Anyone test out new UEI Meters? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: jayjr1105
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2019, 02:30:52 am
content: On paper they look really good. Missing a Rel function but otherwise they look nice.DM505 and DM515 (TRMS)Maybe they can be a part of an updated $100 shootout. It's getting close to 10 years since it was done last. wink wink Dave.

author: jayjr1105
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2019, 06:41:00 pm
content: So I had a UEI/UTLDM2 that just stopped working out of nowhere. I sent it back to UEI because it was under a year old and they said it was dead and un-repairable. Good guy UEI gave me the option to get one of the new DM5xx models in replacement only paying a fraction of the cost of one new! I just received the DM515 today and only took it out of the box for a few minutes before going back to work. So far I can say that it's built extremely well, takes 2xAA batteries and is VERY fast in when not in auto mode (AC and DC share a switch position). I'll try to get a quick video review out soon. Don't expect Dave Jones or Joe Smith in depth review, but I can test all the functions with the tools I have.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2019, 08:46:45 pm
content: That is quite interesting that UEi has a renewed product line - if I recall correctly, about 1 or 2 years ago their DMM product line was empty.One thing that ticked me in the wrong direction is their"Sale Sheet", where they compare theDM525with theFluke 179. Lots of incorrect statements against the 179, such as CAT ratings, mA range and Warranty.To me there is no excuse for such blatant mistakes, given the 179 Specifications tab contradicts all these.

author: jayjr1105
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2019, 09:07:04 pm
content: Yeah, blame the marketing dept I guess. They don't even have to be shady. The DM525 is half the price. All it has to do is get pretty close to the 179 on paper and not completely crap the bed irl to compete.

author: bc888
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2019, 09:14:30 pm
content: Isn't UEI making the 121GW Eevblog meter?

author: jayjr1105
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2019, 09:16:22 pm
content: Quote from: bc888 on February 14, 2019, 09:14:30 pmYep, Brymen made the 1st, the 121GW is indeed UEI.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2019, 12:38:14 am
content: Could you please post a few high res pictures of the internals? I wonder if it needs a shim for the switch to work.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 15, 2019, 05:58:33 am
content: Interesting

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 15, 2019, 05:59:54 am
content: They never did come out with another product that used the 121GW case, which they retained rights to do. Maybe still in the works, no idea.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 15, 2019, 06:01:59 am
content: "Designed by us, Made by us".That would mean made in South Korea by Finest (who UEI now own), same as the 121GW.

author: riyadh144
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 15, 2019, 07:05:12 am
content: Actually Interesting, it has power factor measurement and bluetooth, I wonder if it has your ucurrent circuit.

author: riyadh144
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 15, 2019, 07:10:22 am
content: Yep it has your ucurrent, it is essentially the 121GW with no SD card a Watts measurements and no SD cardhttps://assets.tequipment.net/assets/1/26/Uei_DM525_Data_Sheet.pdfhttps://assets.tequipment.net/assets/1/26/Uei_DM525_Manual.pdf

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 15, 2019, 08:03:17 am
content: Quote from: riyadh144 on February 15, 2019, 07:05:12 amDoesn't seem to. 2mV/mA, and the 400mA range is not shared on the A jack like on the 121GW.And it won't be using the HY3131, or at least not the for power measurement, because that doesn't allow true Watts measurement. Probably explains the higher price than the 121GW.Don't understand the lack of a secondary display though, I thought that would be a given when you add power measurement.

author: jayjr1105
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2019, 06:43:56 pm
content: Some quick shots with a cheapie voltage reference board. 2.5/5/7.5/10More pics to come and maybe a video. So far I'm very impressed but it's clearly not as fast as the BM235 or a 2709B.

author: alex-sh
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2019, 06:50:40 pm
content: @ jayjr1105What voltage reference did you use please?Do you have the same voltage ref measured by a 6-1/2 DMM?

author: jayjr1105
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2019, 06:59:38 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on February 15, 2019, 12:38:14 amHi rez album of insides by request...https://imgur.com/a/yjC14rm

author: jayjr1105
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2019, 07:00:32 pm
content: Quote from: alex-sh on February 15, 2019, 06:50:40 pmJust this thing and no, no high end meter to cross reference unfortunately.https://www.ebay.com/itm/AD584-4-Channel-2-5V-5V-7-5V-10V-High-Precision-Voltage-Reference-Module-QWI/362526259242?hash=item54683fb82a:g:u3AAAOSwhu9cMJS~:rk:1:pf:0

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2019, 07:07:41 pm
content: Quote from: jayjr1105 on February 15, 2019, 06:59:38 pmLooks like some really hefty input protection.And I spy a serial port. Time to hook some wires up to it and see what's there.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2019, 10:57:56 pm
content: Thanks for taking the time to post those. If you decide to remove the PCB and switch assembly, I would like to see the other side as well.

author: jayjr1105
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2019, 02:14:55 am
content: Bear with the crudity of this review and my monotone voice.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 16, 2019, 10:11:00 am
content: Quote from: jayjr1105 on February 15, 2019, 06:43:56 pmWow, the BM235 digits are already very big, so this display is HUGE. Perhaps a contender for the biggest display digits on the market?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 16, 2019, 10:47:00 am
content: Quote from: jayjr1105 on February 16, 2019, 02:14:55 am"Quick Review" at 30 minutesSorry, couldn't resist, I wondered what it was like to be on the giving end for a change

