Darwin Award DVM - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: jhoffman
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2025, 12:33:42 pm
content: Darwin Award Included in Boxhttp://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Auto-ranging-Measurement-DCV-ACV-Resistance_1601275608658.htmlIt uses a LTZ1000 voltage reference.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2025, 12:40:54 pm
content: Note there are no CAT rating on it. IMO, not all meters need to be designed for use in high risk environments. Meters like this will be fine working on your low energy, low voltage, low current, breadboard projects.

author: tunk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2025, 12:43:57 pm
content: Review and teardown by Darren Walker:https://youtu.be/63ItKaSeHZI

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2025, 01:00:35 pm
content: I can see this as ideal for use around the car and boat. No more balancing a meter and having it wind up in the bilge. Stuffed up under a dash board, or crawling under the car.I reckon I'll have one of those. Sure as shit wouldn't let it near mains, but for stuff up to about 24V it sounds perfect.

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2025, 01:20:51 pm
content: That doesn't stop them from advertising with dangerous mains voltage.

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2025, 01:30:03 pm
content: QuoteFor good reason:Quote from: tunk on June 08, 2025, 12:43:57 pm>snip<

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2025, 01:33:29 pm
content: Quote from: Martin72 on June 08, 2025, 01:30:03 pmI've seen countless meters with shit for inputs with CAT ratings.Sorry but can't can't watch the idiot Canadian reviewer as I loose too many brain cells. Did they show CAT ratings on the backside or in the manual?

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2025, 02:11:40 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on June 08, 2025, 01:33:29 pmI've just finished watching the video because I'd never heard of him before and I didn't know any better. I started with a couple of glasses of red under my belt which probably helped dull my "sensitivities to morons". His main complaints are all pretty inane and superficial. I agree with the "nowhere to store the probes" complaint, but nothing to really write home about. I don't need my multimeter to tell the time or come in a colour other than red.Like I said before, I'll be getting one because when you're shoved into a tight space and don't have that third hand available to hold the meter, this thing looks ideal. And hey, it's another tool.

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2025, 02:21:05 pm
content: I can imagine that it's quite handy if you're bored during a skydive and happen to have your broken audio power amplifier with you.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2025, 02:32:06 pm
content: Quote from: BradC on June 08, 2025, 02:11:40 pmI only watched their rebuttal video on that low end Keysight meter. A half hour of them blabbing on about their expert opinion, zero data and some sound effects. The number of brain cells lost was equivalent to drinking a bottle of cheap scotch.Did they show CAT ratings on the inside cover?

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2025, 02:32:50 pm
content: Quote from: jhoffman on June 08, 2025, 12:33:42 pmWhere's it hiding?

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2025, 02:38:29 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on June 08, 2025, 02:32:06 pmI didn't watch that closely, and won't be again. I have just ordered one though.To be fair, twice the price of my 60,000 count Aneng from Aliexpress, but then there's the novelty value and being small enough to strap to my arm. Different use cases.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2025, 02:58:13 pm
content: Quote from: BradC on June 08, 2025, 02:38:29 pmSome meters like this one will come with a wrist strap:https://www.walmart.com/ip/Innova-3300-Hands-Free-Digital-Multimeter/14644665I can see the appeal to a wrist mount meter but to avoid the OPs Darwin award, I went with something more safe. This is just a prototype but I can already see this being a winner in the lab.

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2025, 03:03:09 pm
content: Your rope is worth more than the meter I just ordered.

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2025, 03:22:35 pm
content: problem is sods law states yer wrist will be at the wrong angle to both be able to read the display and hold the probes in the right place,something like a harmonica mount that holds the meter around the neck so ya can just glance down at the meter would be better, and positions the flying shrapnel perfectly for full facial coverage when measuring the DC current of yer 240V socket outlet

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2025, 03:30:36 pm
content: Quote from: themadhippy on June 08, 2025, 03:22:35 pmDad did that once with his old Hioki analogue meter. I still remember running up the stairs after hearing the almightly *bang* to see him sitting cross legged on the floor with the meter in front of him and smouldering probes in his hand. Clearly he'd put the probe in the 10A hole before checking the wiring of the GPO, and the fuses weren't as "fragile" as they are these days.Still, no harm no foul.

