Bench multimeter - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: yo3ggx
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 06, 2018, 09:54:48 am
content: Hi Everybody,I'm using now a Brymen BM867 as my main digital multimeter, but I want to buy a desktop/bench model. I'm interested in something with a very good display (in different lighting conditions), fast in auto mode, and a minimum of 5 1/2 digits precision. I need something reliable, with auto-hold(touch hold), TrueRMS up to 100KHz, Min/Max.The budget is up to ~400 Euro.Any recommendation based on your own experience and not on product specifications or Internet reviews?Thank you,Dan

author: eurofox
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 06, 2018, 10:01:56 am
content: Quote from: yo3ggx on March 06, 2018, 09:54:48 amAgilent 34401A was my favorite for many years, just sold mine like new for this price only to upgrade to a Keithley 2001 with 7 1/2 digits.Keithley 2000 is nice as well or Fluke with dual display.eurofox

author: capt bullshot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2018, 10:44:49 am
content: With some patience, you should be able to get a HP / Agilent 34401. It's simply the best you can get for this money. Next stop would be a Keithley 2000 or 2015, should be the same price range and is the same perfomance, but I like the 34401's display more than the 2000 / 2015 (digits are larger and easier to read).Edit: These don't have an "Auto-Hold" feature, never heard of that feature with Bench DMM (in contrast to Handhelds)

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2018, 10:55:14 am
content: Quote from: capt bullshot on March 06, 2018, 10:44:49 amThe latter is surpising to me. It's so convenient to be able to watch where your hands are, rather than having to look at the display. It's one of the features of the 87V I use all the time.

author: yo3ggx
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 06, 2018, 11:01:45 am
content: As this will be my first bench multimeter, I'm surprised too that the auto-hold feature is not available on such multimeters.Unfortunately 2nd hand Agilent/Keysight 34401A multimeters are in Europe out of my budget.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2018, 11:31:29 am
content: Cheapest option is GW Instek GDM-8351 and that's probably out of your budget already.Hanging around for a cheap 34401A is probably the best option. They do turn up for not much money occasionally.

author: yo3ggx
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 06, 2018, 11:40:02 am
content: Quote from: bd139 on March 06, 2018, 11:31:29 amYes, is over my budget. This one is at the upper limit:http://uk.farnell.com/gw-instek/gdm-8341/digital-multimeter-bench-4-3-4/dp/2460248

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2018, 11:43:55 am
content: Rigol 3058/68 have AutoHold functionality.. They call it Read Hold...Maybe send Rigol an E-mail if they have something factory refurbished for sale.. They have been known to sell DM3058 for less than 400€, new DM3058E (without Ethernet and GPIB, just USB) is 470€ (with tax)..So if they have a refurbished one, definitely in you budget.Also take a look at simpler Siglent meters... And TTi 1604 and 1908Basically, there are other options for decent meters than two most expensive brands if you don't need 7.5 and 8.5 digit meters...But, as more experienced users will tell you, depending of what you do, simpler meters can be all you need, or you might quickly find out they are just not good enough and you need more...There are many good topics on this here on eevblog. Please search for them and read them..People don't like to write same things over and over again...Regards,

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2018, 11:53:36 am
content: Good call with the TTi meters. Some of their older meters are quite good as well, particularly in the 5.5 digit range.Quote from: yo3ggx on March 06, 2018, 11:40:02 amI actually own one of them. Nice meters. VERY fast. have a look on Amazon - they are much cheaper than that now!Inevitable photo:

author: BU508A
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2018, 12:27:30 pm
content: @yo3ggx: please empty your inbox, I got a message, that I cannot send you a PM because your inbox is full.And for the link I sent you: change it from .com to .de and then it should work.Cheers,Andreas

author: yo3ggx
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 06, 2018, 12:37:54 pm
content: Quote from: BU508A on March 06, 2018, 12:27:30 pmStrange as this is my first post and no messages in the inbox at all...Thank you.Dan

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2018, 12:41:03 pm
content: Quote from: yo3ggx on March 06, 2018, 12:37:54 pmMaybe people can't send you messages because you turned it off or never turned it on.

author: ChrisLX200
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 06, 2018, 02:08:47 pm
content: You need minimum 5 posts to use private mail...

