Bench multimeter suggestions - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: deanclaxton
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2019, 07:26:24 am
content: I'm looking for a good quality, lowish cost bench meter, and wondering if you have any suggestions.I'm quite happy to go with an older Fluke or similar. I know Dave did a video on the Fluke 8842A at one point - that's probably the sort of thing I'm looking for.Seems they can be picked up on eBay for around the AU$400 mark, but most are from the USA so they slog Australians with GST and the shipping is expensive too.Are there any other models I should perhaps be looking out for?Pm me if you are looking to sell

author: targit
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2019, 07:43:40 am
content: https://emona.com.au/products/electronic-test-measure/multimeters/gdm-8245.htmlI have one of these, works as advertised and is on sale just now, nothing fancy but it does have a 20A current range which is why I bought this one.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2019, 11:38:42 am
content: The VC8145 is a good choice IMHO. These cost somewhere around US $160 from Ebay.https://www.ebay.com/itm/VICI-Digital-Multimeter-VC8145-Bench-Top-Voltmeter-PC-DMM-80K-Digit-AC-DC-N0107/141220247807I have two and these are my daily use DMMs.

author: deanclaxton
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2019, 09:25:33 pm
content: Thanks,Couple of decent options there. Do they both have nice fast continuity test?

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2019, 09:58:48 pm
content: The VC8145 sure has. No delay at all so perfect for dragging a probe along a row of pins quickly to find which contact leads where.

author: Specmaster
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2019, 11:19:55 am
content: Quote from: deanclaxton on May 24, 2019, 07:26:24 amThey can be had from USA ebay for around $70 plus shipping. I got 2 recently for about £250 all in for both. Very good meters.Sent from my POT-LX1 using Tapatalk

author: targit
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2019, 05:44:18 am
content: The GDM-8245 is pretty slow on the continuity buzzer, I had forgotten about that as I usually use my Fluke 85 for continuity tests.The continuity is on a separate button from ohms so its a little annoying that it isn't faster.

author: deanclaxton
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2019, 07:16:35 am
content: Thanks Specmaster - was that the 8842A though or the 8840A? Looks like the 8840A can be purchased quite cheaply - I'll have to have a quick read up on the specs. Most of the 8842A's on eBay atm seem to be around the US$300 mark.

author: deanclaxton
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2019, 07:31:23 am
content: Quote from: targit on May 26, 2019, 05:44:18 amOk thanks - I'd like a nice fast continuity test I think - my old hand held Meterman 37XR is a bit slow.Looking at the older Fluke models, its a real rabbit hole. Especially when eBay throws up links to old equivalent HP's! Fluke 884x vs HP3478 for example.I'll bide my time and see what comes up. Thanks for putting some options out there though. I'll read up some more on the VICI meters too.

author: Performa01
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2019, 09:24:30 am
content: Quote from: deanclaxton on May 26, 2019, 07:31:23 amThe better Fluke bench meters of that time (8840A, 8842A) don't have continuity test at all. They do have phantastic accuracy and long term stability though in return.I have found that there is nor real difference between 8840A and 8842A in practice. Long term stability of a well aged 8840A is just as good as the 8842A; consequently, this is also true for the accuracy - and they seem to be very well calibrated, even when they are very old. Another feature is the rather low input current (~40pA) up to 20V, which hard to find nowadays.The additional ranges (20 mV, 20 ohm) of the 8842A are pretty much useless. The meter gets very slow with these and the readings are unstable nevertheless. Short-term stability of these meters just isn't up to the task.So when you're really interested in such a meter, forget about continuity (these meters are accurate lab instruments, not tools for the service tech) and look for a good deal on an 8840A, as they are much easier to find.You need to be aware that the AC ranges (true RMS) are an option, the same is true for GPIP, and most offers don't state whether it's fitted or not.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2019, 09:26:27 am
content: Remember to look at the calibration story. GW Instek ones are a bugger to cal.Fluke/HP or bust for me now.

author: Berni
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2019, 09:40:14 am
content: Out of the bench meters i still find the Keithley 2015 to be my favorite overall. You used to be able to get one on on ebay for 400 bucks or even less, but the prices seam to have went up.

