POLL: Multimeter Price Brackets - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 12:21:51 pm
content: This is a bit hard to word properly, but I basically want to know what is the maximum price bracket (US dollars) you'd consider for a decent & accurate handheld multimeter?i.e. what maximum price would you would be willing to paywithout too much procrastinationfor a good meter.Essentially I'm trying to ultimately gauge what the most popular price bracket for a decent handheld multimeter might be overall in the market place.Thanks.

author: Tandy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 01:02:48 pm
content: Trouble is there are at least two distinct groups of people that will buy a meter. On the one hand you are going to get a lot of professionals for whom quality and reliability are really important as it is an every day tool for them. On the other you are going to get a lot of people that can get on fine with a $10 meter for their 555 flashing LED circuits.

author: John_Edward
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 01:11:07 pm
content: I bought the Brymen BM869 few years back, and paid 222 euros for it with shipping, with the idea that it would be the 'best' I would ever get.Also it seems that tapatalk for android doesn't support polls, hmh.

author: Moondeck
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 01:26:56 pm
content: Another DMM shotout on the way?

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 01:27:18 pm
content: At risk of being awkward, I'd probably add another option: no maximum, depends on what the features it has are worth at the time.My Fluke 289, for example, cost more than I'd ordinarily want to pay for a handheld meter. But I needed a portable data logger for a job, and the job easily paid for the meter, so it was a no-brainer. (Slightly unusual circumstances, perhaps, as there can't be too many people who are buying equipment for professional use out of their own pockets, as opposed to buying toys for fun or spending the company's money).The handheld meter I use most often was about the equivalent of US$300, though I bought it used, so make of that what you will.

author: pascal_sweden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 01:41:43 pm
content: I believe people would be willing to pay, whatever mid-range price, as long as it is a fair price.Even if you have to spend a lot, you will accept it, if you have the "value for money" feeling.People with lot's of money to spare, can in principle buy any meter, no matter how high the price is, but even they probably want to have the "value for money" feeling. This is more common with rich people than you would expect. Reason: even rich people can be greedy, and want value for money.Currently there are two fronts: The cheap Chinese meters, that are actually very accurate, but not reliable in the long run, and not safe for high-voltage measurements. Most people know about the quality issues, but they feel that they have to compromise, as the (only) other option would be to spend too much, and not get value for money relatively.Then there are the A-brand meters, which are very accurate, reliable in the long run, safe for high-voltage measurements, but in most people's opinion, they are overpriced.For most people, it is not justified that making an already accurate meter, more reliable in the long run, and more safe for high-voltage measurements, costs 200-300 euro more. We are talking here about some better fuses, and a better plastic casing, but the main processor can most of the time stay the same, as it is already accurate, even in the Chinese multimeters.People value the underlying processor architecture more, than the plastic housing and fuses.And if they know that the Fluke is not using a 32-bit or 64-bit beast, but actually a processor very similar than their Chinese processor, they are not willing to pay a lot extra.People are looking for something in between the two fronts. They want to keep the "value for money" feeling. Currently it looks like Brymen is one of the companies that comes close to this in-between option.

author: idpromnut
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 01:47:32 pm
content: I think there are two brackets your poll might cover:- The serious hobbyist- The professionalAs a hobbyist (that is serious but has a lot to learn) I don't mind spending on good decent tools, so a 100-150$ is reasonable. However, a professional that depends on his tools would be willing to spend more I would imagine.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 01:48:53 pm
content: I am not going to vote because I don't think I can add valid data here. It is interesting to see though that what I would have voted as being what I think most people would want to pay has the biggest peak.

