Which multimeter to choose? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: 1-vip
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2014, 07:23:39 am
content: Hello friends! I think there are topics alike, but I had no much time to seek. So, be understanding please.I have a Flucke 115. Like it very much and believe it. But I want to buy a second multimeter which will be as accurate as Flucke, but with temperature meter, and may be with another functions. But not a Flucke! I looked at KYORITSU 1011 and Amprobe AM-570. Amprobe AM-570 is better. Which one should I choose? Or may be another manufacture? A reliable multy is needed!Thanks a lot!

author: 1-vip
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2014, 11:54:26 am
content: Also U1241B by Agilent is very interesting...But it costs more. How is it?

author: 1-vip
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2014, 03:23:18 pm
content: Also HIOKI?

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2014, 04:19:18 pm
content: What is your budget, where do you live and what is it for?

author: 1-vip
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2014, 05:18:25 pm
content: Quote from: Wytnucls on April 18, 2014, 04:19:18 pmHello! I live in russia. The budget is about 300$. For electronic tests and general use.I like HIOKI DT4212.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2014, 05:57:52 pm
content: Privet,The Hioki DT4212 is a newly released meter for export to price sensitive markets. It is probably well built and safe, however it comes with a few missing or restricted features:1. The true RMS AC bandwidth is small, 500Hz only and the crest factor is limited to 2.2. The capacitance measurement is also quite narrow, stopping at 100uF.3. The meter doesn't have a bar graph or a Max/Min function or a PC connection.The good points are:1. A sturdy meter from a respectable company.2. A 3-year warranty3. A long battery life (800 hours)4. Temperature, mA and uA selections.5. Good price at 90 USD.With your budget, you may want to look at the Yokogawa TY520 or Sanwa PC773, if you like Japanese meters. Otherwise, quite a few of the Brymen or Agilent meters are within your reach.Do vstre4i

author: 1-vip
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2014, 06:15:58 pm
content: Quote from: Wytnucls on April 18, 2014, 05:57:52 pmSpasibo!=)I read that there are different problems with Agilent. However I've got many Agilent products at work. Very accurate, but have problems sometimes. For example one U1252B refused to charge.Sanwa does not have it's own chips, as I know.Will see Yokogawa TY520 and Brymen.Thanks again!

author: 1-vip
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2014, 06:27:14 pm
content: Buy the way, Yokogawa TY520 & Yokogawa TY530 are really great!Does Yokogawa TY520 have an auto-calibration function, as Yokogawa TY530?

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2014, 06:57:06 pm
content: I don't think the meters have auto-calibration.Closed case calibration is available, but the meters need to connect to an external calibrator.

author: 1-vip
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2014, 07:15:50 pm
content: I also think it is unusual for a multimeter. Russian distributer probably confused something..

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2014, 07:53:30 pm
content: Quote from: 1-vip on April 18, 2014, 05:18:25 pmOpens up a fair number of options.Any specific requirements/features you need or want?Brymen would definitely be a brand worth looking at IMHO, and you can source them from tme.eu. Even their top model, BM869, would be within your budget (loads of features, well built, good protections, so they offer a lot of value vs. other big brand names such as Fluke or Agilent).Quote from: 1-vip on April 18, 2014, 06:15:58 pmWas this temporary, or permanent?If the latter, did anyone have the selector switch in the wrong position when they tried to charge it at one time (or move it while charging with the charger still connected)?IIRC, manual indicates this damages the meter (U1252/3 A&B models).

author: 1-vip
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2014, 08:16:59 pm
content: Hello! The main requirements are1. Good accuracy2. Not very expensive (less then 300$)3. Reliable even in hard conditions.I do understand, that it is very commonly. But I need just a reliable meter for common use..About U1252B - permanent.Unfortunately I can not be sure about the selector, but thunk - no one could do that.

author: 1-vip
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2014, 08:23:54 pm
content: Temperature measuring is needed anyway! uA, mA, mV.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 18, 2014, 08:44:12 pm
content: Brymen BM869, or BM829, or BM525, or Agilent U1242B, or Amprobe 37XR-A

author: BennyBoy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2014, 04:59:59 am
content: I really like my Brymen BM-257. If you need CAT4/1000v? then a BM-869 is also very nice.http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brymen-BM257-Digital-Multimeter-6000-count-Brand-New-Fluke-alternative-/200922627340

author: 1-vip
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2014, 03:13:26 pm
content: Thank You for the link! And where is your Brymen BM-257 made in?

