Best DMM for <= $500 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: gamozo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2011, 03:44:08 am
content: Greetings,I see a lot here about people talking about the best multimeters for $200, or the best bench multimeters. But I really haven't seen too much in the ways of up to $500 multimeters. I'm looking to spend up to $500 on a DMM, and I'm wondering what you all suggest for me to get. I do currently own an oscilloscope, so I have absolutely no need for some frequency stuff, or on screen graphs/sampling, all I want are extremely accurate results. I essentially want voltages, current, temperature, capacitance, and resistance (inductance, but I'd need an LCR for that [correct me if I'm wrong]). I've been looking at either a Fluke 87V (if the rev 11s are out), a Fluke 28-II, or some Metrahit (not quite familiar yet).So, what do you think?Thanks in advance,Brandon Falk

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2011, 04:23:21 am
content: I think that money is not everything, when there is out there DMM with true 20.000 30.000 counts !!Your Fluke listed ones are not true 20.000 counts, and so they are slow when they work in this mode.Check your own priorities and buy accordingly.

author: gamozo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2011, 04:36:28 am
content: Sorry if I sounded like I would only spend $500. It's just my limit on what I want to buy. If the best <= $500 DMM is $100, so be it, I'm fine with that.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2011, 06:13:42 am
content: buy a gossen and 100KHz agilent or tonghui lcr meter. just a suggestion, i never have experience and dont have the $500 budget for those.

author: gamozo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2011, 06:30:01 am
content: Righto. I've been looking around at Gossen's, but I haven't found a decent reseller/distributor around here (US). I have been looking into the Agilent U1253B. 50,000 count, and extremely accurate, all for $450.http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/product.jspx?nid=-34618.920237.00&cc=US&lc=engI've only heard good things about Agilent, but I've really only heard about there scopes.

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2011, 08:12:36 am
content: Quote from: gamozo on September 10, 2011, 06:30:01 amYou know they are called Dranetz (and some variation of that) in the US?Gossen bought Dranetz in 2007 and for whatever reason uses the name for their Gossen meters in the US. Tequipmenthttp://www.tequipment.net/DranetzDigitalMultimeter.htmland others sell them as Dranetz, Dranetz BMI, and DranTech multimeters.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2011, 10:12:20 am
content: Great DMM, I own one, and it is more accurate than the Fluke 87V, which I own. However, the build quality is much less than the Fluke, I paid $140 and think its worth it, but at $450 I'd seriously look at Dranetz before jumping on the Agilent. There are reviews I posted on eevblog.Quote from: gamozo on September 10, 2011, 06:30:01 am

author: thilo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2011, 10:41:27 am
content: At least a few weeks ago you could get a Fluke 87V for something like $260 on amazon.com (you had to put it in your shopping basket to see the price), but unfortunately they were not allowed to ship it outside of the US. For that price I would definitely get a Fluke 87V and use the remaining capital to get me an lcr meter.Thilo.

author: grenert
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2011, 01:51:36 pm
content: Does it have to be handheld? If you can go with a bench meter, you could get an old HP 3478A like Dave has and get it calibrated (prob <$500 total). It would certainly be more accurate than any handheld you could buy, and it adds the option of 4-wire resistance measurement for very low ohms readings.If you need a handheld, I'm with the chorus who say Fluke. Both the 87V and 289 are in your price range. The 289 has a lot more features and probably slightly better accuracy/resolution, but it's BIG and clunky, with a high resolution display that is not as nice to read as a standard DMM LCD. Unless you need it's extra features (logging in particular), I think you'd like the 87V better for regular use.BTW, capacitance on a DMM is typically a joke. I don't think any of them will accurately read small caps (pF range). But you'll get a proper implementation of capacitance reading when you get your LCR.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2011, 02:00:53 pm
content: Speaking about pricing and discount offers.If I was American and had 500$ to spent, due the last active discount of Agilent in USA,I would get one U1272A ( 230$) and one Agilent capacitor tester ( 300$) the latest and greatest.People ( new members) add your flag in your profile, it would greatly help about special offers and pricing questions.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 10, 2011, 04:15:03 pm
content: Quote from: grenert on September 10, 2011, 01:51:36 pm$500 is quite overpriced for a used 3478A, though. Something like a used HP 34401A should be possible.

