Multimeter for low dc with features - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Frosty
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 21, 2017, 11:21:30 pm
content: HiI'm looking for help finding a multimeter for component work.I have my quality dmm and clampmeter for work which i bring home to use. My problem is is that, especially on a Monday I leave it on my desk at home making my work day a nightmare.What I'd like to buy is a cheap meter that is good for dc accuracy up to 25v, capacitance measurements, diode and led testing, a fast continuity test and temperature reading. Pc logging would be a great bonus but I can live without it. Must have a good size screen, easy to see at a glance.I'm based in the UK so something that I can purchase here and get delivered quickly. Ones I've seen so far seem to be in the USA or China.From reading on here I've found this which would do nicely apart from delivery lengthhttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200912705694?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&var=500153428396&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AITThere's also this which I can get hold of quickerhttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322464597332?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AITAlso thishttps://www.amazon.co.uk/UNI-T-UT139C-Digital-Multimeters-Display/dp/B00PY3V6O2/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1492816354&sr=8-2-fkmr0&keywords=Ut+139cI prefer the price of the first one and the logging feature but you also can't knock the quality of a fluke having used them a lot over the years.. Don't know much about uni-t equipment but seems to cover most of what I want although does make me think how much I'd like logging if possible. As this will just remain in the house and out of my toolbar I'm not worried about getting a premium robust item, just one that can handle the above. If I have to buy something that comes on a slow boat, so be it.Never would have thought a meter would do so much when i started out on analogue equipment all those years ago!Looking forward to your suggestions.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2017, 10:24:28 am
content: The Uni-T and Digitek are about the same price but the Uni-T is much better.Logging aside, I don't think you'd regret buying the Fluke.You mentioned LEDs: There's a variant of the Fluke, the 18B+, which trades temperature measurement for a built-in LED tester. If you test a lot of LEDs then it's useful.

author: frozenfrogz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2017, 11:52:59 am
content: There are several threads on the Uni-T. It is not bad in terms of precision and safety to price ratio.However, some things I don’t like:– test leads are rather stiff– LCD contrast is not good (even after modding the bias)– auto ranging is SLOW– backlight timing is too short (can be modded)What I like:– fast continuity tester– lots of features– cheap– decent build quality, looks and feels– can be modded via EEPROM reprogrammingIf you are only going for one meter, strongly consider getting a Fluke!

author: Frosty
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 22, 2017, 01:18:54 pm
content: I'm not worried about quality of leads, i have plenty of spare good ones at work.I agree flukes are very good meters. I use them at work. This purchase will just be used for home hobby stuff so i don't have to keep bringing my work kit home. I'll be using it on a lot of radio controlled equipment and project builds.

author: frozenfrogz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2017, 01:37:36 pm
content: The UT139C is a decent meter packed with features, reading mV and uA, has a diode tester and reads capacitance.You can not really do a lot wrong with this one IMO. There have been announcements of changing out the display for a higher quality one - however I can not tell you if this already happened.I am going to buy a whole bunch of these together with some UT210E for our students lab and Arduino workshops myself.

author: Frosty
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 23, 2017, 07:23:04 am
content: After a bit more reading through this site I've decided to go for the Brymen 257s. I almost went for the fluke as I've used these over the last 30 years at work but can't really justify the cost for a spare home meter. The 257 also looks like it would make a handy backup/second meter at work.Thank you all for your input. I look forward to seeing how the 257 stacks up against my work kit.