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

author: gv260ea
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2014, 07:57:38 pm
content: Hi, For a couple of days I've been plannig to buy a new multimeter and I can't choose between these multimeters.Fluke 87V, Fluke 289 FVF, Fluke 287 FVF, Uni-T UT181, Uni-T UT171The Fluke meters are priced similarly. Fluke 87 V is 460USD with the probe pack it's 560USD, 289FVF is 745USD,287 FVF is 670USD, Uni-T UT181 is 300USD, Uni-T UT171 will be around 170USDI've been using a Uni-T UT71D for about 3 years and I think it's time for an upgrade. I'm a student and I usualy work with digital electronics and high power motor drivers. I'd realy like something which has fast refresh rate or at least has a fast refresh rate mode like the Uni-T 71D.

author: luis garcia
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2014, 08:10:39 pm
content: My favourite: ICE 680R.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 14, 2014, 08:40:48 pm
content: We are all happy to answer your question of course, but a little bit of searching on the forums would answer many of your questions already.You can't go wrong with the Flukes you have mentioned. The Uni-Ts you mentioned are not very well known yet and there has only been a bit of a tear down here on the 181.I seem to be the resident Brymen pusher here, so I need to mention the alternatives from Brymen. The top of the line Brymen, BM869, is a 50000/500000 count meter with dual display, CATIV/1000V rating, very accurate, and has almost all the functions you might want. It can log to a computer using an optional PC cable.http://www.brymen.com.tw/product-html/cata860/BM860_Catalog.pdfhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Brymen-BM869-Digital-Multimeter-500-000-count-Dual-Temp-AC-DC-TRMS-PC-Logging-/171272486755http://www.tme.eu/en/details/bm869/portable-digital-multimeters/brymen/bm869s/#If you want to log without a computer then there is the BM525. It is a 10000 count meter with lower accuracy, but it can log more than 87000 record at up to 20 times per second. It also adds an "Autocheck" feature which is a low impedance mode that automatically selects voltage and resistance modes.http://www.brymen.com.tw/product-html/cata520/BM520_Catalog.pdfhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Brymen-BM525-Digital-Multimeter-Internal-Logging-Dual-Display-Temp-AC-DC-TRMS-/171151111418http://www.tme.eu/en/details/bm525/portable-digital-multimeters/brymen/#The BM829 has the same specs as the BM525 but does not have the internal logging, but adds a non-contact voltage detector.http://www.brymen.com.tw/product-html/cata820/BM820_Catalog.pdfhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Brymen-BM829-Digital-Multimeter-Dual-Display-AC-DC-TRMS-Dual-Temp-10-000-Count-/201070664254http://www.tme.eu/en/details/bm869/portable-digital-multimeters/brymen/bm869s/#It can also be had in the Greenlee re-branded model on ebay for a really good deal right now:http://www.ebay.com/itm/Greenlee-DM-830A-True-RMS-Digital-Multimeter-1000-Volt-/171479881115?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27ecff559bAll of the above do dual temperature measurements and can be connected to your PC using the PC kit:http://www.tme.eu/en/details/kitbu-86x/meters-software/brymen/#

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2014, 09:35:16 pm
content: Another Brymen pusher here...They're well built, safe, and offer more value than Fluke or Agilent for the money. Definitely worth a serious look before buying IMHO.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2014, 09:40:46 pm
content: Quote from: gv260ea on October 14, 2014, 07:57:38 pmA student with $750 to spend on a multimeter...?

author: Creep
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2014, 09:56:05 pm
content: Who knows, maybe he is studying for a masters degree. Most students combine work and studies by that time.Anyway, as far as I'm aware (from googling around the internet), the UT-181A has the same update speed as UT-61E (about 2 times per second, maybe a bit more), so you should probably already scratch that one.That said, if you have a lot of money to throw around, get the fluke (probably the 87V). If you have limited resources (like most people do), the brymen meters would suit you better.

