Favorite competitors to the UNI-T UT61E for roughly the same price - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2013, 04:35:25 am
content: What are the DMMs that you would consider as good or better than the UNI-T UT61E overall for roughly the same price or less - especially any that are true RMS and that excel at measuring current (from a few amps to milliamps or less)?Thanks for any suggestions,PS, I've watched Dave's under $50 and under $100 shootouts and I've read lots of posts here - so I've narrowed it down to the UNI-T UT61E as a being a/the prime contender. I'm trying to figure out what the other contenders are or shoud be. My main concern with the 61E is that it's pretty good overall but maybe weak in the area I'd most like to use a secondary DMM, ie for current reading. Thx

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 10, 2013, 04:50:50 am
content: Well I did a review for a meter that iloveelectronics is selling on his ebay store, and is available from here if you PM him. It has a very low burden voltage and does TRMS with the DC component not just AC coupled as does the UT61E. It also has a back light and temperature measurement. It is lower in accuracy specification and does not have PC connection. It is about $10 less that the UT61E. I would recommend this over the UT61E for your requirements.http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digitek-DT-2843R-AC-DC-True-RMS-Multimeter-Backlight-and-Temperature-/171080136251?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27d52bb63band my review

author: iloveelectronics
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2013, 06:16:15 am
content: I was going to recommend the DT-2843R myself but obviously as a seller my opinion could be biasedHere's a short summary of DT2843R vs UT61E:Pros:- better input protection- backlight- temperature measurement- AC+DC TRMS- comes with gold plated probesCons:- lower resolution- no PC connectivity for data logging- slower continuity tester- less commonly available so less community support and custom hacks etc.Depending on your needs and preferences I think both are good meters in this price bracket.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 10, 2013, 06:41:43 am
content: Don't forget that the burden voltage is really low on the DT-2843R compared to the UT61E.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2013, 01:02:52 pm
content: The DT-9602R+ has the same features, plus a higher count (6000), bar graph and RS232, making it a better competitor for the 61E:http://digitek.host.netpar.com.cn/en/cpxx.php?id=603No price information in China, but should be in the same ballpark as the Uni-T.Sells for 55 Euros in Germany:http://www.elv.de/truerms-multimeter-dt-9602r-mit-rs-232-schnittstelle.html

author: iloveelectronics
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2013, 01:34:48 pm
content: I have the DT-9602R+ too, and I decided not to carry that in my shop for a reason. It's no match for the 2843R. The housing feels cheap, and the selector dial is very mushy. Basically all the Digitek meters with this housing suffer the same issues (I have tested more than one model). The backlight is really terrible too. Continuity tester is slow. Basically there isn't much to rave about this meter.Having said all that, I do plan to offer my test unit on another no-reserve auction at some point if there's any taker :p

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2013, 03:02:57 pm
content: Too bad; it looked like a winner based on pictures and specs, but there is nothing like hands-on appraisal.It is also available on Amazon for 70$, if anybody is still interested:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E2422G/?tag=multimtr-20

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2013, 10:11:50 pm
content: If a count of 6,000 is not a hindrance, the new UT139C is also a contender at 50$ plus:http://www.ebay.com/itm/UNI-T-UT139C-True-RMS-Digital-Multimeters-AC-DC-with-Temperature-Auto-Range-/181179994103?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a2f2b4ff7

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2013, 10:27:36 pm
content: Seems like there should be a market for a DMM that is in the $50 range (and for sure under $100) that can do:THE BASICS- is safe (fused, clear markings, alerts, etc)- is well made (sturdy, good user interface)- supports TRMS- can do milliamps in DC and AC- is accurate to 1% or better- can do the rest of the basics (volts, ohms, continuity)- is reasonably fast- has sleep mode====>What is the lowest priced DMM that meets THE BASICS?Other NICE TO HAVES but not essential:- auto ranging (this might belong on the requirements above)- hold- min/max- bar graphStill more stuff that would be nice but probably shouldn't be in there until THE BASICS are in place:- capacitance- diodes- frequency- back light- temperature (C/F)

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2013, 10:30:57 pm
content: what's "safe"? if for large surges, HRC fuses will be like 10%+ of the end cost.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2013, 10:34:53 pm
content: Quote from: Wytnucls on August 10, 2013, 10:11:50 pmHi Wytnucls,I was just submitting my wish list on THE BASICS as you were posting on the UT139C. Nice find/recommendation! Assuming it meets it's own specs I think it might do THE BASICS and a bunch more more. Assuming it's safe and fast (hard to know for sure from just the specs), it looks like it could be winner. Thanks! EF

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 10, 2013, 10:44:03 pm
content: Yes I agree, that UT139C looks like it could be a winner in that price range. The three man things that remain to be answered: Is it built correctly for safety? What is the burden voltage on the current ranges? Is it True RMS with DC or AC coupled only?

