Tenma 9380A - Anyone familiar with this DMM? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: KD0RC
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2014, 01:33:39 am
content: I am considering a new DMM for general hobby electronics use (mostly low voltage, but occasionally will need to dig around old tube (sorry... Valve) type radios), and came across the Tenma 9380A. It lists for USD $249, but Newark has it for $202. It is a 40,000 count, .025% +5 count DCV meter. Seems like a reasonable deal, but I am completely unfamiliar with Tenma - anyone have any experience with them, or with this particular meter? I did not see any Dave rants on the topic, so I guess it is either OK, or so bad that Dave does not even mention it...I would also be interested in opinions on other DMMs in the $200 price class (+/- $50 USD).Thanks,Len

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2014, 01:54:04 am
content: Tenma is Farnell/Newark's brand.. they rebrand stuff produced by other companies.This multimeter is one of the meters in the Uni-T UT71A - UT71E series :UT71A :http://www.uni-trend.com.cn/cp-show.asp?yy=%D6%D0%CE%C4&ProductNO=345(A has no temperature so it's not this one)UT71B :http://www.uni-trend.com.cn/cp-show.asp?yy=%D6%D0%CE%C4&ProductNO=346UT71C :http://www.uni-trend.com.cn/cp-show.asp?yy=%D6%D0%CE%C4&ProductNO=347UT71D :http://www.uni-trend.com.cn/cp-show.asp?yy=%D6%D0%CE%C4&ProductNO=348UT71E :http://www.uni-trend.com.cn/cp-show.asp?yy=%D6%D0%CE%C4&ProductNO=349(maybe this one, apparently has some power measurements and tenma datasheet mentions something)In some series, they only differ by some functions they expose, in other series it's possible two models have totally different ICs inside (example ut61d vs ut61e)Try to determine which model is the exact copy of the Tenma model and then look for reviews online (here or some other places).

author: KD0RC
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2014, 02:33:25 am
content: Thanks Mariush, yes - I think it is the E version. I see a lot of reference to the Brymen 867 being a better meter, but it is over USD $100 more expensive... I think I need to do a bit more research. I appreciate your quick response to my question!

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2014, 09:03:00 am
content: In the US you should be able to find a good second-hand Fluke 187/189 within your budget.http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fluke-189-True-RMS-Multimeter-W-Manual-Test-Leads-Case-WARRANTY-/251505366148?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a8ee35484

author: KD0RC
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2014, 05:22:31 pm
content: Given the good reviews of the Brymen BM 869, I think I will spend the extra cash to get it. I have often regretted buying a lower end piece of gear but have never regretted going up in quality. I wonder why I always put myself through all of this when I know I will get the better item anyway?

author: DionneSwart
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2014, 02:15:45 pm
content: I own several multimeters and can say without a doubt that the Brymen build quality is far better than the UT71A. I still use the UT-71A as a bench better but I also have a Brymen and Fluke and a few others. Worst build i have happens to be the UT71A. Still A nicely speced meter for the money though.