Bench Top Multimeter GDM-8341 VS VC8145 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: sn4k3
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 06:39:09 pm
content: Hello,I need to adquire a new bench top multimeter, after some research i come with this two models: GDM-8341 (350€) and VC8145 (160€) that seens ok for what i require. I tried to search for reviews or videos, but they lack of it. I know theres a VC8145 topic here on forum but still can't compare both. Price diference is not that small so i like to know what would be a better bet. VC8145 looks like have more counts?I don't want to spend more than 400€ in this device.What i need:Fast (Continuity test need to be very fast, voltage and ohm fast), good (Don't want the device to die or get problems fast, it should hold more than 3 or 4 years with small use), reliable (Hate errors, fake results)What i don't need:4 WireBest of the bestI don't care about tiny voltage measurements (mV or uV)Please feel free to advice other in the price range of 400€Use rate will be small, i work with repairs, iPhones, laptop and others. I'm also a hobby electronic makerNote: I don't want hand multimeter, i already got 3 of them. Need to be a bench tophttp://www.gwinstek.com/en-global/products/Digital_Meters/Benchtop_Digital_Multimeters/GDM-8342_GDM-8341Regards

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 07:21:34 pm
content: Continuity on the VC8145 is as fast as it can get. Volt & Ohm are not very fast in autoranging mode. I have two VC8145s and these are my daily use DMMs for the past couple of years. I also have a Keysight 34461A but that only gets powered on for special occasions when I need the precision or trend charts.

author: slurry
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 07:29:21 pm
content: I would recommend you to check ebay for a used meter,Just a few examples:An old Fluke 8840A would be way better than a new VC8145 as it would have a aged reference and that is a good thing and quality is something else than the Vichy.As for the dualdisplay on the Vichy, a Fluke 45 would be cheaper and way better, its my favourite on the bench.Keysight U3401 or a used 34401 would be above your budget but a HP 3468/3478 would fit the bill or maybe 3455/3456 (if you got space on your bench)

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 07:48:05 pm
content: Does the HP 3468A have continuity at all? Also the LCD display on these is crappy (and no backlight like the VC8145 has). I've been through tons of DMMs on the used market but in the end the VC8145 wins for me because it has several features the old DMMs just don't have like big backlit display, capacitance, temperature, frequency, average, min/max, 20A current capability.

author: sn4k3
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 07:49:58 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on June 07, 2017, 07:21:34 pmAbout VC i know about that and anoying beeps from VC post in that forum, thats why i want to compare with the other i have posted, but no reviews on the internet. The GDM looks good and new but blind buy can be a wrong bet...Quote from: slurry on June 07, 2017, 07:29:21 pmI also have consider that option, still used multimeters are very old, lack of some functions like capacitance meter, hz, and others. The not so old meters still very expensive and pass my budget.Also it need to sell inside EU. The only one Fluke 8840A from eBay would cost me 410 from UK and that is very overpriced

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 08:53:50 pm
content: you could go for an gdm-8251a, a 120,000 count, not very expensive on ebay, and the calibration is stated in the eevblog threads

author: sn4k3
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2017, 02:10:27 pm
content: Quote from: coromonadalix on June 07, 2017, 08:53:50 pmFor the price it cost used now (400Eur) the new version GDM-8351 would be better for 500EUR

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2017, 03:00:13 pm
content: Quote from: sn4k3 on June 08, 2017, 02:10:27 pmWhere did you get 400 euro? They should cost around 90 to 100 euro (ex. shipping) max. Just make an offer!

author: PA4TIM
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2017, 03:04:34 pm
content: For 400 euro you can buy a high end portable DMM or a cheap benchmeter. I would go for the first option. For daily work I have 2 portables (agilent U1252A and since a week a very nice Brymen BM869S ) and 1 benchmeters (keithley 2000 ) I have more meters ( circa 6 are benchmeters) but these 3 are the ones I use every day.

author: sn4k3
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2017, 03:40:35 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on June 08, 2017, 03:00:13 pmFrom an eBay article (used)Quote from: PA4TIM on June 08, 2017, 03:04:34 pmThat is the first option?

