Electronic Specialties Multimeters - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: bradahj
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 11, 2019, 05:12:17 pm
content: Hello All,I came across this company and they seem to have quality multimeters.http://www.esitest.com/589.htmlThe issue is that I can't find any reviews to confirm (I'm looking specifically at the TMX-589, but there are a few others).I would think they are rebranded, but I can't find anything on this either.Does anyone have experience with these DMMs and what are your thoughts? Thank you for any input.

author: 001
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2019, 05:35:40 pm
content: Looks like rebranded Extech

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2019, 05:36:37 pm
content: But why? Looks like a below average meters for way above average price. There is no shortage of multimeters for all use cases and price ranges, why even bother looking at an unknown brand with no reviews?Also, it looks like they are in Chile, and their business may make more sense there.

author: 001
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2019, 05:40:14 pm
content: Quote from: ataradov on August 11, 2019, 05:36:37 pmSpam, may be?

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2019, 05:42:09 pm
content: Quote from: 001 on August 11, 2019, 05:40:14 pmYeah, I assumed it was spam as well. So my reply was mostly to leave a negative review. If someone actually found this topic looking for the meter - look further and pass on that one.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2019, 05:51:46 pm
content: I sent them here assuming someone would actually know not realizing they would be jumped on for SPAM. Sorry about that OP. My mistake.

author: Specmaster
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2019, 05:53:50 pm
content: Quote from: ataradov on August 11, 2019, 05:36:37 pmTotally agree, I'd personally look at getting a Brymen 867 or a 869, not sure if Brymen is readily available over there but they are available under the Greenlee brand which are the same meters but whereas Brymen have a red bumper, the Greenlee's are green. The meters have a far higher spec, Cat IV rating @ 1000Vm dual digital displays and a bar graph, and are very robust in their construction.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2019, 05:55:01 pm
content: Ok, this is not a spam, sorry. First post with a link to a product is a typical spam pattern.The point stands - buy a meter with good reviews. There are plenty of those. Or get the one they rebranded if you like feature set. I doubt cheap plastic case costs $200 markup.Or if it is your first meter and you don't have specific requirements, buy a $16 UNII-T. They are perfect daily drivers, and cheap enough to not really care about them.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2019, 06:52:47 pm
content: The TMX-589 is some variation of the CEM DT-9960 series. Seehttp://www.cem-instruments.com/en/Product/detail/id/978I think based on what I have seen personally and the majority of reports around the world, CEM Instruments makes poor quality meters with questionable hacks and sloppy internal soldering in the manufacturing/assembly process. Just search this forum.It looks like the company who sells these products specialize in the training and paper manuals/DVDs to justify the markup.No one should be spending $40 USD to buy the model 380.http://www.esitest.com/380.html

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2019, 06:55:57 pm
content: Oh, wow. If you are spending any money on "model #380", you are doing it wrong, really wrong.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2019, 06:59:59 pm
content: More proof of CEM rebadging ...http://www.esitest.com/595.htmlis same ashttp://www.cem-instruments.com/en/Product/detail/id/1243

author: bradahj
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 11, 2019, 08:18:45 pm
content: No.....not spam. I was afraid someone might assume that since it is my first post. I was sent to inquire here by Joe Smith (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsK99WXk9VhcghnAauTBsbg). He does lots of reviews on multimeters, but had never seen this one.

author: bradahj
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 11, 2019, 08:19:49 pm
content: Thanks, Joe.... I replied to that one person before reading your post of support.

author: bradahj
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 11, 2019, 08:25:18 pm
content: My son and I like to work on cars, rider mowers.... troubleshooting electrical issues, and we want to get into more electronics (we're looking at taking a basic course together.That being said -- are there any recommendations? (I'll look into the Greenlee)

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2019, 08:37:52 pm
content: There is absolutely no reason to go super expensive "reputable" brand for a first time meter. Get a cheap-ish UNI-T and play with it, see what you like and don't like about it. I use UT136B daily in a professional setting and it covers 99% of what I need to do. Rarely I have to go to a better meter.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2019, 02:03:40 pm
content: Quote from: bradahj on August 11, 2019, 08:25:18 pmI looked at a few different automotive meters, basically testing them on a motorcycle simulator I built along with an ignition test jig. Sadly, I was out of nitrogen when I made these videos, but you can still get an idea how robust the meters were. One of the meters had what I consider a design flaw where the designer's didn't follow the manufactures recommendations in the datasheets. I corrected the design and it greatly improved how robust the meter was.https://youtu.be/uY6ZcINF7L0?list=PLZSS2ajxhiQBvWvqMVLdRQMjGofKpQUJrhttps://youtu.be/q_89qoFMivg?list=PLZSS2ajxhiQBvWvqMVLdRQMjGofKpQUJrhttps://youtu.be/Z2Tx0smuu8U?list=PLZSS2ajxhiQBvWvqMVLdRQMjGofKpQUJr

author: Specmaster
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 15, 2019, 12:20:59 am
content: I'm not at all surprised that the Brymen performed well, I've been impressed with all of their meters so far. I have their 867S and like Joe with his 869 (which is basically almost the same as the 867S but with temperature ranges and VFD capability), I like it and it my go to meter.