author: pascal_sweden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 01:52:52 pm
content: Quote from: Lightages on May 07, 2015, 01:48:53 pmYou indirectly contributed to the poll with your disclaimerDisclaimer: I am a distributor for Brymen in Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Guyana, French Guiana, and Suriname

author: Excavatoree
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 01:54:14 pm
content: There are a lot of factors. I buy used and/or surplus meters and chose Fluke for no scientific reason. I paid 200 dollars for my first 87-V, my 89-IV, my 189, and my 189-II (Same as 287) over about three or four years. (average one such purchase a year.) (EDIT: added 189, and that this is only for that approximate 4 year period. I can't afford to buy a 200 dollar meter every year for 15 years or more)If I desired a new meter, or didn't want to collect meters, or didn't care about brand, I'd most certainly have chosen differently. If I'm not mistaken, the latest group of lower cost yet performance equivalent are relatively recent. 15 years ago, when I started collecting, the difference in quality was greater.EDIT: I probably don't even need something as sophisticated as the 189-2 (287) but for 200 dollars, as a collector, I couldn't resist. The 89-IV or 189 I have have enough data recording capability for my projects. I may not even have those. For electronics, I use an 87, but not always the 87-V, most times the 87-III or even the original 87 is good enough. For many electrical projects, a 70 series or 25/27 is more than enough. It's difficult for me to "filter out" my hoarding instincts and figure out what I'd buy if my only consideration were value for money and features.

author: ajc
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 01:55:26 pm
content: For me, for a basic 'all purpose' multimeter I'd say it is around the $100 mark... I'd probably go an extra $50 for a well known brand.Wouldn't buy anything unless it has good reviews though...

author: TheAmmoniacal
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 02:03:00 pm
content: Are you considering doing a multimeter project? I can recall some talk about an open source multimeter on your channel way back. Would get that at any cost!

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 02:08:56 pm
content: I suspect that most people who picked $100-$150 are thinking closer to $100 then $150.Maybe $100 should be in the middle of a range, not at the beginning/end. $80-$120 should be enough to build a decent multimeter.PS: Am I spending my own personal money or company money?

author: Tandy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 02:20:27 pm
content: Fungus raises a good point if you are considering a multimeter project that might make a difference.People who will happily spend $300 of company money on a fluke from Element 14 might not be able to do the same for a kickstarter project due to having to buy their tools from an approved supplier. Personal budgets are on the whole more carefully spent.

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 02:26:06 pm
content: You sure about that? Getting approval from an employer to spend anything at all, let alone anything over and above the price of the cheapest tool that'll get a job done, can be hard.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 02:30:12 pm
content: Quote from: AndyC_772 on May 07, 2015, 02:26:06 pmMost companies I've worked at the "Capex" limit has been about $300. Under that, easy peasy, over that, 5 signatures required.

author: KD0CAC John
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 02:55:28 pm
content: Same here with working with , or at home .Then the next thing is weather someone finds good pricing , one of my 1st good MM was Fluke 87 III back in the 80s ,and prices were all over the place , as high as about $700 , I found new in a pro tool store for about $350 .I would say I buy both ends of the spectrum , the $30 - $50 units are extras in tool box's that travel and not used as much .

author: Barny
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 03:05:59 pm
content: I've bought the "Agilent" U1272A with the free power suply.Or was it the other way round.My other multimeter are all sub 100 Euro multimeter.(I got them as a little kid)Most time I dont look at the price.I want to get best price - value relation.QuoteAt my company its 400EuroIts mad to see that a machine / testgear is bought in two parts for 300Euro each becouse it would cost 410Euro as one part.

author: HackedFridgeMagnet
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 03:15:25 pm
content: QuoteI think the question is wrong.The issue for me is paying $400 for an energy meter isn't covered by the above question.Maybe a list of possible models with each ones options/features listed and with the rough price. (if possible)

author: Porto
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 03:19:13 pm
content: I bought myself a really good Voltcraft VC890 DMM awhile ago.Made a comparison with a Fluke 87 and there were minor differences in measuring accuracy and useability, so I find it top-notch!It was priced at 240 euro's, that's some $275 I guess.But, to be honest, I fell in love with the beautiful OLED display it has... VERY clear screen in dark and light environments.

author: rob77
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 03:37:26 pm
content: i bought recently (beginning of this year) a Brymen BM869s for ~220Euro (and voted in the poll for 200-250$) that's the highest amount i'm willing to spend for a decent handheld meter. but i wouldn't spend such a amount for a 4000 or 6000 count meter - i know the accuracy might be the same or even better as the 20k - 60k count meters, but the higher resolution is a big advantage.i think the "EEVmeter" should be at least on par with the 869 (or others in that category) if the price tag is going to be around $200.

