Good Budgetish Multimeter? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: BlueFireIce
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 22, 2012, 09:17:57 pm
content: Looking for a multimeter more for electrician use than electronic use, had been looking at whats out there and the ones I have come across are either uber cheap looking or WAY out of my price range for a meter. I am looking to keep it under 200 bucks, any suggestions?I have looked at the Fluke 117, but not sure its worth it or if there might be a better choice out there somewhere? My work uses the Fluke 87-5-EX and other models, but I don't often if ever need a intrinsically safe multimeter.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 22, 2012, 09:48:48 pm
content: Check if Agilent has anything in your price range (U124x?). They usually offer decent build quality for lower prices than Fluke. It might also be worth checking if the winners from Dave's $100 DMM shoot-out are still current products. Safety would probably be more important for your application than say burden voltage (how often does an electrician use a DMM for current measurement?), so the balance is slightly different than for electronics meters, but most of the features/issues would still be relevant.

author: BlueFireIce
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 22, 2012, 10:10:24 pm
content: While you would think voltage testing is not used allot, this is industrial electrical work, and I deal with voltages and wires/systems all across the board from high voltage AC to 12-24v DC systems. However it does not have to be that accurate.And thanks for the suggestion, I will give them a look.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 22, 2012, 10:23:48 pm
content: Note that I mentioned current measurement, not voltage measurement. Do you often disconnect motors or lighting so you can put a DMM in series? Or do you use a clamp meter for these jobs? If you use a DMM for current measurement, is it an issue if the burden voltage is 1V instead of 0.5V? Burden voltage was just a random example, other examples of features not critical for most electricians might be uA measurement or large resistance measurement. The option of lowering the input impedance is be a useful feature to avoid ghost voltages.High voltage AC might be a problem, most DMMs only go up to 1 kV. Even for low voltage, you may have to pay attention to overvoltage ratings. As an electrician, you may encounter Cat IV circuits.

author: BlueFireIce
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 22, 2012, 10:36:30 pm
content: Ah, sorry, I had skimmed the post and ran off to look at the models they had, and no, in most of the work it's not used often, however it is used allot in instrumentation, which is what I am looking to get into full time but still might be a year or so down the road. As for high voltage AC, that's ok, most of the time I will know ahead of time that I will be working with it and request one of the meters from the supply office, what I hate is being out in the field and needing to test something, or doing simple continuity testing only to have to radio for a meter and wait (and put the job on hold) for 1-2 hours.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2012, 11:06:41 pm
content: Quote from: BlueFireIce on June 22, 2012, 09:17:57 pmThe Agilent U1233A is the direct competitor to the Fluke 117. It offers a few things, on paper, that are "better" than the Fluke. It is under $200.http://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5990-7550EN.pdfhttp://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/U1231-90026.pdf1) Built-in LED torchlight to illuminate test area2) Flashing backlight as visual alert during continuity tests in dim areas3) A "real" touch hold unlke the 117's "useless" hold4) Data logging (up to 10 readings)PS. I have a Fluke 117 as I got it really inexpensive.As always, this forum has feedback, teardown photos, and found problems for the U123x series. Just some samples.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/product-reviews-photos-and-discussion/problem-with-agilent-u1232a/https://www.eevblog.com/forum/product-reviews-photos-and-discussion/agilent-u1231a-teardown/

author: Architect_1077
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2012, 12:45:00 am
content: I can vouch for the Agilent U1241B. Love this thing!

author: BlueFireIce
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 23, 2012, 01:15:40 am
content: Quote from: Architect_1077 on June 23, 2012, 12:45:00 amI was looking at that one as well, its in the price range and it seems to fit.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2012, 05:14:18 am
content: There's a couple of things going for the U1272A1) It's designed for a electrician oddly2) Low Impedance Mode, really important but the odd placing is ... odd3) Water and Dust Resistant aka IP544) Smart Ohms ... kills any offset5) Low Pass Filter just like the 87vBut heck, if you don't need a meter like this but what do you do mostly? Measure high voltages? But do you measure high voltage current?Well if you do i can recommend the UT61E with a pinch of saltAnything else i like the U1241B too, it's LCD reminds me of the Mastech MS8218 ( which is really i think the highest end meter from china, it does have actual HRC fuses )

author: SharkWrangler
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 25, 2012, 08:54:18 am
content: I also agree with the Agilent U1241B suggestions. I use the similar U1242B as my go-to meter. The only issue I've found is that changing the fuse requires taking apart the meter.You also might want to look at theU123xAseries of Agilent meters if you require low impedance voltage measurement.

