choosing a multimeter - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: noe
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 29, 2025, 02:38:11 pm
content: Greetings to all forum members.I am facing a dilemma and I would like to hear your opinions as well. Recently, I decided to upgrade the basic equipment of my personal laboratory that I keep at home. I should mention at this point that I am a professional in the electronics field, working in a company as a senior embedded engineer. Nevertheless, I also maintain a home lab where, in my personal time, I work on the development of analog circuits, some weak signals, and a bit of RF.So, I started looking for a new bench multimeter for my personal lab and found myself at a crossroads:Should I buy a used Agilent 34410A that I found in good condition or a new one from a cheaper brand, e.g., Siglent SDM3055? Note that the cost is approximately the same.I look forward to hearing your opinions.

author: PascalNE
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2025, 03:03:58 pm
content: I haven't interacted with the siglent but if the cost is the same I'd probably go for the Agilent. Considering the SDM3055 is a 5.5 digit multimeter you'll get a whole extra digit of resolution with the Agilent. And since it's a newer model Agilent it should still be perfectly reliable and well supported.

author: BILLPOD
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2025, 07:08:56 pm
content: Good Morning Noe, What bench meters do you use in your work Lab? Unless cost is a limiting factor, I recommend getting a meter like the one you have at work, as you are already familiar with its operation.

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2025, 08:12:29 pm
content: I'd spend a couple dollars more and get the SDM3065X, or if you can budget it, the new SDM4065A.I have the 3065X from Siglent, the 34465A (black) from Keysight, and Keithley DAQ6510 (same analog board as DMM6500). The Keysight is my least favorite of the 3. It's nice, but it's not worth the price IMO. Especially not without them bothering to update the firmware in years. Keysight's support is mediocre at best.Older Keysight/Agilent DMMs can be nice too, but you need to make sure it's not a timebomb.

author: noe
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 30, 2025, 04:14:06 pm
content: Hi, thank you all for your responses.Quote from: BILLPOD on May 29, 2025, 07:08:56 pmAt my workplace, I use a Keithley 2100 and an old but reliable FLUKE 8846A. I consider both excellent, but they cost well above the available budget, and it wouldn’t be difficult for me to learn to use a different instrument if I get one.Quote from: KungFuJosh on May 29, 2025, 08:12:29 pmI like Siglent devices too. I haven’t tried any to have an opinion, but their price compared to their technical features makes them look very attractive. As I understand, you are satisfied with the 3065X; is it quite stable over time? Stability is particularly important to me since I won’t be sending it for calibration every 1 or 2 years.

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2025, 04:52:21 pm
content: Quote from: noe on May 30, 2025, 04:14:06 pmThey're all good for basic stability. The Siglent and Keysight are very similar, and the Keithley is usually the best. All are so close though, that it doesn't really matter (at least not to me).The 3000 series from Siglent is similar to Keysight (but functionally better with more control options). The 4000 looks to be trying to compete with Keithley's stuff. I want a 4000 series meter, but dunno if that will happen. Not exactly a priority for me to getanoooooootherdmm. 😉

author: Kleinstein
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2025, 09:25:48 pm
content: If stability is important I would consider a used 34401. These are old but generally quite stable and if needed there are schematics for a repair. It is common enough (and not too old) that it should be possible to find cal lab to do one initial test if wanted.The Sigilent meters are often not that stable - in part from the design with a ADC chip with lower reference level.The Sigilent meters have copied the UI and front layout from the Keysight / Keithley meters, but the analog internals are quite different. The SDM3065/4065 have the advantage of a 20 V high impedance mode, but the accuracy / stability is inferior in most aspects to a KS34460 or Keithley2000 / DMM6500.The older 34460 may hav issues with the digital side µC. This would especially be the HP or Agilent branded ones.

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2025, 11:35:23 pm
content: Quote from: Kleinstein on May 30, 2025, 09:25:48 pmFTFY 😉That statement is too vague to be meaningful, and what it implies isn't really true. I own the KS34465A, DAQ6510, and SDM3065X. They all contend quite well together. I've done plenty of long tests, and while it's true the Siglent usually doesn't beat the other two, the difference in reality is negligible. The DAQ almost always wins anyway.Look at the attachment in reply #5. There's nothing exciting there between the 3 meters.I sent the attached screenshot to Doug (the maker of the VREF10), and he was impressed, saying that the Siglent was good enough to show the low frequency noise inherent to the LT1021 reference chip.When it comes to the race for best support, Siglent is right behind Keithley, and Keysight is still sitting in the parking lot eating glue. That's been my experience so far.Thanks,Josh