Multimeter advice - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: JamesQ
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 09, 2012, 01:25:35 pm
content: Hello from Slovenia.Im a student of electronics who is finishing his studies. Until now my first DMM VC-140(very basic and cheap Voltcraft model) was enough for me. Since ill graduate soon i wish to buy a bit better multimeter for my home projects and work around house. I looked up local stores and im having some difficulties deciding which should i buy. All Multimeters are from 50€ up to 100€. Im willing to pay up to 100€, if multimeter is really worth it.I was looking at Extech EX330(70€)/EX430(100€), Voltcraft VC-830(85€) and UNI-T UT61D(65€). Extech EX430 and UNI-T UT61D are TRMS, others are not. They have all more or less the same specifications.I watched all Daves multimeter videos and this is the roundup from his advices and reviews. Please give me some advice on which should i buy.Thank you.

author: vtl
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2012, 01:30:59 pm
content: Get the UT61Emodel, its got a 22,000 count display and seems to have faster autoranging than the D version. I've just ordered one for $55AUD delivered (around 44.80 Euros).

author: JamesQ
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 09, 2012, 03:12:29 pm
content: Hello.@vtl: i've looked at this model over this forum and it looks ok. Becasue of my country import restrictions (orders over 22€ get +20% VAT) i must order within EU borders.What about EX430? it looks very decent in specs and in build quality. Any thought on this model? Or on VC-830? Is TRMS DMM that better than regular DMM without TRMS?Thank you.

author: stl
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2012, 03:57:00 pm
content: Quote from: JamesQ on February 09, 2012, 03:12:29 pmTry to confirm that information, in Portugal the 22€ only apply if you buy from a company. If you buy from an individual, for example Ebay (assuming that they don't send you an invoice with the article), you don't pay any taxes up to 45€.I've bought a UT61 from a Chinese seller that was retained in customs but because I paid ~43€ for it (DMM + shipment) I didn't had to pay anything else.

author: JamesQ
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 09, 2012, 04:20:21 pm
content: Hello.@stl: i ordered few free samples from TI.com and the package got hold at customs, until i cleared that these are development free samples and the value on the package vas deducted with the same amount. That was 2 hours of arguing with officials over free stuff. So yeah, im looking for a good DMM to buy in EU.Have a nice day.

author: stl
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2012, 06:10:37 pm
content: As far as I know it doesn't mater if you paid for it or not. If the argument "It was a gift" was accepted no one would pay anything to customs...

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2012, 09:22:04 pm
content: Quote from: JamesQ on February 09, 2012, 03:12:29 pmBut any retailer in the EU has to charge you their local VAT, too. Unless, of course you deal with a smuggler or a criminal dodging sales tax.It is either you paying your government's customs directly on import, or you paying a retailer in the EU who in turn pays his government.

author: electrode
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2012, 10:20:28 pm
content: Any reason the B&K Precision BK2709B isn't on the list? It was the winner of the $100 shootout, which prompted me to buy one.It's true RMS, has a good, reasonably fast (but not the fastest) latching continuity tester, a diode test that will light most LEDs up to 3.x V, and decent ranges on capacitance and frequency measurements.The downsides are burden voltage and green backlight instead of a sexy white one.

author: JamesQ
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 10, 2012, 02:01:07 am
content: Hello.@BoredAtWork: in SI we have Electronics Assosciation group, so we get some discounts at local bussineses(PCB making, electronics elements and so on...) and all DMM's listed up can be purchased with some discount.@electrode: i was thinking of BK2709B, but i havent found any deals for 100€. I found one for 120€ at Schukat distributor, but thats a tad too much for me. Sorry, 100€ is upper line for me, that is how much i can afford.I went to see Volcrafts DMMs yesterday. VC-265 just shut down when i turned a knob a little faster, but VC-830 looks decent build. As i have seen, Volcrafts DMMs are a bit better designed than UNI-Ts, but i guess UNI-T makes them both. Volcrafts has a fairly easier battery fuses access and uses ceramic fuses. So we can say UNI-T and Volcraft are almost the same.Anyone using EX430? How about that DMM? Dave recomended EX330 in 50$ test, but its in the same price range as UNI-Ts and hase 3 holes for the probes. I guess EX430 is almost the same as EX330, but TRMS and has 4 holes. Why EX 430 and not EX420? Because its 6€ difference in price.Have a nice day.