New EEVblog 1980s Pocket Multimeter - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 04, 2024, 04:12:13 am
content: I've mentioned this before in a few places, but front panel just came through for approval on my new EEVblog branded pocket multimeter.Should have units by December.

author: wilfred
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 04, 2024, 06:05:59 am
content: Is that a BTTF inspired model number?

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 04, 2024, 12:08:16 pm
content: Neat and simple!With the limited number of rotary switch positions, I would have preferred dedicated positions for diode test, capacitance, maybe also the beeper. I always push that mode selector button one time too many and then have to go 'round again... But that's probably not a design decision you or the meter manufacturer can make but is given by the chip used?

author: The Soulman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 04, 2024, 01:31:39 pm
content: Does it come with fixed test leads or does it have banana jacks at the bottom?IMO use is very limited with fixed test leads, they are 90% of the time to long or to short not to mention the often flimsy probe on the end.That requires two hands to probe, needing a surface to have to place the dmm on.Most voltage measurement are ground referenced anyways so having one appropriate sized lead with a appropriate sized grabber/clamp on one end makes life so much easier,same goes for the probing end.For decades I use these type of sets:https://www.sks-kontakt.de/en/test-measurement/products/product?nr=9723380With added "mini-kleps", leads of various lengths, magnetic contacts, all sorts of diy custom adapter cables, etc.Making each measurement much easier, safer, and more reliable.Even my simple €5,- 2000 count dmm's are very useful tools and see regular use that way.Anyway, having fixed leads is a real drawback for any dmm.

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 04, 2024, 01:45:39 pm
content: DCV Hz/Duty? I'm intrigued

author: The Soulman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 04, 2024, 01:53:22 pm
content: And auto range only?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 04, 2024, 10:44:35 pm
content: Quote from: The Soulman on October 04, 2024, 01:31:39 pmFixed, it's literally a folding wallet type pocket meter. You can't get that with removable leads.If that dosn't suit your needs then it's not for you.I carried a folding pocket meter like this for many years on a production floor, never had an issue.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 04, 2024, 10:47:02 pm
content: Quote from: The Soulman on October 04, 2024, 01:53:22 pmNo big deal, and very common on a pocket meter like this.Pocket meters aren't designed to be daily use all purpose meters.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 04, 2024, 11:07:14 pm
content: Quote from: PA0PBZ on October 04, 2024, 01:45:39 pmIt can technically measure the AC frequency on the DC range, but don't get excited, it's not that good.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 04, 2024, 11:07:49 pm
content: For those who haven't figured it out yet, it's an updated version of the PM3:

author: electr_peter
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 05, 2024, 07:01:21 pm
content: Quote from: The Soulman on October 04, 2024, 01:31:39 pmOn pocket DMM this size only fixed probes are possible. There are ways to attach various adapters, though.Small diameter slide on tubes (inside is spring loaded, looks like inverse of banana contacts) can slide on on probe tips. Other side of adapter can have crocodile clips or something. I have few of those, not sure of a part number.Slim DMM would be welcome, I need simple and very slim DMM at the moment.

author: The Soulman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2024, 07:30:49 pm
content: Quote from: electr_peter on October 05, 2024, 07:01:21 pmYep I know the type you mean, and having now seen Dave's video I have a understanding where he is coming from.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 06, 2024, 05:40:26 am
content: Quote from: The Soulman on October 05, 2024, 07:30:49 pmIt's a specific market, not suitable for everyone.I'd like to do a Fluke 101 sized meter.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 08, 2024, 04:10:29 am
content: Production photos.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 08, 2024, 04:11:07 am
content: More photos

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2024, 12:15:14 am
content: The proverbial virgins on a remote island!White front panel.... do not like it, will get dirty quick, and then will yellow. Beside, looks boring, i do not know...

author: TheSteve
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 10, 2024, 08:22:51 pm
content: I like everything but the color - I'd prefer it be to black, dark grey, or even EEV blue.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 10, 2024, 09:38:03 pm
content: Quote from: TheSteve on October 10, 2024, 08:22:51 pmBlue would look pretty horrible as a solid face colour.

author: The Soulman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2024, 09:40:00 pm
content: Picture 5 shows adjustment of the meter, nice.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2024, 10:18:19 pm
content: I'd do a second "Off" switch position on the right hand side, would save the switch some wear/tear.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 10, 2024, 11:56:55 pm
content: Quote from: Bud on October 10, 2024, 10:18:19 pmNo changes, it's literally in production now.

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2024, 01:49:40 am
content: What's going to be the retail price?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 11, 2024, 05:21:31 am
content: Quote from: SiliconWizard on October 11, 2024, 01:49:40 amNot entirely sure yet.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 30, 2024, 03:34:24 am
content: Damn thing was sitting in the post office for a week and I didn't know!

