Seeking Cheapo DMM In Canada - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Helmanfrow
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 11, 2020, 10:51:37 pm
content: My Fluke 179 and I are 9274 miles apart.As this stands to remain the case for the foreseeable future, I am in need of an interim meter that won't break the piggy bank.I've been staying up late nights jumping between AliExpress, Amazon.ca and YouTube researching meters in the ~CAD$60 range. The selection is overwhelming to say the least.I'm considering Uni-T because they're widely available on both Amazon.ca and AliExpress, but there's another brand called AstroAI which seems usable.I realize that these and all discount brands suffer some shortcomings in build quality and quality control but I'm buying this for personal use and nothing mission-critical.That said, what are some of your favorite cheap DMMs?

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2020, 12:33:49 am
content: To me the UT61E is excellent for electronics. On the cheaper side, the Richmeters RM219 (Aneng AN870) is quite good as well.A bit more robust but less featured is the UT139C. Also an excellent meter.The absolute low price I put the UT136C and the Richmeters RM113D as good contenders.Obviously that you will have some quirks here and there.

author: Roger Need
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2020, 12:37:00 am
content: Just go down to your local Canadian Tire store. They carry about 8 different models from $35 to $100 Cdn. Some are True RMS. I have used a 3 1/2 digit one for several years and it is fairly accurate for the price.Some Cdn. Tire models have been discussed and had teardowns posted in this forum.If you don't like it just return it to the store for a refund...Roger

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 12, 2020, 01:26:17 am
content: I would avoid Canadian Tire multimeters as a general rule. Having said that I have not looked at their more recent models and really can't give a valid opinion. I would recommend the UT139C.

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2020, 02:36:18 am
content: Quote from: Lightages on July 12, 2020, 01:26:17 amI have one of those makes a good second meter.

author: Helmanfrow
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2020, 02:48:51 am
content: I've been a Canadian Tire fiend for about 30 years, with the exception of the 10 years I lived overseas.I used to study the tool section in the weekly flyer on Friday nights and then head in on Sunday when the prices went into effect.My local store is one of a few in the city which, for some reason, maintains sale prices from the previous week's flyer as well, which was a nice bonus.Their Mastercraft line of tools are low- to medium-grade at best but the upshot is that when I arc weld a channel through my screwdriver by using it to short hot to neutral in a switch box because it's faster than finding the breaker by trial and error, I bring it back and get a new one. No questions asked. I did that only one time but, still; lifetime warranty on hand tools.For some reason, though, seeing 'Mastercraft' on a DMM always repulsed me. Something about them screamsDon't trust me; I am a corny imitation of a real instrument and I will let you down when you need me the most!

author: Helmanfrow
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2020, 02:51:59 am
content: Quote from: pickle9000 on July 12, 2020, 02:36:18 amUuuuch... Maybe I'll wait for theMaximum modelto go on sale and try that out.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 12, 2020, 03:25:13 am
content: If you buy that multimeter please open it up and shows us pictures!

author: Helmanfrow
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2020, 04:13:00 am
content: Quote from: Lightages on July 12, 2020, 03:25:13 amIf I buy the Maximum I'll post a video.

author: Helmanfrow
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2020, 04:26:01 am
content: Now I'm considering a clamp meter. It might be a little clunky on the desktop but it could come in handy around the house.Uni-T has something like 42 clamp meters and many of them are only a few dollars and features apart.This is where the Choice Paradox kicks in and I lapse into analysis paralysis.Neither here nor there, I like the OLED display on theUni-T UT216D, but it bombed on AvE. His model was DOA. Also it's more than twice what I want to spend.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2020, 06:25:33 am
content: I would not buy any meter from Canadian Tire that is not on sale. Their regular price is way overpriced for those crappy meters. I would consider them if they were 50% off or more. Seehttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/canadian-tire-mastercraft-dmm-new-and-old-revision-teardown/If you are looking at a clamp meter, the Uni-T UT210E is very popular here. I don't have one, but if I needed one for potential car parasitic drain tests, I would try that one. It's about $50 so in your price range. For parasitic drain tests, I use a Fluke 87.Another alternative is to check your local kijiji or FB marketplace for used Fluke meters. Sometimes, if you act fast enough, you can get a really good deal. I missed out on some great deals being too slow to respond.PS. What part of Canada do you live in?

author: Helmanfrow
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2020, 05:20:49 pm
content: Quote from: retiredcaps on July 12, 2020, 06:25:33 amAre you kidding? I don't buy ANYTHING from Canadian Tire at regular price.The UT210E is definitely on my radar.I check Kijiji daily. 'Fluke' is one of my most common search terms.(I occasionally check letgo.com but not as frequently because they engage heavily in result spam, which I find incredibly annoying if not mildly offensive.)I'm in Toronto.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2020, 05:59:54 pm
content: In GTA there is Sayal brick and mortar store chain, they stock multimeters a notch better than CT but they rarely go on sale. You can drive to a Sayal location and check what they have.

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2020, 06:27:21 pm
content: It seems you're asking two different questions. Your subject is about what you can get locally, but you don't state what city you're in.But your message body is about what DMM in general.I use the Aneng 860B as my day to day DMM. Works fine, not the greatest, but for 30$ it was worth it. I also bought the smaller Aneng 8008 which was a terrible device, built to fail. Avoid.If you're in Montreal I guess Addison's and Abra are the two brick and mortar stores that come to mind.

author: Helmanfrow
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2020, 07:04:59 pm
content: Quote from: Bud on July 12, 2020, 05:59:54 pmThere are three Sayal outlets within a 20-minute drive of me; I bounce between them pretty frequently. None of them carry the Uni-T models I'm interested in. In any case, I find their meters, irons and other electronic instruments priced too high, and I don't like their return policy. I generally go to Sayal for components, cheap hand tools and miscellaneous bits & bobs.