SALE (US): Uni-T clearance at Morton Controls - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2014, 04:11:03 pm
content: Morton Controls is having a clearance sale on Uni-T products:http://www.mortoncontrols.com/index.php/clearance.html?dir=asc&limit=all&order=nameThey have UT61Es for $27 + ship, and some other good deals. Non-DOA guarantee only. Shipping is pretty reasonable too (domestically).I have no connection with the seller, except that I bought a UT61E.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2014, 04:26:40 pm
content: Wow, 71D for 75$, what a bargain. Should have bought the lot to resell at 150$!

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2014, 04:52:34 pm
content: Quote from: Wytnucls on April 19, 2014, 04:26:40 pmWell, the current eBay price is $136 delivered, but yeah. I thought I would leave that to someone who's better at selling on eBay than I am... I seem to only be able to handle the buying part.

author: casinada
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2014, 05:00:36 pm
content: Tempting prices....Which model had the calibration drifting problem?

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2014, 05:02:10 pm
content: Yes, from China. 2-4 weeks delivery. Much better to order from Hong Kong for a little more.At least, buy one for yourself then. Far better specs than the 61E.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2014, 05:14:01 pm
content: Quote from: casinada on April 19, 2014, 05:00:36 pmThe 61E drifts all over the place and it doesn't have an external voltage reference. The one internal to the Cyrustek chipset has a drift of 75ppm/C. The Maxim reference on the 71 series is quoted at an average of 2ppm/C (Max 5ppm/C)Long term stability at 50ppm/1000hrs.The 71D is the one to go for.

author: TheBorg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2014, 06:10:37 pm
content: Quote from: Wytnucls on April 19, 2014, 05:14:01 pmWhich one would you say is best for a beginner, kind of like a fluke 117. Still the 71D?

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2014, 07:13:09 pm
content: For basic electronic activity, with little worry about very accurate measurements, either one is good.If your needs expand later to more substantial work, the 71D is a much better meter, equipped with most of the features found on far more expensive meters. At that price, it is a real bargain.Input protection is minimal though, so it's preferable to keep it for use on low power circuits.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 19, 2014, 07:31:18 pm
content: I agree with Wytnucls, but would emphasize the UT71D as a better all round electronics meter with MANY more features. As he said, if you are going to do any high energy work then the Fluke is safer.In this clearance sale I would also have to say that the two handheld scopes and the bench scope are super bargains for anyone looking for low end scopes. If I wasn't already sufficiently equipped I would be buying the 2 channel handheld and the bench top.

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2014, 07:48:56 pm
content: Just grabbed the second last 61E, it may not be the most accurate but came in at just over €26 including P&P. Send it to SWMBO who it currently it the inlawsJust hope she does not count up the number of multimeters I have

author: TheBorg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2014, 08:39:09 pm
content: Quote from: Wytnucls on April 19, 2014, 07:13:09 pmMy current range of work is fairly limited, I just need a decent multimeter that will get me through schooling and whatever projects I have for the next couple years. I will be upgrading from this multimeter...so pretty much anything is better. I think I might spring for the 61E...

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2014, 08:47:54 pm
content: Quote from: Lightages on April 19, 2014, 07:31:18 pmOn the other hand, there have been several comparisons here where people found the UT71x to be annoying to use, and liked the UT61E a lot better.QuoteYou might be right about the portables, but I was hesitant to buy the UTD2102CM benchtop, considering there has not been any detailed review published. For about the same price you could get a Hantek, which is a known quantity, and comes with a warranty.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2014, 09:11:27 pm
content: Well, Lightages and I own both meters and several other more expensive ones.If you value someone else's opinion better, I don't mind. Horses for courses.Remember that no single meter is perfection in all measuring situations. That's another reason to own several of them.

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2014, 09:24:50 pm
content: Quote from: Wytnucls on April 19, 2014, 09:11:27 pmWell, I just try to average what I've read. I care more about annoying than I do about accuracy, but annoying is a lot more subjective, soQuoteThe UT61E is #101, if I counted right...