author: Ivanko1
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2012, 12:13:09 pm
content: Hi everyone! (sorry for my english) Can you help me to choose my first (brand) budgetish multimeter about $30-40!Here's the list:MastechRUENGMS8217- very good, but very hard to findMS8265 - not autorange and not have temerature (I need it), but have more digits and accuracy (?)MS8268 - i very like it, but don't have t (it will be second multimeter)MS8228Or take someone more expensive, likeMastech MS8240CPro'sKit MT-1820/1860They need me at home. I do some simple work with electrycity, tesing and repearing PC's, and beginner in radioelectronics.All Ampro, Fluke, Extech and else - are very expensive in my country (Ukraine, CID). We have the Uni-T brand, but there is no autorange dmm under $60.Thank you!:)

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2012, 06:11:51 pm
content: Under 50 bucks? Plenty i tell ya, but most of their capacitance measurement sucks.http://www.dealextreme.com/p/2-0-lcd-handheld-digital-multimeter-voltage-current-resistance-temperature-2-aaa-42473http://www.dealextreme.com/p/uni-t-ut136b-2-0-lcd-digital-multimeter-red-grey-1-x-9v-128293http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/MASTECH-MS8221-AUTORANGE-DIGITAL-MULTIMETERS/405418_446794302.htmlhttp://www.dealextreme.com/p/2-8-lcd-handheld-auto-range-multimeter-voltage-current-resistance-temperature-3-aaa-37888http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Mastech-MS8221B-Manual-Range-Digital-Multimeter/405418_440784074.htmlhttp://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/MASTECH-MS8215-INNOVATIVE-DIGITAL-MULTMETER/405418_446798911.htmlhttp://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/MASTECH-MS8268-3-3-4-AUTORANGE-DIGITAL-MULTIMETER/405418_446780274.htmlhttp://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/MASTECH-MS8226-DIGITAL-MULTIMETERS/405418_446789329.htmlhttp://www.dealextreme.com/p/3-0-lcd-handheld-digital-multimeter-voltage-current-resistance-temperature-2-aaa-37082http://www.dealextreme.com/p/3-0-lcd-handheld-digital-multimeter-voltage-current-resistance-temperature-1-6f22-42269So why not spend a few bucks more and get a proper meter like the UT61E ?Other than Mastech (or the 2.8" YH aka Mastech Clone) and UNI-T the Minipa ET845 meter comes with shitty probes

author: HardBoot
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2012, 09:26:52 pm
content: Quote from: T4P on August 20, 2012, 06:11:51 pmI already have good probes, which of those has the best capacitance?I only need a spare meter for capacitance and voltage.

author: FenderBender
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2012, 09:55:47 pm
content: Go for an Amprobe meter. I'll tell you. People don't give Amprobe enough credit. Their stuff is top notch quality and at a really awesome price. I have an Amprobe AM-270 and an AM-220. Both meters are awesome values. The 270 was $90 and the internal build quality looks like it was from a $200+ meter.http://www.amprobe.com/Amprobe/usen/Multimeters/Industrial-Multimeters-/AM-270.htm?PID=73125If you wanna to go a little higher, try the AM-140 or AM-160. I think the only difference here is possible better A/D converters, but they do perform quite well.http://www.amprobe.com/Amprobe/usen/Multimeters/Precision-Digital-Multimeters-/AM-160-A.htm?PID=73117Here's my teardown of the 270:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/product-reviews-photos-and-discussion/teardown-amprobe-am-270-digital-multimeter/The pictures don't exactly do it justice but it's real nice. Really safe meter too. Routed isolation slots. Blast shields for the fuses and inputs. Well made meter.But please. As much as I like Agilent, Fluke, or Gossen, the value of these meters is really impressive. Service is great too. Amprobe is owned by the same company as Fluke, Tektronix, Keithley and others. That's not to say that it's automatically good quality, but it's something you can trust.I always feel like I'm advertising with this but hey I really do like their meters.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 20, 2012, 09:56:59 pm
content: If you need a good capacitance function, get an LC(R) meter. If you're lucky, the capacitance mode of a DMM may be useful with capacitors with very low parasitics (i.e. no significant leakage). If you're not so lucky, the capacitance mode will not give useful values at all.

