Keysight DMM34461A - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: mcpt21
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 18, 2025, 04:51:44 am
content: Hi,did anyone already get a grip on the new Keysight multimeters from the "Smart Bench Essentials Plus" series (https://www.keysight.com/it/en/products/digital-multimeters-dmm/smart-bench-essentials-plus-digital-multimeter.html)?I was initially planning to get the "old" 34461A but now that this new range with different form factor and much larger displays came along, I am rethinking my decision.Anyone planning on doing a tear-down of the new models so that a comparison of the interiors is available?Any help is highly appreciated,Martin.

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2025, 05:07:48 am
content: Does the larger display or form factor benefit you? I could see it being useful for somebody that wants only 1 bench meter, and doesn't have a lot of depth available on their bench. Other than that, I'd wait 5 years and see how they're holding up, and what people think, and then buy one for much less if it was still interesting.It's disappointing that Keysight hasn't updated their other meters in 4 years. They could certainly use some firmware updates. Feels like Fnirsi releasing a shiny new product instead of supporting their previously established stuff.If you want something with a touchscreen that I think is better quality, look at Keithley's touch screen meters. That whole platform is awesome.

author: mcpt21
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 18, 2025, 06:51:49 am
content: Thanks for your thoughts. The situation on my bench would indeed speak for a different form factor, and the larger display doesn't seem to be a drawback either...I prefer good quality keys over touch screen but I just had a look at the Keithley DMM6500. Specs and platform seem to be great.Not an easy decision...

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2025, 10:06:58 am
content: it should be easy, this new model has no reputation since it's new, they try to copy rigol new dmm meteri would sat with proven models like the dmm6500 dmm7500and yes Keysight has let down many buyers with others models, and this new model feel cheap ... but it is a new tendency, scope look alike meters

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2025, 04:29:21 pm
content: I have a KS34465A, DAQ6510 (same analog board as DMM6500), SDM3065X, etc. The Keithley is my favorite. I like the Keysight, but it's my least favorite 6.5 digit meter.Of the 3 companies, Keysight support is the most lacking IME. They're not terrible, and they do seem to try, but they're slow and often tedious to even getinfofrom them. It took them 2 months to tell me the latest firmware version for my V3500A, and they still haven't got me pricing for calibration or fw upgrade.Keithley's support has been exception, Siglent great, and Keysight is just odd.Thanks,Josh

author: Kleinstein
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2025, 05:53:55 pm
content: Keysight support is for bussiness only. Private customers are no longer really wanted and supported.

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2025, 05:59:17 pm
content: Quote from: Kleinstein on July 18, 2025, 05:53:55 pmI contacted them through my business. They're still insanely slow, even for business customers. They try, I'll give them that. But, so slooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow. I don't know if they support private customers at all or not.

author: Grandchuck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2025, 06:13:42 pm
content: They no longer support private individuals.

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2025, 06:24:37 am
content: Quote from: Grandchuck on July 18, 2025, 06:13:42 pmWhen they ask for a company name, just say "Grandchuck Enterprises". Problem solved. There is no business license or verification needed.

author: sfs1
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2025, 11:39:45 am
content: Quote from: mcpt21 on July 18, 2025, 04:51:44 amThe EDU devices have insane input lag which makes them horrible to use. I tried the 5.5-digit multimeter and sent it back the same day. I wonder if they have fixed it in the non-EDU models.

author: mcpt21
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 21, 2025, 07:19:37 am
content: Thank you all for the input. It doesn't sound very promising to go for the Keysight...Seems like Keithley is the way to go. I just don't like touch screens but I probably have to get used to it...

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 21, 2025, 07:57:31 am
content: Quote from: Grandchuck on July 18, 2025, 06:13:42 pmAFAIK it's a UK only thing.

author: Hydron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2025, 10:10:44 am
content: When I got mine the Keithley had a LOT more features and memory capacity for (quite a bit) less money than the KS equivalents, though I'm not sure what the new Keysight scope-form-factor meters are like.Touchscreen use is compulsory and occasionally annoying (it's competently done, not as smooth as a modern phone - but nothing else is, main thing I'd like buttons for is swiping between the control panels on the bottom half of the screen) but the trade-off removing button space to fit the big high-res screen is worth it to get really nice graphs etc.Also allows scripting and apps if you want to write your own, and has a (DIY-able) scanner card option.

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2025, 03:01:02 pm
content: Yes, the screen, scripting, graphing, etc. are all awesome. Check out the continuity video in my signature.