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2019, 11:15:15 am
content: Quote from: Berni on May 27, 2019, 09:40:14 am$400 AUpeso's is around $280 USD. Up to half of that is likely to be postage from the USA if he goes down that path. My postage bill for test gear last year from the US will have run over four figuresFew alternate brands to keep an eye out for is Advantest, Solartron and Datron. Just do a good search here and online to see if their is any quirks but it should be possible to land a decent 6 1/2 digit meter for your budget.Biggest tip is search ebay.com as ebay.com.au dumps a heap of possible search results

author: Berni
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2019, 11:35:20 am
content: Yeah even i spend a lot on shipping gear from US to Europe and i hear Australia is much worse.For me just using "ebay.com" doesn't do it, as it still hides listings from me. What i have to do is open an item, select shipping to US and then fill the search field with what i want. But then if i chose "sort by price" i get all US shipping prices, but at least i get to see all of the listings. Some are worth using a US reshipping service to get them into Europe.

author: Performa01
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2019, 01:00:21 pm
content: Keithley 2000/2015 are nice high precision bench meters, the same is true for various other vintage gear from e.g. HP/Agilent, Solartron/Schlumberger, Datron. But none of them has a continuity test, which appears to be important for deanclaxton.Fluke 45 has fast continuity, but even though just average in terms of resolution/accuracy it is still even more expensive than e.g. Fluke 8040A (at least in Europe).

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2019, 01:12:38 pm
content: Quote from: Performa01 on May 27, 2019, 01:00:21 pmI agree. Before buying the VC8145 I looked at used (higher end) meters as well only to find that they lack many modern features and the current measurement stops at a few amps already.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2019, 01:20:16 pm
content: Quote from: Performa01 on May 27, 2019, 01:00:21 pmThe Keithley 2000 has a continuity test, as do many of the other usual suspects.

author: Performa01
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2019, 02:44:37 pm
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on May 27, 2019, 01:20:16 pmInteresting. I could have sworn that my 2015 THD doesn't have it. maybe Keithley have added this feature at some point?But then again, I might have missed it, since I rather use my Fluke 45 and not the high prescision bench meters for continuity tests.Can't check it right now, but will do it next weekend.In case of my Fluke 8840/42 and Keithley 2001 meters I'm pretty sure though that they don't have continuity.Btw, Nicos remark about the current ranges is worth emphasizing: not so much the high current ranges, but especially the lower ones are missing in most of these vintage instruments:Schlumberger/Solartron 7150: 2A only (another one with no continuity)Fluke 8840A: 2A onlyFluke 8842A: 2A plus a barely usable 200mA rangeKeithley 2015 THD: 10mA, 100mA, 1A, 3A (same as HP/Agilent 34401A, resolution still just 10nA, no better than a halfway decent 4-1/2 digit handheld)By contrast:Keithley 2001: 200µA, 2mA, 20mA, 200mA, 2A (resolution 10pA!)

author: MarkF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2019, 02:50:31 pm
content: Vici VC8145 review and teardown:http://lygte-info.dk/review/DMMVici%20VC8145%20UK.html

author: genghisnico13
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2019, 03:15:19 pm
content: The Keithley 2015 also has continuity with a configurable threshold from 1-1kOhm, and as most of its functions its pretty fast. its a shame that they are so expensive now. VFDs look really nice.And low current ranges are not available unfortunately, other than that its pretty good.

author: Performa01
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2019, 03:44:18 pm
content: Yeah, right. Just found an old photograph where I can clearly spot the continuity funtion as a 2nd function of the 2-wire resistance measurement button. I never used that - hell, I don't even know how it sounds!