author: Pedram
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 05:43:30 pm
content: i pay less than $50.i think multimeters are overpriced.

author: paulie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 06:15:33 pm
content: LOL. Only one out of first 22 replies demonstrating capacity for critical thought.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 06:17:48 pm
content: Quote from: Excavatoree on May 07, 2015, 01:54:14 pmExcavatoree, as you probably know US completely throws off this poll as it is a goldmine for low price used equipment, but everywhere else (except perhaps some European countries) it is pretty much barren land with a few ridiculously overpriced junkyard-quality equipment. For these places usually the prospect buyers usually fall into the two buckets already mentioned: either pay nothing for it due to resource constraints or the full price to get something that lasts a lifetime.Dave, if you are looking for a project to be sold through internet, keep in mind that several countries also have the same "capex limit" when dealing with imports. For example, Brazil tends to leave alone most of the "under US$50" packages from overseas (varies from country to country, but it is surely worth doing some previous research as well).

author: rob77
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 06:32:28 pm
content: Quote from: rsjsouza on May 07, 2015, 06:17:48 pmcapex => capital expense => aka. investing into assets which will be depreciated over time till written off.and regarding the limits for no customs duty - that's impossible to take into consideration for the whole world...but i would strongly suggest to avoid double VAT - otherwise the price will climb up really high. (exporting from Australia without VAT paid , and paying the local VAT only).

author: SteveyG
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 06:48:28 pm
content: Quote from: John_Edward on May 07, 2015, 01:11:07 pmYet another reason not to use that awful piece of adware.Quote from: AndyC_772 on May 07, 2015, 02:26:06 pmI must be lucky then. So long as we fill in the forms, we get what we ask for.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 06:52:12 pm
content: Quote from: rob77 on May 07, 2015, 06:32:28 pmI stand corrected. When I said "Capex" concept I meant a limit instead.

author: LabSpokane
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 07:00:36 pm
content: DaveI'm not sure you're going to get a good poll unless you separate home/hobby users from professional users.Working on 480V machines with thumb Dia conductors versus microcontrollers are totally different animals.

author: rob77
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 07:18:04 pm
content: Quote from: LabSpokane on May 07, 2015, 07:00:36 pmdon't forget the professionals working with micro-controllersand don't forget that 480V with fat conductors => you can get along with a well built & safe voltmeter + clamp amp-meter... you won't interrupt a thumb diameter wire and measure current with a DMM and the 10amp rated probesso you're right - it's impossible to make a meter suitable for both worlds

author: Christe4nM
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 08:38:32 pm
content: Well it depends on bang for buck and quality.My Agilent U1272A was about €410,- incl. VAT (~$462,- (USD)). Which is a tad high to be honest, but I think was worth it. The Fluke 87-V costs even more here. Yet those are professional level DMMs, which incidentally is why I choose to spend that amount.On the other hand, how many times do you really need all their features? IMHO 1mV resolution on a 10V scale is more than enough for general electronics work. Capacitance can be done better by an LCR meter. Temperature is nice, but can be lived without. So it comes really down to what you expect that a "decent DMM" does.If I'd do it again purely for hobby purposes, I would look for a meter that qualifies as a general electronics DMM. If it's really 'decent' (a.k.a. by many regarded as so) I'd spend up to €150,- without thinking more than twice. That's including 21% VAT, so that leaves the bare price at ~€125,- (~$170 (USD)).So I chose the $150-$200 range in the poll.

