Good cheap meter for hobbiest - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: innkeeper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 03, 2021, 09:59:43 pm
content: looking for a meter to recommend to my brother ...Background, my brother is doing a lot of work with Arduino's driving MOSFETs, along with other relatively low voltage projects.he owns an ideal brand 6000 count meter, which, upon trying to use it to measure current in the ma range was extremely far off (reading 2ma when it is actually 8ma), and id not be surprised if it is off on other readings. not to mention he blew the fuse the first time he flipped the dial past ma range while having it connected to a voltage source...you know the type of meter it is where the voltage and ma plug is shared.I want to recommend a usable but cheap meter to him but tried to dig into that "cheap" space of meters and got overwhelmed pretty quickthe kind of meters know and I own is out of his budget .. he is not going to punk down 200+ on a meter, but in the $50 range is more his speed.I realize that 50 bucks for a meter is on the low end ... I'm looking for a good meter that is accurate, and will survive most typical mistakes he will make with it.one meter, which I have not found anything written about and only a couple of video reviews is a 40,000 count Holdpeak HP - 770D .. looks likea lot of meter for the price on the surface but, is completely unknown to me as far as a brand goes, also seems to sell under various other brans and models like yp-770d and ap-770d ud ner other braning.I am considering maybe a UNI-T UT61E which is better known or something along those lines. (i like the blocking ports for him on the 770D but not a must-have)I'm looking for suggestions on meters to look at that are available in the USA from amazon or local suppliers where he doesn't have to wait a month to get it.if it has true rms, has voltage detection, backlit, has a frequency counter / duty cycle, those would be nice features but not deal killers. something with resonable resolution.

author: DaneLaw
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2021, 01:22:21 am
content: Not sure if you have been through this 15 meter shootout.. with an objective around the 50USD as mark.. though some lower and some way higher.there is a lower Holdpeak 760H incl. (same form-factor, buttons etc, though 6k count and 27USD but looks like it was a defective unit he received, so don't put to much into that)though have in mind "the 15DMM-shootout are somewhat dated, hencee 3Q2015)

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2021, 01:27:15 am
content: In this case, the UT61E is a good candidate. Also, the Aneng AN870 (also Richmeters RM219) is an excellent choice with fully segregated A/mA/uA inputs, as well as the Aneng SZ18 (also Bside ZT-Y or Richmeters RM777) which in price is between the former two but is a very capable meter. Both can be purchased at eBay from sellers with stock in the US (the ZT-Y arrived in a week for me).A meter a bit more robust and still very capable (although not as featured as the others) is the UT139C, which can also be purchased with stock in the US.Good luck in your quest

author: ledtester
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2021, 01:36:35 am
content: The Aneng 8008 and 8009 meters are still pretty good deals and they have been discussed widely here.Available from Amazon but Banggood also has good prices for both of them and fast shipping times to the US.https://www.banggood.com/ANENG-AN8008-True-RMS-Wave-Output-Digital-Multimeter-AC-DC-Current-Volt-Resistance-Frequency-Capacitance-Test-p-1157985.htmlhttps://www.banggood.com/ANENG-AN8009-True-RMS-NCV-Digital-Multimeter-9999-Counts-Backlight-AC-DC-Current-Voltage-Tester-p-1216900.html

author: innkeeper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 04, 2021, 03:23:16 am
content: I will check them out and the shootout.

author: wizard69
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2021, 04:24:36 am
content: $50 is reasonable for a DMM. If you go to a vendor like DIgiKey you will find dozens in the #50 +-$25 dollar range (about 50 meters on Digi in that range). I would tend to suggest staying with the better known brands. Look towards vendors like B&K, Flir, Triplett and so forth. Also don't get suckered in by meters suggesting that they have dozens of specialized ranges. Rather look for a meter that is safety rated to one extent or another, and covers the basics. The Basics being: AC/DC Volts and Amps, resistance and diode checking. Almost everything else offered on the low end meters, to pull people in, is of limited usefulness in my mind. The exception might be Frequency measurements, but many meters fail at that too so be carefulIf your bother is concerned about capacitance or inductance measurements or the like, buy him an LCR meter for Christmas. If he gravitates towards RF stuff a Frequency counter might be a buy and even those don't get used a lot these days. The point is to lean towards well constructed meters rather than those trash meters that have a lot of features that don't work well.By the way there are lots of other places besides DigiKey that you can go to, I just really like their web site for fast searching. I'd look for a similar vendor wherever you live and buy through a local vendor. In the end there are lots of meter to choose from and Digi doesn't handle them all.

