UT58E vs UT61E or Amprobe AM-270? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: b_force
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2012, 11:40:59 pm
content: All right, my portable multimeter broke again so I'm planning to buy a better replacement now.I was looking for the UT71E, but after reading some bad experiences with that meter, I decided to go another path.(to bad, I really liked the options)I'm in doubt with the UT58E or the UT61E.I know what the UT61E can do and I lot of people are really happy with that multimeter.However, I do not need TRUE rms on a daily basis (I still have two Fluke bench multimeters for that) so the UT58E would maybe a better option.According to the specsheet, a little bit more accurate and it has also some more options.I do not need to measure really high voltages (>500Vdc)So, is there any experience with the UT58E?Can I expect the same quality as the UT61E or is it also worse like the UT71 range?

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2012, 12:05:50 am
content: Martin did a review of the UT90A which has a similar look to the UT58E. You may find it useful?

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 14, 2012, 03:54:43 am
content: If you want a good meter, and you were thinking of an UT71E, then I would split the difference on what you are thinking of now and get an Amprobe AM-270 for less than $90. It is built correctly for safety and has good specs too.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2012, 08:51:11 am
content: The lack of auto-ranging on the 58E would be a deal breaker for me.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2012, 11:28:21 am
content: What's wrong with a UT61E? There's not much you could do to fault it and you can't easily damage it either.The UT61E is apparently the best built amongst all the UNI-T products, the UT71 is atrocious but the UT61 IS NOT.

author: dr_p
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2012, 12:36:34 pm
content: I have been using the manual ranging UT58E for some years. Despite the obvious specs, it didn't warn me of a low battery, so I just kept on using it until readings were way off (-50%, -30%). Looking back, really the only decent things about it are the great LCD screen and the way it feels - solid enough to survive the ocasional drops.It's manual ranging, it's not fused on the amps jack, no uA range, low capacitance range, single glass fuse low grade components inside. It's quite shitty, really.The Amprobe AM-270 feels bulky, kind of small screen, the range switch is too stiff for my taste and the leads.... too small with just the tip exposed. I know, they'de CAT IV and that's why. I still hate them.

author: b_force
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2012, 11:10:59 pm
content: I think manual ranging is not really an issue (in some situations I like it more than auto ranging).The Amprobe AM-270 also looks really nice to meHowever, the only difficulty is to find if I can buy them in the Netherlands (or otherwise Germany, United Kingdom or any other EU country would be nice).Ordering outside the EU would be expensive because of the taxes and shipping cost.(or would someone be really kind to send it as a gift?)

author: b_force
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 20, 2012, 08:58:32 pm
content: Ok, so I e-mailed Amprobe and asked if the AM-270 available in the Netherlands.The funny part is that I received a reply from Fluke costumer service (didn't know Amprobe was under the flags of Fluke).The bad part is that the AM-270 is not available in the Netherlands or EU.They told me that the 38XRA is a good replacement?Well if I compare, it is almost twice as expensive as the AM-270 and the specifications are worse.So the big questions is how to get an Amprobe AM-270?

author: dr_p
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 20, 2012, 11:37:42 pm
content: tequipement.net, but it's 90$ + 30$ shipping + customs.So it becomes a 150$ meter and I bet that now you have locally available alternatives for it

author: b_force
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 20, 2012, 11:51:29 pm
content: I'm looking now at Brymen multimeters as an alternative.Off course the BM867/869 are great, but maybe a little bit to expensive. (but the dual display is really nice)Is there any experience with the BM817A (or CFA) for example?Looks pretty much like an AM-270 to me.

author: iloveelectronics
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2012, 12:10:57 am
content: Have a look at the Brymen BM-257. I did a review here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/brymen-bm-257-pictures-and-mini-review/I have it (and the USB Interface Kit) for sale at my eBay store, or you can contact me directly here for a forum member discount.

author: b_force
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2012, 10:07:43 pm
content: Well thank you, but I'm wondering what I can expect from Brymen.Is it like Uni-trend? (= real good ones, but also some real bad ones?)

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2012, 11:38:30 pm
content: Quote from: b_force on December 27, 2012, 10:07:43 pmI think in general Brymen is more respected than Uni-T as they are consistently good in general. I could be wrong but that's what I have seen so far in my researching. The UT61E is quite solid all around player and its price is quite affordable. It all depends on what you want your meter to do.