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 08:54:38 pm
content: I went with 350-400 since that's about what I the total was for a bm869 with logging kit.I'd probably be willing to pay a bit more to get a 289 if I needed handheld standalone logging.

author: HKJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 08:57:52 pm
content: Some of my favourite meters are Fluke 189, Fluke 289, Agilent U1272A and Gossen Metrahit Energy, all with computer interface (I do also have some cheaper meters, but I do not use them nearly as much).

author: Fat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 09:56:09 pm
content: I have three reasonably good meters in my shop. I originally had a Fluke and it was stolen. Since then I have been picking up less expensive meters to try and fill the gap. My purchases have progressively gotten more expensive trying to fill the Fluke void. I use the better one all the time and it's good to have others if I need more than one meter. That doesn't include the 5 and 10 dollar meters I have floating around for home projects.I really don't need another meter, but it would be nice to have a really good one for those times I need the accuracy and features. I'm thinking an upper end Brymen, but that purchase will come when the need arises. Until then, I'm good with what I have.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 10:19:30 pm
content: I remember when a Simpson was the standard for a good meter. People would say the price was justified because it would last forever. The last forever part is true, but virtually no one uses Simpson analog meters now. No matter how good the quality and reliability technology is likely to send your quality meter to the "too good to throw away but it never gets used" bin.A warranty is another argument for buying quality, but seems a little weak when the el cheapo meters effectively have the same warranty (replace with a new one at virtually no cost). Turnaround time is often faster for the el cheapo too, depending on whether you stocked a near freebie ahead of time, or have a local distributor.So the only valid arguments I can see for the more expensive meters are:1. Better safety features required for where and how the meter will be used.2. Key performance features other than accuracy (rapid response continuity beeper, data logging, capacitance measuring, or data freeze as examples).3. Display and controls look and feel. How important this is varies from user to user, as does what is good.4. Ostentatious display (I drive a .... and use a .... meter). Hey, if it floats your boat it IS important, at least to you.5. CYA. It is usually easier to justify top of the line equipment to CPAs, lawyers and others who do post mortums when equipment, companies or even people die.Some or all of these may apply any individual situation.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 10:37:06 pm
content: QuoteDefine decent?Different in everybodies mind.Everybody has varying needs, but basic requirements must be met.For me the Fluke 15B is ALL the DMM I need.Want more, get a bench unit, hell thats where most of us need any extended functionality.Even then, few if any can provide the 3 kV AC & DC capability of an AVO 8.Point being, what might be perfect for todays use might not be in a decade.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 10:52:29 pm
content: Quote from: LabSpokane on May 07, 2015, 07:00:36 pmI agree. For low power I'd just shell out a little as possible for a 4.5 digit meter. However I voted $200 to $250 because that is about what I paid for an Agilent handheld DMM. Not that I use it daily (more like twice a year) but I wanted a DMM I can use on mains without worrying whether it really meets it's insulation specifications.This poll needs to be split into:- use for low voltage circuits- use on mains- high precision (but that isn't really handheld territory)And then you could add other features like frequency, capacitance, etc.

author: LaurentR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 11:08:30 pm
content: I agree with the bimodal distribution of the poll results:* Main DMM with everything that could be useful, with price commensurate to features (e.g. F89, F289, U1272A, BM869...).* Second DMM in the $100-150 range. Solid and reliable but basic features only.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 11:20:28 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on May 07, 2015, 02:30:12 pmYep, it is good to know where the signature threshold is if possible (it might vary by industry, product, and company to some extent) and try to stay below that

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 11:49:10 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on May 07, 2015, 10:52:29 pmYes, this is why Fluke offers many DMMs; they segment and target markets keeping in mind requirements for industries (from various commercial markets to consumer) and applications (low voltage, high voltage, etc.)It would probably be difficult to make one DMM that could win huge market share overall but there is probably room for improvement in a target segment. I guess that's somewhat the purpose of this poll - to see if there is a common or primary profile of a user in the "EEVblog segment".But it seems like even within the EEVblog segment there is a range of users and applications including some very budget conscious, some sort of budget conscious, and some not so budget conscious.I think one of the EEVblog segments is a group of users who are mostly working with DC but probably want RMS for AC and who want reasonably good accuracy and precision but who have a pretty strong cost-conscious concern about budget. This might be the entry level EEVblog enthusiast or student. Just a guess but this is probably south of $100 and probably closer to $50, plus or minus.Then there is a next tier that wants more features and performance but still at the best price for those features and specs. This is the middle EEV tier. This is probably north of $100 and maybe into the $200+ range.Then there are the most serious and affluent EEVers who have a need/desire and budget for relatively high end features and specs; they know it will cost more but they don't want to spend more money than is needed to get the job done reliably. This is the high end tier. This might be $250-$300 or more.Or these price ranges might be too large, which might lead to 4 (or more segments) - marketing (determining market requirements, not just promotional marketing) is both science and art.Just some impressions - probably tons of other ideas around here.- One other idea (every one has them) is that the EEV market seems to include people who not only like accuracy and precision, but they like to take things apart to study and adjust them as well as fix them. A DMM that had a friendly approach to end user setting (adjusting not necessarily calibrating) voltage, current, and other values might be popular. As a model of a sort of good approach I have a Radio Shack DMM that is easy to disassemble and with a small tool the voltage can be adjusted to correspond to some other reference device. It's "sort of good" because it's awkward to hold and adjust the board on it's side (along with the battery) while trying to make the finicky pot correspond to a readout on another device. Why not offer an external user port for such adjustments? I'm sure manufacturers are reluctant to let users muck around with their gear but across the EEV segments (entry, mid, and high) I think this is a losing battle and a manufacturer who recognizes that "take it apart" is Step 1 might be able to win some hearts and minds if the rest of the features, specs, and pricing made sense.

