Looking for a multimeter - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Passingby
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 13, 2014, 06:53:05 pm
content: While looking for a multimeter for myself I stumbled upon this guyeBay auction: #http://www.ebay.com/itm/BSIDE-ADM02-Data-Hold-Auto-Range-Digital-MultiMeter-with-Temperature-/131199991715?pt=FR_LC_TV_Son_Home_Cinema_Accessoires_Image_Son_Gadgets_Dictaphones&hash=item1e8c20ffa3What I'm liking about it:1. Price point2. Autoranging3. Rubber boot with leads holder4. I like how it looks5. Doesn't have gimmicky secondary functions like hFe and Cap testing which usually cost you in other departments6. Does actually have (judging by the photos) fairly decent input protection for its price7. Thermocouple8. BacklitWhat's missing for me is probably only relative value, not sure about how mandatory it is, but sounds like a useful thing to have. And the other thing about it is that I didn't find any reviews of it, so I'm missing information about whether or not it's continuity is latched (I'd prefer not), how fast is the autoranging and update speed, etc. So if somebody could help me with this info that'd be much appreciated. Thanks.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 13, 2014, 08:03:38 pm
content: I would like to comment, but he listing has been removed. Any other information?

author: robimarko
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2014, 08:25:45 pm
content: His link is messed up.Here is the real linkhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/BSIDE-ADM02-Data-Hold-Auto-Range-Digital-MultiMeter-with-Temperature-/131199991715?pt=FR_LC_TV_Son_Home_Cinema_Accessoires_Image_Son_Gadgets_Dictaphones&hash=item1e8c20ffa3

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2014, 09:06:29 pm
content: Even shorter ...http://cgi.ebay.com/131199991715

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2014, 09:25:07 pm
content: A quick search/comparion shows that the Mastech MS8223E might be a close cousin or ODM?http://www.p-mastech.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=47&category_id=3&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=29The MS8223E has non contact voltage, but otherwise it has similar specs, rotary knob layout, softkey functions and input jacks.EDIT below.Franky did a review of it ...https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/mastech-ms-8233e-ms-8240d-and-ms-8250c/msg160990/#msg160990

author: dp
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2014, 01:54:24 am
content: Quote from: Passingby on June 13, 2014, 06:53:05 pmUnfortunately, it seems to be one of these cases of you get what you pay for.QuoteBut no manual ranging, as far as I can tell.The most important misfeature is sharing the mA input with the V/ohm/etc measurements: if you're not very careful, you can inadvertently cause a short circuit which, in the best case scenario, will blow the instrument fuse.In my opinion, if you need a DMM for more than checking continuity and testing that you have mains power, it's worth investing at least $50 in one. I'd recommend Uni-T 61E which is remarkably well built, has 22000 counts resolution and plenty of features. There is a review at

author: Passingby
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 14, 2014, 07:27:24 am
content: Quote from: dp on June 14, 2014, 01:54:24 amWell, it is to be carried around and used in harsh enviroment and 20$ is about at the top range of what I'm willing to pay for a disposable dmm.QuoteThere is a "AUTO" on the display which would've been rudimentary if it couldn't do manual ranging so I figured that it has that.As for that mastech, it seems to be more or less the same thing for an extra $15, but thanks for the review now I kinda know what to expect from the BSIDE. I think I'll go with it and leave a feedback later. Thanks for the input, guys.

author: torr032
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2014, 11:50:17 am
content: This meter is now 15$ and the PCB looks pretty decent, has anyone tried it, how is the continuity, ranging speed and so on:http://www.ebay.com/itm/Auto-Measurement-Multimeter-Multitester-with-Temperature-Test-ADM02-F8s-/301046041815?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4617be0cd7

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2014, 03:12:54 pm
content: Quote from: dp on June 14, 2014, 01:54:24 amI am amazed that anybody makes a modern multimeter that does not use separate jacks for the current ranges. That is a mistake that I only associate with multimeters old enough to drink.

author: tcsaba101
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2014, 08:55:06 pm
content: Try this one:http://www.ebay.com/itm/LCD-AC-DC-Digital-Multimeter-Electronic-Tester-Meter-Voltmeter-DT-9205A-Yellow-/271565248631?pt=US_Video_Cables_Adapters&hash=item3f3a8cd877You can find plenty of other suppliers.I have some of them recently, after DC "calibration" by the internal trimmer it is acceptable as a 3rd or 4th DMM.

author: torr032
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2014, 10:56:43 am
content: Yea I had DT9205 but it died when trying to measure CCFL lamp voltage. One good thing about these cheap meters is that continuity is unlatched and super fast which is btw in my experience for electronics far more useful than latched one. With unlatched It is much easier to discover switches with bad and scratchy contacts which is priceless for example in audio amps where perfect contact on the audio signal path is crucial for the sound quality. Latched continuity makes your life much harder and that it is better than unlatched is another manufactures gimmick. But that is not the topic of this thread.