Worst handheld multi-meter still available - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2017, 04:57:51 pm
content: What do you feel is the worst handheld multi-meter that is still available today and why?I've ran a fair number of meters and you may think I would say the free Centech from Harbor Freight, but it's not even close. As bad as the quality is and as cheap as they make it with it's tiny glass fuse and no fuse for the high current, it's free. And as a bonus, most of the time they work right out of the box. To me, the quality, reliability, robustness, cost and features all play into it. The more I pay for a meter, the higher my expectations are. Even at the $50 mark, I expect them to survive some basic transients and be somewhat mechanically sound. So much crap to choose from. What's your pick?

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2017, 06:16:18 pm
content: Some of the mid range meters, which are not free, but where the bang for the buck is not great, and the units themselves are not as well made as that cheap one. The generic 830 meter typically will do for 90% of low voltage ( non mains use) measurement, and do so well enough.

author: kalel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2017, 06:40:48 pm
content: What about this MF-110?Regardless of the image price, about $2.x shipped from China is available, it was at one point in time cheaper than the DT830 series (similar to the free harbor freight meter).I actually have one, and have written a tiny review inthis thread.Not to say that it's much worse thanexpected for the price. If we consider the price, there is not much competition. But the free harbor freight meter costs only a little more and ismuch betteras a multimeter. Continuity (some variants of DT830 have a beeper), more accurate measurements, diode forward voltage check, etc.If we ignore the price, functionality wise, it's probably one of the worst.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2017, 07:36:49 pm
content: It's pretty easy for me to pick my favorite of the ones I have looked at but picking the worst is more difficult. There's no wrong answers here as far as I am concerned, as long as you provide your reasons explaining why you picked the meter you did.The Gossen I bought to run was $850. It was plagued with problem. I would say some are even safety concerns It was far more sensitive to RF than many meters I have looked at and you can't press a button without the thing whacking out from the static field. The company has virtually zero communications and can't even seem to get their story right. Still as bad as the meter is, at least it survived the grill starter.The UNI-T UT181A was $300. Basically a Fluke knockoff with color and an few other nice features. One strike with the grill starter and it was dead. And as crappy as that was, the ICs that were damaged were available and I was at least able to repair it.Many other meters failed the grill starter test and could not be repaired. But most of these were under $50. The UT61E, is in this bracket. Still, at $50 you are not out a lot. Sure it could be better, but I don't think its the worst meter I have looked at.For me the one that sticks out is the Summit TPI 194II. It again has some very nice features. One of the better hold functions I have seen. The case is very solid. I can even forgive that ugly lime green case. It was one of the four meters that was damaged during the AC line test. Worse, I was not able to get a replacement part to repair it. The cost was $250. Really a shame as just like the UT181A, it has the potential to be a really nice meter. And I've shown that input protection is not that costly to add to a design.So that's my pick, the TPI194II.https://www.testproductsintl.com/digital-multimeters-dmms/194-digital-multimeter/

author: Deridex
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2017, 12:05:42 pm
content: Sadly i had to work with multiple DMM already that made me quite unhappy. Most of them went straight to the recycling after it. But after all there are now some brands that i tend to avoid.Quote from: joeqsmith on October 29, 2017, 07:36:49 pmThat sounds like a topic for Dave

author: brucehoult
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2017, 02:08:01 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on October 29, 2017, 04:57:51 pmI haven't previously heard of Centech or Harbor Frienght, but a google image search finds pics.For avoidance of confusion: is it an "830" (aka UM7106 chipset) design?The available ranges and features certainly make it look so.I'm quite happy with my Mastech MAS830L for the microcontroller/breadboard things I use it for.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2017, 07:35:35 pm
content: Quote from: Deridex on October 30, 2017, 12:05:42 pmJoe did an excellent series of videos on it.Dave's had some lemons, too:

author: MosherIV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2017, 08:16:13 pm
content: HiI would like to nominate the VC99https://www.amazon.co.uk/Auto-Ranging-Multimeter-Capacitance-Temperature-Measurement/dp/B00EYYJRC0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1509394350&sr=8-2&keywords=autoranging+multimeterI do not have one

