Pocket Multimeter Shootout! ANENG AN101 vs. Uni-T UT120C vs. Victor VC921 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2017, 02:47:39 am
content: Here's my shootout video:

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2017, 10:54:26 am
content: On the UNI-T, is the device you refer to as a MOV really a MOV? It looks like a PTC. The tan colored square part on the right that you studied is the poly switch for the current input.Where's the drop test?

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2017, 12:43:09 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on August 23, 2017, 10:54:26 amLet me check...(sound of screwdriver)Not much gets past you, joe. It is indeed a PTC.Quote from: joeqsmith on August 23, 2017, 10:54:26 amWhich is a type of PTC.I was thinking of doing another test on the AN101 to see if it really does cut off on the current range if I go above 500mA (some sellers say the input protection on the current range is 500mA even though there's nothing printed on the front).Quote from: joeqsmith on August 23, 2017, 10:54:26 amSays the guy who did a snow test.I might do something horrible to the Victor.PS: Thanks for sitting through my amateur effort.

author: joseph nicholas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2017, 01:48:46 pm
content: For any one or all of these meters, if the test lead comes apart at the probe end you will not find a replacement.

author: plazma
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2017, 01:52:17 pm
content: Quote from: joseph nicholas on August 23, 2017, 01:48:46 pmAneng AN101 got replaceable leads.

author: Rbastler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2017, 02:02:39 pm
content: Quote from: joseph nicholas on August 23, 2017, 01:48:46 pmThe you buy a new meter  The cost of replacement leads and time involved are worth 10-15€ Id say.Im sure u'll find something you can use on Aliexpress.Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2017, 02:32:30 pm
content: Quote from: joseph nicholas on August 23, 2017, 01:48:46 pmI bet I could transplant leads between these three meters.The ANENG would need them to be soldered internally but that's no big deal. I don't think there's much benefit to having detachable leads.(maybe the benefit is that you can swivel them outwards when it's sitting up on its stand?)

author: joseph nicholas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2017, 04:38:28 pm
content: I think you people are missing the point. If you search on ebay you will find only may be 10 different types but none will probabily fit the mini profile of these meters. The DT8xx type meters are covered and of course anything larger probabily could work or be modified to fit.Hope this helps.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2017, 05:03:59 pm
content: Quote from: joseph nicholas on August 23, 2017, 04:38:28 pmSpace is tight, yes.The ANENG and Uni-T have a bit of slack but the Victor can barely fit the supplied probes.These meters are almost disposable products though. A new set of probes will cost you nearly as much as a new meter. I agree that's not a good attitude to take, but it's the truth. If you waste half an hour looking for new probes on eBay then pay $5 for them then you probably lost money.If you paid more for the meter (and Dave's going to be looking at $50+ meters when his shootout finally appears) then it's another story. I'd like to think Dave's $70 meter could be fixed if a probe breaks.Best idea: Look after them, treat them with care.

author: plazma
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2017, 05:07:33 pm
content: The Victor one can be hacked and add extra buttons and even logging output. It got the DTM0660 IC.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2017, 06:17:33 pm
content: Quote from: plazma on August 23, 2017, 05:07:33 pmYep. I actually mentioned that while I was disassembling the Victor. I even pointed to the extra switch pads on the PCB.It got lost in the final edit because it took ages to open up the meter (stupid case!!) and I decided to fast-forward that part.(there's a few other scenes on the cutting-room floor, too. Making these videos is harder than it looks...)

author: joseph nicholas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2017, 07:26:47 pm
content: I agree with Fungus observation that these meters should be considered disposable. Looking at it that way, you buy the the cheapies which are pretty accurate and something like the DT 8xxx which is big enough to be used with aux probes. All the probes on the DT8xxx just came apart on their own. An yes, you can find replacements on ebay which may or may not last but at least you have a meter for a few years before something else falls apart.

author: don.r
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 12:10:26 am
content: Quote from: plazma on August 23, 2017, 05:07:33 pmApart from the obvious personal challenge and joy of discovery, I personally wouldn't waste my time hacking a sub-$20 anything.

