Mastech MS8251B or Uni-T UT60C - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Grayfox
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2015, 12:43:05 am
content: My old UT105 is starting to fail after 4 years or so.I am after a multimeter that has relative measurement that has AC/DC and Current, Resistance, Capacitance, Frequency , Duty Cycle, Temperature, Diode and Continuity a good data hold and a backlight.one of these two multimeters as it has the functions I am after but I can not find the mastech model on amazon nor ebay.I also cant find any australian stockists for mastech.I would rather get the mastech over the Uni-T as mastech seems like the better brand.Having min and max as well as auto power off are nice options to have.Which is why I have looked at the UT60C or the MS8251B.I looked at the fluke 179 but it at $500 it is way over budget

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2015, 02:40:57 am
content: Quote from: Grayfox on July 26, 2015, 12:43:05 amIf you want to start a new thread in the repair section and tell us what is failing with the UT105, I can make suggestions. Without knowing what is wrong, I can only suggest you try cleaning the range switch on these manual range meters?Quote$500 AUS for a Fluke 179 seems way overpriced. With patience, I can get them for around $100 USD used.PS. Can't comment on which is better since I haven't used either one.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 26, 2015, 02:53:47 am
content: It would be helpful to know what you want to spend. $50 will get you a nice UT139C, or an Amprobe AM510. You need to jump to $100+ to get much better. The Amprobe AM5X0 series doe s have a nice range between $50 and $100 though. I would buy anything from those models than anything from Mastech.

author: Grayfox
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2015, 03:13:41 am
content: Budget is $100 but willing to go to $150 and my UT105 is just old and falling apart.Lost the battery cover ages ago, calibration is way out, the probes are screwed.And also would like to get a multi meter that has newer features.I got this thing back when I got my first car.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 26, 2015, 03:41:28 am
content: I so forgot to ask where in the world are you willing to buy from?

author: Grayfox
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2015, 03:49:41 am
content: Where ever that can ship to australia and wont cost alot of money to ship(ie 1/2 the price of the thing I am buying)

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 26, 2015, 04:58:21 am
content: OK, then I have a couple of my standard (as of now) suggestions:From our good friend here on EEVBlog, iloveelectronics, Uni-T UT139Chttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Uni-T-UT139C-True-RMS-Digital-Multimeter-with-Temperature-NCV-Backlight-/171213085325This a good deal in a full featured multimeter, and shipping is included. Maybe get two so you can do two measurements at once.http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brymen-BM257s-Digital-Multimeter-6000-count-Brand-New-Fluke-alternative-/200922627340Out of stock, but one great meter that many people here praise.A couple from TME in Poland:http://www.tme.eu/en/details/am-510-eur/portable-digital-multimeters/beha-amprobe/http://www.tme.eu/en/details/bm807/portable-digital-multimeters/brymen/bm807s/They also have the BM257sFrom TEquipment, you can get an discount code:http://www.tequipment.net/BK2709B.htmlSome people really like this oneI don't have experience on how to buy things from within Aus, but I am sure others can jump in with other suggestions.

author: Grayfox
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2015, 01:35:13 pm
content: Might be going for either the MS8240D it doesn't have temperature but I can get a IR temp scanner to get readings for things or the EX430, it doesn't have 5 digit displayMy old clunker of a DMM has finally kicked the bucket and I tried to fix the calibration with the trimpots but it is saying voltage is about 80% higher than it should be.Are there any local australian stockists for either of these two?Would like to avoid going through ebay or amazon if i can.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 28, 2015, 03:23:24 pm
content: I would seriously consider not getting anything made by Mastech. They are pretty poorly made IMHO. The Extech EX series are mde by CEM and there has been some pretty bad quality control issues with those also.