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2013, 10:44:50 pm
content: Quote from: Fsck on August 10, 2013, 10:30:57 pm"Safe" (for users and equipment) is important. I'm open to an enhanced definition - please feel free to suggest a good definition. Thanks

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2013, 10:46:27 pm
content: Quote from: Lightages on August 10, 2013, 10:44:03 pmIndeed, those are good questions to addressed....PS, it would be nice to know if the 139C is comparably accurate (or possibly more accurate) than the 61E; I think on paper the 61E might have better accuracy specs? But specs are one thing and what it really does might be slighty different. It would be great to see this meter do well on milliamps.

author: Legit-Design
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2013, 10:49:32 pm
content: It should also be really fast since UT61D gets dissed alot for it being so slow.In my opinion UT61D is a perfect companion for UT61E since they complete each other perfectly for my needs. Where the other fails the other excels.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 10, 2013, 10:52:04 pm
content: A multimeter can be safe for bench and low energy circuit use, or it can be safe for wall socket/distribution panel type of work. If a multimeter is rated CATIII/600V it had better be designed and built and tested to be safe for that. Up to possibly this UT139X series, all the Uni-T meters have been unsafe for anything beyond bench use even if they were labelled CATIII and CATIV.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2013, 10:55:30 pm
content: Quote from: Legit-Design on August 10, 2013, 10:49:32 pmMaybe UNI-T is on to your strategy; they might figure everyone should have at least 2 DMMs so those two would make a nice pairOr maybe with the 139C we could get a matched pair where both would do it all and they would be interchangeable

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2013, 10:57:50 pm
content: Quote from: Electro Fan on August 10, 2013, 10:27:36 pmIf you are in the USA and not opposed to getting an used multimeter, the Fluke 27/FM can usually be purchased in the $50 or less range.Dave did a review and teardown of it in eevblog 372 and 373.The continuity speed is slow, but the update rate at 2/sec is the same as the UT61E.The burden voltage, specifications, etc are documented in the user manual. Battery life is around 1,000 hours or more.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2013, 11:04:25 pm
content: Quote from: Lightages on August 10, 2013, 10:52:04 pmYep, socket work takes the safety game up a notch. I don't do much socket metering but if I wanted to do that I'd use the Fluke. I think if it's in the budget it's great to have one Fluke for both socket work and for trustworthy accuracy. After that it seems like the DMM portofolio could be filled out with another (or a few?) lower cost meters for low voltage and low amp benchwork where safety might not be quite as much of a concern and where super accuracy might not be essential for every measurment. You could instrument circuits with the low end gear and attach the Fluke for the serious requirements. That's my story/game plan and I'm sticking to it'cause any $ not spent on another Fluke could go toward other test equipment

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2013, 11:06:15 pm
content: Quote from: retiredcaps on August 10, 2013, 10:57:50 pmThanks - I'll check it out.- Those look sweet. I don't know why Fluke doesn't make something along these lines (maybe packaged into something that looks similar to the 15B they market in China. I see the 15B selling on eBay new for around $85; if it had TRMS and a little better accuracy it would probably we worth consideration. So many DMMs to choose from new and used...

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2013, 11:13:53 pm
content: I forgot to say the 27/FM has no auto power off/sleep feature. I have a 27 (non True RMS), but I always turn it off after usage. It only draws about 275 to 300 uA in most ranges.As for safety, watch eevblog 373 as Dave describes it in detail.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2013, 11:24:12 pm
content: Quote from: retiredcaps on August 10, 2013, 11:13:53 pmDoes the FM version have TRMS? What does FM stand for? Thx

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2013, 12:30:21 am
content: If it says FM on the screen bezel, it probably has the True RMS chip. FM was code for the military version. Count is only 3200, there is no screen backlight and no capacitance measurement function. The diode test won't light up white LEDs.A pristine FM example with original case and probes could cost you closer to 100$ plus shipping charges.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 11, 2013, 02:00:11 am
content: I also forgot to mention this nice meter. It does everything as you have listed and appears to be actually built correctly for safety:http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/amprobe/multimeters/am-530.htmand a discussion on it here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/amprobe-am-530-a-peek-under-the-hood/

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2013, 03:02:33 am
content: You are a good finder / spec matcher! ThanksHere is the manual:http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/amprobe/pdf/am-520-530-manual.pdf- the dimensions are just a tad on the large size, kind of a brick - but for all the features and for the price it could be a worthy contender.I'll check it out. I'm wondering how good the display is - I have an Amprobe that is some cool features but the display is kind of micro size; might just be the particular model.Thx again