Aim-TTi 1604 Digital Multimeter Quality ??? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Zx Spectrum
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2019, 11:48:34 pm
content: I am thinking about getting my first bench multimeter.So actually I am going for a bench DMM just for the powering issue as I cannot stand battery powered DMMs any more.I really don't need fancy features but i really care about build-quality, sturdiness and long service time.Like I said i don't need a lot of features just the basic stuff (4 1/2 would be great though). in fact i would be happy with mains-powered handheld DMM .so again sturdiness is more important than features for me.and that is why I am more inclined toward a unit such as TTi 1604 over the features-rich rigol dm3058e. (they are almost the same price where i live TTI is just a bit cheaper)In my opinion rigol dm3058e has a lot of features (way too much for my needs) what makes it more intricate and failure prone.so does anyone here has experience with TTi 1604are they really sturdy ?does such unit worth investing my very hard earned money in it ?? (TTI unit is not cheap at all where I live)I am not intending to buy a bench DMM every day so I want it to be my long term devicedo you think TTi 1604 is the right choice given that i need basic functionality only ??I would really appreciate your help and advisesthanks

author: Specmaster
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2019, 12:36:54 am
content: Firstly, you don't say where you live, so its difficult to give you much advice without some idea of your location and the market, could you complete your profile with your country of residence please?Secondly, I assume from your choice that your looking at buying new? Have you considered buying 2nd hand like from eBay for example, you can get some really great bargains on there on meters that might be a few years old but have great pedigrees like HP, Keithly and Fluke?The Rigol you mention does have its following as does the TTi, I have 3 items made by TTi and I'm very happy with them but they might not suit your requirement for sturdiness as they tend to use fairly lightweight plastic cases and unless you stack other heavier equipment on top of them, tend to move about the bench when making adjustments etc. On the other hand they can and do sell spare parts to you should you ever require them. Rigol, I know nothing about so I can't help any further with that one.I have 5 bench meters, 3 by HP, 3466A, 3468A and 3478A and 2 by Fluke, 8840A and 8842A, all are in very good condition, all 5.5 digits apart from 3466A which 4.5 digits and all cost me less than £100 each 2nd hand and new would have been around £500 or more. The other advantage for me, apart from the price, is that all them have both user and service manuals downloadable FOC on the internet, I doubt that will the case with either TTi or Rigol.

author: umbro
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2019, 01:38:09 am
content: I own two 1604 multimeters. I like those big red leds. Contuinity is slow.You can find 1604 about 80e, look ebay auctions." they tend to use fairly lightweight plastic cases and unless you stack other heavier equipment on top of them, tend to move about the bench" Exactly. Blu tack help little.

author: Zx Spectrum
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2019, 12:24:34 pm
content: thanks for the advises.light weight plastic cases is not big problem for me . actually by sturdiness i meant how long the device can service me.so aside from plastic quality what about reliability as electronic device ?is it built to last?P.S no i don't wand second hand DMM

author: Specmaster
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2019, 12:58:38 pm
content: Quote from: Zx Spectrum on January 08, 2019, 12:24:34 pmWell in that case I would certainly go with the TTi 1604, I've always fancied one of those myself, especially as they are made in the UK.The only reason I haven't got one so far is because they were duplicating what my handheld meters were capable of, whereas all of my bench meters are lab grade 5.5 (3466A is 4.5) digit ones and are particularly sturdy being built to suit the environment that they will be used in and contained in either metal enclosures or very thick robust plastics and weigh about 10 times what the 1604 weighs so will remain where I put them.If you do go with the 1604, please come back and let us know how you get on with it, I know that want to know and there will be many others likewise.

author: FERCSA
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2019, 03:06:10 pm
content: I would choose a 4-wire capable device. I don't know if this a requirement for you or not, but it can be handy sometimes.TTi devices are well built internally. The case of them that's an another story. I can't stand the paper light plasticky look.I said that as I own a big boat anchor AWG from them and I love it. Fortunately it has a heavy metal case, but with the same old school plastic front panel.So I would go with the big brother from TTi, it's kind of the same price range(okay it's a little bit more) as the rigol you mentioned in the first post. But for really basic stuff the 1604 should be a good choice.As Specmaster said they're happy to assist you with spare parts for self repair if you have the courage later on.