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 16, 2019, 10:48:09 am
content: Looks like an identical but larger 121GW case design.Still using the long battery terminals I see.HY12P65 chipsetThe DM525 would likely be quite different.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 16, 2019, 11:04:20 am
content: Far too easy to hack!The DM505 is US$80, but the DM515 is $120Just remove R72 by the looks of it!The photos are the DM515, so those unpopulated parts wouldn't be needed.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 16, 2019, 11:10:32 am
content: 6mV range DC and AC, wow, don't think I've seen that before.

author: chickenHeadKnob
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2019, 03:12:57 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on February 16, 2019, 10:11:00 amPast the point of diminishing returns and well into tall-skinny-wrong aspect ratio. They should have employed the extra screen real estate for dual readout/ bargraph

author: jayjr1105
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2019, 05:11:55 pm
content: The BM235 Digits are hard to beat. So crisp while on it's kickstand and looking straight on which is rare. Sorry Dave, my editing skills are pretty bad. I just piece it together and upload. Some day I'll take the time to learn some editing software.The hack thing is intriguing. Seriously, just a surface mount resistor is what separates an $80 and $120?

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2019, 05:26:49 pm
content: Quote from: jayjr1105 on February 16, 2019, 02:14:55 amGood job with the review and what appears to be your first video. While I would have liked to have seen the switch contacts, I can understand not wanting to pull it apart.

author: jayjr1105
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2019, 08:44:38 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on February 16, 2019, 05:26:49 pmIt wasn't too bad. I hate the tiny self tappers that hold the board in place. I always feel like I'm going to strip the head or the threads. Nothing under the LCD, I just peeked since the backlight LEDs are soldered in.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2019, 09:12:34 pm
content: Getting closer.Squeeze the two clips and we can see what she looks like. I would like to see both the wiper contacts, as close as you can get to the tips as well as the contacts on the PCB. If you have a micrometer or set of calipers, perhaps you would also check the PCB thickness. I'm just curious how it compares. It seems like they would try to use common components where possible.

author: jayjr1105
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2019, 09:46:58 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on February 16, 2019, 09:12:34 pmUgh, after all this and I forgot to measure board thickness

author: jayjr1105
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2019, 11:38:38 pm
content: Just some other notable differences simply comparing with the BM235.Capacitance reading is slow on the DM515 (9 seconds to 2 seconds on Brymen for a 4700uf cap)Autoranging in general is slow on the DM515 but screen update speed is lightning. BM235 autoranging speed is second to none.Brymen wins on power draw with ~2mA vs ~4mA on the UEIHowever the UEI sips a cool 14mA with backlight on to the Brymens 30mA (Brymen is only barely brighter too)Backlight times out @ 1 min on the UEI while the Brymen is on until turned off (personal preference here)Silicone leads on the BM235, PVC (soft-ish) on the DM515. (Both have excellent tips but the BM235 is gold plated)UEI shroud has a front lip where the Brymen is recessed (I personally love the front lip on the UEI for extra protection)Both have excellent continuity speed with clear, latched beepers.No NCV detection on the UEINo Frequency setting on the UEITwo AA Alkaline included with DM515 while BM235 is two AAA heavy duty.UEI also has the ability to hold two spare AA's (with some small foam strips so they don't rattle around)

author: gnavigator1007
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 16, 2019, 11:59:44 pm
content: I can't think of any other products i've seen where the manufacturer has reused(I'm assuming) the battery compartment from another model like that. Not complaining. Being able to store extra batteries could certainly be useful. Just kinda funny in an age where everything is getting slimmer and slimmer. Wish phone manufactures would do something like this.

author: jayjr1105
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2019, 12:10:45 am
content: Quote from: gnavigator1007 on February 16, 2019, 11:59:44 pmYou could get creative and wire two more in double parallel for double capacity as well.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2019, 01:04:02 am
content: I would have expected the same switch contacts to be used as the 121 and maybe they do represent the final design. They appear not to be plated and have a new dimple design. Again, thanks for taking it apart and documenting your findings.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 17, 2019, 07:08:46 am
content: Quote from: gnavigator1007 on February 16, 2019, 11:59:44 pmThere was no point to do that if they had to redo the moulds anyway. It's most likely they have another product that uses the same new case and the 4xAA's. Or maybe they started the project thinking they need the higher voltage but then picks a part that needed only two cells.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 17, 2019, 07:09:38 am
content: Quote from: jayjr1105 on February 17, 2019, 12:10:45 amYep, I would have done that. Seems silly to waste that space.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 17, 2019, 07:11:01 am
content: Quote from: chickenHeadKnob on February 16, 2019, 03:12:57 pmYep, agreed, the BM235 looks superior.The Hycon chipset has an LCD driver with limited digits, so they couldn't likely do anything more display wise.The micro used does not have a LCD driver:https://www.st.com/en/microcontrollers/stm32l052t6.html