Anyone selling a multimeter? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: TheAmmoniacal
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 03, 2014, 05:03:33 pm
content: I've been using one of those cheap Chinese multimeters for a couple of months now, and it's getting a bit hard to trust the reading and there's a lot of noise on the milliamp scale. So I guess it's time to move up the introductory-professional multimeter, with some more capability. The second-hand market isn't that great here in this country, and buying a new one is just a bit too expensive with the additional taxes (just a student).I'm looking for a multimeter for the electronics hobbyist, the tinkerer and the troubleshooter. One that is reliable and accurate, has all the common modes, with diode test, continuity, capacitance etc. I'd also want one with a good microamp scale, and preferably one with datalogging (6,000+). Something akin to the Agilent U1272A.I have about $450 to spend on one, depending on some shipping agreements. Please contact me if you have one to sell. (If you're just out to earn money, just don't)

author: Neganur
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 03, 2014, 05:29:10 pm
content: $450 is quite some budget. You could easily buy two used HP3478A's for that kind of money including VAT from Norway. (look for EU meters on Ebay or ~$150 ones on US Ebay)Did you have a look athttp://www.batronix.com/shop/multimeter/index.htmltoo?

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2014, 06:54:04 pm
content: I'm confused, you can get a Agilent U1272A for well under $450. What Chinese multimeter do you own?

author: TheAmmoniacal
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 03, 2014, 06:59:28 pm
content: Quote from: Shock on May 03, 2014, 06:54:04 pmIf you can get it at that price, want to buy it for me and send it? Eh?The local price for that multimeter is $620, which is like $200 more than overseas. So I'm a bit hesistant to pay that at the moment, and it's just a bit more than what I've saved up for one.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 03, 2014, 08:29:52 pm
content: Trywww.tme.euI am not sure what kind of taxes you need to pay on importation but have a look. They have good Agilent meters, Fluke, Brymen, Gossen, but forget Extech IMHO as they seem to have quality control problems.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2014, 10:51:04 pm
content: +1 on tme.euU1272A is listed for 462.214 USD, and the U12152B for 488.626 USD (better for electronics use IMHO). Bluetooth interface is 53.32 USD (U1177A).Might also want to consider a Brymen BM869 from there (250.256 USD) if you don't want to spend your entire budget (+ a bit more), and it's comparable to the Agilent U1252B or a Fluke 287 (50k counts, well built w/ proper protections that genuinely meet it's CAT ratings, similar features, ...). Data kit is reasonable as well (54.112 USD).

author: Neganur
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 04, 2014, 05:37:39 am
content: Just don't forget that EU folks pay VAT on top of those prices.Norway for example is as much as 27% VAT, Finland 24% and Germany 19%. It really is substantial.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 04, 2014, 05:53:02 am
content: Quote from: Neganur on May 04, 2014, 05:37:39 amThe BM869 will still be within the OP's current budget including VAT and shipping. Still stays within budget if the data kit is added.

author: amiq
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 04, 2014, 06:44:31 am
content: I have a HIOKI 3801-50 ex-demo unit that would be well within your budget if it's of interest (it is in mint condition). It has similar specs to the Agilent U1252B (I'm not sure if Hioki make the U1252 or if a third party supplies both Hioki and Agilent - but in any case the majority of the circuitry is identical in both meters). Hioki have discontinued this meter (replaced by the 4282). PM if interested.

author: neslekkim
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 04, 2014, 11:08:19 am
content: Quote from: Neganur on May 04, 2014, 05:37:39 am25% in Norway..Anyway, $462 equals to 2745 NOK, elfa sells same meter for 2928NOK, both prices ex VAT, but Elfa gives you free shipping, and you will then pay Vat only on the item, not shipping if you buy the meter from tme.eu, so I would guess that the local option still is better on this meter.3660 with Vat, which will be $615.. so.. it quickly adds up..http://www.tme.eu/en/HowBuy/17/Country:HowToBuy-way-and-costs-of-transport-112.htmlI'm not sure what that page is telling me, is items up to 15.90 EUR free shipping?, and you need to pay shipping for items that is more expensive?Anyways, if shipping is free, one could think that you could save about 200 nok, but since DHL or UPS is going to to the customs for you, it will cost, they are not very cheap on that.

author: Neganur
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 04, 2014, 01:13:32 pm
content: Quote from: neslekkim on May 04, 2014, 11:08:19 amI was probably looking at corporate tax there. But whatever, 25 % is plenty don't you think.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 04, 2014, 01:56:19 pm
content: Quote from: Neganur on May 04, 2014, 01:13:32 pmIt's depends on the other taxes. If the income tax there is zero then it's reasonable. If it's on top of heavy income tax than it's plan robbery and justifies a revolt.

author: neslekkim
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 04, 2014, 03:47:07 pm
content: Quote from: zapta on May 04, 2014, 01:56:19 pmWikipedia says tax level is around 40-45%, but I think it is more like 36-40% (I just pay and forget)ok, a little of topic now..

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 04, 2014, 05:18:13 pm
content: Quote from: amiq on May 04, 2014, 06:44:31 amAgilent builds their own in Malaysia (bought Escort to get their DMM line, and have since revised most of them).Hioki uses Brymen chips in their 50k count models from what I've seen (same chip as the BM85x/86x series), just don't know if they're building it themselves or not.

author: amiq
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 04, 2014, 05:47:36 pm
content: Quote from: nanofrog on May 04, 2014, 05:18:13 pmThe pcb in the 3801-50 and the 1252 is exactly the same.

author: jpb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 04, 2014, 05:48:12 pm
content: Conrad are £311 including VAT for the UK (which is 20%) which is similar but perhaps slightly cheaper than the others.http://www.conrad-electronic.co.uk/ce/en/product/128025/

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 04, 2014, 05:52:10 pm
content: Quote from: amiq on May 04, 2014, 05:47:36 pmGot a link to detailed pics?I can pop open my U1252B and compare.

author: spin9
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 10, 2014, 01:43:45 am
content: just bought a brand new Agilent U1272A with 380 $ including sales taxes and shipping (US).

author: CrabxCore
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 10, 2014, 03:36:04 am
content: Quote from: spin9 on May 10, 2014, 01:43:45 amWhere at? I could really use that deal!

author: nowlan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 10, 2014, 12:40:00 pm
content: Amazon, $378 + 9.99 (free with prime?)http://www.amazon.com/Agilent-U1272A-Handheld-Counts-True/dp/B004URG9EU