Buying my first multimeter - UNI-T vs Greenlee vs Extech - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: namlu
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2014, 05:01:18 am
content: hello.I want to buy my first multimeter, for hobby electronic projects at home (FPGA / microcontrollers).After searching on Amazon, i came up with these 3:1) UNI-T UT61Ehttp://www.amazon.com/dp/B007THZMWI/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=BF68PMNKXABK&coliid=I1YCLE3SL8760W2) Greenlee DM-45http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007ORQ7I6/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=BF68PMNKXABK&coliid=I1CMZNE5WIRHG93) Extech EX330http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EX0AE4/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=BF68PMNKXABK&coliid=I1VD19N1UAPLG3&psc=1Which one is recommended? is there any other one (same price range) which is considered better?Thank you.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 04, 2014, 06:38:18 am
content: For the most useful for bench electronics, the UT61E.

author: gildasd
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2014, 06:40:10 pm
content: I had the same dilemma:In the end the Extech is more a building site tool.Between the other two it's really a matter of taste...I just got got a UT61B because it fitted my needs pretty well... Yet leaving me budget for other stuff.So it's really depends on your needs...

author: kolonelkadat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2014, 07:01:52 pm
content: you can get a ut61d here for $25http://www.mortoncontrols.com/index.php/clearance.htmlfor 25 bucks its not bad. you can see it in daves $100 multimeter shootout i believe.Its not as high a count as the ut61e, but for the price you can get two and measure voltage and current at the same time. or put the balance towards an oscilloscope or lab power supply.

author: Electronics-Repairman
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2014, 07:52:53 pm
content: Uni T 61E is one of the meters here it's fairly cheap and pretty accurate, I use one for quick day to day measurements , and hasn't let me down Yet, it doesn't seem to drift over time either, or that's what I've found.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 12, 2014, 08:42:05 pm
content: Quote from: kolonelkadat on July 12, 2014, 07:01:52 pmThe continuity test on the UT61D is dog slow. Get a UT61E instead if you are considering a Uni-T. If you need or want to have second meter for two measurements at the same time, get the UT136B as a companion meter. Keep them both away from high energy circuits and only for the bench.

author: markce
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2014, 11:23:55 pm
content: From the list: EX330It's a good general MM, building technology, but also good for electronics work.Forget Unit-T if you want anything more than low-volt bench work, it's not safe.Personally I would include Brymen (BM25x) in your search.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 12, 2014, 11:36:03 pm
content: I agree about the Brymen BM25X series, but I was just assuming a price point based on the OP's original selections. I have to disagree with Extech EX series as the chances are higher than other brands of getting a poorly made one. Their quality control is not considered to be very high. Most of the Uni-Ts are not great for input protection but their quality control seems pretty good and they are good bang for the buck for benchtop electronics use.You might also want to look at the Uni-T UT139C:http://www.ebay.com/itm/Uni-T-UT139C-True-RMS-Digital-Multimeter-with-Temperature-NCV-Backlight-/171213085325