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 19, 2014, 09:59:05 pm
content: The UT71X series have horribly slow continuity test response. The UT61E has a nice fast one. The UT71X series have back light, higher count, more functions, higher accuracy, and the UT71D has 10,000 point internal logging. I would definitely choose the UT71D over the UT61E at this price.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2014, 12:00:07 am
content: Uni-T 71D on 4000 count high speed mode? Appears considerably faster.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2014, 01:45:11 am
content: The 61E and the 71D are now out of stock.

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2014, 02:31:12 am
content: I grabbed the last 61E. Good timing as I killed my old 61E putting the battery in backwards. I figure I can maybe repair the old one, but I often reach for the 61E for the nice display so I wanted another one. Debated getting a 71x but already have a Brymen 859 for high res stuff.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2014, 05:38:11 am
content: Quote from: PedroDaGr8 on April 20, 2014, 02:31:12 amI thought the UT61E had a keyed 9V battery compartment so it was difficult or impossible to put the battery in backwards?

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2014, 05:44:34 am
content: Quote from: retiredcaps on April 20, 2014, 05:38:11 amImpossible? Apparently not. I guess this time I'm the better idiot (some of you know the phrase I'm referring to). It is keyed but somehow I pulled it off. Anyways, the battery got super hot and one of the smd capacitors is toast.My guess is W1 might be toast as well.

author: KD0CAC John
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2014, 08:54:05 pm
content: I am looking at the UNI-T UT803 for my bench , to replace my Fluke 23 III .Put the fluke to my mobile use .

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2014, 10:42:52 pm
content: Quote from: TheBorg on April 19, 2014, 08:39:09 pmQuote from: KD0CAC John on April 20, 2014, 08:54:05 pmThe Uni-T bench meters are rubbish. Basically handheld meters with a small transformer. Most of the case is empty air. You don't even get four wire ohms with the Uni-T bench meter. You are much better off picking up a used real bench. You will get much better accuracy and stability.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2014, 10:50:27 pm
content: The UT805A does 4-wire ohm measurements:

author: KD0CAC John
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2014, 11:26:58 pm
content: The site will not show UT 805A , it will not show anything without the space between UT & 805A , and then just a page of other stuff and UT 805A .I get real tired of useless search engines a bad sites

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2014, 11:34:48 pm
content: That's because they are all gone, the number of items available keep on shrinking at those prices!

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2014, 11:38:00 pm
content: They don't sell the UT805A. You have to look somewhere else.I would also recommend you look for a second-hand machine made by Fluke or Agilent instead.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2014, 05:10:55 am
content: Since I've been using this piece of crud for the last 20 years, and yeah it got the job done for my simple projects.I asked SWMBO and she allowed me to spend $50 so I went for the 71B I know not the D since that was gone, the 71E was tempting but for $50 I think I'll be happy with what I got.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2014, 05:30:13 am
content: 71B is fine. Just less memory and lower count than the D model. Bargain.

author: Neganur
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 21, 2014, 05:32:38 pm
content: I don't think the 61E is as bad as some in this thread make it sound.Sure, if you really need some of the features the 71 has, but the 61 doesn't, then you would dismiss the 61.But they're also totally different classes of meters from the 71 series perspective:4_3/4 vs 4_1/4±0.025%+5 vs ±0.1%+5 on the smallest DCV range±0.05%+5 vs. ±0.1%+2 on DCV up to 220V40k count vs 22k counttemperature vs N/Atwo additional 4k count displaysdata point storage of 9999 pts vs. N/Aloop current vs N/ATemperature drift of the reference is not mentioned in the datasheets, so you have to use the accuracy of the meters over their specified temperature range in the manual, which is 0° to +40° centigrade.What exactly does 75 ppm/°C mean for a DCV measurement with a max scale value of 220.00 mV where accuracy is stated as 0.1%+5 counts?Then also, the 71D is triple the clearance price of the 61E, and if I compare the 61E to the low-cost Metermans the students at my uni have to use,I'd say $27 is a real bargain. They go for $92 before VAT at bartronix.de.Of course the 71D/E is a bargain too! They go for $168/$205 at Bartronix before VAT.

