Extech build quality? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: croyleje
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2014, 10:40:35 pm
content: Hello EEVblog,Thought I would mention this just to let people know there out there. I just purchased another Extech EX430 MSRP 94.99 USD from a seller on Ebay this is my second Extech EX430 I have purchased there not the best meter by any means but the build quality and supplied leads on the first on I purchased was very nice a great little meter for quick checks and field work. The second one I recieved last week appears to either be a knock off or Extech has let the quality slip bananna jacks are terrible, switch is as cheap as I have ever seen, protective boot is hard plastic basically it is junk. I sent a message to Extech/FLIR but have not received any info back yet. Looking at the boards the junk version is missing some of the silkscreen info that is on the older one I have. Has anyone else seen a drop in build quality of Extech items?Jason

author: radhaz
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2014, 12:45:14 am
content: How about some comparison pictures?

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2014, 01:05:20 am
content: Quote from: croyleje on November 17, 2014, 10:40:35 pmExtech gets CEM Instruments to make many, but not all, of their multimeters. I'm not 100% sure if CEM made this model, but the exaggerated tall lcd display suggests there is some family resemblance.Some of Extech's 500 series have serious poor solder and build quality as shown in Dave's $99 shootout and other teardown photos here. So it does not suprise me to hear your feedback above.The used EX430 that I had, emphasize on had, is documented herehttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/extech-ex430-multimeter-teardown-photos/PS. The switch on my EX430 was terrible. Sometimes it would take switching back and forth to turn it on properly.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 18, 2014, 06:12:50 am
content: As far as I know, all the EX series are made by CEM. The quality control seems to be very hit and miss. Or should I say that QC is non-existent. CEM meters seem to be very well featured and if they could ever get their QC act together they would be a great buy. Until then I won't buy one and nor would I recommend one.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2014, 09:02:47 am
content: Until there is evidence to the contrary, quality wise, I would separate CEM and Extech instruments. I only have one CEM meter, but it is built to an acceptable standard, unlike some of the Extech meters we have all seen exposed online.While in Shanghai, I was told that multimeters are not necessarily made by the original manufacturer, depending on deadlines and assembly line availability. The work can get farmed out to any other DMM factory in China, with spare capacity. That could explain the hit-and-miss quality of the Extech meters.Ultimately, Extech (FLIR) is responsible for quality control. I suspect they figured it was cheaper to replace deficient meters as they get reported by buyers, rather than to have their own people in attendance, at the end of the manufacturing process.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2014, 11:56:29 am
content: I've never bought their devices as QC has been my concern. Folks who rebadge or contract with Brymen have consistently good quality. In the USA, Greenlee and Amprobe DMMs are often of Brymen make.

author: croyleje
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2014, 10:55:05 pm
content: I will post some pictures this weekend to show the differences but does anyone know if they have switched factories both have made in China on them but the one from about 6 years ago is by far a nicer meter plastic quality, boot, jacks, leads and even the silkscreen labels just have a nicer look to them. I was a fan of there meters until this one arrived I don't expect much for price and for what its being used accuracy is fine mostly used for rough checks and the cap meter comes in handy to check run caps but just feel let down by the whole thing.PS if i remember correctly i think i paid almost twice the price for this meter 6 years ago so that also has me thinking something must have changed.Jason