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2017, 01:11:38 am
content: This is what the VC8145 consists of:

author: sn4k3
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2017, 02:21:42 am
content: Quote from: Shock on June 09, 2017, 01:11:38 amOnly that!? Whats that middle empty space for?

author: japasetelagoas
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2017, 04:32:05 pm
content: Air flow improvement

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2017, 05:15:31 pm
content: Quote from: sn4k3 on June 09, 2017, 02:21:42 amWhat isn't there can't fail so the more empty space the better for reliability. The size of a bench DMM is driven by the height of the front and the ability to stack things on top. You really can't make a bench DMM smaller than the VC8145 otherwise it would be useless.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2017, 07:25:02 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on June 09, 2017, 05:15:31 pmThis is true. I have an RSR/Mastech bench DMM and there is about the same amount of hardware inside, though they did utilize the extra space for probe storage and a large AA battery pack for portable use. I use mine all the time instead of my Fluke because it runs off wall power with no auto-shutoff and and no batteries to run down.

author: slurry
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2017, 07:36:13 pm
content: It's just a handheld in a bigger box and a transformer.Better go with a Fluke 45Maybe metrix MX 5006 can be interesting..http://www.chauvin-arnoux.com/en/produit/mx-5006.html

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2017, 09:34:57 pm
content: It was mentioned on a youtube video comment that the Vichy VC8145 only had Windows XP/2000 compatible software. Had a quick look and was unable to find software on their website. The other feature that might be missing is True RMS, could not see that mentioned either, you may want to confirm these things yourself, if important.

author: BigBoss
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2017, 09:54:41 pm
content: I have never used China or cheap Far East measurement equipments in my engineering life due to their lack of qualities.If you have 400 Euros to spend, look at "serious" and professional companies because measurement is important.https://www.aimtti.com/product-category/multimeters/aim-1908

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2017, 09:57:24 pm
content: Quote from: Shock on June 09, 2017, 09:34:57 pmOfcourse it has TrueRMSThere is even a special true RMS converter chip in it which has a very wide bandwidth so unlike many other low cost DMMs which are optimised for 50Hz the VC8145 can be used for accurate audio work.

author: usagi
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2017, 10:35:54 pm
content: gdm-8251a$199

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2017, 10:39:27 pm
content: Quote from: usagi on June 09, 2017, 10:35:54 pmThis one is cheaper but it seems prices have increased. They used to go for around $100.http://www.ebay.com/itm/GW-Instek-GDM-8251A-120000-Counts-5-1-2-digit-Dual-Display-Digital-Multimeter/252806831147If you are from Europe then buying a GDM-8251A doesn't make much sense because they are rather expensive due to shipping.

author: sn4k3
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2017, 10:53:28 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on June 09, 2017, 10:39:27 pmThats true, i'm from Europe and i can't buy outside, because shipping and custom tax, if do so i would pay near 1000 EUR, i was watching this one:http://www.stantronic.co.uk/GDM-8341.htmlbut no reviews...

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2017, 06:43:53 am
content: It looked like about 10 days ago one seller bought up all the remaining GDM-8251 units from the school closing which had been listed for $120-$150 and now has what's left listed for $190. I noticed because I had them on my watch list and all but one disappeared. The one remaining listing was changed to say they would be "in stock" in 3-5 days.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2017, 11:07:54 am
content: Quote from: rdl on June 10, 2017, 06:43:53 amThat is an interesting move but that doesn't mean I'm willing to pay more than $75 for oneI could use another two bench DMMs but I think I'll end up buying a couple of extra VC8145s.

author: pascal_sweden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2017, 07:38:02 pm
content: VC8145-afficionado

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2017, 08:57:19 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on June 10, 2017, 11:07:54 amI wasn't trying to influence anyone's buying decision. I just thought it was interesting. The price has now increased to $209 even though I don't think any were sold at $190. Strange. I am tempted to make an offer at the original price, but I really have no need for one.