Wanted: A good (more than just general) Multimeter  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: kingoftaurus
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2014, 03:27:43 am
content: So I fell in love with the way the Agilent U1253A looks. I love the big bright green OLED display.Ever since I saw that multimeter, I am determined to either get that one.. (dear god thats expensive) or hope and pray to the community that there is a lesser, not so crazy priced meter out there that has a green OLED display? (perhaps another meter that I can hack a green OLED into? lol)Unfortunately the blue model is discontinuted (wtf?!?!) and now there is an (uglier.. ugh) U1253B model. Still has the green display though. (hmm, I wonder if I get the A case and put the B guts inside of it...)Any suggestions on a GOOOD and SAFE but not "WTF expensive for a beginner" meter that will own his first GOOD multimeter forever?I currently own an Extech MN36 (yeah I know..)ANDA Triplett 310 analog (given to me). (why the fk is this thing so expensive?)Also on a side note the Amprobe AM-270 .. its just too ugly and I don't think its good enough.Hello to the community!

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 27, 2014, 03:41:35 am
content: Search for Brymen BM257, BM869 and others here. There is a Conrad brand with OLED. I will post some links later.

author: kingoftaurus
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2014, 03:50:58 am
content: thehttp://www.conrad-electronic.co.uk/ce/en/product/124600/VOLTCRAFT-VC-890-OLED-DMM-Digital-Multimeter-with-Software-included-CAT-IV-600V-CAT-III-1000VVoltraft-VC-890 looks nice too.Also,Anyone perhaps has a used one they would like to sell? (The agilent)

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2014, 05:24:52 am
content: Are you dead set on OLED?I realize it's pretty to look at, but there are issues with it, namely lifespan, followed by burn-in (given the fixed symbols/units on a DMM screen).Wiki articleCnet articleIt's one of the primary the reasons I opted for the Agilent U1252B over the OLED version (battery life is also very poor on the OLED model).Hope this helps.BTW, if you are set on OLED screen, and opt for the VC-890, rapidonline has it for a bit less (~10GPB less than Conrad;here).And you would be able to swap the case out for the A variant (blue) with an Agilent, assuming you can find one. Orange is easier to find on my messy bench though (have a blue mat on the main bench, so a blue meter = camouflage in my case).

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 27, 2014, 06:01:33 am
content: A thread on the Conrad series:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/voltcraft-vc870-any-experiences/The only real benefits I see with OLED are wide angle visibility and working during low temperature.I really believe that the Brymen BM867 or BM869 would be something you would also want to consider.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2014, 06:02:39 am
content: Quote from: Lightages on March 27, 2014, 06:01:33 am+1

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2014, 06:14:39 am
content: Quote from: nanofrog on March 27, 2014, 06:02:39 amIt seems like we keep recommending the same meters so often we should just sticky the 86x series.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2014, 07:03:44 am
content: If your requirements are cosmetic only, CEM has just launched a series of blue meters with TFT screens. No published prices yet, but they should be available shortly:Short battery life, of course, similar to the OLED Agilent, 6 hours.http://www.cem-instruments.com/en/pro/pro-866.html

author: rivest
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2014, 03:06:08 am
content: If you are willing to pay for an Agilent, why not a Fluke? Say 87V. It'll serve you well.

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 28, 2014, 07:05:39 am
content: I have a u1253b and a fluke 87v, you never can have too many dmm, i had the agilent 1st.I reach for the agilent 1st as the display is much more readable if off angle, and by the time I am actually doing a reading, bits are everywhere. The battery life span is much better after a software update (get the usb to ir cable) and the cables that come with it are more supple than the flukes. I have had the Agilent for about 3-4 years I think.Both really are good meters. I am sure you will be happy with either. :-)

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2014, 03:19:01 pm
content: Quote from: rivest on March 28, 2014, 03:06:08 amIf it's a choice between these two (only getting one meter), the Agilent U1252/3B has more features, higher counts, and better basic accuracy. A heck of a lot more meter than the 87V. Now if comparing it to say a 287/9, then you're comparing apples to apples and is a tougher call, assuming the prices aren't drastically different for the buyer's location (i.e. $419 v. $422 here in the US).My U1252B is the one I reach for first (LCD version; had it for ~4 years, possibly a bit longer).

author: kingoftaurus
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2014, 01:55:32 am
content: Honestly the 120$ meter sounds ok for now, but I do really want a good professional grade DMM that will last me forever and wont just go out of date months after I get it.

