Best new multimeter for £100 or less - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: netdudeuk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2014, 09:08:07 am
content: HiI have a handheld multimeter but I've had it a very long time. I'm thinking of buying a new one. I mostly do digital / microcontroller / microprocessor stuff and don't go near high voltages.For £100 or less, which would be the best new multimeter that I could buy in the UK ?What would be the best 'bang for the buck' under £100, even if it isn't the overall best in that price range ?I quite like the idea of a bench multimeter but I guess that gets you a lower specced device ...Thanks

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2014, 09:22:59 am
content: I quite like the new Fluke 17B+. Had a chance to play with it in China. It oozes quality.Not true RMS and no bar graph, but otherwise nice feature set. 75 quid and free delivery.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fluke-17B-Auto-Range-Digital-Probe-Multimeter-Temperature-Frequency-/231354965499?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item35ddd49dfb

author: netdudeuk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2014, 09:28:36 am
content: Thanks for the quick reply. That looks good for the money. Only thing is though, I was looking at Flukes and even the 115 comes in at about £150. Is the one on eBay going to be a genuine Fluke ?

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2014, 09:32:09 am
content: Yes, of course. Made in China for Fluke, mostly meant for Asian markets. It is for sale at all Fluke official outlets in China.The 115 is true RMS, comes with a bar graph and has a higher count.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2014, 09:46:45 am
content: I've sold a good few 15B's and each one had a leaflet in the box stating: "Not for sale outside of China". No warranty outside of China or words to that effect.I hold 1 or two in stock to cover any possible claims but there have been none.15 were checked after 12 months with a DMM tester and only 1 needed minor adjustment to match the other 14, but was still within factory specs.I have a healthy respect for these cheap Flukes and happily use one for my bench use.

author: pascal_sweden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2014, 10:27:38 am
content: Strange model name 17B+. People at marketing there should take a course in naming =)

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2014, 10:35:40 am
content: It makes sense to me, as this is a small improvement to the 17B, that doesn't warrant a new name and thus can ride on the coattails of the best seller original model.

author: pascal_sweden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2014, 10:53:00 am
content: Why not provide a firmware upgrade to the original model?Or why not go for 17C? Apparently 17B as such is already an improvement for a predecessor.In the extreme they would go for 17.C.BETA.REV3.OPTD =)At least they could have stayed with numbers and letters, e.g. 17B PLUSAnyhow I agree that this is probably a personal taste issue

author: nowlan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2014, 02:11:31 pm
content: I thought uni-t ut61e was best bang for buck?I think safety might be lacking, but if your not going near mains voltages.Id be looking at brymen 257 myself if that were the case.btw, what does the 17B+ have over 17B?I am struggling to see what you extras you need in a meter for microcontrol work.You definitely want a 2nd meter for simultaneous current & voltage measurement.

author: netdudeuk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2014, 02:16:58 pm
content: I've read that the Uni-T is ok but also seen other people slating it.I have a Rigol DP832 on order so that should cover simultaneous current and voltage measurement.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2014, 02:24:41 pm
content: Quote from: mojo-chan on October 10, 2014, 01:38:51 pmLack of RMS probably doesn't bother a microcontroller guy. Lack of bar graph ought to.Quote from: mojo-chan on October 10, 2014, 01:38:51 pmYep. If the 17B+ was made by anybody other then Fluke it would be a $75 meter, not a $120 meter.That said; it's a nice enough meter ... you could do a lot worse.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2014, 02:26:12 pm
content: Quote from: netdudeuk on October 10, 2014, 09:28:36 amGuess what ... there's an EEVBLOG video on this very subject!

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2014, 03:54:53 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on October 10, 2014, 02:26:12 pmIt's old. Dave said recently that he may do a brief refresh. Apparently episodes like this take too much time to make.I found these forums when searching youtbue for DMM reviews.OP, I have the same use case like you and true RMS doesn't really matter. I am using a Fluke 107 and love it, compact, simple and good display. Posted here a few internal pictures some time ago.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2014, 04:35:00 pm
content: Quote from: zapta on October 10, 2014, 03:54:53 pmFor what reason? Will a video refresh make it any less of a genuine fluke?Quote from: zapta on October 10, 2014, 03:54:53 pmIsn't he a "full time" blogger now?