author: Ivanko1
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2012, 11:37:44 pm
content: T4PThanks for the reply.Capacitance measurement - is not main feature for me.QuoteDave give "thumbs down" to 61D for the 1. change fuse, 2.probes, 3. autorange speed, 4 continuity test, 5 capasitor test, 6 LED-test, 7. construction (taking apart). I think U61E it is not worth $80, maybe for RMS. Such hi-class DMM I will by maybe in the future, when I do that work proffesionally.)))QuoteThat can be fixed - [/url=http://masteram.com.ua/ru/Multimeter-Test-Leads-MASTECH-T3009.php]only $8.Quote from: T4P on August 20, 2012, 06:11:51 pmI' think that's a good one: autorange, nice price, REL, secure entrance (with flashing and beeping warnigs), self-restore 400mA/250V fuse, 10A ceramic fuse, measures kHz/duty/hFe/nF,Om/mkA/mV... lacking only temperature. And big thumbs up for the 3 x AAA 1.5volt battery powered, its easyer to find and can be replaced rechargable batteries.How about this two (i mean use them in pair): VC81D and Mastech MS8217?

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2012, 02:42:23 am
content: What? Don't compare the both of them.The UT61E has got great sharp probes along with lightning fast continuity along with fast autorangeFast capacitor measurement, can light a LED and has still-okay construction for only 59$ and 22,000 counts!What more do you expect?Well the MS8217 depends on you

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2012, 02:43:33 am
content: Quote from: HardBoot on August 20, 2012, 09:26:52 pmShould be the MS8226, don't quote me on that though

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2012, 03:11:03 am
content: Like T4P mentioned above, the UT61E is a totally different beast compared to UT61D. Different main "processor", true rms, 22000 counts, and everything else T4P said.I have one myself, it'sverygood for the price.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 21, 2012, 11:58:01 am
content: Quote from: T4P on August 21, 2012, 02:42:23 amThat's the problem with UNI-T, they have so many models, even within the same model number range, so the UT61E is an entirely different beast to the UT61T. Crazy.Teardown photo here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/product-reviews-photos-and-discussion/uni-t-ut61e-multimeter-teardown-photos/The UNI-T site seems to have vanished...http://www.uni-trend.com/Dave.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 21, 2012, 12:06:19 pm
content: Quote from: mariush on August 21, 2012, 03:11:03 amLooks like it's AU$55 including postage on ebay.http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/UNI-T-UT-61E-Modern-Digital-Multimeters-UT61E-AC-DC-Meter-/130737816767?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e7094c4bf#ht_3813wt_11630.1% 22,000 count. Sounds good for the price.People are still quoting my $50 and $100 shootouts, two years after the fact. So much has changed.The number of meters available now (and back then) is crazy, it's almost impossible to keep up.Dave.

author: Ivanko1
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2012, 02:13:52 pm
content: Quote from: T4P on August 21, 2012, 02:42:23 amUnfortunately we have it is much more expensive - $80 and more (even $130!).And ebay shipping will cost $20-25.(((How about thishttp://www.uni-trend.com/UT61B.htmlhttp://www.uni-trend.com/UT61C.htmlhttp://www.proskit.com/test-instruments/multimeters/dual-display-digital-multimeter-w-usb-connector(around $50-60)?

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2012, 03:19:21 pm
content: Looks like uni trend did not renew on their web name for some reason. Does that mean they have been taken over or are changing their name.

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2012, 03:26:03 pm
content: Quote from: Ivanko1 on August 21, 2012, 02:13:52 pmI've bought mine from this company on eBay:http://www.ebay.com/itm/UNI-T-UT-61E-Modern-Digital-Multimeters-UT61E-/260733900740?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cb4f397c466$ , free shipping.If I remember correctly it was also marked as 10$ toy on package or something like that, so I didn't have to pay taxes on it when it arrived.

author: Ivanko1
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2012, 05:08:16 pm
content: Do my eyes see the same as you see?Fluke 17Ballmoust the same as the more then twice cheaperMastech MS8217http://www.dealextreme.com/p/2-8-lcd-handheld-auto-range-multimeter-voltage-current-resistance-temperature-3-aaa-37888?

