Mastech M9803R - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: legacy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2018, 06:43:01 am
content: how good is it?

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 12, 2018, 07:36:37 am
content: Not sure what your price is, but for the eBay price, I would get a good second hand HP 34401.

author: med6753
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2018, 08:30:02 am
content: I have the similar MS8040 and I'm quite happy with it. It's accuracy is pretty much spot on and compares favorably with my vintage Flukes and has features the Flukes don't have.I did a full teardown and evaluation here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/part-1-teardown-mastech-ms8040-bench-dmm/msg1085517/#msg1085517https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/part-2-teardownevaluation-mastech-ms8040-bench-dmm/msg1089068/#msg1089068

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 12, 2018, 09:02:12 am
content: Basically it's a not that good portable multimeter put into large case. Very hard to justify buying one.

author: legacy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2018, 02:02:36 pm
content: Quote from: VK5RC on August 12, 2018, 07:36:37 ambrand new from a local electronic seller is listed at 250 euro (tax included).a second hand HP 34401 might be an option, but I prefer a brand new unit.

author: legacy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2018, 02:23:15 pm
content: Quote from: med6753 on August 12, 2018, 08:30:02 amyup, 9803 looks similar, I wonder about improvements

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 12, 2018, 02:38:16 pm
content: Quote from: legacy on August 12, 2018, 02:02:36 pmAt such price it's simply insane to buy it. EUR 250 for crappy4 ½ digitMastech which does not even have relays for function/range selection. It costs half of that elsewhere but even then it's very hard to justify.QuoteDo you understand that 34401 is a very good, reliable and very precise 6 ½ digit multimeter but M9803R is a4 ½ digitjunk? EDIT: Opps sorry, it's a whopping3999count super junk. Basically as good as $30-40 portable multimeter.

author: med6753
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2018, 03:41:28 pm
content: Quote from: legacy on August 12, 2018, 02:23:15 pmI bought the MS8040 through Amazon for $158 USD but it's no longer available. But there are other sellers listed on Amazon's site who want an insane $338 USD. And I think 250 euros ($285 USD) for the 9803 is hard to justify.

author: med6753
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2018, 03:45:33 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on August 12, 2018, 02:38:16 pmNo argument about the HP 34401. But afterusingthe Mastech for 2 years it is considerably better than your typical $30-40 handheld DMM.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 12, 2018, 04:01:06 pm
content: Quote from: med6753 on August 12, 2018, 03:45:33 pmYour MS8040 at least has one more digit of resolution. How it's better? No decent input protection, same rotary switch and basically same functionality. If you compare it with $30-40 multimeter from 10 years ago, maybe it's better but not modern $30-40 multimeter if you get one of the best you can get for this money.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 12, 2018, 04:10:49 pm
content: QuoteSpec wise it's barely better than this $9 multimeterlinkAnd actually M9803R is more limided in measuring capacitance and frequency, does not measure duty cycle.Yes it has some additional functions like peak and average but when you get to $30-40 level, you can get better specs and about the same additional functions.If you want to spend such money, just buy a good portable multimeter which will be far better and not from half-crap brand like Mastech.

author: legacy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2018, 07:48:08 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on August 12, 2018, 04:10:49 pmwhich one brand/model do you suggest (brand new, please) ?

author: legacy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2018, 07:50:24 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on August 12, 2018, 02:38:16 pmrather impossible to be bought as brand new unit, only available as second hand, and my boss won't pay for second hand equipment

author: Jon.C
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 12, 2018, 07:53:17 pm
content: can not be compared to mastechhttps://brymen.eu/shop/bm869s/https://www.welectron.com/Brymen-BM869s-Multimeter_3

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2018, 08:46:01 pm
content: As a handheld, the BM869 is hard to beat for its price. However, if you prefer a bench, Nico vouches for the VC8145 (there is a thread around here with teardown pictures and quite a comprehensive discussion) - his meters are still in spec after a number of years. The major drawback is that, after the same number of years, you can never tell if the manufacturer's production quality is still holding up.Rigol EU has a DM3058 in their clearance store:https://www.rigol.eu/clearance/

author: legacy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2018, 11:39:57 am
content: VC8145 seems perfect for my needsand the price here is around 120 euroedit:and I am looking at the serialprotocol: it doesn't look brilliant, but decently useful