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2014, 07:46:48 pm
content: The 61E meter is good enough for every day use and you can throw it in a tool box. Try doing that with a HP3456A.

author: TheBorg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2014, 09:43:13 pm
content: Quote from: Towger on April 21, 2014, 07:46:48 pmToo bad Pedro took the last one!!

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2014, 08:02:24 am
content: Temperature drift of the reference is not mentioned in the datasheets, so you have to use the accuracy of the meters over their specified temperature range in the manual, which is 0° to +40° centigrade.What exactly does 75 ppm/°C mean for a DCV measurement with a max scale value of 220.00 mV where accuracy is stated as 0.1%+5 counts?The accuracy is only valid from 18c to 28c, with a relative humidity of less than 75%, as mentioned in the manual (p.43).75ppm/C (ES51922) translates to approximately 1 1/2 LSD per degree C deviation for the voltage reference, on top of the other inaccuracies in the ADC.There is no mention of a long term drift figure in the ADC database, but from several people's experience, it is not very good.

author: Neganur
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 22, 2014, 12:53:14 pm
content: Quote from: Wytnucls on April 22, 2014, 08:02:24 amIt's the same for the 71D (page 60) apparently.Also, the 75 ppm is on the VRH voltage, which is 1.23V (or is it the rimpot that is set to 100 mV on pin 'VR'?) - not 75ppm of the reading of the multimeter.But the accuracy according to the data sheet specifications give a good idea of what the difference in accuracy means.+/-0.1%+5 on 220 mV is +219.83...220.27 mV+/-0.025%+5 on 220 mV is +220.00...+220.105 mV

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2014, 01:53:24 pm
content: The -1.2 Volt Ref goes through a voltage divider + pot (VR1) to take a mV reference to the dual slope ADC. The quoted 75ppm/C reference voltage drift carries right through and will affect the DMM readings to the same extend. Extra errors could be introduced over time through the 1k pot drift.That translates to about 1.36 digits per degree C for 220.00mV or 13.6uV.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2014, 07:48:15 am
content: I told about this at work and two co-workers got the lasts 12 inches to 1 inch spot Digital IR Thermometers. I was going to wait until a week after purchasing my DMM to convince my wife on spending another $25.But I bet they would have been gone either way.My 71B arrived and was working fine other than overshooting on temperature (unless I really had a fever it was measuring me as having over 110 F. But just fired it up again and it's fine.Everything else was spot on from the get go. The PC software to capture is a bit un-intuitive but got it finally working (you gotta press the send button)The beep is very annoying, everything beeps all the time, so I did turn it off via the setting, but now the continuity of course is silent. Maybe it has to do with the count values. I'll fiddle with it when my wife is at work because otherwise she'll be by my home office door tapping her foot with the "Are YOU Serious!" look.Anyways, best meter for $49. now the benchtop one is looking tempting

author: george graves
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2014, 11:05:54 am
content: I was too late to grab a couple of ut61e's as a 3-4th DMMs to compliment my other test gear (can't have too many when you need to measure input current/voltage and output current/voltage)....So all I wanted was something calibrated at least as well as a 61e...I wasn't expecting it to perform like a fluke.So I picked up a ut71D at the suggestion of someone on this thread. What a crap of a meter. Totally unimpressed by it's quality, user interface, software (that doesn't work) and calibration. My two ut61e are a better meter then it. I'll look into calibrating it's DC and amp range (really all I wanted out if it)The probes aren't that great. The K-type they include is 7 degrees off(an using a fluke 87-5 k-type it was still 5 degrees off) , and included k-type usues some tiny wires to connect to some banana plugs - so small a single tug and they will rip in two - or so it feels. The battery set up is such a tight fit, I almost ruined the connector before I could turn it on.Total fail on the 71. If anyone wants this meter, I'd gladly exchange it for two 61E's anyday. Maybe if you calibate it better. But out of the box. FAIL.....