author: gamozo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2011, 07:31:50 pm
content: The Agilent is still probably on the top of my list of what to get. I'm probably not going to exceed 5A or 12V, so I don't feel the massive need for some crazy input protection/blast shields. The Metrawatt seems a bit overpriced for the mere 12,000 digits you get. I also will just use it like a bench meter, it wont be used in the wet, or in high impact environments, so I don't need a bulletproof DMM. The Agilent has the precision, with the tradeoff for the build quality, but I can't see a terrible need for insane protection in my low voltage, low current, low impact environment. I'm also looking at getting a bench meter, but I feel at times if I have to work away from my bench, I would regret it.So it's probably come down to getting the Agilent 50,000 count meter, or a bench meter (unless there is some extremely strong reason to not get the Agilent).I'm looking at either the U1252 or the U1253. But on page 11 of the spec (http://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5989-5509EN.pdf), you can see that the U1253 doesn't come with the SMT grabbers, fine-tip test probes, mini grabber, or the carrying case. The U1252 has every feature available (besides the 9V battery, as it's rechargeable), where the U1253 basically is just the probes and the meter. (Individually, the U1252 comes with $43 of those 'extra' accessories). The U1252 also has a better battery life, since it's not OLED, but due to my environment (mostly the bench), I don't mind the short battery life much. So $410 for a LCD with $43 of accessories, or $450 for an OLED with no accessories... I'm assuming there is no reason to get the OLED as it is much more, offers less accessories, and is impossible to read in sunlight/powerful lights. So I think the 1252B is by far the best choice, unless for some reason you want the OLED. (Correct me if I'm wrong)Sorry for ranting somewhat here, but I guess I wanted to explain my thought process for the U1252 vs the U1253 outloud for my own reference, and perhaps for someone elses.Ohh, $100 off with a rebate on either the U1252 or the U1253. I like! (So $310, and $350 respectively after the rebate)To OLED or not to OLED...

author: grenert
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2011, 07:36:26 pm
content: Quote from: alm on September 10, 2011, 04:15:03 pmTo clarify, I meant that it would be under $500 to get the meter and get it calibrated (maybe a couple hundred dollars for the calibration?). The meter itself sells for around $200.I was surprised what the 34401A sells for now. I'd see postings from 2009 that talked about getting these for $350 on eBay. Now they all seem to sell for $600+.EDIT: It sounds like you're set on a handheld. I'd still agree with Saturation. I have the Agilent models you're considering, and if I had $500 available to spend, I would choose Fluke. There is no comparison with the build quality. Agilent is not bad by any means, but Fluke is simply better. Never seen a Gossen in real life, so can't make a comparison there.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2011, 08:01:21 pm
content: I've been looking at theDranetz DranTech PRO(I think this is a Gossen meter rebadged).Compared to the U1252A the Dranetz appeals more to me. One of the deciding factors is the battery power (200 hours on standard AA batteries vs a pathetic number of hours on a 9 V battery). Rechargeable or not, the battery design on the Agilent completely sucks.(The problem with the Dranetz is the price of the companion PC logging software is completely ridiculous.)My eyes popped out on stalks when I saw theDranTech ULTRA, but I don't think I'm going to be springing for that one any time soon...

author: gamozo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2011, 08:30:35 pm
content: That Tequipment site is wrong, it says that the PRO is 60,000 count, it is not, it is 11,999 count (http://dranetz.com/drantech-xtra-pro) (Metrahit equiv:http://www.gossenmetrawatt.com/english/produkte/metrahitpro.htm). The Drantech XTRA is the best Drantech you can get, without going for the $1,000,000 Drantech ULTRA. I just don't think that I'd dump out $500 for a 12,000 count meter. I'd rather get a 20,000 count, higher quality (opinion), Fluke (if quality was a matter).Edit:It seems the U1252B does not contain the accessories I mentioned. I've looked around on distributor's sites, and they (U1252B and U1253B) both have the exact same package. So, it's really only a matter of OLED or not, and the small upcharge on the OLED.

