author: xibalban
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2018, 11:36:17 am
content: The Extech 330 is a good choice, and Dave here has given a good review for it. Go, empty your Amazon basket

author: nes999
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2018, 03:09:14 pm
content: I would deffinatly look in the used market. There can be some good deals to be hadSent from my VS988 using Tapatalk

author: Wimberleytech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2018, 04:56:36 pm
content: I dont need another multimeter, but after seeing your post and watching Dave...I ordered one this morning.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2018, 05:04:28 pm
content: I have several DMMs clear down to the $7 Harbor Freight model. Recently I recommended the Aneng 8008 as a handy ELECTRONICS meter and got hammered because nobody believes the safety ratings, can't find slots in the PCB and the fuses aren't rated 600V - and so on.Others were concerned that my offspring might want to use the meter inside industrial substations and it clearly isn't appropriate. I don't do that kind of work any more so I don't see the issue but I suppose my great-grandson (yet to be born) might and I should only buy heavy duty industrial grade meters. I'm rolling my eyes...We always used Simpson 260s for that kind of work and the version I own have no CAT rating at all. What you see is what you got.For ELECTRONICS use, the AN8008 is a pretty nice DMM. It's cheap enough to have 2 or 3 and accurate enough for everything the common hobbyist requires. Believe me, if you need a better DMM, you will know. If not, it's good enough!For $20, it's a pretty nice meter. No, it's not as accurate or robust as my $400 Fluke 189. Few meters are!You aren't getting a $400 meter for $20 and you should probably avoid messing around in the mains with this or any other meter.

author: 22khz
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 23, 2018, 05:47:25 pm
content: About that AN8008, I really have negative experience with chinese products. I never expected much, but even for a dirt cheap product, I still feel ripped off.I would prefer anything other than Malaysia, Taiwan and China. They're notorious for cheap price and horrendous quality. I dont mind spending a little more than $20, but it better be worth it...

author: Wimberleytech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2018, 07:21:19 pm
content: Quote from: 22khz on January 23, 2018, 05:47:25 pmWow, painting with a broad brush.My HP32S calculator was made in Singapore.Virtually everything else I own (this mouse...this keyboard...) was made in China.Oh, wait...my King Ranch Ford Expedition wasassembledin the US--I mean Mexico.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2018, 07:53:45 pm
content: Where do you expect to find a decent (or any) DMM manufactured in a western country for $60?

author: Old Printer
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2018, 08:04:11 pm
content: Quote from: 22khz on January 23, 2018, 05:47:25 pmYou obviously don't get out in the world much. You really should open your mind and eyes and have a look around, because you are missing a lot. The world is full of junk, but there is also a lot of quality and performance for the dollar to be had. This forum, and many more like it, are a goldmine of user information that completely contradict your conclusion.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2018, 08:07:23 pm
content: Quote from: 22khz on January 23, 2018, 05:47:25 pmWhat didn't you like about the 8008? (Do you have one?)

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2018, 08:25:42 pm
content: That Extech EX330 is made in either Hong Kong or Taiwan.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extech_InstrumentsThere's a lot of information re: DMMs in the Test Equipment forum. Look at the 'stickies'.

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2018, 09:15:28 pm
content: You get what you pay for. I have no doubt a $50 meter is better than a $20 meter. In my case (hobby) all my $50 meters are in a drawer and the $20 ones are on the bench.

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2018, 09:32:52 pm
content: I'd recommend against the cheap Aneng meters unless you really can't afford more. They are good value for the money- in fact I just bought 5 of them for my kids school maker space to use. But, they are very low quality materials, cheap plastic, etc. What you'd expect for the price.For your purpose, I can highly recommend theTekpower TP4000ZC. It's excellent for the price ($34 on Amazon). Forum member Franky Tong used to sell these on his eBay store (under the Digitek brand) but I don't see them there now.It is well built, with a solid rubber bumper. I've had one for years and it stands up to abuse. It is very accurate as well. Note - as with most DMMs in this price range, it's input safety is questionable and I would not use it for any mains measurements.Martin Lorton did a nice video review of this meter a few years back:

author: 22khz
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 23, 2018, 09:39:03 pm
content: I never meant disrespect to AN 8008 Owners, If you're satisfied with the product, that's a good thing to hearBut about my opinion, I know there is a situation which I like to call, "Ghost Brands" That means brands that are not registered as a trademark, nor they hold a copyright or history of products. No website, no information on origin, nothing. Plus, there are usually a lot of re-branding on a single product, just take a look atthis mess. I don't like this at all, and I believe it's very dodgy. I'm not accusing ANENG to same dodginess, but the're are a few of rebrands on their products. They don't seem to prevent other "brands" from selling, they don't seem to file serious lawsuits for blatant theft or plagiarism either. I don't like that.An another thing, I prefer, astreamlineddevice, If this thing claims to be designed for specific tasks, and fails to do that, I'd rather prefer the device that is little more expensive and don't have the feature at all. If you get my point...I'm looking for a solid deal, a straight up manual, a fine quality product. And no damn chinglish.