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 30, 2017, 09:13:53 pm
content: The OWON B35 is a complete piece of garbage and the manufacturer and its product distributors should be ashamed of themselves, I could easily waffle on for another few paragraphs in relation to this meter but I couldn't be bothered as these multimeters don't deserve any further attention except for negative so as to warn others how shit full these products really are.

author: Dwaine
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2017, 11:50:17 pm
content: Quote from: MosherIV on October 30, 2017, 08:16:13 pmI like the pretty picture on Amazon showing testing mains power. Nice.

author: BMack
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2017, 05:59:46 am
content: Quote from: MosherIV on October 30, 2017, 08:16:13 pmTenma rebrands these also, they're pretty terrible. Very comparable to a lot of the off-brand plastic-y feeling DMMs. Surprisingly accurate but way too slow to be usable in troubleshooting, one of the Techs at my shop bought one as a backup...I tested it out for him with an open mind, I promptly told him to return it or throw it away. He was too lazy to do it and he left it on my desk, sometimes I use it to test batteries.

author: stj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2017, 06:33:44 am
content: i have a problem with any meter that can have it's readings effected by a low battery before it reaches the threshold to actually tell you it's low!!i'v had a few do that in the past, my current collection is not effected by this issue afaik.

author: Deridex
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2017, 08:46:34 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on October 30, 2017, 07:35:35 pmI thought he was talking about a Gossen DMM at the part i quoted, not a Uni-T

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2017, 08:59:00 am
content: Quote from: Deridex on October 31, 2017, 08:46:34 amI was. You just missed Fungus's point that I had made a whole series of videos on the Gossen. If you are interested in seeing them, feel free to visit my youtube channel, select the playlists, then select the one marked for Gossen.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2017, 09:03:48 am
content: Quote from: Muttley Snickers on October 30, 2017, 09:13:53 pmThat looks like a very nice little meter. Nothing in your post says why you feel it is a piece of garbage, just that it is. How about posting what makes it the worst and save me the time of running one.

author: Deridex
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2017, 09:55:08 am
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on October 31, 2017, 08:59:00 amOh i'm sorry. I really missed that point

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2017, 10:28:29 am
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on October 31, 2017, 09:03:48 amYep. Looks awesome for $66. Bar graph, lots of features, data logging via Bluetooth... it even comes in a case.http://www.owon.com.hk/products_info.asp?ProID=181For $66 it's a given that it won't meet CAT ratings, etc., but it would take far more than that for it to be classed as one of the worst meters available.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2017, 11:15:00 am
content: Someone had asked me about running a TekPower branded TP9605BT meter that was in this same price range that also had BT. Doing some research, it had a fair amount of poor feedback but sadly not much meat in the comments. IMO, if you are going to take the time to say a something is poor, at least have some sort of data to back it up.I was watching some meter reviews over the last few weeks to get some ideas for a review I am working on. Its amazing the number of reviews where someone at best connects the meter to a resistor or battery and say's how great the product is.Worse, they ask for money for their expert advice. Sorry, only my second cup for the day.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2017, 11:47:15 am
content: I just watched a video review or two of it. It all looks good. The Bluetooth app seems usable. Bar graph looks good. There's an HRC fuse on the 20A input. Meets accuracy specs. The case has embroidered Owon logo. Continuity test isn't very fast, but... that was about it.The reviewer got his for under $60 delivered so I'm intrigued. What makes this one of the worst meters ever?