author: m100
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2015, 12:24:52 am
content: Fluke 87 V from Farnell in the UK is GBP399 plus 20% VAT = USD 736 so way off the end of those options. Would I want anything less? Maybe something that defaults to DC rather than AC mA.Would I buy a cheapy? Possibly, but with a large shelf of used Fluke & AVO DMM's stretching back 30+ years I doubt (touch wood) I'll need to buy another. If I did it might be something like a Fluke 107 just for the small footprint on a cluttered work area.While most usage now is on the bench or with battery powered devices, or on vehicles there are times when I need to measure 230 / 415v at or close to distribution boards and mains incomers. So I buy quality, robustness, reputation and long term support, not by a set price. 95+ % of manufacturers wouldn't even make the short list.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 08, 2015, 12:38:33 am
content: Quote from: Electro Fan on May 07, 2015, 11:49:10 pmMy experience over the years has been that people, when it comes down to it, ultimately buy primarily based on cost.i.e."I want to spend up to $100 on a meter""I've got a $50 cheapie and now I want a $200 meter with more features, what is there for that price?""I'm going to buy a top end expensive meter and it'll last me forever, That $400 U1272A should do it, but that $800 Gossen is just too expensive."This is why I did those old shootouts based on price and not features.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 08, 2015, 03:44:39 am
content: Without a doubt, the majority will ask for something for a price first. Function and quality are almost always a secondary thought.It used to be that people would look for something they wanted as far as function and quality, and then save for it. When they finally had it they would brag to their friends that they had the best of something, or at very least a good quality item. "Look at my (insert item here), it is the best that money can buy!". You don't hear that anymore, not much anyway.Now you hear: "Look at what I have, I only paid $$ for it!"

author: eas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2015, 04:23:01 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on May 08, 2015, 12:38:33 amPeople are also notoriously bad at predicting what will make them happy.I haven't been doing electronics stuff long enough to have formed a strong opinion. But in other parts of my life, for some of the things I use a lot, pretty much every day, I've been willing to spend 30-50% more than I could for something that would be good enough. So, I bought a Mac, because I use my laptop every day, for hours a day, and will get 3-5 years of life out of it. We bought a good kingsized bed, and high thread count sheets. Don't regret any of it.Now, that doesn't mean that price doesn't matter to me. A 50% premium is one thing when it works out to a difference between $2 and $3/day over the life of something. It is another when it works out to the difference between $10 and $15/day. Moreover, I'll buy a refurbished year old Mac to save 20%, and those high-threadcount sheets, factory seconds.So for multimeters, I don't know. I'm not unhappy with my Uni-T 139C. But I can imagine spending 2-3x more on my next handheld multimeter, for a combination of more features and refinement.Quote from: Lightages on May 08, 2015, 03:44:39 amPeople are people, and people will generally find some way to make themselves feel better than other people, or make other people feel worse about themselves. So I'd guess there are ostentatious displays around you that you are lucky enough to be blind to.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2015, 04:52:39 am
content: I don't know if I am in the majority here, but I have far too many multimeters as it is. 2 Gossens, 2 Flukes, 3 UNI-Ts and 2 bench meters (Keithley 2000 and Rigol DM). So, although I don't mind paying a high price for a good DMM, I don't plan to buy anymore of them, regardless of the price. Spent about 1800$ so far.I think it will be hard to design a meter that can compete with current Chinese products on price and quality, while offering a better set of features.