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2014, 02:01:59 am
content: Quote from: kingoftaurus on March 29, 2014, 01:55:32 amtest equipment doesn't really go out of date the same way most consumer stuff does.. Forever & cheap = Brymen 867/869.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 29, 2014, 03:31:56 am
content: Really, the BM869 is a great meter that is built for safety and accuracy. So is the Fluke 87V and many others. It is just that the Brymen BM869 has more features and costs less than the others.

author: kingoftaurus
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2014, 06:45:46 am
content: Alright. Alright. LOL I'll get the dang meter and save up for something else. Like... an LCR or something.. lol.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 29, 2014, 06:59:00 am
content: Quote from: kingoftaurus on March 29, 2014, 01:55:32 amNo meter "goes out of date". As long as it still works, it's always as useful as it was from day one.You might find you need more features at a later date for some specific purpose, but ultimately, most measurements you'll ever do will always be basic volts/ohms/amps. That's why I always reach for the simplest meter to operate for everyday measurements.

author: electronics man
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2014, 06:55:47 pm
content: How about a used fluke 87v if your not dead set on an oled

author: Zbig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2014, 07:22:03 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on March 29, 2014, 06:59:00 amI think the OP meant something among the lines of "what if I bought modelabcand just a month later model xyz comes out for the same price". If yes, that's just a matter of changing your mindset and learning to deal with it. The solution for the "problem" isn't for a manufacturer to stop making new stuff because there was no problem in the first place. And realizing that your meter won't "know" that a new one just showed up and thus won't suddenly throw a fit or anything. I'm learning this myself with varying success... Hey, my smartphone is now not one buttwomodels behind! How about that, Planned Obsolescence?

author: arvidj
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2014, 08:35:34 pm
content: Given that I did not see a country for the OP I don't fell this is too far off topic ... I've not been able to find a reliable dealer\distributor in the United States who sells and services\warranty the BM869.Any suggestions would be appreciated by myself and the OP if he happens to live in the US.Arvid

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2014, 08:53:32 pm
content: Quote from: arvidj on March 29, 2014, 08:35:34 pmtme.eu is what I used, obviously not in the US though.

author: chickenHeadKnob
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2014, 08:58:21 pm
content: Quote from: arvidj on March 29, 2014, 08:35:34 pmabout 2 years ago I emailed Brymen (tiawan head office) through their geo-cities style cartoonish web site contact info. asking if there was a North American dealer. Recieved a prompt reply: buy a greenlee. They must have an agreement to divy up the world market and not undercut greenlee (greenlee 860 = brymen BM869). So your choices are buy an 80% markup greenlee or get a real Brymen from TME.eu or iloveelectronics-franky.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 29, 2014, 11:57:47 pm
content: As just said above, no Brymen in the USA. It is even worse in Brazil as they are rebranded by MiniPa and they want 3 times the price. I second getting from Franky or tme.eu

author: kingoftaurus
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2014, 07:19:58 am
content: Quote from: arvidj on March 29, 2014, 08:35:34 pmYes actually I am in the US. I am having difficulty finding a Brymen anywhere except one seller on ebay.As far as Greenlee goes, hell I cant even find that. A good multimeter like this should be easy to buy, readily available and well, popular?Apparently in the states, Greenlee is sold by Home Depot, according to the Greenlee website. However Home Depot, does not have Greenlee listed in their online store.So if its such a good multimeter, where can I find one?

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 30, 2014, 03:54:26 pm
content: http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/DM-860A/DM-860A-ND/3980792Actually this is the best price I have seen for a Greenlee version.But why spend the extra $100 for a green case and different name when you can get it for $309 shipped to your door from Franky, aka iloveelectronics here on the forum, on his ebay store:http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brymen-BM869-Digital-Multimeter-500-000-count-Dual-Temp-AC-DC-TRMS-PC-Logging-/171272486755?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27e0a2bf63He takes care of his customers. You can also contact him though the PM system here and maybe he can do a bit better with the price if he doesn't have to pay the paypal fees for selling.

author: ThisDoesNotCompute
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2014, 04:42:22 pm
content: If you're looking in the $120-140 range, check out the Hioki DT4252. I'll be getting a review of mine up on YouTube in a week or so.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 30, 2014, 05:39:37 pm
content: That Hioki looks like an OK meter, but without mA or microA it is quite limited for electronics use. The capacitance measurement range is geared toward really big caps too. It might make a great industrial electrician's meter but it isn't suited for electronics.