Rigol DM3058E vs Keysight 34450a OLED version - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Aphelion
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2021, 09:42:54 pm
content: Hello guys, I am planning to get either of the two multimeters and would like to get a second opinion in choosing one or the other. So far getting second hand is kind of impossible from where I live (got burned with a HP3478a with a faulty input hybrid), so I am buying brand new.I can get the keysight 34450a OLED locally for 580 usd, while the rigol DM3058e can be had for about 480 usd shippedFrom what I can collect, he 34450a uses a 7ppm intersil voltage reference while the rigol uses a MAX6325. This kind of shows in the datasheet that the rigol is better in terms of accuracy and drift.What irks me with the rigol is that since it comes oversees it will be a pain in the ass if ever it will have any manufacturing defects.The keysight on the other hand has a 3 year local warranty. Also the thing doen't come with probes yet, so I have to factor that in if I want a set from the dealer. Dealer also said that the meter is new in box, but the factory calibration already expired in 2019.Only need the meter for most of my bench work for commissioned repairs and would like to not go over 700 usd.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2021, 09:54:58 pm
content: Sorry to hear the HP3478A didn't work out. And I'm sorry to hear that your purchasing options suck there!Do you need 5.5 digits? As leery as I am about buying a 3-year old NOS product, if they demo it for you and you trust them to honor the warranty, I'd buy the Keysight even though that model isn't their greatest offering. It appears to be priced at a substantial discount as well. Calibration alone is not likely to be an issue. If the Rigol were sold and supported locally I'd say it was just as good of a deal, but no warranty or support makes it a bad investment IMO.Those are your only options?

author: Aphelion
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2021, 10:22:43 pm
content: Quote from: bdunham7 on September 25, 2021, 09:54:58 pmDon't really need the whole 5.5 digits, but it would be nice if it would not drift too much over time. I will be using it mainly as a replacement for my really out of cal UT61e because batteries suck. And as a kind of main reference to keep all of my other equipment in check.So far, the 34450a and DM3058a is what the best I can fit in my budget. I would like to avoid the VC8145 and other similar handheld in a box multimeters.I do have another option which is a fluke 8808a that is second hand from a cal lab. They are asking 700 usd for it, but no warranty and the bad experience with the 3478a left a bad taste in my mouth.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2021, 10:32:06 pm
content: Quote from: Aphelion on September 25, 2021, 10:22:43 pmOuch! The 8808A is $950 new here, so $700 in unknown used condition is no deal. It is pretty comparable to the 34450A and uses VFDs, so either way there is an eventual risk of the display fading.What brands are available new there? What about Siglent, Tonghui, BK Precision, or even Hioki and Yokagawa?

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2021, 10:33:26 pm
content: Considering your options and if you trust your dealer will honor the warranty, I would get the Keysight.However, if you can get by with a handheld, there are very good options from Brymen for much less money (BM869S or BM789 are two top notch ones).Regarding the "bench meter on a lunchbox", the resident expert nctnico has been using two VC8145 for several years without any perceived drift (his words). That gives them some credibility.Good luck in your decision.

author: rodpp
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2021, 03:28:22 am
content: If you choose Keysight, check before with your vendor about the 3 years warranty. Have it write on paper, if possible.I bought a new oscilloscope some time ago that was old stock. It's trace was off above the tolerance. I called Keysight and they refused to honor the warrant, even being only one month from purchase. The justification from them was because the warrant time counter is started when the store buys from Keysight, not when the final user buy from the store.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2021, 04:09:57 am
content: Quote from: rodpp on September 26, 2021, 03:28:22 amReally ?How long ago ?

author: Aphelion
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2021, 04:12:12 am
content: Quote from: rodpp on September 26, 2021, 03:28:22 amDang, I have to check with the vendor. That basically is saying "we have warranty, but it is already expired". Might as well go with the rigol at that point.As for the VC8145, I kind of considered it but I am not sure in the long run how it will last and how easy it is to be recal'd. I would rather buy something more expensive now that will last me a long time instead of buying cheaper and only lasting a fraction of the time. Especially with something that I will basically almost use everyday.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2021, 05:04:57 am
content: Quote from: Aphelion on September 26, 2021, 04:12:12 amI hate to say it because it runs counter to my usual advice to buy quality, but if due to local circumstances you aren't going to get the support anyway, then why pay for it? Unless your local dealer is a dear friend or has a stellar reputation, it looks like you are getting no support or warranty in either case. Even the 'good' brands have a non-zero possibility of failure. I don't know about calibration services but unless you need the certificate, you might be better off spending your money on some references and just checking yourself as best you can. Even cheap meters don't usually drift noticeably, given their lesser resolution and accuracy in the first place.

author: Aphelion
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2021, 05:47:36 am
content: That is kind of the way I'm going with the meter I would buy (already have AD587 and LM399 voltage references to self check the meter). Kind of the reason why I initially planned getting a HP3478a and just self calibrate it.Earlier I've checked with the supplier that they will provide 3 years of warranty, but if it needs to be sent to Keysight singapore I have to shoulder the shipping fees for repair, which is basically just the same for the rigol. At least for the rigol it comes directly from their china factory brand new and comes with probesThanks for the second opinions guys, hope that my experience with my 3 year old Hantek scope will be the same for the rigol 🙂

author: Aphelion
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2021, 05:54:18 am
content: Quote from: bdunham7 on September 25, 2021, 10:32:06 pmThe siglent, BK precision, and tonghu options look nice. But their 5.5 digit options are about 200 usd more expensive than the DM3058. Plus I have to deal with customs taxHioki and yokagawa distributors here didn't even bat an eye to my inquiries once they found out the meter is for personal use.

author: rodpp
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2021, 12:06:39 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on September 26, 2021, 04:09:57 amPlease, see the post below. Nortron was the dealer that sold to me the scope:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/keysight-refusing-warranty-dsox3014a-bought-less-than-one-month-ago/msg2602863/#msg2602863