FOVEA - Wearable Embedded Multimeter - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ttcole1254
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 19, 2019, 12:47:28 pm
content: Hello all,Saw this browsing Kickstarter this morning and it actually looks like something interesting that I'd use. Anyone see anything like this before?I work on small circuits all the time but it seems rather small compared to other multimeters.https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fovea/fovea-wearable-embedded-multimeterTyler

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2019, 01:58:33 pm
content: Not just *NO*, but *HELL* *NO*. Either you are working on the bench, where you've got space to have a normal DMM on its stand or maybe even a bench DMM or you are working in a confined space or standing at an equipment cabinet. Unfortunately big equipment tends to have high energy circuits, and if anything goes wrong you absolutely do not want the multimeter wrapped round your wrist. Heck its risky enough just having a multimeter close in front of you if you encounter a circuit that exceeds its CAT rating.

author: ttcole1254
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 19, 2019, 02:22:39 pm
content: Well yeah it definitely isn't rated for anything with enough power to hurt you if it happened to blow. The leads aren't very thick from what I can tell, maybe half what a normal DMM would have, so it can't have a high CAT rating. I didn't notice if it's rating was published anywhere.I definitely wouldn't feel safe using this for anything high power, but for small hobby bench stuff it seems adequate and convenient. It looks like it can also read and generate PWM signals and some other stuff, so it can do a bit more than a regular DMM.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2019, 09:39:55 am
content: QuoteYour bench, maybe. Mine hasn't got enough most of the time, and the measurement tools, PSUs, etc. are on a shelf just out of view (and reach, sometimes). Even on the bench, as they show, a DMM can be just out of view. Throw in the plethora of cables/leads and it's a mess much of the time.I am ambivalent about this. It might well be uncomfortable and a pain to use (keep your arm oriented so you can see it) but I would give it a try. Or I would if it wasn't over $100. For that money I think I'd prefer a probe with the display built in (just like that chappy was promoting here years ago and which we've never heard of since).

author: ResistorRob
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2019, 07:44:57 pm
content: Just take one of those tiny horizontal multimeters and attach it to an elastic wristband... $35$125 for that thing seems like a really bad value.

author: gearshredder
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2019, 01:11:26 am
content: I thought a better idea would be to make that display wiresslessly connected to a portable unit or benchtop. Maybe make something you can retrofit for starters and move up to a dedicated multimeter and android app for your smartwatch.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2019, 11:49:05 am
content: Already been done and comprehensively laughed at:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/crowd-funded-projects/vion-the-worlds-silliest-multimeter/Though maybe you meant 'actually released and delivered'

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 11, 2019, 01:34:20 am
content: This idea just completely fails the instant you make your measurement and put the probes down.Lay your probes on the bench and then what? Are you then supposed to do your other stuff with the leads hanging off your arm?AND you have to recharge the damn thing

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 11, 2019, 01:40:24 am
content: And it's a "Field of view embedded analyser"!Engineering.com think it's the ducks guts:https://www.engineering.com/DesignerEdge/DesignerEdgeArticles/ArticleID/19153/FOVEA-Is-a-Wearable-Embedded-Multimeter.aspx

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 11, 2019, 01:42:48 am
content: The video says "better low current measurements", yet the only spec is a 1A range2mm probes, handy when you lose them and can't find a spare...

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 11, 2019, 01:44:31 am
content: Just get a tiny pocket meter and put it right next to or under the point your are probing, that will be closer than this thing on your wrist.

author: JxR
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 11, 2019, 02:04:02 am
content: They could have at least made it wireless like those anti-static wrist straps the JLCPCB workers get.

author: Mr.B
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 11, 2019, 03:03:43 am
content: But wait... What is that in the video...

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 11, 2019, 03:41:30 am
content: Quote from: Mr.B on June 11, 2019, 03:03:43 amThat's not gonna gain'em any favors, the idea still sucks balls

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 11, 2019, 03:46:05 am
content: And for a $20k goal, unless they are putting up the NRE themselves, they will all have to be 3D printed cases and hand made.

author: Mr.B
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 11, 2019, 04:05:17 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on June 11, 2019, 03:41:30 amAgreed.Their advertising pitch is *right in your field of vision*.If you want SAFETY combined with a display right in your field of vision... Buy a Fluke 233https://www.fluke.com/en/product/electrical-testing/digital-multimeters/fluke-233

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 11, 2019, 04:20:30 am
content: I missed the add-on finger display!

author: windsmurf
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2019, 09:04:29 pm
content: I think its alright (but not great). Its obviously a niche product for specific applications...You don't have to have it on the wrist... it has a few features not found on regular multimeters like:- PWM servo-pulse measurement- Pulse generator (square wave)- PWM servo-pulse output- Logic analyzer

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2019, 05:19:36 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on June 11, 2019, 01:34:20 amEasy. Just offer a convenient set of clip-to-your-fingers probes.One on the index finger, one on the middle. Finally users can stick their fingers into the mains outlet like they always wanted...

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2019, 05:22:32 pm
content: QuoteDid that once. Well, not the mains - it was the business end of a (old school) strobe. Wasn't working and the tube looked OK, and I needed to test that there was juice coming out of the socket. There was.

author: Cnoob
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2019, 05:49:41 pm
content: So these street beggars haven't heard of Fluke's touch hold.