Isotech IDM 305 DMM? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 14, 2012, 10:18:27 pm
content: Anyone know who makes these?http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/digital-multimeters/6974020/

author: sprocket
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2012, 10:45:51 pm
content: As far as I know it's a RS "owned" brand, so they are probably buying them as a OEM in china or where ever it's made and branded with RS-onlines instrumentation brand, in this case Iso-tech.But knowing RS online, and where I work we buy from RS-online when we need to get various low quantity items on a day to day basis, but that service comes with a hefty premium price tag. So to be honest you can probably get a meter at half if not lower and get the same quality if you buy DMM else where, or if you the money to burn on it, look for other vendors who is alot cheper then RS and buy a agilent or fluke DMM.

author: mAJORD
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2012, 10:46:38 pm
content: I believe that would be an APPA 305 (Taiwanese OEM)http://www.appatech.com/appa_product_home.php?pdid=20051219052439826951&&kindid=2005081003113623241-editand on that note it would appear on quick glance all the ISO-tECH meters are APPA, as expected I guess

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 14, 2012, 11:45:27 pm
content: Quote from: mAJORD on June 14, 2012, 10:46:38 pmnice one! thanks for that

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2012, 04:53:01 am
content: Quote from: mAJORD on June 14, 2012, 10:46:38 pmMost seem to be - for this week. Their IDM5 wallet multimeter, however, is a Brymen BM 20 serie. And next week they might decide to use yet another OEM. This is one of the reasons why I hate this rebranding game. It makes it difficult to predict the quality of products.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2012, 05:03:32 am
content: ISO-Tech stuff are mostly taiwanese OEM ... Their switching supplies is from GW Instek ( which is the one BKP rebranded that is on dave's shelves )

author: mAJORD
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2012, 05:37:32 am
content: Quote from: Bored@Work on June 15, 2012, 04:53:01 amNot too sure about that.. IDM5 appears to be the APPA i5http://www.appatech.com/appa_product_home.php?pdid=20080331041729373515&&kindid=2005081003113623241The Brymen is a bit different.Only ISO meter that Ican'tsee being APPA is the Pen style Meter. Tey don'y seem to make onebut yeah, I know what you mean. It makes things interesting.QuoteWith maybe an odd exception, all their Bench gear is GW Instek (P/supply, Function Gen, Oscilloscope)speaking of which, to throw another rebranding example.. GW InstekHand heldmeters are rebranded UNI-T !

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2012, 07:37:50 am
content: GW Instek is from Taiwan ...But heck, Their gray and white body colour is beautiful!

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 15, 2012, 08:56:07 am
content: Quote from: Bored@Work on June 15, 2012, 04:53:01 amExactly my thoughts; i paid £80 for a brand new idm 305 on Ebay and i'm very pleased with it, but i'd never pay RS prices as I knew I would have been paying for the spiffy over polished isotech branded website and then giving RS a cut too. Now i'll be checking out Appa.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2012, 11:57:12 am
content: That link has Agilent DMMs, many are better performers and cheaper. They also have many closeout models at less than 30% of the new list price.

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2012, 12:11:49 pm
content: Quote from: mAJORD on June 15, 2012, 05:37:32 amYes, looks as this is the one.QuoteThat one looks like an APPA 17http://www.electronic-direct.be/product-details/appa17/shop.htm?lng=enI don't know why APPA doesn't have it on their web site. Maybe an obsolete model.

author: ErikTheNorwegian
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2012, 03:47:37 pm
content: But no info on their website on recalls of their instruments must mean that they produce excellent stuff with no failures..??Just wondering..