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2012, 05:14:16 pm
content: Quote from: Ivanko1 on August 21, 2012, 05:08:16 pmThey look similar out the outside, but the Fluke 17B and Mastech/YH-113 are not identical. If you find a picture of the Fluke 17B, you will see the seven segment display is straight up and down whereas the Mastech/YH-113 is slanted. Other obvious differences are the batteries (2AA vs 3AAA) and rubber holster.Picture of Fluke 15B/17B from their website showing seven segment displayhttp://www.fluke.com/fluke/inen/Digital-Multimeters/Fluke-15B-17B.htm?PID=56017

author: Ivanko1
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2012, 05:21:32 pm
content: 2 retiredcapsAnd what about electronic base - chipset the same?

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2012, 07:56:42 pm
content: Quote from: G7PSK on August 21, 2012, 03:19:21 pmI think they are doing something with the site ... the images link went broken "well of course ..."Quote from: Ivanko1 on August 21, 2012, 05:21:32 pmWell all fluke 15,17,18's are MIC so f thatOn DX you can click on dropshipping in the shopping cart so you don't have to pay any taxes (10$ gift lol)

author: Ivanko1
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2012, 09:21:39 pm
content: Quote from: T4P on August 21, 2012, 07:56:42 pmCan you tell me more about this, please?UPDDo somebody have a coupon for the dinodirect or dealextreme?

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2012, 04:50:05 am
content: Quote from: Ivanko1 on August 21, 2012, 05:21:32 pmI highly doubt it. Samgab posted pictures of his Fluke athttp://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?324810-Good-cheap-multimeter/page2I looked for an internal picture of the Mastech/YH-113 a few months ago when I first saw the YH-113, but couldn't find any.http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/car-audio/208682-cheap-multimeter-7.html#post2978039

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2012, 04:40:22 pm
content: Quote from: Ivanko1 on August 21, 2012, 09:21:39 pmcheaper10off on DD

author: Ivanko1
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2012, 12:27:07 am
content: T4P Tanks.Question 2 who have UT61E - What frequency measures the max? Because many people write 10-20MHz, while official site says 220MHz?Maybe it's a fake?

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2012, 03:25:26 am
content: Quote from: Ivanko1 on August 24, 2012, 12:27:07 amThe IC inside (CyrusTek ES51922) can do 22 Hz - 220 Mhz :http://www.cyrustek.com.tw/spec/ES51922.pdfThe Uni-T page for the UT61E says 10 Hz - 220 Mhz:http://www.uni-trend.com/UT61E.html#So I believe it can potentially do 220 Mhz.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2012, 12:06:22 pm
content: 20MHz applies to other meters, just not this.Of course people get sceptical at 1/5 a GHz on a meter

author: brainpowered
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 18, 2017, 07:32:04 pm
content: Did the research on budget meters.I've come to the conclusion that the VICTOR VC86Ehttps://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initiative_id=SB_20170818112505&SearchText=VC86EThe specs say it's slightly better than the UNI-T UT61E in Volts mesurements, and comparable in Amps measurements. I'ts also a 22,000 count display!for $55 ... it's a pretty good competitor!

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 18, 2017, 07:36:57 pm
content: Wow, dragging up a 5 year old thread!Victor is a cheap Chinese brand with nothing much to recommend it. At $55 it is not a bad deal, but not a great deal. Without knowing how it is built inside, I would stay away from it.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2017, 09:03:16 am
content: I notice that many of these budget meters have decent specifications for accuracy but has anyone actually tested one? It could be lies.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2017, 09:53:14 am
content: Very broadly speaking, it's not that hard to be accurate. Even the $2 830L meters tend to have pretty damned accurate readings, especially if you calibrate them better than the factory often does.As I understand it, the issue is withstability: a Fluke is normally still just as accurate after 20 years as when it was made, whereas the cheap meter will have drifted and requires recalibration. (And even here, we aren't talking about radically awful drift necessarily.)The biggest problem with the cheap meters is their safety and reliability.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2017, 10:19:34 am
content: Whilst it may not bother you, the Victor multimeter is not true RMS, unlike the 61E.