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2019, 03:59:08 pm
content: I have the Fluke 8842A as well as a BK Precision 2831E (and its cousin the BK 5491B). If extreme accuracy and high input impedance matter, the Fluke is for you. I'm sure the 8840A is more than good enough for most uses, but contrary to what a previous poster said, the 20mV/20R ranges are perfectly usable if you understand the limitations due to noise and contact resistance. The Flukes have 4W ohms as well. The BKs on the other hand are not such lab-grade instruments, but I end up using them first 90% of the time because they are handier. Dual display for power supply outputs show you voltage and ripple at the same time. Fast continuity and diode check that the Flukes don't even have. Wider current ranges (the Flukes only have 200mA and 2000mA) and frequency. The BKs measure AC current over the entire audio spectrum (to 20KHz).So, no meter does it all. You need to figure out what is important to you. As far as cost, the 8840A and 8842A have gotten more expensive recently and there are a lot of pretty beat up ones showing up on eBay. I got lucky and the minor issues mine had were repairable (except I still have a cracked bezel) but others have been less lucky. If you go the Fluke route, I'd recommend you find the best one you can from a reputable seller.

author: Berni
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2019, 04:51:32 pm
content: Keithley 2015 does indeed have continuity test and a pretty darn awesome one at that. Flexible and quick despite being a latching one. The diode test also has plenty of voltage behind it and even has an adjustable test current.Don't know about the 2001 but the 2002 definitely does not have continuity test at all, but both do autorange trough the whole scale on Ohms faster than you can say Ohm. That's a thing i like in general on a lot of Keithleys.

author: deanclaxton
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2019, 10:01:39 am
content: Wow - I hadn't checked my thread for a day or so and I have a heap of new replies to digest and a heap more researchto do. Thank you all for your suggestions.Fast continuity would be a nice to have, but I guess I can always get another handheld meter for that function. A classic 8060A perhaps

author: Specmaster
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2019, 10:42:34 am
content: If your looking for a really fast and reliable continuity tester in a bench meter, you could also look at a Brymen BM867 or BM869, they are a 5.5 digit, 500,000 count meter that is a large size handheld / bench meter and is a dual display plus has a lightening fast bar graph display as well.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2019, 10:50:09 am
content: the Brymen 500,000 counts doesn't help in absolute resolution/precision, and its available only for few functions, it's a real 50,000 count meter, there was some talk here about that (sorry can't recall the links)Make a wish list on paper and try to find the most suitable meter for youEveryone here can or will submit this and that,At first you have to know your needsand choose accordinglyFast continuity testResolution / Display countMost of precision benchs meters are stuck around 2-3 amps, for current measurements, you get up to 10 or 20 amps in some cases with older meters, but there are reasons to why they do that <10 amps, i simply use non inductive power resistors in serial for ac-dc currents ... when you blow 8$ worth of fuse, you'll think a better was to save them lollAaaaand Calibration costs, yeah you can or could be surprised, here in my town an old Keithley 196, cost way more than a hp34401a to calibrateAaaaaaaand What about servicing the meter if it need to be repaired ?? parts availability ?? Schematics ??etc...

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 28, 2019, 11:00:53 am
content: Quote from: coromonadalix on May 28, 2019, 10:50:09 amThats not surprising, they will have a mostly automated system for calibrating the 34401, not so for the 196.

author: Specmaster
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2019, 11:08:41 am
content: While the Brymen 500,000 count is available only on a few functions, the rest of the meter is high precision 4.5 digit 50,000 count on all other ranges and is accurate, it ties in very nicely withmyselection of HP3466A, HP3468A, HP3478A, Fluke 8840A, Fluke 8842A and Solartron 7150Plus bench meters and brings a wealth of other desirable features the bench meters just don't have even though when new, they cost many times the cost of the Brymen's current new price so to my mind it makes an excellent addition my bench quality meters and its a hand held if required (not that I need it for that as I have plenty of other handhelds including Flukes) which can be used when a portable meter is required.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2019, 01:23:10 pm
content: Old fluke 187 189 series 50,000 counts are very good too, but sell pretty highBut the op want a bench meter lollI have found an old BK Precision / Metrix MX556 meter, works very well and fast, calibration software is free, just ask ...Like the previous thread say : You have lots of used meters, 3478a 34401a, keysight and many many others, you can or could find some good ones ? snatch some deals ?You have some meters thread listing here, who may help choose