author: stj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2018, 06:05:34 pm
content: ANENG brand is made by ZOTEK and they have a website and shop on AliExpress.

author: soubitos
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2018, 06:23:12 pm
content: Quote from: 22khz on January 23, 2018, 09:39:03 pmWhat you describe is a Chinese Fluke

author: jack-daniels
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2018, 06:29:16 pm
content: Quote from: 22khz on January 23, 2018, 09:39:03 pmSave a little more and get a BM235 from herehttps://www.welectron.com/Brymen-BM235-Multimeter_1Or pay a little more and get one from Dave and support his forum & videos.https://www.amazon.co.uk/EEVblog-BM235-Brymen-Multimeter/dp/B01JZ1ADCO

author: Terry01
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2018, 06:40:26 pm
content: Quote from: 22khz on January 23, 2018, 09:39:03 pmAnd you want all for 60 bucks??Your aff your nut Neeb...but funny as hell!!

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 25, 2018, 01:41:46 pm
content: It seems you want a champagne meter at beer prices. I'm not like rstofer, with dozens of meters, only 8-obviously I am a failure at TEA. I have up to 5.5 digit meters. I have both the 8008 and 8009. For what they do, they work great. They even work at 120V mains here in the US. I certainly wouldn't measure mains regularly or more than the 120V we have here, but they are reasonably accurate. Just don't try to measure mains in current settings! Replace the crappy leads with Brymen gold plated leads that Frankie Tong sells on eBay. I find mine very accurate for the low resistance measurements(under 1R) that I need for work. The very small size fits well in my tool bag and if I lose one, I have a spare and won't be heartbroken like if I lost my Fluke. If you really, really want an awesome meter with great specs, quality and documentation, be prepared to pay for that. If you need an occasional use budget meter for DC, resistance or continuity, get an Aneng or 2.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2018, 02:38:12 pm
content: Quote from: GreyWoolfe on January 25, 2018, 01:41:46 pmYou may actually be ahead of me. But it's close if I include the crappy Harbor Freight meters. I bought 5 or 6 of them quite a few years back. Most have disappeared.Those really cheap meters work great when you want to use 3 of them mounted to a display board to demonstrate Ohm's Law for an elementary school science fair project. They're perfect for that kind of thing.I bought a couple of used bench meters from eBay (because I could) and they're pretty nice but the little red Aneng is getting all the work. I don't need 6 decimal places to check for the presence of 3.3V. I just need to know it's there.The Fluke 189 was a retirement gift and, while it's a terrific meter, it doesn't get much work. I guess I'm kind of saving it for when I want the right answer to more digits. For most things, it is overkill.I don't use my digital calipers to measure 2x4s. A tape measure is more appropriate if I'm going to cut them with a Skill Saw.I'm not a collector of test equipment. In comparison to the labs I see in the videos, mine is underwhelming.

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2018, 06:55:47 pm
content: Quote from: GreyWoolfe on January 25, 2018, 01:41:46 pmI did some current readings (@12v) using the 8008. At 3a the leads got warm, at 4a very warm, at 5a hot and I stopped the test. Been told by meter guys that the meter can read 10a for only 2 seconds. I thought Frankie stopped selling? I want a better set of leads. Thanks

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 25, 2018, 10:32:58 pm
content: Quote from: rstofer on January 25, 2018, 02:38:12 pmI meant CatalinaWOW. Yet another brain fart. I used to get senior moments. Now, it's pretty much all the time.I had a bunch of the HF meters that one of my co workers used to give me because he loved to use the free coupons. I finally had to tell him to stop. The ones I had were horribly inaccurate for anything at all. I seem to gravitate to the HP 3466A meters on the bench, I spent $80 for the 2 of them. The 2 Anengs stay in the company van. I have a Vellemen and Fluke 27/FM. The Fluke I use to probe mains outlets. FInally, I got one of the ITT GW Instek GDM8251A for about $90 shipped, I should have gotten 2 of them before the prices got stupid as the stock wound down. My lab is pretty underwhelming also, you are not alone. I do have 3 Oscilloscopes but I use one of them in my ham shack as a station monitor. All of my stuff, I got cheap or I wouldn't have any of it.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2018, 10:45:13 pm
content: Quote from: ez24 on January 25, 2018, 06:55:47 pmYou might consider ProbeMaster. Their shop is right across the street from the company I first started working for back in '64. Long gone...