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2014, 04:44:36 pm
content: Brymen 257Dave's video

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2014, 06:34:45 pm
content: Quote from: mtdoc on October 10, 2014, 04:44:36 pmSeems to kick the Fluke 17B+'s butt on all counts (except maybe the color...)

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 10, 2014, 06:54:23 pm
content: For £100 it is very hard to beat the Brymen BM257. Yes the Flukes in the same price range are nice but have less features for the same money. If you want to spend less than the Uni-T UT139C looks like a good safe meter with reasonable specs for around $55USD. You could get two and be under your price point.Personally I have three Brymen meters including the BM257. I have three for a reason.

author: Yago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2014, 07:23:14 pm
content: Quote from: Lightages on October 10, 2014, 06:54:23 pmBrymen 875 comes into UK at around £111.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2014, 12:58:41 am
content: If you're partial to the Brymen, make sure you get the 257Sversion. The previous one doesn't meet the European regulations anymore.The only advantages of the 17B+ over the 257 would be the lesser price, a frequency duty cycle feature that the 257 lacks, 10A versus 8A max for the 257 and the 500 hrs battery life (2AA) versus 300 hrs for the Brymen (2AAA). It also comes with proper 1000V Fluke fuses for its CAT III 600V CAT II 1000V safety rating.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2014, 04:47:33 am
content: Quote from: Wytnucls on October 11, 2014, 12:58:41 amAnd what are the advantages of the 257 over the 17B+?

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2014, 04:53:26 am
content: Everything else, for a premium price, but no Fluke bragging rights.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2014, 05:17:47 am
content: Quote from: Wytnucls on October 11, 2014, 04:53:26 amMy ex-army Fluke 27FM will pound your 17B+'s bragging rights into submission.(Literally...)

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2014, 05:23:20 am
content: A Fluke is a Fluke is a Fluke...

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2014, 05:32:49 am
content: Quote from: Wytnucls on October 11, 2014, 05:23:20 amI'm choosing the 27FM when the zombies come.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2014, 06:02:09 am
content: Hope you don't have to measure capacitance or frequency to save yourself.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2014, 06:15:52 am
content: Brymen.com, horrible, horrible web site, no information where to buy their products, have not long seen such bad web sites.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2014, 06:43:39 am
content: Quote from: Wytnucls on October 11, 2014, 06:02:09 amLet's see how many zombie skulls you can bash in with your 17B.

author: Yago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2014, 08:34:00 am
content: Quote from: Bud on October 11, 2014, 06:15:52 amIn Europe TME carry many of their meters, but not at the cheapest of prices, Franky here sells some of them at cheaper prices.Here is link to TME, and 857 (that I misposted as 875! earlier):http://www.tme.eu/en/details/bm857a/portable-digital-multimeters/brymen/

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 11, 2014, 02:32:07 pm
content: Yes, the best prices are from Franky andwww.tme.euFrom Franky's ebay store at £84 shipped to your door, plus whatever taxes added at your border, not the BM257s version:http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brymen-BM257-Digital-Multimeter-6000-count-Brand-New-Fluke-alternative-/200922627340TME, £66 + shipping and taxes:http://www.tme.eu/en/details/bm257/portable-digital-multimeters/brymen/bm257s/#But as the OP stated, he doesn't go near high voltage/energy and wants this meter for mainly microcontroller work. The UT71A or UT71B, UT139C, Digitek DT2843R, Amprobe AM530 to AM570 range, BK Precision BK2709B, are all good choices in the price range. They each have their own little problems or quirks and their own advantages. The UT71X series all come with a PC cable and software but have very poor continuity test speed, for example. Some are safer than others too. The Digitek DT2843R is a really good buy from Franky, but suffers from slow continuity too.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 13, 2014, 12:32:17 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on October 11, 2014, 05:17:47 am+1. It's a multimeter. No, it's a blunt force instrument of death. No, wait, it's both!!Seriously, I like my 27FM. I got mine for $65 including hard case and 80K-6 HV probe. Don't know what branch but it is military surplus.