author: Rupunzell
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2015, 06:37:37 am
content: I'm not a big spender when it comes to hand held DVM's or VOM wiggle meters. Some years ago Beckman sold a low cost 3.5 digit DVM with a single rotary switch that did fine for 90+ % of the hand held meter requirements. The daily users are a number of Fluke 8060A that have served for decades and a Fluke 77. As for purchase, it's always used. I'm allergic to spendy new DVMs as there is a pile of good used ones on the market. This puts the budget between free to the top of the celling being $100 absolute tops.For anything serious or needs real accuracy, the bench meters are used. Anything beyond measuring a resistor, get's tested on a number of other test gear that is far better suited to learn what they are doing.For adjusting stuff with a tweak stick on trimmers, analog wiggle meters more often than not work better than digits.One really good thing about hand held meters, the can be used in groups to monitor a number of test points in a circuit or system and they are floating which is a good thing. This is where a bunch of low cost reasonably good meters becomes FAR more useful than a single ultra performance meter.*Suggestion. Make up a set of test probes or clips that have a small value series resistor (about 10 to 100 ohms) at the test probe or test clip point on both test leads for measuring voltage. The added resistance induces very little error relative to the high input resistance of the meter, but goes a VERY long ways to de-Q the impedance of the test leads and meter that can cause a circuit to become unstable (aka oscillate) when probed. This also helps isolate the stuff that can be coming out of the DVM that cal also affect circuit behavior. Oh, analog wiggle meters generally do not have stuff appearing at their input terminals.BerniceBernice

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2015, 07:02:49 am
content: Quote from: eas on May 08, 2015, 04:23:01 amDoable, but it'll be more of a choice between features or refinement more so than both IMHO. Even at 3x the price (i.e. more bells & whistles, but little to no improvement in quality,orimproved quality and safety, but relatively similar features as your UT139C).Couple of examples:Uni-T UT71BYou get more features, such as higher counts (20,000) and a PC communication kit is included (there are even additional functions v. your UT139C also), but with a sacrifice on input protections (compromise to meet price point).Brymen BM257sIt's only a 6000 count meter, but is much more solidly built, and has proper input protections. PC communications kit is available at an additional cost.Photos posted of insides:BM257Older non-S version, but still offers an example of what to expect. Not a lot different, but the current S designated models are even safer. Note the underside of the smaller PCB soldered to the input jacks (protection devices).UT71BGlass fuses, and fewer protection devices such as PTC's, shunt resistors, or MOV's than the BM257.

author: Terry Lingle
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2015, 04:04:11 am
content: over the past 45 years I have probably bought 75 DVM's for employees use I always boughtfluke meters Because I was paying for the Down time and insurance.I learned early that downtime eats profit quickly.Interestingly the buy in price has really not changed much but the income level of both businesses and employees certainly has.My accountant thought I was insane to spend that much but the longer life cycle made him very happypersonal meters were always high end flukes and again the long reliable working life put the cost of ownership well under a penny a day so buy in price is not a real factor for me.

author: Muxr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2015, 06:34:36 am
content: Quote from: Terry Lingle on May 31, 2015, 04:04:11 amBuy cheap, buy twice as they say.

author: Muxr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2015, 06:52:12 am
content: Casuals who think they need a DMM will probably just buy something that looks like it will do the job for a good price up to $50. I am talking about your general public out there, who want to check the voltage level on their car battery and such. They are buying it for their household to test something once every 6 months. Some will probably spend a $100 on a low end Fluke because they've heard it's a good brand and it's all they now.I suspect people who are getting into electronics will most likely get something up to a $100 range, more if their budget permits and they are a buyer who does extensive research ie: checks forums or asks a question on forums. But I would say most will probably spend up to around $100.Budget conscious hobbyist who are serious about Electronics will probably buy something in the $100-200 range, as that's the sweet spot for sufficient specs and quality I think.Professionals and some hobbyists will pay $200-400, for specs and/or quality.And then you have the test gear enthusiasts who will not only buy one $400 DMM but a whole collection.Largest segments of the market volume wise are your low end and your professional, and in professional I am thinking businesses and corporations placing large orders.This is how I see it.