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2018, 11:21:13 pm
content: Sorry to hear you have had such bad luck with HF meters. One of their high end models has actually become my go to meter. My experience with the low end ones is that they either fail in an obvious way, or work. The failures are most often the truly horrible leads they come with. The advantage of these cheap meters over the better meters I have is that I can leave them everywhere, and thus always have something at hand to do simple checks. Battery voltages, continuity, logic levels and the like. I agree that they are not suitable for measuring tempcos of resistors and other similar things that challenge any 2000 count meter.

author: 22khz
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 25, 2018, 11:30:25 pm
content: Okay I'm not going to embarrass myself anymoreI took your words for granted, and yesI'm only planning for electronics useso I bought the multimeter.I hope I won't get disappointed, and get accurate measurements.

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2018, 11:46:59 pm
content: Quote from: CatalinaWOW on January 25, 2018, 11:21:13 pmMy last experience with cheap HF meters:I was using 3 meters to measure currents (2-3 amps). They worked fine, no problems. I put the project away and came back months later and I had forgotten to turn them off. So I had three new dead batteries. No matter what price or features, I refuse to buy a meter that uses a 9v battery and no auto off feature.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2018, 01:36:14 am
content: Quote from: 22khz on January 23, 2018, 12:54:41 amHi, saw you bought the 8008. Congrats - hope you like it a lot! I'm pretty sure you will find it to be a reasonably accurate meter and enjoyable to use. Just one thought, if you"have never done any heavy duty measurements, like measuring the current, volts, amps, and watts in (your) house, on outlets"you might want to stick to relatively lower voltage and lower current circuits until you convince yourself that surprising results don't happen too often. I'm confident the 8008 is a decent meter but I think it might be best to learn on DC and low voltage and low current before you go probing AC high voltage and high current in your wall outlets. Safety first. Let us know what you think about the meter and what you are working on when you get it. EF

author: 22khz
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 26, 2018, 01:53:19 am
content: QuoteCheers friend, I have a project on bringing a Playstation 2 back to life, and I really need a multimeter for this one

author: splitzzzzz
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2018, 05:39:57 am
content: I can recommend the Digitech QM1321 from Jaycar here;https://www.jaycar.com.au/economy-true-rms-autorange-multimeter/p/QM1321It’s AU$40 and for that price is a pretty good meter.It’s a re-badged Honeytek HK68A and when you click on the link to the user manual in the above page it actually brings up the Honeytek HK68 series manual. This is definitely the HK68A identical to the image but yellow and the QM1321/HK68A doesn’t have temp reading and is 4000 count.https://www.jaycar.com.au/medias/sys_master/images/9047422009374/QM1321-manualMain.pdfThe only thing I did was replace what** APPEARED TO BE ***10A/500mA ceramic HRC AG3 fuses (unbranded) with the SIBA® equivalent.It comes with PVC test leads which are a knock-off of the Silicon Fluke® TL71 and for PVC leads are quite OK to use, low resistance, and good connections (i.e. no wobbly readings with probe movement).It’s claimed basic DC accuracy is 0.5% but this is only 0.5% + 3 digits up to 400mV at which it becomes 0.08% + 3 digits.Despite the 0.8% accuracy, I’ve tested it against my PentaRef at 1, 2, 3, 5 & 10 Volts and at 12, 18, 24 & 30 volts from my PSU with my Fluke® 28ii as a reference and it’s within a “bees d1ck” and certainly good enough for home use. Also OK on VAC ~ 240V with close enough accuracy on frequency and duty cycle.It’s 3.75 digit + 4000 count + True RMS + Auto ranging + auto power-off + built-in NCV which is all you need in a home DMM. There is also an ordinary vinyl case for it for AU$6 odd bucks!I made an accuracy comparison chart to monitor “drift” of my DMMs. It’s a bit anally retentive I know but I’ll post it anyways to show this thing is well and truly within it’s spec. Mebbe I got lucky and got the “good egg”?CheersEDIT: They have a Lifetime warranty which is a straight swap for a new unit, no sending off for repairs