author: Deridex
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2018, 03:54:27 pm
content: I think the GW Instek GDM-8342 or 8341 are a good choice.Something that also looks not bad in my sight is the Siglent SDM3045X.But i think with the requirement 5 1/2 digits its gonna be hard to get a new benchtop multimeter at this pricepoint.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2018, 04:46:55 pm
content: Quote from: capt bullshot on March 06, 2018, 10:44:49 amAfter browsing through the 34401A's manual, I have to revisit the auto-hold discussion. It seems the 34401A does have auto-hold, though it's called Reading Hold. It will display a reading if three consecutive readings are within a settable percentage. I just checked and it does appear to work much like Fluke's AutoHOLD function, which I find very useful.This means that the models intended to replace the 34401A are also likely to have this feature, as Keysight intentionally markets those as superseding the previous model and drop-in replacements.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2018, 09:38:53 pm
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on April 02, 2018, 04:46:55 pmOnly 3 ?The SDM3k models do 8.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2018, 09:50:16 pm
content: All the new Keysight bench meters 3446xA and 34470A have the auto hold function built in.The the OP I would say to wait for a good 34401A to show up.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2018, 10:09:26 pm
content: maybe the GDM-8251a would be nice120000 count with hold, can be found cheaply pricedcan be calibrated with an short plug on the special rear usb plug ...

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2018, 10:14:15 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on April 02, 2018, 09:38:53 pmThat isn't in the manual or datasheet as far as I can tell. Am I overlooking something or is Siglent sloppy in specifying the functionality?Another thing to consider is that the 34401A has been the industry standard for pretty much decades. So much so that newer models are backwards compatible with it, the same newer models the Siglent bench DMMs are inspired on. I think Dave did a video on that.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2018, 10:28:41 pm
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on April 02, 2018, 10:14:15 pmIt's plainly visible on Siglent websites.https://www.siglenteu.com/digital-multimeters/sdm3055-5-%C2%BD-digits-dual-display-digital-multimeters/QuoteHardly.Really how much variation can there be in front panel design inanyTE ?They've all evolved to what we have today and minor differences could be seen as a blatant copy or an improvement. You choice depending on your POV.What, so now any yellow DMMmustbe a Fluke ?It's what's 'inside', price and the overall functionality that really matters to the marketplace.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2018, 10:54:48 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on April 02, 2018, 10:28:41 pmI hope we're not supposed to infer specifications from images on the website. This image doesn't seem to be related, as the number given isn't anywhere near the average or within a percentage of the eight measurements displayed below it. If that's the autohold feature it's properly broken, but I suspect we're looking at something else entirely. That's why it's nice to have it in the specifications or manual. It takes out the guesswork.I'm not even going to argue the similarities to the Keysight models. I understand you have an investment in Siglent and an inevitable bias, but claiming it's anything else than a blatant copy just makes you look silly and seriously hurts your credibility. It's nowhere near reasonable doubt or improving upon a design. Dave's comment was "If there's a more blatant rip-off I haven't seen it". Watch the video from 21:30 to see a comparison to the copied Agilent or Keysight model.Regarding what's inside, I don't have experience with the Siglents but Dave's comment during the teardown was "It's just not a high quality bit of gear."

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2018, 10:59:52 pm
content: I forget to mention that Yellow and dark grey multimeters are indeed deemed to be too similar to Fluke multimeters in at least some countries. Sparkfun had $30000 worth of multimeters destroyed because they looked too much like Fluke's.https://www.sparkfun.com/news/1428

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2018, 12:17:16 am
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on April 02, 2018, 04:46:55 pmYep, and what's cool is that you can use Reading Hold with Reading Memory to log, for example, captured readings from various test points without having to put down the probes to jot down notes.A little DIY accessory for even more control is to make a little foot switch connected to the external trigger input on the back of the DMM. That way you can initiate a reading (or multiple) with your foot anytime (or only when) you want.

author: Neomys Sapiens
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2018, 03:32:02 am
content: Saw a reportedly good Prema6001 go for slightly below 400.- a few days ago on Ebay Germany.Another one available for slightly above 400.-

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2018, 07:21:15 pm
content: Just to add to the mix of used Bench meters: Keithley 191 and Racal Dana 5001 - both have LED displays, which have good visibility in a wide number of scenarios.A few comments I made in the past about these:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/options-for-a-5-5-digit-bench-dmm/msg1191836/#msg1191836https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/multimeter-spreadsheet/msg1439518/#msg1439518

author: pa3hfu
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 04, 2018, 08:12:00 am
content: Hi BD-139Is this IsoTech the same unit as your Instek 8342?Mathieu

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 04, 2018, 08:29:26 am
content: It is. The ISO-tech ones are rebranded GW units made for RS. That's actually one up from mine which is the 8341 - that has USB data logging AFAIK.Not a bad price. Worth having a shop around though as they have been seen around cheaper than that occasionally.

author: pa3hfu
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 04, 2018, 08:52:01 am
content: Thanks !!I orderd one ;-)Mathieu

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 04, 2018, 08:53:52 am
content: Enjoy. nice meters

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 05, 2018, 10:31:28 am
content: Quote from: tautech on April 02, 2018, 10:28:41 pmBullshit. The Siglent is an almost 100% direct ripoff of the Keysight, and you know it.The almost identical front panel layout, and the identical GUI interface with the same menu options even in the same locations.

author: pa3hfu
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2018, 10:17:57 am
content: Quote from: bd139 on October 04, 2018, 08:53:52 amDo you know how to get it 'spot on'?

