Cheap begginer DMM - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Zeebit
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 15, 2013, 03:31:12 pm
content: Hello EEVBlog,I am new here so please don't bash me. I am a freshman college student. I am also a small time electronics hobbyist.I am looking for a relatively cheap DMM that I could use from time to time. My current budget is only $80. I could no longer stretch it beause I'm only depending on my scholarship allowance for my funds.BTW, I live in the Philippines. I can't afford Fluke or similar quality DMMs at the moment and these are not available in my country.I found a Sanwa CD771 on a local store and I can tell that it is not a knock off. I am also a good friend of the store owner so I know that he is honest.Its the only one that seems to be a lot better compared to those $20 ones. So do you guys think that this should be a good begginer's DMM?

author: ftransform
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2013, 04:01:12 pm
content: You should try to talk to professors and get old gear from them. Be nice and interested in the lab (good grades help but not necessary) and it's likely someone will help you out or give you a "student discount" on some equipment that's been collecting dust in the stock room for 5 years.Being interested in analog-stuff will probably get you better equipment.but you still should probably have multiple DMM's in your lab (for measuring power, convenience, etc)100$ shootout (one of them is like 80$)http://www.eevblog.com/2010/07/11/eevblog-99-100-multimeter-shootout-extech-amprobe-bk-precision-ideal-uei-uni-t-part-1of2/50$ shootout (exactly what you asked for)http://www.eevblog.com/2010/06/04/eevblog-91-50-multimeter-shootout/

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2013, 08:32:03 pm
content: UT61E is likely the best scope in the sub-$60 range. Its a damn good meter for the cost.Go to sub$100 and I think Amprobe makes one that is almsot (or just) as good but has better input protection

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 15, 2013, 08:33:55 pm
content: Zeebit:The Uni-T UT61E is not a perfect meter but for the price it s a very good buy. Don't use it on anything over 250V and don't trust the high amp range too much below 1 amp. It has no back light and no temperature measurement but it does have a PC connection and software to make up for that. There isn't much, if anything, with the same features and accuracy for the $60 you can buy it for.

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2013, 08:41:30 pm
content: Quote from: Lightages on January 15, 2013, 08:33:55 pmLightages is 100% correct in his analysis.

author: Zeebit
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 15, 2013, 11:30:54 pm
content: Thanks for all the suggestions guys.I would love to try out those you suggested but unfortunately it's not available here. I have to buy one abroad and it's gonna cost me on shipping and taxes. That is just beyond my budget.Another unfortunate story. The college I am in is a state college which means the government subsidizes the institution. It's kinda hard to explain but being in a third world country and having a very corrupt gov't makes it even worse. Short story is, we do not have enough and proper equipments an most are no longer functional.I talked to a professor and he said that these Japanese made Sanwa DMMs are the only reputable and quality ones that are readily availabe.So for now I will just go with the CD771. I've taken a look on the insides and it looks to be of decent quality.Thank for all the help people!

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2013, 11:35:17 pm
content: Quote from: Zeebit on January 15, 2013, 03:31:12 pmSanwas used to be very popular in Brazil and had good quality, therefore the brand has its reputation - unfortunately I don't know this particular model.That said, if for one reason or another you can't get a UT61E (a very popular model at this forum) you are probably good with the Sanwa. (oops, I posted after your reply...)

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2013, 12:01:30 am
content: Your choice of meter is not too critical for low voltage electronics use. Most meters will be accurate enough for what you need. Just avoid measuring the mains or high energy circuits and you will be fine.

author: ftransform
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2013, 05:59:52 am
content: Quote from: Zeebit on January 15, 2013, 11:30:54 pmSo I was reading a bit about your country and I found this:Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte responding to the reported arrest and subsequent release of a notorious drug lord in Manila is quoted as saying: "Here in Davao, you can’t go out alive. You can go out, but inside a coffin. Is that what you call extra-judicial killing? Then I will just bring a drug lord to a judge and kill him there, that will no longer be extra-judicial." That sure sounds pretty bad if you have a mayor saying that kind of stuff to the public. I sympathize.

author: Zeebit
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 16, 2013, 12:21:10 pm
content: That's just the tip of the iceberg just to let you know. Stuff is pretty messed up here.

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2013, 05:56:21 pm
content: Quote from: Zeebit on January 16, 2013, 12:21:10 pmOne of my co-workers is filipino, he was telling me about all of this. Said that its insane the level of corruption and that no one in the public eye has the strength to tackle it.Also, there is a seller on here ILoveElectronics, he sells the UT61E for $55 shipping included.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/brand-new-uni-t-ut61e-for-sale/As a favor I checked the Import Duty Calculatorhttp://www.dutycalculator.com/new-import-duty-and-tax-calculation/saved_calculations/view_details/155227638/It says your total after duties and taxes would be $62.22 which is WELL below your budget of $80.