Multimeter for ~$50 (Aus)? (edit: now ~$100) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: sean0118
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2014, 11:57:26 am
content: From looking at the other posts on the forum it seems the Extech EX330 is no longer the best meter for around $50AU.I currently nearing the end of my engineering degree and hoping to move into power electronics. I'm not too sure on the specific features I would need but having a temperature sensor would be good. Also, needs to have proper fuses of course, if you search the forum you will see the 'interesting' design of the Digitech QM1523 I have now.I'm planning on buying a bit of stuff off Amazon US, but I'm not too sure how a multimeter would go with warranty?What are some models I could take a look at?

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2014, 03:05:42 pm
content: At that price point you are pretty limited. The best two that are close to that range would be the UT139 series and tthe UT61E. Neither are really great for high energy or mains voltage work but to get a meter that is you would be looking at roughly double your price point (Brymen BM257). If you decide to get the UT139C you can pick it up from Fanky (iloveelectronics) here on the forum, it would fall right at about your price point shipped.

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2014, 03:29:10 pm
content: QuoteWhat features you want that your existing meter doesn't offer?For the record, I have a few 830 (<$5 each) that have served me well over the last 30+ years.

author: omgfire
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2014, 04:40:13 pm
content: Quote from: sean0118 on July 08, 2014, 11:57:26 am50AUD?Fluke 106costs about 1620RUB (50.3AUD) in our country. No uV, no uA, no temperature, no true RMS. But pocket size and proper fuse. Fluke declares 600 V CAT III for it.Mjlorton's review of 107:http://goo.gl/KDQMwL

author: sean0118
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2014, 01:46:43 am
content: Thanks, this might be harder and more costly than i first thought.I think I do need proper input protection and proper HRC fuses, both of which the Digitech lacks. I probably would need the features that the Fluke 106 lacks as well.I'm going to take a look at the Brymen BM257.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 09, 2014, 02:14:06 am
content: AU$50 is hard. Maybe the Uni-T UT61A/B/C/D/E series?

author: sean0118
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2014, 03:00:18 am
content: Thanks Dave, yeah $50 might have been wishful thinking on my part, I can probably bump the budget up to ~$100. I don't really want have to upgrade to a better multimeter again soon.So what is there to look at in this new price range? Also, who is a good supplier of the Brymen meters?

author: nowlan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2014, 04:02:01 am
content: Quote from: sean0118 on July 09, 2014, 03:00:18 amFranky is on leave til 17th or something. PM him, to avoid the ebay fees etc.http://stores.ebay.com/99centhobbies

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 09, 2014, 05:46:30 am
content: I will second the BM257 if you can swing it, and Franky as a good honest seller.

author: bbjk7
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2014, 03:30:24 am
content: +1 for the UNI-T 61ECan't remember but it cost me ~$60-70 and I am very happy with itThink frankie also sells it from his ebay store for quite cheap. The only thing it's missing is a backlight for the display.. Was going to look into a elegant hack for that

author: ronniegogs
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2014, 04:49:47 am
content: Got i UNI-T UT61E for 45 USD in Hongkong and I am happy with. Supplements by main fluke and I would say it performs without any issues .

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 10, 2014, 05:01:54 am
content: The OP is looking to get into power electronics which usually means higher voltages and/or high energy circuits. The UT61E is a good buy for the bench but is not good for what he intends to do IMHO.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2014, 05:06:58 am
content: Quote from: Lightages on July 10, 2014, 05:01:54 amYeah, but for $50 and now $100 AUD I'm not sure he'll find something.Anyways, here is the spreadsheet Wytnucls has compiled so far on the sticky on Test Equipment:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/multimeter-spreadsheet/

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2014, 08:27:36 am
content: The Fluke 17B can be bought for a little more than 100 AUD.Not true RMS and 4,000 count only, but has a backlight (17B+ only), proper input protection and can measure temperature.500 hours battery life (2xAA) and auto-off feature.The backlight turns off after 2 minutes, but the auto-off function can be turned off, a feature many people have been asking for.Unusual feature: Overvoltage indicatorhttp://www.fluke.com/fluke/inen/digital-multimeters/Fluke-17B.htm?PID=75002http://www.fluke.com/fluke/inen/digital-multimeters/General-Purpose-Multimeters/Fluke-17B+.htm?PID=78682http://support.fluke.com/find-sales/Download/Asset/6002719_0000_ENG_A_W.PDFhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/FLUKE-17B-F17B-Auto-Manual-Digital-Multimeter-w-Test-Leads-TL75-FREE-EXPRESS-/221316090862?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3387778bee

author: ProBang2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2014, 10:41:53 am
content: My opinion: I would also prefer the Brymen BM257.As an owner of the UT-61E I can tell you: Even the German version (Safety-tested, "GS"-signed version with pimped input-protection) is not really a competitor to the Brymen or the Fluke (both UL-listed).The Fluke has lack of functionality (no temperature) and a lower CAT-rating.Greetings,Hartmut

