Check that out !!  Voltcraft station MS 9160 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2010, 10:30:28 am
content: Voltcraft station MS 9160 , found it by looking at German pages for reviews over computer parts.If some one likes to find more links about it ... be my guest.

author: cybergibbons
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2010, 11:03:34 am
content: A friend got one of these, by another name, and it was pretty crap. Jack of all trades, master of none.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2010, 11:14:24 am
content: Its an large unit , like "four in one" instruments ..It can be all bad .. what brand was the one that your friend had , or haves ?

author: bogdan546
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2010, 11:31:33 am
content: This is another namehttp://www.tequipment.net/MetexMS-9160.html

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2010, 11:33:55 am
content: Nice Link Romania ... thanksAt list now we have some technical specs .

author: djsb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2010, 11:51:53 am
content: The Hameg modular system 8000 is much better if you can afford ithttp://www.hameg.com/20.0.htmlYou can start off with the mainframe and then buy each unit as you need it. Very reliable and long lasting and will put up with a lot of abuse. Worth saving up for.

author: bogdan546
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2010, 11:52:05 am
content: I personally do not buy something because all Chinese regardless of their names are (Chinese electronics design) I looked at the Conrad and I saw a lot of Chinese products under the name voltcraft with a price nearly double the Chinese product

author: bogdan546
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2010, 11:54:27 am
content: Quote from: djsb on October 24, 2010, 11:51:53 amyes, HAMEG is the difference from the sky to the ground from voltcraft

author: Hypernova
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 24, 2010, 12:43:59 pm
content: Quote from: djsb on October 24, 2010, 11:51:53 amNice, but what's stopping you from stacking more than 5? I realise that the centre of mass gets a bit high but I don't see anything show stopping.took a quick search on pricing and holy hell!http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/hameg/pricelist.htm$95 just for the blank module?! $354 for the blank mainframe!? IMO the price simply doesn't justify for the hobbiest market. Each of the modules cost just as much as full sized units yet are less capable (especially that puny PSU), and there's the massive cost overhead of the mainframe since they won't work without it.

author: cybergibbons
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2010, 01:12:58 pm
content: I think it was branded "Elenco" - insides didn't specifically have any brand.

author: djsb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2010, 01:19:36 pm
content: I agree there are some shortcomings to the individual modules1/ The power supplies only supply 400mA at a max of 20v.2/ The function generator has a max frequency of 10MHz.3/ The multimeter is dependent on the mainframe and this limits it's flexibility.4/ A few other things I could think of.Oh, and their equipment is way too expensive. Nice equipment though and really only suited to use in an educational environment.I only mentioned Hameg as I've used and fixed the stuff before and I'm familiar with it. Pity theres not something of similar quality with a wider spec and lower price and that takes up the same bench space. The limit of 5 is because of the weight of the mainframe units. They are heavy.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2010, 02:03:07 pm
content: You can always get bang for buck buying individual gear. The same thing goes for stereo systems and computers. The all-in-one always has one or many of the modules fall short in terms of what a non-integrated device offers, but you don't get the integrated look.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2010, 10:35:14 pm
content: Kinda reminds me of one of thesePossibly marginal cost advantage in shared PSU but otherwise a pretty inflexible & pointless exercise.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2010, 11:07:57 pm
content: Opinions and opinions ...Personally I love the look of the MS 9160 ,it has "that military" compact design and look , for all those that it can offer,looks more than nice.I can not speak about the quality level , as I have not touch it .But really its pointless to accuse one device , because of taste.Its an frequency counter + multimeter + Function generator + PSU.Its all about specs and needs ...

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2010, 08:36:46 am
content: I can't think why you would ever "need" to limit flexibility by putting everything on one large, clumsy, non-portable box.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2010, 09:20:51 am
content: from my experience, all in one package is not really good because if one module/unit got damaged, we/i tend to toss the whole thing.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2010, 02:33:00 pm
content: Every power supply it is protected by Fuses .Every multimeter , its protected too.The Frequency counter ... it can die for hard attackAnd the Function generator .. from malaria .And all together by an earthquake ...Gentlemen , this device belongs to the bench meters ..And this format its the most space saving one.Some people can see that as an advantage, Some others not.At list it exists as choice .

author: hifihifi
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 09:30:51 pm
content: I used this as student and was allot of money in euro's calculated 644€.And know we say it is cheap :-) ?Still works fine. Thus not so bad quality after all from Voltcraft.Device must be 16 à 18 year old.