author: Richard W.
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2011, 10:12:20 pm
content: Please don't buy the OLED meter. It looks nice, but there are some disadvantages (battery life, contrast, oled lifetime).I've used some different Fluke (179, 87V) and some different Gossen (series before "Starline") at work.I bought (two) Gossen Multimeters

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2011, 10:24:56 pm
content: Good to keep this in mind:http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/editorial.jspx?cc=US&lc=eng&ckey=2060152&nid=-34618.920238&id=2060152

author: gamozo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2011, 10:38:48 pm
content: Yep. I'm now down to OLED or not. I think OLED might be beneficial to me, as I will be using it indoors (and I'm afraid the software devs put more time into the OLED. It's one of my pet peeves when people try to directly clone software onto another device (like iphone into android), and I bet they did the same here going from OLED to LCD). But they may have been designed separately too... Once I get one though, I'll do a teardown, just incase there are any changes from the A model to B (as the recent Agilent 1272A teardown (newer) went much better than the 1253A teardown, perhaps Agilent changed up the 1253B a bit too).

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 10, 2011, 11:02:52 pm
content: Quote from: gamozo on September 10, 2011, 07:31:50 pmThe OLED is gorgeous, BUT the battery life is stupid, and it can't work outside. Only good for "occasional" use IMO, e.g. by putting a lithium primary battery in it and using it intermittently should last a decent time.The LCD is much more versatile though so I'd get that if you had to chose.The Gossen/Dranetz are awesome, but they are not designed for people who care about budgetsThe Agilent U1272A is new and it is excellent, gives the Fluke 87V a real run for it's money. In fact, it beats it hand down in bang-per-buck. However, it's not as long term proven as the 87VDave.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 10, 2011, 11:08:34 pm
content: Quote from: gamozo on September 10, 2011, 08:30:35 pmYes, there is much confusion here.I don't know about Dranetz labeling exactly, but with Gossen there is the XTRA and the EXTRA, they are different. The EXTRA has the 60,000 count and bigger memory.http://www.gossenmetrawatt.com/english/produkte/metrahitx-tra.htmhttp://www.gossenmetrawatt.com/english/produkte/metrahitextra.htmAlso, don't forget the Gossen PC interface is crazy expensive.Dave.

author: gamozo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2011, 11:29:20 pm
content: I bit the bullet, and grabbed the following:Agilent U1252B (The LCD version)Agilent U1186A (K-type thermocouple)Agilent U1163A (SMT grabbers)Agilent U1164A (Fine tip probes)I'll do a teardown and a review once I get it (I'm so excited!).

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 10, 2011, 11:36:17 pm
content: Quote from: gamozo on September 10, 2011, 11:29:20 pmAwesome, it will serve you well.Make sure you get that $100 rebate!Dave.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2011, 08:03:58 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on September 10, 2011, 11:08:34 pmRichard wrote on the chat box that found it 314 USD ( In Germany) , but this is not the price that the American buyer will pay,in his own country.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2011, 08:08:34 am
content: Quote from: gamozo on September 10, 2011, 11:29:20 pmnice catch, you are even in the source about all the details for the data logging, and even more,you will find out in time.

author: gamozo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 13, 2011, 02:54:07 pm
content: Looks like where I bought my stuff ships from South Carolina, living in VA, this is brilliant. I'll have it all tomorrow.I'll be doing a video review (maybe a teardown) of:Agilent U1252B (The LCD version)Agilent U1186A (K-type thermocouple)Agilent U1163A (SMT grabbers)Agilent U1164A (Fine tip probes)Anything in particular people would like to see?