Looking for Benchtop Multimeter W/ 232 or logging feature - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Strube09
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2010, 01:13:05 pm
content: Hello,I am building a home lab and need to get some Multimeters. I am currently looking for a benchtop unit with RS232 or other means of logging.Open to most manufactures. Just let me know what you have and what you are willing to take for it.Thanks!

author: tequipment
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2010, 05:32:55 pm
content: I'm a dealer in the USA. If you want a Rigol unit I can give you a EEVblog discount. Let me know.Evan

author: charliex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2010, 12:06:42 am
content: old thread but, i have this one and i don't hate it.http://www.tequipment.net/ProtekB940.asp?Source=EEVBLOG

author: Strube09
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2010, 10:36:26 am
content: Thanks,I have seen these ones but wasn't sure if they are worth a darn.Have you used the 232 features and software with it? What type of update rate can you get with it?Thanks

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 05, 2010, 02:57:39 pm
content: I'm not sure if that Protek bench DMM offers any features/accuracy over similar priced handheld DMM's, seems to me you can get a pretty good handheld DMM for $160 with probably 4.5 digits and more features. Except for data logging, most of the DMM's in Dave's $50 multimeter shootout had about the same features.When I think of bench meters, I think of something like the HP 3468A/3478A or Keithley 199 (both are available for well under $160 used if you wait for the right offer). I expect a pretty good resolution/accuracy (5.5 digits for those units), 4 wire resistance measurement (useful for any resistance below 100 ohms or so), no batteries to run down (that's the one feature that the Protek unit offers), high update rate and a good display (large VFD or LED). The HP 3478A doesn't satisfy the good display, but the Protek doesn't have LED or VFD either, just a (possibly backlit) LCD, with the standard issues like viewing angle and lighting.RS-232 does severely limit your options, since GPIB/HPIB was the standard, and new ones are USB/LAN. RS-232 was only common between the early nineties and early '00 or so. Many cheap used bench meters have GPIB, but for RS-232 you need to the expensive recent ones like Agilent 34401A and Keithley 2000.

author: charliex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2010, 03:49:52 pm
content: ehh its ok, the lcd is pretty poor and mine has uneven lighting/distribution on the letters so its a bit blah, the side to side viewing angle is also pretty poor. The rs232 logging is ok, i don' recall the baud rate so i'd have to look when i get home. i only really used it for overnight logging though.i picked it up because i wanted something physically stable that i would be less inclined to move away and leave in another room or such. as well as a large easy to read display with the data logger for soak testing stuff, but the LCD isn't that great to read. i usually just end up using my fluke 88 or my cheapie protek 6300 which i got for around $50 new, but no rs232 but both have better displays. it was all that frys had the day i bought it.the response time is not as good as the fluke, on par with the mid range meters dave did in his shootout.the 608 looks like it replaced a few of them, it has rs232c logging but its a handheld dmmhttp://www.tequipment.net/Protek608.aspi'd imagine the bench dmm is basically the handheld dmm in a different box though. looking on ebay for a better used meter is always worth a shot, calibration does give me a little pause for thought though. i've bought a bunch of used test equipment off ebay and so far have done well.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 05, 2010, 04:41:11 pm
content: Yep, buying used is certainly more risky. I wasn't suggesting that Strube09 (if he's still around) should buy used, but pointing out what I consider nice bench meters, and new high quality bench meters (eg. Agilent 344* or entry level Fluke/Keithley stuff) are way too expensive for most people. Not sure about the Rigols, I'd probably want some user experiences or a generous return policy, since their products seem a bit hit and miss (the scope is definitely a hit). Plus the price seems pretty close to something like an Agilent 34405A (I assume that's basically a 5.5 digit version of the 34401A + some new features) or the Fluke equivalent that tequipment suggests; I'd probably spend the extra $100 for a name brand (in the DMM market).About the calibration for used equipment, you have no guarantees, but assuming it's not broken, it probably didn't drift that much. Consider that that Protek has a basic accuracy of 0.3% (not sure for what calibration interval, 90 days?) and a Keithley 199 has a basic accuracy of 0.007% with a 1 year calibration interval (the HP 34?8A is somewhat worse), the Keithley would have to drift a lot to be outside the Protek's specifications.

author: charliex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2010, 04:37:04 am
content: yeah i'd agree good old used equipment is often still better than new cheap stuff, thats why i have metcal irons from ebayi saw an old fluke 8840A benchtop dmm in one of the odd electronic stores in los angeles today, it was going for $399, its probably sat there since it was new. certainly had me thinking about it. They've got some really cool old test gear, like mini crt scopes, but unfortunately they're priced just to sit and gather dust.

author: Joy at MCS
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2010, 11:00:39 am
content: We've sold several of the Rigol multimeters and have had good feedback on them. Most people really like them. They also make a really good function generator as well.It is true that sometimes you can find good used equipment especially the Keithley equipment for a good price.Have a good day everyone!Joy

author: cybergibbons
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2010, 09:28:01 am
content: Joy - what prices can you get for the Rigol benchtop multimeters? Can you beat Conrad's pricing?