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2024, 04:29:14 pm
content: I like the white color but I don't get the 1980's reference. Back then all DMMs where yellow or slate grey.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 30, 2024, 09:54:35 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on October 30, 2024, 04:29:14 pmThe 1980's was the best decade ever.

author: electr_peter
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 30, 2024, 09:56:04 pm
content: No sparks and crackling sound when measuring resistance of mains socket? Safe and boring. Where is the entertainment value in that?Any news on possible release date? Is this the final version of DMM?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 30, 2024, 09:57:36 pm
content: Quote from: electr_peter on October 30, 2024, 09:56:04 pmI should have stock by late December. Yes, final version.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2024, 11:26:22 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on October 30, 2024, 09:54:35 pmMaybe at your end of the world. Europe was quite a sh!tshow during that decade at many levels.

author: iMo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2024, 09:13:42 am
content: I stared at the YT title and wondered how Dave could forget to put out his 45 year old pocket multimeter off his pocket..

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2024, 10:22:20 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on October 10, 2024, 09:38:03 pmFor my taste, blue buttons instead of yellow would have been a nice choice. Adding the "EEVblog touch", and providing better contrast with the white enclosure. But producing a separate batch of modeld parts might be too costly, and it's not a big deal.What's the deal with the big "CE" mark on the front, by the way? That looks a bit cheesy, like from a cheap Chinese brand which was proud (or brazen enough) to claim CE compliance back when the scheme was new. I mean,of courseit's CE compliant. Why make a fuss about it in that prominent location on the front panel?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 02, 2024, 04:14:00 am
content: Quote from: ebastler on October 31, 2024, 10:22:20 amThe Europeans have a hard on for it.

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2024, 08:25:33 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on November 02, 2024, 04:14:00 amNah, we just take it for granted. It's a legal requirement for selling stuff here. So making a big fuss about it and advertising it on the front panel in large letters comes across as a bit strange. It's like selling packaged food with a large"Non-toxic!"sticker on the box.

author: Kleinstein
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2024, 05:19:48 pm
content: In the EU the CE mark and the paperwork that comes with it is mandatory, but the sign can be pretty small and on the back. It may be more a marketing thing for other countries outside the EU.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2024, 05:37:46 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on October 04, 2024, 04:12:13 amI really appreciate that the legends useHelvetica and not Arial!Quote from: EEVblog on October 30, 2024, 09:54:35 pmI do fear that the model number may end up being difficult to Google for in years to come. (And indeed, searching for “1980s multimeter” on YouTube finds many other videos first.)

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 03, 2024, 02:42:35 am
content: Quote from: tooki on November 02, 2024, 05:37:46 pmPossible. Already on the first page though for that Youtube video.Google might prioritise stores, will find out soon enough.

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2025, 01:35:23 am
content: Is there an update, or something I've missed as I don't see these for sale and December was a while back

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 09, 2025, 06:47:02 am
content: Quote from: floobydust on June 09, 2025, 01:35:23 amStill no exact date, they had delays in CE testing. Was supposed to have been April.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 17, 2025, 01:32:26 am
content: Production now complete, ready to ship.EMC testing.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 04, 2025, 10:59:25 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on October 30, 2024, 04:29:14 pmI just like the 80's.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 04, 2025, 10:59:39 am
content: Finally.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2025, 07:20:24 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on July 04, 2025, 10:59:39 amBetter flip those two boxes before all their electrons fall out!

author: ledtester
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2025, 07:27:28 pm
content: I count four boxes that need to be flipped.

author: electr_peter
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 04, 2025, 07:48:29 pm
content: There is no need to flip boxes, those units are going to the north hemisphere

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2025, 01:16:36 am
content: Quote from: ledtester on July 04, 2025, 07:27:28 pmNo, those are the Australian specific model. The firmware is different which has latitude compensation.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2025, 12:13:50 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on July 05, 2025, 01:16:36 amCan it also play Men at work's 'Down under' ?

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2025, 06:03:31 pm
content: Marketing Dept. checking in - are we good to go to print?edit: those familiar with the 80's know the Star Trek Next Generation started in '87. This is a real Klingon cover pic

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2025, 05:26:54 pm
content: Quote from: ledtester on July 04, 2025, 07:27:28 pmYou’re right. I was on my phone when I replied, and since that huge inline image was mostly off-screen and had to be scrolled around to see everything, I miscounted!

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2025, 05:28:04 pm
content: Quote from: floobydust on July 05, 2025, 06:03:31 pmOne slight problem is that the word “blog” was still years away from being invented! :p(And the Arial font was also still nonexistent in 1980.)