author: KC0PPH
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 08, 2019, 03:55:10 am
content: Wanting to get a bench meter myself. I have some industrial dmms but looking for a new bench meter. I am trying to figure out if I should get the 4.5 digit siglent or go for a 5.5 digit from them or Rigol. I plan on getting the Rigol psu as well as I like the features better than the siglent.As for use cases, mostly hobby and some ee courses. I was thinking about getting the 4.5 now, when I develop and need a better meter go for a 5.5 and use that to check how the 4.5 is aging. I could also do the 5.5 now and get the 6.5 later and do the same. Eventually I would like a 6.5 but don’t think I have the use case to justify the cost delta.

author: KC0PPH
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 11, 2019, 03:58:16 am
content: Bump

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 11, 2019, 04:01:41 am
content: Given you are in the USA and not Japan like the OP there is plenty of decently priced used gear. HP/Agilent 34401A, 3478A, 3468B etc or if you have the room for it you will pay less for the full 19" rack version 3457A 3458a and others that slightly predate those models.https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313.TR4.TRC1.A0.H0.Xagilent+multimeter.TRS0&_nkw=agilent+multimeter&_sacat=0

author: Berni
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 11, 2019, 06:27:05 am
content: Well in my opinion 6.5 digits is nice to have in a bench meter since they are the only ones that get to those sort of resolutions.Modern handheld meters are offten 4.5 digit and a good one is often spot on to the last digit even for things like DC Volts. And tend to be more convenient since you can just put the meter wherever you want.There are other advantages to bench DMMs like often a easier to read display or full SCPI automation(Once you get a GPIB dongle). Another thing is that they typically have better burden voltage on the Amps range reducing the need for Daves uCurrent box. But the biggest advantage are the extra digits that you can get there. Do you care if your 3.3V rail is 3,300001 or 3.299999 V? Of course not (Tho in a lot of cases the little bit of OCD in you does find the 2nd one rather annoying). But what the extra digits allow you to see is drift. This allows you to characterize the temperature stability of a voltage reference and similar things. If you are making a product that measures voltage then the extra digits give you plenty of confidence in knowing exactly how large the test voltage you are feeding in is. It also serves as a good "golden standard" in your lab where you can check other multimeters against it to make sure they are accurate.Just don't descend into the territory of 7.5 and 8.5 digits. Voltnutery in a expensive disability that is difficult to cure.

author: exe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 11, 2019, 09:30:14 pm
content: Just noticed this thread. On my K2000 I measured open voltage on continuity tester as 6.5V, which I was using to trouble-shoot a chip with 5.5V absolute maximum.... The chip was dead long before, but you get the point. I suspect other DMMs based on K2000 (like K2015) also have the same problem.I used my aneg dmms (8002 or 8008), they have also fast continuity tester, and their open circuit voltage is 1V, which looks to be much safer (don't remember the current).

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 11, 2019, 10:58:19 pm
content: Just another vote for the K2000/2015 (I have the latter). This beast is wickedly fast in every way. Its continuity tester is (other then perhaps the test voltage?) second to none, making even a Fluke 87V seem sluggish in comparison.Me, I don’t need the added precision of such a meter. But holy smokes do I appreciate the responsiveness. It gets a stable reading before other meters have even finished autoranging. It’s hard to state how much this makes working with it seem... fluid and effortless. You’re just not waiting around.

author: Berni
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2019, 12:19:13 pm
content: Yeah i love the speed of my Keithley 2015.Bench DMMs generally have higher diode test voltages, its common for them to be able to light up a blue/white LEDs and those need 3V and up.I'm not too worried about blowing up chips. They all tend to have ESD protection to cope with the typical 1mA test current. In fact i often use the diode test function to measure ESD diodes in chips to make sure something is connected to a pin properly (Can not only tell apart shorts but also open circuits).

author: exe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 12, 2019, 06:46:29 pm
content: Responsivnes is the reason I use it more and more. It's just convenient. I wonder DMM6500 provides the same experience.