author: ralphrmartin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2015, 01:36:19 pm
content: One thing the "buy cheap buy twice" brigade seem to forget is that the specs-versus-price of things is rapidly improving, by and large, and a $100 now buys you a heck of a lot more than $100 did 20 years ago. So it may not be so clever to buy a meter or any other kind of tech that lasts 20 years...

author: Terry Lingle
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2015, 04:27:03 pm
content: My first DVM an 8012A is far more accurate than required for most repair work. The only changes newer meters have that are relevant are they meet testing requirements cat III and IV and one added feature - a built in frequency meter.If you choose a meter that meets all your needs any newer meter with more features just adds to the risk of malfunction. Remember these are field service meters not lab standards

author: VintageNut
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2015, 05:56:19 pm
content: This one is $39 from Circuit Specialists. It is $10 additional when you buy a powered solderless breadbord. I sprung for the extra $10 when I bought a breadboard for an amplifier build. The HFE feature is crap. For that measurement I use Keithley SMUs. The other features work great. It comes with a hard shell padded case, test leads and a K-type thermistor to take temperature readings. The thermistor is pretty good. I have used it with my Keithley benchtop DMMs.For my motorcycles and car, I use the $10 Harbor Freight DMM that is plenty good enough.I guess you could say that my DMM use is R&D, Met-Cal and professional applications support. If the DMM costs over $200, it better have at least 6 1/2 digits.

author: Performa01
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2018, 09:52:23 am
content: I'm an R&D guy with lots of benchtop gear (and meters) and little use for handhelds.I've found a cheap $30-50 DMM sufficient for 99% of the odd private service jobs and when I temporarily turn into an electrician for mains installation service (for myself or friends), I find a professional voltage checker together with a clamp-meter far more practical anyway.Yet I've always had an additional decent handheld DMM in the drawer, even though rarely ever used. My current one is a >20 years old Metrix MX54 which was rather expensive back then. Nowadays I would not spend more than $300,- for a rarely used gadget like this. I'm a bit addicted to value for money, and big brand names in themselves don't add much value for me. The ongoing safety hype isn't an issue for my applications where I'm almost exclusively using benchtop Cat II equipment.

author: MrW0lf
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2018, 10:17:22 am
content: Most of my gear is very compact and I do not keep it on stationery desk positions so made some sense to invest in proper mobile multimeter Keysight U1272A, whichdid gave unexpected birth to U1282A

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2018, 07:06:36 pm
content: Quote from: VintageNut on May 31, 2015, 05:56:19 pmQuite interesting; IMO the meter is quite pleasing to the eye, especially because of the nice color coding on the different ranges, which certainly help see the range at a glance. Also, it has no BS CAT ratings, which is a rare spark of honesty for a change...

author: rjardina
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2018, 05:01:11 pm
content: I would spend up to $1000 and the most to date is $300. I have to many meters as it is. I have four clamp meters and five DMM that I carry. Normally I can get by with one clamp and one DMM (megger), but the reason I have so many if there is at least a single feature the others' don't have. I've bought the EEVBlog brymen, and couldn't justify the GW121 because of what it was offering. After watching the development history on the GW121. I would have bought one at a higher price with all the attend features, don't care how big it is either. I understand this is more for electronics so; clamp, 4-20ma simulating/sourcing, and a megger is out. But go all out. From nanovoltages (to read other thermocouplers besides k-type) to measuring Wattage. I also think 100v resistances testing is not out of line. Because alot of people use their meter for troubleshooting mains, and on that subject 1000V CATIV. Not going to prevent people from doing that, but keep them safe. Plus give me features I have no idea about, because I love to learn more. My brymen BM869, still have no clue about nanoSiemans or dbmbut hey gives me room to grow.