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 20, 2014, 03:19:47 pm
content: Yes the BM257 is nice, I have one and highly recommend it. Why wasn't it mentioned? You were looking for something with a maximum of $300 and that implied other meters. The BM257 is built for lower safety specs than the BM869 or 829 or 525 but still a very good meter.The Brymen line is made in Taiwan and they make meters for Amprobe, the Extech MM series, MiniPa, Greenlee and a couple of others I forget.

author: 1-vip
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2014, 09:28:27 am
content: Hello friends! Ordered HIOKI DT4212. It's cheaper but I like it. Will do a small presentation when it arrives.Now I need a very cheap multimeter just to take it everywhere and not been afraid of losing it.I like Amprobe AM-500 and BRYMEN BM805. Which one is better?

author: 1-vip
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2014, 09:30:27 am
content: Or BRYMEN BM806T? BRYMEN BM905?

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 28, 2014, 06:51:10 pm
content: You asked for recommendations and opinions on what meter to choose, state a price and requirements, and then ignore all advice and buy something at 1/3 the price and that doesn't meet your listed specs?I have no idea what advice to give you after that for the "cheap" meter.

author: lowimpedance
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2014, 11:43:09 pm
content: simple .. with the money saved , another HIOKI DT4212 !!

author: 1-vip
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2014, 05:58:42 am
content: Quote from: Lightages on April 28, 2014, 06:51:10 pmI found out that HIOKI is a reliable manufacturer! And it has everything I need.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2014, 09:46:33 am
content: Quote from: Lightages on April 28, 2014, 06:51:10 pmThis thread is not about asking advice, its all about asking for morale support for the decision that already made from the 1st place.

author: 1-vip
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2014, 12:45:10 pm
content: Quote from: BravoV on April 30, 2014, 09:46:33 amTrue

author: 1-vip
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2014, 11:15:51 am
content: Hello friends! Here is the question again... Fluke 115 or HIOKI DT4252? They have the same functionality. But what about the speed, accuracy, and reliability? HIOKI DT4252 has HIOKI's chip.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2014, 11:39:36 am
content: Hioki 4252 has better specs and features. Speed and reliability should be more or less the same.

author: 1-vip
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2014, 11:03:00 am
content: Quote from: Wytnucls on May 05, 2014, 11:39:36 amThank You!

author: 1-vip
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2014, 08:06:36 am
content: Got my Hioki 4252! It is really made in Japan. Quality is alike any Japanese good.The DC- AC measurements are faster than on Fluke 115. The capacitor measurement is fast within 2200 uF or close to that. Measuring 6800uF takes about 20 sec. Also I like that it can be connected to a PC. But you have to buy an interface. By the way, it's expensive!The display is much better then Fluke's. Probes are gold plated. And so on! I like it very much!The only thing that upsets me is that it does not look like a "brick"...I mean if you curve the body without the blue cover - it creaks a little bit.I'll make a review of HIOKI DT4212 when it comes.

author: 1-vip
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2014, 04:41:12 am
content: Quote from: ErikTheNorwegian on May 17, 2014, 05:20:34 amThanks!

author: 1-vip
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2014, 05:02:49 pm
content: Now several questions about DT4282Will it be ok for a home laboratory?It's true to say I just like HIOKI=) And I need your parting words

author: rauldm
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2021, 02:46:27 am
content: Hioki is good meter, really for me the best features are, relative mode for ohms works for all ranges, very fast speed on autorange, but it has more slow peak mode than FLuke for example.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2021, 05:04:34 am
content: Quote from: 1-vip on May 20, 2014, 05:02:49 pmYes.

author: Neutrion
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2021, 01:56:11 pm
content: Quote from: rauldm on October 26, 2021, 02:46:27 amPretty fast reaction, isn't it?

author: rauldm
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2021, 03:52:32 am
content: I tested Fluke 289 and other Fluke on peak mode, with 100 mHz frequency pulse and 250 us of width. 0 to 10 V, the Hioki detects for example 9.87 V Fluke 9.99 V, peak mode is 250 us for continus signal for discontinus event is 1 ms, I think an 100 mHz event is discontinus, Fluke peak mode is better than Hioki. Hioki Dt4282 has many adventajes versus other brands, but compared with Fluke many advenaje is autorange speed and visual alterts for continity and diode mode, shutters for current inputs also is great feature.