author: kmoonwalker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2025, 03:50:49 pm
content: well from one side for some low votages perhaps such thing can be practical but should be mounted on inside of hand not like he does.From the other side - if someone knowing at least a lil bit how dangerous are higher voltages on AC is deciding to purchase and use this "wonder" all consequences are on him. I would recommend before using it to put to order general affairs and choose some nice location of eternal rest. Plus reviewer demands smaller testleads - I will ask that "seriously?"and we can argue on many things but LTZ1000 alone is not making a DMM

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2025, 04:19:41 pm
content: Dang - if it had a built-in watch you'd have something there.

author: kmoonwalker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2025, 04:40:41 pm
content: Quote from: xrunner on June 08, 2025, 04:19:41 pmexcellent point xD

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2025, 05:06:11 pm
content: I guess nobody here does troubleshooting or repairs out in the field? Or is this a troll thread.A wrist-mount multimeter has good application.Working lying on your back, confined spaces etc. this would be excellent. Especially outdoors, under vehicles etc. you don't have to deal with a handheld job falling over, no place to put it etc.Unfortunately this DMM's protection scheme is terrible, I don't even see a PTC to protect against a mistake in Ohms mode.I think easier to mount an AN8008 on your arm, or if Dave ever gives us that EEV pocket multimeter he was working on....

author: kmoonwalker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2025, 06:20:11 pm
content: actually a lot - just would not go with this one as my tool for anything more than 24Vand I put silence on things like special probes/accessories/etc + safety rules -> just as it is speaking

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2025, 06:30:14 pm
content: It would be so much more usable with a nice high input impedance and one lead going to the wrist strap. [Edit: Then it would be a worthy Darwin award facilitator!]

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2025, 06:39:58 pm
content: if it had a 2mA ultra fast blow HV fuse rated for 10kV. I don't like the idea of fastening something that can have a plasma explosion in it to my body. YikesThough, where its most useful is battery shit IMO. But that's where you have the greatest SC hazard.Can it handle the short circuit current of a lion battery bank?lets say the case is messed up and it gets sweat in it from being worn on a body with some heavy clothing i.e. for dealing with mechanical hazards when you have to crawl under something in a hot place?

author: BILLPOD
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2025, 07:36:52 pm
content: Sorry but can't can't watch the idiot Canadian reviewer as I loose too many brain cells. DidJoe, I VERY HEARTILY agree

author: Kleinstein
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2025, 08:32:18 pm
content: From the specs it looks like a low cost packet meter. So only voltage and coninuity. This makes the protection quite a bit easier, with no need for a bulky HRC fuse. It may not be safe for mains, but probably OK for low voltage batteries. Ideally there would be uses in the probes - but I doubt this would happen at that cost.I would still perter a pocket meter with an optional extra holder for the wrist, so one could use the meter in a more normal way too.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2025, 09:49:12 pm
content: would you really not want a fuse incase there is a short circuit from contamination that can turn into conductive plasma?I had one recently that was good, a flood condition. I throw stuff in my drink cup in the car, and then a drink fell over and left the item underwater in a pool of lemonaid (small flashlight). The passanger seat eats stuff, the center is mostly safeNot sure it matters what the load is, if you have conductors going into a enclosure... the load can changeif its body mounted and connected to a powerful source it can be dangerous

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2025, 11:37:31 pm
content: Quote from: BradC on June 08, 2025, 02:11:40 pmYou've heard of duspols, right?

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2025, 11:39:15 pm
content: But you can't tie them around your arm... Although, maybe you can...

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2025, 11:40:03 pm
content: Quote from: floobydust on June 08, 2025, 05:06:11 pmAnother one...?Has nobody heard ofthese?

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2025, 11:43:47 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on June 08, 2025, 11:37:31 pmNo I hadn't so I went and looked them up. I've used a "meter built into one probe" before but in a lot of instances found it awkward to read the display.

