Which multimeter do you recommend buying? with 200 usd? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: lordstein
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 20, 2023, 02:33:53 am
content: Hello, I have had a uni-t ut58c (manual range) since 2015 and it has worked very well, but with use and several falls its display is already damaged, and I think that at any moment it will fail completely, I have tried several cheap multimeters from other brands and the uni-t brand as well.but I have not found one with the following characteristics (the ut58c has them)-super fast continuity test speed.-loud and clear continuity sound (I'm a little deaf already)-rapid acquisition of voltage measurement-screen with big numberssomething good that is also desirable-firm stand (I can manipulate it with one hand)- the screen is not as affected by light reflections.I would like to know which would be the best option for up to about 200usd, the precision and resolution or display counts, as well as its cat certifications are not so important, since I only use it for repairs of electronic equipment (notebook mostly)

author: Veteran68
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 20, 2023, 03:54:38 am
content: In my opinion the best $200 DMM for electronics is going to be Dave's eevBlog BM786 meter. It checks virtually all the boxes and then some. I have a LOT of meters including some much more expensive Flukes as well as a Brymen BM869s and two 6.5 digit bench meters, but the BM786 is the DMM that stays out on my bench all the time. You could also go with the stock Brymen BM789 which is essentially the same meter but adding dual temperature (EDIT) and Low-Z function.For electrical work I really love the Fluke 117. It's the perfect formfactor, not as bulky as my 87-V or even the 17B Max, and not as small and fiddly while being more capable than the little 101.If I could only own two handheld DMMs (*shudder*) they would probably be the BM786/789 and the Fluke 117.

author: mwb1100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 20, 2023, 06:14:00 am
content: Quote from: lordstein on December 20, 2023, 02:33:53 amIn addition to the BM786 (which is a great meter), the less expensive BM235 is worthy as well. If you decide on a Brymen but Dave is out of stock, check out welectron.com. I'm not sure what they'd charge to ship to Columbia, but their shipping to the USA is quite reasonable. Email them and ask for the EEVBlog discount.And since you don't care about CAT certifications, the Uni-T UT61+ series meters are even less money and have great displays. I believe it meets your other criteria too, but since some of that is subjective you might want to look at reviews on youtube. The 22000 count UT61E+ is about $95 on aliexpress, but you can get the 6000 count UT61D+ for about $65 (it adds temperature measurement, but removes a few other measurements). The UT61+ series also have a solid build including a very good stand.For $5-10 more you can get a model from the UT161 series which are equivalent to the UT61+ series but with CAT certification (and the fuses, PTCs, and MOVs to go with it).

author: sonpul
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 20, 2023, 08:31:04 am
content: I recommend the Brymen BM789.It has an AutoHold feature. A function that allows you to automatically take a measurement and records it on the display, waiting for the next one, confirming its status with a sound signal. This is very convenient, and you can focus on carefully installing the probes.It has low voltage on the probes when measuring resistance, which does not open semiconductors.It has a BeepLeet function in its diode test. It's also convenient.This device is literally created for repairs and electronics. There are a lot of advantages.Large numbers and long backlight of 15 minutes. It runs on eneloop batteries for a very long time. High update speed. Protection against incorrect connection of probes.

author: lordstein
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 20, 2023, 12:27:14 pm
content: Thank you very much for your prompt response, the Brymen multimeters are interesting, I could buy them on Amazon or buy them in the USA and then bring them to Colombia, I had the ut61e and I also tried the ut61e+ and although they seemed very complete, the latency and the volume of the continuity function, I didn't think it was better or the same as that of the ut58c, obviously being autorange multimeters it is more complicated for them to accomplish this.

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 20, 2023, 02:18:53 pm
content: I have an Amprobe 37XR-A that's good in that price range. I don't know if it's big enough or loud enough for you, those things are relative. If I wasn't going to stick with that for my handheld meter, I would probably go with the BM789.

author: Veteran68
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 20, 2023, 03:43:55 pm
content: Quote from: lordstein on December 20, 2023, 12:27:14 pmNot sure about Columbia, but when it comes to Brymen meters in US/NA, only Dave's eevBlog-branded meters are available on Amazon, not the Brymen OEM meters. They have contracts in the US/NA with Greenlee, FLIR, and maybe another one or two manufacturers that rebrand their meters for sale here. Some FLIR meters are essentially Brymen internals and probes with custom cases (ex. FLIR DM64/66 = Brymen BM235), whereas Greenlee meters look exactly like their Brymen counterparts, only with a green holster instead of red. Greenlee also carries a significant price markup compared to OEM Brymen. That's why we in the US have to go to European retailers like Welectron or TME to buy Brymen. Fortunately, as noted, Welectron's prices are excellent and their shipping costs to here are minimal.As to Uni-T meters, most are decent meters for the cost (I have a 61E+ and like it alright), but in no way compare to a Brymen in terms of quality and performance.

author: lordstein
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 20, 2023, 09:36:00 pm
content: I will search information about the eevblog brymen