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2014, 11:56:59 am
content: Regarding the UNI-T bench meters (UT-803 etc) I strongly advise against buying one. Please search for my review on the EEVBlog forum. I bought two and was unimpressed with the PCB build quality and design. The handheld meters appeared far better made....almost as though by a different factory ! I am aware that UNI-T power supplies were also of poor quality build and they were out-sourced by UNI Trend to another manufacturer. A UK agent confrmed this for me, and said he had stopped stocking the PSU's and function generators as the failure rate was too high. I sold one of my 803's after repairing it. The other faulty unit has an internittant short somewhere on the button matrix and I can't be bothered to waste time on it at the moment. In short... I found the UT-803 to be a pile of poo ..... avoidOn the other hand, I own the UT-71D and several other UNI-Trend multimeters and they appaear to offer good value for the money they cost. I do use my better Fluke 87 III and top of the range Iso-Tech multimeters for daily work though. I would sell off my excess new UNI-T multimeters but as you can see in this thread....thay are so cheap new, who bothers buying 'used' ones on ebay ?Good for disposable applications though

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2014, 01:09:21 pm
content: Quote from: george graves on April 30, 2014, 11:05:54 amNot so. The PC software with the USB connection works fine. The interface, like any meter with additional features, is more complicated than your average 5$ meter. (Try a Gossen for complicated).The battery compartment is a tight fit, but not bad, unless you're ham-fisted. At least it has a solid connector.I don't know why yours is out of calibration. Someone must have fiddled with it. Did you buy the last one?The good news is that calibration is easy, if you have a voltage reference. Closed-case or open-case, if you have a screwdriver.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 30, 2014, 04:10:34 pm
content: Wytnucls:Remember when I got my UT71E? It arrived way out of speciation, something like 0.4% accuracy.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2014, 07:28:17 pm
content: It doesn't make sense.Why would some of the high end 71 series be out of calibration on arrival, when the 'el cheapo 61' series is not. They come out of the same factory. If ever, it should happen on the 61 series rather, which has a low profit margin and subject to more commercial pressure.The 71 has far more expensive and stable components than the 61E. Top end Maxim voltage reference (2ppm/C) and thin film resistors. (75ppm/C for the 61E). So, major drift after manufacture is unlikely.7 degree C error on temperature? that's ludicrous.Other people have bought from the same shop and didn't complain about inaccuracy. Again, it matters what voltage reference is being used here. 2x61E meters?You bought your 71E from a dude on the internet in China, selling cheap and looking for a fast buck. His stock could have come from anywhere.I bought my two meters in Hong Kong and Shanghai over a year ago, from reputable brick and mortar electronic shops. The meters have been spot on from day one, tested against the 1-year calibration Gossen 30M.Regardless, the 71 calibration is dead easy on the low ranges, with the help of a cheap voltage standard.The shop will accept returns for defective meters anyway, so the buyer should send it back for a refund, if it is really out of calibration.

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2014, 08:24:51 pm
content: Quote from: Wytnucls on April 30, 2014, 07:28:17 pmThere are always chances for one item to slip through the cracks. No matter how careful a company is.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2014, 05:29:07 pm
content: I just purchased one of the two available UTC1102C portable oscilloscopes as I already own the UTD1025C and like itThe 500Ms/s sample rate is half what I would have liked but the price was right.I had some problems ordering via the web site due to the fraud detection mechanism (I am buying from the UK with delivery to an address in the USA due to Lithium battery shipping issues). A quick message to Morton Controls elicited an almost instant response and got it all sorted. They PayPal invoiced me for the total. Payment was then easy. A very helpful and friendly company to deal with. Only one UTD1102C left if you are tempted.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2014, 11:46:02 pm
content: Something interesting with the Uni-T 71D (and perhaps others models in the series) I have discovered.I wanted to see for myself the latching speed of the diode test.It is slower on the sides of the probes than it is tip to thread of each probe.Can anyone else confirm that the sides of the probes are slow?Probe tip to a short alligator lead is quick as well. It's not lightening fast but it seems way better than touching the sides of both probes together.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2014, 01:35:13 am
content: No noticeable difference on my 71D.I fail to understand why this is interesting and how it will affect your diode testing.Clean your probe shafts if it worries you.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2014, 09:22:50 am
content: It's interesting to me don't be such a**********.* removed by moderator

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2014, 12:05:20 pm
content: UTD1102C Portable Oscilloscope arrived safely at its destination yesterday. All is well with it .... very pleased. Ordered Friday and arrived following Wednesday at US address, using UPS Ground service.