author: innkeeper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 04, 2021, 08:36:18 pm
content: most of his hobby is around stuff that's low voltage and microcontroller-based, and low voltage mostly. but sometimes higher current stuff like DC motors along with low current things. he enjoys making microcontroller-driven Halloween props.I agree wizard, i don't want to get some unknown brand, but not opposed to a brand and model that is well-vetted b the community here that's not so mainstream brand. I don't feel tied to needing to buy from Digikey or Newark et al.so things he would really would use on a regular basis would be voltage readings, current readings, resistance measurements / continuity testing, diode testing, looking at the frequency of an output and duty cycle, but frequencies would be in the hz-khz range. occasional reading of 120v line voltages.Capacitance readings, id think he would rarely need and I agree likely an lcr meter, for that would best if he does that on any regular basis, but for now no need really as he doesn't deal much with capacitors at the moment.he does work a lto with LED's and the one thing, now that i am thinking about it, if the diode test had enough voltage / current to drive an led, that be a plus, but not like a necessity, but just a good addition and likely something he never even considered a possibility anyway.the ANENG AN870 looks promising and tops my list currently for what i will suggest to him baring a better suggestion, I wish it had a higher count, but, likely good enough for him.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2021, 09:30:26 pm
content: Easy! The Aneng AN870:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33004463675.html(Also known as theZoyi VC17B+and many other names)

author: ledtester
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2021, 03:56:47 pm
content: QuoteThe general consensus is that the cheap meters you find on aliexpress are perfectly good for low-voltage work but do not live up to their stated CAT ratings. Try to find a tear-down video which discusses the fuse and high-voltage protection circuitry inside the meter that you are interested in.There is a large compilation of recently obtainable multi-meter reviews here:https://lygte-info.dk/info/indexDMMReviews%20UK.html

author: tunk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2021, 04:16:38 pm
content: Darren Walker has many videos on multimeters, including teardowns:https://www.youtube.com/c/DarrenWalkerMultimeterReviews/videos

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2021, 06:40:03 pm
content: Quote from: ledtester on April 08, 2021, 03:56:47 pmWithanymeter: Learn to triple-check that the leads aren't in the amps socket before you use the meter. That way the fuse won't even enter into the equation.

author: Doddy883
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2021, 08:44:07 pm
content: You mention that he does a lot with LEDs... The Uni-T UT89XD is good for that with a dedicated LED function. Uni-T occasionally get slated on here, but value for money they are good. I've got some fairly expensive meters now, but the UT89XD still gets regular use too. It's manual ranging, but that's not a massive hardship and it has plenty of other features - ~12v diode test, automatic backlight, NCV, visual indicator for NCV and continuity. I like the design, and it certainly feels well built. It doesn't have brilliant input protection but it'll be fine for the usage you've mentioned. I paid £22 which is currently $30

author: MikeK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2021, 09:05:17 pm
content: I like my UNI-T UT61E (not the newest version). Just don't forget to turn it off...It doesn't have auto-shutoff and 9V batteries are pricey. Although, I think there is a auto-shutoff mod.

author: wizard69
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2021, 03:02:30 am
content: Speaking of batteries, I'd make sure whatever meter you get works on chemistries besides alkaline. I've had too much in the way of flashlights and instrumentation, damaged or destroyed by leaking alkaline batteries. So I'd make sure you can run on rechargeables or some of the lithium technologies.Of course this is a personal issue with little to do with meter effectiveness and you may look at it differently, but I'm basically feed up with alkaline batteries. I'd rather verify before hand that a device i buy can use rechargeables or lithium primary cells before buying.One other thing to consider, if a low end meter doesn't deliver a feature he might need consider it a good learning experiences to come up with a solution. For example if there is no high voltage diode test a leaning challenge might be to make a test circuit specifically for such LED's. Even a frequency counter might be within reach. Sometimes half the challenge with electronics is learning to test with what you have. Most meters for example can do continuity in some from or another, but none to them are loud enough to use in an industrial setting so a buzzer and a little circuitry is a common solution there.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2021, 07:22:19 am
content: Quote from: Doddy883 on April 08, 2021, 08:44:07 pmAneng 870 will also light up any LED - it's one of the reasons I like it.Quote from: Trader on April 09, 2021, 06:00:51 amManual ranging! 2000 counts! Poor accuracy! Transistor tester!

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2021, 09:40:53 am
content: Quote from: DaneLaw on April 04, 2021, 01:22:21 amHaven't sat through that but: Everybody has different priorities, eg. some people won't pay much attention to the diode test voltage but these days I insist on my meter being able to light up a big white LED. Any meter thatwon'tdo that is an automatic fail for me these days, no matter how well it does on other features. Similarly the beeper volume: A quiet meter is a big fail when you're trying to use it in a bar.So... that's why I recommend the meter I've mentioned above. It's only about 25 Euros and it really doesn't have any weak points.(apart from the fake CAT rating ... but that doesn't bother me because I never try to measure how many amps are in my AC mains sockets. If I was an electrician I'd get something more suitable.)