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 31, 2017, 11:55:24 am
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on October 31, 2017, 09:03:48 amNo problem but you will have to wait until the morning when I am able to access my other computer where I have documented a number of concerns, most of which are written here on the forum anyway but I cannot link them from this gadget. AVE also did a video on these meters but his criticism had nothing to do with my findings or experience.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2017, 11:57:09 am
content: To me the absolute worst is the HY5300 (I have aBrazilian variant). Although it has a very large and high contrast display, that is pretty much the only nice feature. The range switch is very imprecise (important for a manual range meter), the cable tester has a severe flaw (USB connectors are both type A), the signal strength tester (a.k.a. satellite tester) is very imprecise and its construction is very bad. Quality control is bad as well, since my meter came with a bent potentiometer (for the satellite tester) and a loose rotary switch ball bearing inside.Another candidate is the MS8211D, simply due to the flimsy construction of the retractable tip - the weak plastics broke after only a few uses and the metal is now continuously exposed.My MAS830L is a fine meter, but it came with a severe quality control flaw: an extra rotary switch contact spring loose inside the housing. It is much better than the M830B models (a.k.a. Harbor Freight), but to me this alone is too dangerous to pass.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2017, 12:28:01 pm
content: Anything that shares the mA ranges with the Volts/ohms input jack. That should tick off a few.

author: 3db
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2017, 12:43:30 pm
content: Quote from: MosherIV on October 30, 2017, 08:16:13 pmI second that.I bought one of those things a couple of years ago.I hated it and gave it to someone because they had nothing.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2017, 02:14:46 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on October 31, 2017, 11:15:00 amThere's that, then there's Ben Heck's oscilloscope video...https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/ben-hecks-oscilloscope-throwdown/

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2017, 02:52:54 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on October 29, 2017, 07:36:49 pmBy grill starter, I assume you mean ignition? If so, what sort of ignition? A piezoelectric push-button ignition, which only outputs a small ESD level pulse or a ignition coil, such as the type found on a domestic cooker, connected to the mains?

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2017, 03:04:51 pm
content: Quote from: Hero999 on October 31, 2017, 02:52:54 pmThe thing he uses in his multimeter test videos.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2017, 04:38:59 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on October 31, 2017, 03:04:51 pmIt's only been a few years and fifty some meters.I don't test them with the grill starter anymore, unless someone specifically asks. I was tired of the thumb sucking UNI-T fan boys going on about how I was damaging all their meters and how the test was too harsh. Now days, I run a direct discharge with a gun I built which is much closer to the IEC standards. Sadly, I had not ran any low end meters since.For details concerning the grill starter, watch the first 10 minutes.https://youtu.be/1kYcY2ogmqo

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2017, 05:20:46 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on October 31, 2017, 04:38:59 pmJoe, this is entirely your fault. Either you should have created a "safe space" for the "snowflake" Uni-T meters or should have added "trigger warnings" to protect some "snowflake" Uni-T owners... <ducks and runs>

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2017, 10:35:41 pm
content: "safe space" for the "snowflake"

author: Cyberdragon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2017, 08:14:35 pm
content: Cheap meters aren't all that bad, my $30 - $40 (whatever it cost) meter survived 80VDC on the continuity range...several times.OOPS

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2017, 10:19:16 pm
content: The only meters I wouldnt consider using are the shitty DT830 variants with a piddly 1M input impedance and some of the really cheap analogue ones. Apart from that the meters that are popular to crap upon are fine for voltage monitoring, continuity, measuring resistors/capacitors etc. Just don’t go whacking them on switching power supplies, bus bars or anything stupid like that.The worst hand held meter still available is the Pro’s Kit MT2017 in my opinion. I got given one for Christmas and I’d killed it in about twenty minutes. I made fire come out.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2017, 07:34:17 am
content: I think that claim is hilarious. Most of the divider resistors are just 0805’s with a glass fuse in front. The video above shows an earlier board. It’s all SMD now.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2017, 04:03:59 pm
content: Funny things about the video:

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2017, 04:13:22 pm
content: well spotted.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2017, 04:59:36 pm
content: It looks similar to the really low end analog meter I reviewed. It even comes with a spare fuse. So if you pop the one, you don't have to resort to jumping out the fuse with wire. You can still be safe with your second chance glass fuse.Quote from: Cyberdragon on November 01, 2017, 08:14:35 pmI agree that there are some pretty good inexpensive meters on the market. That sub $50 Fluke 101 is a good design and very well made for the price. On the flip side, I've seen some pretty expensive meters with a lot of problems.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2017, 10:03:11 pm
content: I started to look at a new meter today and believe I have found a new candidate for the worst meter still available. I've spent some money on some crap meters before but this meter takes things to a whole new level.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2017, 03:40:18 am
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on December 02, 2017, 10:03:11 pmWhich meter is this?

author: stj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2017, 09:49:47 am
content: most of my meters are sub $60 ones.no problem, i want to mod them.so i dont want to risk hundreds.if i take a UT-61E or Aneng and then spend 5-10 on fuses and fuseholders and maybe some movs, it's still a good price.i wouldnt touch a DT830 type though - ever.the way they connect the sockets to the main pcb from a smaller one looks so dodgy that i wouldnt trust the readings even just testing battery's or resistors.i also wouldnt touch any old analog meter with 2mm probe sockets.

author: rob77
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2017, 10:49:04 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on October 31, 2017, 10:28:29 ami do have one, it's not an ideal meter but not the worst one either. it lacks proper input protection and i would not use it for work on mains, but otherwise it's usable including the bluetooth.many (almost all ? ) Uni-T meters doesn't have proper input protection so i don't see why the B35 should be the worst one... i would even say that the B35 is a nice meter for low voltage stuff.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2017, 11:24:51 am
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on December 02, 2017, 10:03:11 pmTwo PCBs, both with range selector?

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2017, 05:18:45 pm
content: That's pretty much what I thought. The meter is now being life cycled. We will see how this fancy switch holds up.

author: Daruosha
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2017, 08:16:48 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on December 03, 2017, 05:18:45 pmRight of the bat, with via holes on the rotary switch traces, I can say it will be pretty much hopeless.

author: cdev
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2017, 09:02:42 pm
content: Are there ANY good really cheap basic meters, (by cheap I mean under $10-15 analog is fine) which are safe, completely ignoring whiz bang features?Decent, safe, no frills at all. One requirement, should have a continuity beeper or LED.

author: stj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2017, 09:16:34 pm
content: i would say the Aneng / zotek is "safe" as long as you dont take liberty's with it and ignore the manual.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2017, 10:19:46 pm
content: Quote from: cdev on December 03, 2017, 09:02:42 pmMost of them are "safe" so long as you operate them perfectly and don't take them along to the local substation..I'm not sure how many I'd be happy to connect to the mains and twist the selector dial back and forth.If I was going to buy a sub-$20 meter I'd get the ANENG AN860B+.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2017, 10:35:23 pm
content: UT136 is quite decent and robust for the price. There is a thread around here.

author: Vtile
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2017, 11:05:15 pm
content: Uh. Someone were fast. I think the worst can be found from the analogue meter market, the specs are horrid for even a analogue meters.https://www.kew-ltd.co.jp/en/products/detail/00912/Accuracy 3%Seriously..

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2017, 11:07:39 pm
content: OMG I had a piece of shit like that when I was a kid. Think it was from Tandy / Radio Shack.

author: HalFET
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2017, 11:26:44 pm
content: That's a really high-end thing you got there! But I got something even better!May I present to you, the MF-110A:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Mini-Electric-AC-DC-OHM-Voltmeter-Ammeter-Multi-Tester-MF-110A-Multimeter-New/32800873535.htmlI bought one ages ago since I wanted to just steal the movement to make some DIY panel meters for something silly, but turns out even that part is too crappy to bother with. Been meaning to hook it up to a MOT to see how quickly it catches fire, but I can't quite be bothered to disassemble a microwave oven for this thing.

author: cdev
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2017, 04:17:44 am
content: It looks like my first Radio Shack meter. Which was a prized possession at the time. How things have changed.