DMM advice or recommendations for home bench/garage use - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: veekzNUTS
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 28, 2014, 02:19:59 am
content: Hey guys and gals, I'm a total noob... please bare with me. I currently own a GE2524 DMM. I greatly appreciate any help/advice you may have to offer. Basically, I am in the market for a new DMM, maybe two new DMMs. I have been scouring the net and I still can't figure out which DMM(s) would suit me best. My budget maxed at $200. I would like a DMM for work on my computers, trucks, and motorcycles. UNI-T UT61E, Digitek DT-2843R(2844), and Amprobe AM-530 have caught my eyes thus far in my search. I am also open to other models. Since I am on this forum, I would like to buy it from someone on this forum(rather support the small guys than the corporations). I am not sure if there is a single DMM that would suit all my needs so I am open to buying two units. Here's a list of features I think need or do not need:usage will be mainly for work on computers and motorcycles(currently need to fix the charging system on my WR250X and a computer power supply)+True RMS+auto-ranging+frequency measurement (so I can get RPMs on gas engines)+minimum 10 meg ohm impedance+good audible continuity tester+good input jacks (able to fit a wide assortment of leads/probes)+HRC fuses+temperature measurement+/-backlit is a bonus-data logging not requiredas of now I'm leaning towards the UT61E. I haven't looked at more expensive units, should I be?

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2014, 06:03:43 am
content: Quote from: veekzNUTS on November 28, 2014, 02:19:59 amIf $200 is your max budget, most here would say the Brymen BM257S should receive strong consideration/research. There are countless threads regarding this meter here.Franky Tong, who is a trusted member and seller, can you sell this via ebay or private transaction to save a few $$$ off ebay fees. I receive no money and have no affiliation with Franky other than being a satisfied customer.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/brymen-bm-257-pictures-and-mini-review/Dave did a quick look of the Brymen meters.http://www.eevblog.com/2013/02/28/eevblog-432-brymen-multimeters/If you are not opposed to buying used, the $200 budget can get you some used name brand meters like Fluke, Agilent, etc IF you live in the USA where most of the "deals" are.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2014, 06:06:16 am
content: Quote from: veekzNUTS on November 28, 2014, 02:19:59 amBy the way, your GE looks like the standard 830 clone.Whatever you decide will be an eye opening experience.PS. I love Hawaiiand wish I was there instead of Canada during winter time.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 28, 2014, 06:24:19 am
content: With your wish to use the multimeter on automotive work, I would immediately exclude the UT61E. Why? if you get it too close to the high voltage in the ignition system it will die. The input protection is very poor.If you want one meter to almost do it all, and do automotive, have great input protection etc, then I would suggest a Brymen BM319. It costs around $120 plus shipping and hits all your points except for TRMS and possibly HRC fuses. Someone on this forum has one and can share their experiences with it.To compliment this meter for general use, I would suggest a Uni-T UT139C. It costs around $50 from our friend Franky here, iloveelectronics, on the forums. With these two meters you have specialized automotive functions and a good general purpose meter that I think will survive most user's abuse. He also sells the DT2843R which is not well protected and has low quality fuses, but does TRMS+DC.You can also consider the Brymen BM257S which does everything you ask but is not a specialized automotive meter. $135 from Franky. A BM829 is also a great option but bigger in size.I am rather partial to Brymen, in case you haven't guessed.The AM530 is a nice meter too apparently but I have no experience with this line from Amprobe.BK Precision makes some nice meters too.What can I say, you ask for automotive application and under $200 and I immediately thought of the BM319 and a UT139C. You get everything you want for your price.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2014, 06:45:00 am
content: Quote from: Lightages on November 28, 2014, 06:24:19 amHmm, didn't even know this was in their portfolio.Putting in gas and changing the car battery is the extent of my automotive expertise.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2014, 07:13:45 am
content: One possible feature that you might find useful, but is not on the BM319 is min/max (unless I'm reading the datasheet wrong)?http://www.brymen.com/product-html/cata310/Bm310L3.htmThe BM257 only has min/max, but not average. I have used min/max feature when troubleshooting my car battery and find it useful to see how much the battery drops when I first start the car and how high it goes when the alternator is charging.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 28, 2014, 08:32:13 am
content: The BM319 is not a do all meter. That is why I suggested the UT139C as a companion. It covers the things that the BM319 does not. They compliment each other very well for the requirements of the OP IMHO.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 28, 2014, 09:33:44 am
content: I'd also 2nd a meter that does specific RPM measurement.

author: chickenHeadKnob
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2014, 10:51:24 am
content: Yes, you need audible continuity, also a good diode check. Almost all meters have it but some use a relatively high test voltage!But most of all budget for some wire grabbing probes like these hirschmann:http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/grabber-clips/1034767/I quote my-self from another thread:Quote from: chickenHeadKnob on September 11, 2014, 09:39:21 pm