Soar Multimeter / Testboy 3000 Teardown - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Huluvu
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2013, 08:31:42 am
content: Hey Everybody,any other user's out there using Soar MultimetersI picked up on Ebay some Years ago the 4050 and the 3430 Model which are in my opinion very good Meters.The built quality and the accuracy was really impressive to me because I never never noticed this brand before (I assume that's why it was a good buy at Ebay Germany)

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 10, 2013, 08:51:35 am
content: Fluke used to use a Soar in their "The High Cost of Cheap Meters" ads back in the 80's.The exact same Soar model which was my first digital meter!Dave.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2013, 09:25:25 am
content: The Soar 4050 model in your picture looks a bit like the Yokogawa/HP multimeter in ModemHead's teardown/repair athttp://mrmodemhead.com/blog/yokogawa-7534-03-multimeter/

author: Huluvu
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2013, 03:31:16 pm
content: Quote--> hey that's not fair - there is much more crap in the market %-BQuote--> which one ?Quote--> Yes, you are right - look's exactly the same as the Yokogawa 7534-03 Multimeterinside the Soar 4050:

author: ModemHead
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2013, 06:55:47 pm
content: Quote from: Huluvu on April 24, 1974, 03:57:07 pmHey, I like yours. Actual input protection components and no burn marks...

author: smashedProton
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2013, 08:14:24 pm
content: Are those AA batteries that I see? Nice to see that somebody is doing something to improve battery life. Oh wait!

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2013, 08:58:39 pm
content: They are AAA with a rated 1000 hour battery life.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2013, 09:01:41 pm
content: Quote from: Huluvu on February 10, 2013, 03:31:16 pmIn EEVblog #416, Dave shows a picture of the Soar ME-533 (25 minutes into video), but he says the lcd is ruined.

author: giorgos
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 14, 2013, 05:45:28 pm
content: Hello.Interesting topic as I am owner of a SOAR 3250 multimeter, bought in 1995. I am fully satisfied with this meter all of these years, with it's precision, stability, reliability also good protection against faulty connection to mains with selector in Ohms e.g. Today the meter is full operetional after 18 years and also in an excellent condition as i was very carefull for this.

author: Huluvu
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2013, 09:23:33 pm
content: Quote from: giorgos on February 14, 2013, 05:45:28 pmHey - fully agree on your postingAlso I'm taking care of all my devices I own (or I borrow)In my opinion the Soar Multimeters are at a good quality Level.Shot recently for a few Euro's a "defect marked" Multimeter on Ebay just for fun which is a based on the currentTestboy 3000Model and I was shocked regarding the solder quality which is far far away from an proper IPC Standard.If someone is interested in I can show some pictures.This Model is Listed at Conrad Electronic at 117 Euro

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2013, 10:28:56 pm
content: Quote from: Huluvu on February 15, 2013, 09:23:33 pmYes, please post some photos.

author: ilikepez
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2013, 06:57:01 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on February 10, 2013, 08:51:35 amYou wouldn't happen to have a copy of that ad would you?

author: Huluvu
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2013, 09:06:05 am
content: Quote from: retiredcaps on February 15, 2013, 10:28:56 pmI opened the Mutimeter because the Batteries where instantly shorted and getting hot......Hopeless

author: giorgos
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 16, 2013, 02:53:40 pm
content: 117 Euros for quality like this is unacceptable... Its more possible to find a better quality in other products with the half cost of this.

author: Huluvu
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2013, 06:53:19 pm
content: Fixed, cleaned and saved from the dumpQuote from: giorgos on February 16, 2013, 02:53:40 pmyou are right and was shocked how bad this PCB was solderedAnyhow - now it is assimilated to my Multimeter Family