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2014, 11:09:52 am
content: Quote from: ProBang2 on July 10, 2014, 10:41:53 amThe Fluke 17B does measure temperature and the 17B+ has the same CAT rating as the BM257s (CAT II 1000V CAT III 600V)The BM257 can't measure duty cycle and has a very low open voltage (<1.8V) on diode measurement.

author: AmmoJammo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2014, 11:31:53 am
content: Made by CEM, the same company that make the Extech metershttp://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=QM1571You can probably find the jaycar branded variety for cheaper from elsewhere too...

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 10, 2014, 07:49:26 pm
content: Hmmm, the Fluke 17B is certainly a contender. It is missing TRMS and the diode test voltage is only 2v, yes a bit better than the BM257. My BM257 outputs 1.6V only. In addition to the TRMS feature, the BM257 also has the EF test mode, autocheck, 5x per second update rate, bar graph, Min/Max recording, 5ms peak reading mode, PC connection option, and better accuracy.The Fluke 17B has the Fluke reputation, 2V diode test and not much else over the Brymen.Yes there is a price difference. You can get the BM257 for $135 including shipping and you can get a Fluke 17B for around $110 including shipping. If you can't spend the money on the Brymen, then the 17B looks good. If you can spend the money then the BM257 is a big leap in functionality and speed and well worth the extra $20.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2014, 10:22:57 pm
content: Quote from: Lightages on July 10, 2014, 07:49:26 pmFor the extra $20 atcurrentmarket prices, I would definitely go with the BM257. I love the largeish digits and yellow backlighting (albeit, too short and not configurable).PS. The Brymen also doesn't overshoot its readings like the Fluke 17B does (something I dislike).

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2014, 10:26:49 pm
content: Quote from: AmmoJammo on July 10, 2014, 11:31:53 amI have a CEM branded meter and while it "works", the internal build quality and soldering is terrible with cold solder joints, half attached wires, leftover flux, too much solder, too little solder, etc.It sits in the trunk of my car and it will be interesting to see how the solder quality will hold up through one cycle of Canadian winters where it can get to -40C overnight.PS. It also overshoots its readings (a pet peeve of mine).

author: AmmoJammo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2014, 10:50:32 pm
content: Quote from: retiredcaps on July 10, 2014, 10:26:49 pmWhich meter specifically? I've seen the internal build quality to be fairly average, but haven't seen any with any major construction issues

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2014, 10:57:57 pm
content: Quote from: AmmoJammo on July 10, 2014, 10:50:32 pmSeehttp://mrmodemhead.com/blog/gallery/craftsman-82003/Spawn also ran into the same issues with a higher priced model here below ...https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/teardown-extech-ex570-my-first-but-also-last-extech/

author: AmmoJammo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 11, 2014, 10:13:24 pm
content: Quote from: retiredcaps on July 10, 2014, 10:57:57 pmThose are all minor issuesIf you can't fix them, you shouldn't be into electronicslol

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2014, 03:43:35 am
content: I have a CEM DT-9935 LCR meter and a Velleman DVM9912 DMM, made by CEM. Both meters are well made and feel very solid. The hand-soldered bits generally reveal a rushed process at the factory, with little attention to detail and quality, but that seldom impacts the usefulness of the product.They do overshoot voltage harmlessly for a 10th of a second in auto range mode. If it is a bother, preselecting the range manually fixes the peculiar behavior.

author: HackedFridgeMagnet
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2014, 04:01:15 am
content: A tip if you are on a budget,don't blow the big fuse. They cost a fair bit. Maybe $10 each.So if you are measuring current then make sure you take the red probe out of the current socketas soon as you are finished.

author: sean0118
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2014, 06:42:17 am
content: Cool, thanks everyone I'm glad this has generated some interest. I'm leaning towards the BM257, but I still need to look into the Fluke 17B more and decide which features I require.In the mean time my Digitech has developed a 'feature', it goes out of max range when the backlit is on, just shows -1 when on any setting.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 12:49:02 am
content: Quote from: Lightages on July 10, 2014, 07:49:26 pmI concur that the Brymen 257 is an excellent $100 class meter. It is very rugged with a huge clear display, and easily accessible HRC fuses. Very well designed and built, and I'm confident in its ratings.The Fluke 17B I have is only CAT II rated.

author: sean0118
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2014, 02:07:35 am
content: Look what arrived in the mail recently... Thanks Franky! Seems great so far.