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2018, 10:19:45 am
content: Don't worry - that's in spec. 0.02% + 4 counts on DC ranges

author: Martin.M
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2018, 10:24:29 am
content: my next restoration: 8300A opt. 1, 2, 5ext REF ??

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 09, 2018, 10:51:08 am
content: Quote from: pa3hfu on October 09, 2018, 10:17:57 amOh-oh... Volt nut in the making...

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2018, 07:28:22 pm
content: Quote from: Martin.M on October 09, 2018, 10:24:29 amBelongs here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/old-fluke-multimeters/Or in its own new thread.

author: Housedad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2018, 09:28:49 pm
content: I like my GDM-8251a 's. Not that I use them much or their capabilities. but that will come, I think, with time.I feel very fortunate to have gotten 2 of them when there was a glut on Ebay after the trade school dumped them. In excellent condition for $85 each. We need another surplus dump like that to happen. It really helps many of us to get equipment we otherwise could not afford.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2018, 09:30:47 pm
content: Damn at that price I'd get a couple too and ship them here.

author: Housedad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2018, 09:38:01 pm
content: Quote from: bd139 on October 09, 2018, 09:30:47 pmI know what you mean. It'sdisgustinghow low the prices were for the Multimeters, Power supplies, Oscilloscope and waveform generator I bought on that fire sale.The multimeters are selling for around $270 now. on Ebay.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2018, 02:19:09 am
content: +1I should have bought them when they were low priced too, they were sold half than that. And now we know how to calibrate them with the short usb plug.Before people got interestedand the price hiked

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2018, 07:14:08 am
content: Yep, sometimes you just have to jump on a good deal, even if you don't need the thing at the time.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2018, 07:32:55 am
content: And that's exactly how you end up in the TEA thread

author: mbest
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2018, 05:41:21 pm
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on April 02, 2018, 10:59:52 pmThough they got a donation from Fluke, and were going to ship the multimeters to a different country according to their update (although I didn't see a further followup).https://www.sparkfun.com/news/1430

author: paulbt
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2020, 07:53:59 am
content: Hello all,What do you guys think about this bench dmm?https://ro.farnell.com/multicomp-pro/mp730028-eu-uk/digital-multimeter-bench-10a-1kv/dp/3107586I found one second hand & almost unused for about ~250 euros. The price for a new one on farnell is about 440 euros.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2020, 08:17:46 am
content: Looks like a rebranded one .... seems fine on the specs.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 17, 2020, 10:05:03 am
content: Quote from: yo3ggx on March 06, 2018, 09:54:48 amWhy does a bench meter need to be used in different lighting conditions?EDIT: Just realised I recroposted

author: BU508A
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2020, 10:12:52 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on August 17, 2020, 10:05:03 amDave, it's late. go sleeping.

author: ercapoccia
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2020, 11:56:29 am
content: Quote from: paulbt on August 17, 2020, 07:53:59 amThis is a rebranded Owon multimeter.

author: richis777
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 03, 2020, 09:50:27 am
content: Hi, I'm looking for a desktop multimeter for my electronics hobby and I'm considering the SDM3045X.Is this a good choice for 2020?Maybe there is a better multimeter in this price range.How about SDM3045X rust inside? Does this problem still occur in 2020?

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2020, 10:30:14 am
content: Quote from: richis777 on November 03, 2020, 09:50:27 amWelcome to the forum.Not seen any rust in the few Siglent's I've had a look inside however a Tek DSO I have has some.Sold a good few SDM3045X and no problems with any of them.As they are fanless they are popular on the hobby bench.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2020, 09:14:10 pm
content: Quote from: richis777 on November 03, 2020, 09:50:27 amRust wouldn't worry me. Still... if you are after a straightforward 4.5 digit bench DMM then also look at the VC8145. The price is currently around the US $170 - $180 mark including shipping from China. I have a Keysight 34461A as well but the VC8145 is my daily driver.

author: richis777
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 04, 2020, 02:15:06 pm
content: Thanks, I ordered the SDM3045X.