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2025, 11:55:08 pm
content: That's not the same thing.Duspols (both the type and brand name) are specialized for measuring high voltages in electrical engineering.Unlike most conventional multimeters, they have a lower input resistance, which prevents “ghost voltages” from being measured.A multimeter is not approved for determining the absence of voltage in these areas.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2025, 12:28:15 am
content: Quote from: Martin72 on June 08, 2025, 11:55:08 pmThat one I posted is but that was just an example, not a product endorsement or recommendation.There's a lot of different meters out there in that format.There's also a lot of multimeters with probe holders so you can clip a probe to the meter and hold both with one hand.Aneng 870 has them on the back:Quote from: BradC on June 08, 2025, 11:43:47 pmI'm honestly not sure if the wrist mounted one will be easier.But whatever. I'm not dying onthishill. I own a lot of meters that were bought on a whim.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2025, 12:29:09 am
content: Quote from: Martin72 on June 08, 2025, 11:55:08 pmThere's only 1 Duspol !They provide LV readings of 12 and 24V DC with polarity detection, Phase rotation identification, AC to 680V and a LowZ mode.Probe vibration as an indication of dangerous voltages is also standard.

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2025, 12:43:42 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on June 09, 2025, 12:28:15 amHonestly my Aneng 870 is usually enough, but when getting right up into tight spaces it's not ideal. Some of the cars I work on you need to be a double-jointed midget gymnast just to get to a point where you even have access to the connectors.Anyway, I've got one coming, so if it turns out to be useful I'll elaborate. If it doesn't I'm happy to put my hand up and mark it as a failed experiment.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2025, 12:47:55 am
content: the low z mode on multimeter is kinda crappy. look up the specs, its not good for long terms. Calculate the power dissipation in the load resistor that you want.A proper "ghost" for a DMM would look like a 100 or more watt resistor in a ventilated box that you attach to the DMM.I am saying if you want a true measurement like 1000 ohms load (stable) for 500V.They use a PTC for self protection but its a very 'crass' measurement that you end up getting, particularly for data logging. IIRC the meters typically don't let you datalog for low z voltsnot that anyone really cares about stable impedance for low Z measurements, but its fun to know and do the math at how much power your poor handheld dmm is dissipating

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2025, 01:11:11 am
content: QuoteCant beat the good ole solenoid volt meter for good vibrations.plus the current needed to get the thing going avoided any ghost volts,an added advantage,at least on of the one i had, was it was cylindrical so you could see the "display" at almost any angle

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2025, 05:22:09 am
content: Just use a meter with an auto-hold function ffs

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2025, 05:25:54 am
content: Quote from: AVGresponding on June 09, 2025, 05:22:09 amNot much use when you are watching for changing values.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2025, 08:10:59 am
content: The images are clearly fake. They're most likely AI generated or using a paint program such as GIMP.Yes, it shouldn't be used on mains. Ideally these sort of meters shouldn't have an AC setting over 50V, or 120VDC (the SELV voltages under most standards), although there might be times when it's acceptable, say a circuit run off an isolation transformer with a 3A fuse, or perhaps measuring stray voltages due to leakage though Y capacitors.

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2025, 08:15:36 am
content: Quote from: tautech on June 09, 2025, 12:29:09 amAt work, we call them all that, regardless of whether they are from Fluke, Duspol, Benning, etc.It is a common term for this type of measuring device, so to speak.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2025, 08:17:12 am
content: Quote from: Martin72 on June 09, 2025, 08:15:36 amBenning make Duspol !

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2025, 11:01:47 am
content: Quote from: Martin72 on June 09, 2025, 08:15:36 amIn the UK we call them Steinels

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2025, 11:04:27 am
content: Quote from: AVGresponding on June 09, 2025, 11:01:47 amYet my Steinel is only rated to 48V.

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2025, 11:06:01 am
content: Quote from: BradC on June 09, 2025, 05:25:54 amIn that case I'd either clip on or use Wagos. At no point do I want a large lump of metal and plastic stuck to my arm, either temporarily or permanently

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2025, 11:19:22 am
content: Quote from: AVGresponding on June 09, 2025, 11:06:01 amAnd when you can't do that? Anyway, I'm done. You do you.

author: BILLPOD
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2025, 01:28:00 pm
content: Here in the U.S. the most popular one is made by Square D and is called a Wiggy.

author: tunk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2025, 09:06:10 pm
content: Another review by JazzTech:https://youtu.be/80_f8lCDj8g&t=26m48s