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2021, 09:53:19 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on April 09, 2021, 09:40:53 amAnd the plot thickens.... LOL

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2021, 10:06:00 am
content: Quote from: 2N3055 on April 09, 2021, 09:53:19 amI'm in Spain, that's where Arduino club happens.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2021, 10:18:19 am
content: Handy to check the temperature of the local cerveza.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2021, 10:41:43 am
content: Level 10 chopsticks technique: When you can measure a diode on a table without it moving.Edit: I can do it if I use my pinky...

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2021, 11:12:40 am
content: QuotePersonally, I would forget the meter and go with a scope.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2021, 11:40:37 am
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on April 09, 2021, 11:12:40 amWhen you want to look at what an Arduino pin is doing then you need a 'scope, yes......but you still need a multimeter!

author: wizard69
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2021, 03:34:05 pm
content: More importantly you have to stay within budget. All I know is that growing up I would have died if somebody handed me a DMM. Instrumentation just wasn't achievable in my young years and a scope was just something imagined in a dream or seen in a sci-fi flick on TV.This is why I don't see the specifics of the meter being the important thing here. If the kid needs a meter he will be happy with any half decent meter that comes his way. The meter should just make reliable measurements. What the meter doesn't do is more of a potential learning experience than it is a limitation. As such I really think the stress should be put on finding the best quality for the dollar. There just happens to be a lot of meters in this price range to choose from.Quote from: Fungus on April 09, 2021, 11:40:37 am

author: BrokenYugo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2021, 08:03:56 pm
content: Only big complaint I have about my AN870 is it doesn't like reading AC with a DC offset, ripple checks and such. The capacitor function also doesn't read right below 100pf or so (shorter leads might help?). Sometimes it takes longer than I'd like to settle on a steady readout, but supposedly that can be helped with additional decoupling capacitors on the B+ rail.Well worth the money though, 19999 counts is a nice thing to have.

author: innkeeper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 10, 2021, 07:32:14 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on April 09, 2021, 05:03:20 pmI've already given him one of my old scopes.as far as if the meter is really off by that much... i personally tested this against 3 other meters, which all read the same. and... one of those meters was the GW121

author: innkeeper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 10, 2021, 07:33:57 pm
content: it would certainly be convenient for how he would use it if he could measure ripple, but not something he would miss unless it is explained to him.

author: innkeeper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 10, 2021, 07:40:56 pm
content: Quote from: Trader on April 09, 2021, 06:00:51 ami am gonna call you out on this one Trader.Seriously 1999 count meter....it appears that you posted that just to get an affiliate link on a forum.

author: myf
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2021, 03:47:04 pm
content: Hello,I have an old ut-61e and I appreciate it because it's the only one with 20000counts and an IR-usb data-logger for about 10eur more.Freesoft Sigrok is perfect in simple reading its data. I feel that ohm mesasures are 5counts too light : with 2 or 3 série or parallel resistors (at 10kohm) I get 4995, 9995, 14995, and 19995. I don't know the exact value of these resistors, bu this error isn't a proportional error, but an offset error. I don't know its proportional error.This one doesn't have temperature measures, others ut-61 have, but they only have 4000 or 6000counts. ut-61a has not usb link ability. One of the ut-71 has also and temperature measures and 30000 or 40000count and usb link, but it is older, more complex to use and a lot of people explain it is less secure for mains use. With it's IR-usb link (recognise by Sigrok) it costs about 100eur with its usb link.Hope this help !

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2021, 06:17:46 pm
content: Ultimately, there is a need for more than 1 DMM. I can hang 3 of them around a transistor: base current, collector current and Vce come to mind.One of them, if not all of them, might as well be the Aneng 8008. I have several meters including a Fluke 189 and both of eevBlog's offerings but I actually use the Aneng.It's a handy little meter available via Amazon (stocked elsewhere).https://www.amazon.com/ANENG-AN8008-Multimeter-Resistance-Capacitance/dp/B076GZK62BI don't see the DMM as all that handy for uC projects once we know that the power is present. OTOH, I can't see the colors on small resistors so I measure every one of them before I put them in place.The BSide ZT-X is a pretty nice meter with a BRIGHT display. Dave did a review that was generally positive but he hated the BRIGHT display. I like the BRIGHT display!https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JJ9MR3Lhttps://youtu.be/xB-Fs4yPL2oIt is also known as the Aneng Q1

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2021, 09:53:25 pm
content: Quote from: rstofer on April 11, 2021, 06:17:46 pmRstofer, at this price (on Ali/Banggood) the Bside ZT-Y is a much better offer with a very well lit display (the ZT-X I recall it was spotty) and overall a solid build.The ZT-Y is also known as the Aneng SZ-18 or Richmeters RM777Amazon sells it for a bit more:https://www.amazon.com/BSIDE-Multimeter-Auto-Ranging-Capacitance-Temperature/dp/B08N13WN86