author: kalel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 12:31:40 am
content: Quote from: joseph nicholas on August 23, 2017, 07:26:47 pmYes, those probes really do need some work. If I bought that meter today, before using the probes, I would either modify different probes to fit (unless they do already) or add some glue gun or other to support the joint inside.There's that new little tiny Aneng though for a similar price, which might come with better probes.

author: kalel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 01:12:04 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on August 24, 2017, 01:05:07 amThis depends on your experience, budget and how much your time is worth otherwise, but I on the other hand wouldn't risk trying to modify an expensive device.Expensive depending on the item type. If I do it wrong (which is likely), I damaged an expensive thing.

author: plazma
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 04:37:15 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on August 24, 2017, 01:05:07 amI ordered one only for hacking the logging capability. I have use for a one channel voltage logger.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 09:44:26 am
content: Quote from: kalel on August 24, 2017, 12:31:40 amFWIW: The mini ANENG's probes fit inside the AN101, no problem. The mini has a standard size banana connector, will take most probes.I don't think finding donor probes would be a massive problem if the AN101 probes break. The AN101 probes have strain relief things on the probe end so they'll probably last a long time anyway. Overall... I'm not very worried.PS: I've decided I like the way the leads connect to the AN101. They're not detachable leads, they'rerotatable!

author: Rbastler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 09:47:41 am
content: Quote from: plazma on August 24, 2017, 04:37:15 amI ordered a Victor VC921 exacly to play around with the eeprom. If i fail and brick it, not much is lost.So mostly for joy of discovery.Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 03:11:50 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on August 23, 2017, 12:43:09 pmMaybe drop them across a screwdriver or something and see how it effects them? Or drop a screwdriver on them?

author: plazma
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 04:05:08 pm
content: I received my multimeter. I ordered the Aneng AN8203. Not Victor VC921. I assumed they were the same. Housing is very similar but the PCB got totally different layout.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 06:04:49 pm
content: Quote from: plazma on August 24, 2017, 04:05:08 pmYou want to swap meters?

author: kalel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 06:22:27 pm
content: Quote from: plazma on August 24, 2017, 04:05:08 pmAlso, it might be that Victor has a larger display font, I couldn't find the same angle.Other than that, who knows which meter is better.

author: plazma
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 06:50:48 pm
content: Victor PCBversus Aneng PCB

author: hughtmccullough
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2017, 08:49:54 pm
content: Plazma, did you succeed with any hacks? It looks as if the Aneng is designed to do current measurement as an option. There is space for a fuse, a couple of TVS diodes and a shunt resistor that would give a mA range. There are links that look as if they could be configured to change the switch function so that the second Off position becomes current measurement (maybe 40mA and 400mA ranges).Have you tried the data logging? Pin 20 looks as if it is connected but it isn't possible to tell from the photos if it is enabled in the firmware. Also, what are those two (?) switches hidden behind the probe leads at the edge near the battery compartment?

author: plazma
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2017, 06:24:57 am
content: Quote from: hughtmccullough on September 23, 2017, 08:49:54 pmI have not tried to hack it yet. The internal button contacts did not have any effect.

author: ciccio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2018, 09:02:31 pm
content: I bought an AN101. I did not need another multimeter, just one more for my collection.I'm not so satisfied with it like I was with the other ANENG meters (8002 and 8008) I bought.My comments:Pro:at this price (about 8 Euros) it is, in any case, a bargain.Cons:Probes have thin and SHORT cables. They can be removed, but probes with longer and thicker cables will not fit in the carrying case.Standard replacement probes (with concentric plastic protection on the meter plugs), will not fit the meter's sockets.The buzzer is practically inaudible in a moderately noisy environment.Best regards

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2018, 09:23:57 pm
content: Quote from: ciccio on January 15, 2018, 09:02:31 pmYep.Quote from: ciccio on January 15, 2018, 09:02:31 pmIt's only a pocket meter for occasional use IMHO, so that doesn't bother me. It's still my favorite of the three.You can always make leads longer with crocodile clips - use the multifunction leads included with your other Anengs(!)Quote from: ciccio on January 15, 2018, 09:02:31 pmGet an AN860B+ if you want a satisfying ANENG for your collection. I love mine.