author: wiss
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2014, 10:02:53 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on October 14, 2014, 09:40:46 pmAt that budget I would say Agilent 34461.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 14, 2014, 10:40:50 pm
content: If you want fast update rate, consider the Agilent U1272A, it has 7/sec updating.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 14, 2014, 10:53:22 pm
content: Quote from: Creep on October 14, 2014, 09:56:05 pmIt is not a matter of having money to throw around. The Fluke 87V is a really great meter. It just happens to cost more than the Brymen BM869 and has less functions. IMHO they are built equally well. The Brymen has a 1 year warranty and the Fluke a "lifetime" warranty. The companies who re-brand the Brymens provide a longer or even a lifetime warranty without any changes to the design. The Brymens give you more for your money, poor or rich student aside. If the Fluke reputation and warranty are worth the big bucks then that is your decision. The Greenelee version of the BM829 I linked to has a lifetime warranty, has a carry case, and is cheaper than the original Brymen. Hard to not buy that one if you need a good all round meter.And for what it is worth, the Brymens update at 5 times per second.

author: P90
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2014, 11:17:14 pm
content: Quote from: Lightages on October 14, 2014, 10:53:22 pmI wouldn't base my purchase decision on the lifetime warranty from some of these companies. Nine times out of ten, companies such as Greenlee won't use the same supplier for their multimeters in a few years, or might not be in the multimeter business, so you don't know if you will get a similar replacement. It's a gamble. Where as Fluke is in the test instrument business, and you get what you paid for. Buy a Fluke. Everything else is just that. Not a Fluke...

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2014, 11:39:59 pm
content: Regarding "lifetime" warranties, people need to read the fine print with respect to1) what is "lifetime"?2) do you have to buy the meter from an authorized dealer? (ebay usually counts as not authorized)3) do you need a receipt?4) do you need to register the product?5) is it transferable from one party to another?6) what exactly is covered?Each vendor has their own definition, terms and conditions of the above and can change quickly without notification.

author: CosPhi
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2014, 01:31:58 am
content: A good multimeter ... pretty difficult question. You don't really say what you wanna do with it. For example why the 287 OR 289? I wouldn't buy the 287, there are all the nice features missing from the 289 (50 Ohm range for example) and it's still not cheap.Quote from: EEVblog on October 14, 2014, 10:40:50 pmJust the update rate yes. But it's not the fastest to get a stable reading. But the U1272A is a nice meter with many nice features. I worked a lot with it and I mostly liked it. And it does have internal datalogging. The Pc cable is not expensive and the software for free. You can find a lot about this meter in this forum...Since I have my new Hioki DT4281 that's my most favorite meter. It is really fast to and give a stable value faster than any other meter. But it's not a cheapy and has sadly no internal datalogging (just store manual values). But I very like for example how they implemented the Min/Max function. The meter does log the Min/Max always in the background. So even when you not hit the Min/Max button you can show the Min or Max since you are in this range. To reset the function, instead like on the other meter push long Min/Max, just push the clear button. That's very nice when you like to see the min or max value from many cycles. Just push quick "clear" and it starts from new. And the display keeps showing Min and Max (dual display). It is from specs around the 289. There is also something in the forumhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/hioki-dt4281-multimeter-teardown-and-first-impression/About warranty. If you buy a sub 200$ meter I think it's not worth to think much about it. If you buy a 600-700$ meter I would not buy it new from ebay. But just my mind.And one more thing ... if you haven't one I would look for model with logging functionality. It's often ... just nice to have.

author: AG6QR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2014, 05:18:31 am
content: Comparing just the Fluke 87V against the 289, you owe it to yourself to check out Dave's episode 15 of the EEVBlog. If nothing else, it's a great history lesson, and shows how the eevblog has changed over the years. Dave's style has evolved, and his camera resolution is better these days.That episode technically compares the 189 series 2 against the 87V, but the 189 series 2 is very similar to the 289. You should watch the episode for details, but a brief summary is that the 289 does about everything the 87-V does, and it slightly improves on the accuracy and resolution, but not hugely. The big difference is that the 289 adds data logging and graphing, and to do this, it uses a dot matrix display which isn't super contrasty and has the side effect of using a lot more power, thus costing quite a bit in battery life. The 289 is also bigger and heavier than the already stout 87V. The 289 has an interface which is more menu driven as opposed to the 87V's dedicated buttons.In other words, the data logging comes at a price in usability. Only you can decide whether it's worth it, but if I had both meters available on my bench, I'd be reaching for the 87V almost all the time, unless I had a specific need for the logging capability or the slightly enhanced resolution/accuracy of the 289. On the other hand, if I was told I could have only one of those two as my only meter for the rest of my life, I'd be pretty tempted to take the 289 and live with its heft, battery life, and less contrasty display in exchange for the nifty logging ability. They're both very high quality meters.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 15, 2014, 06:21:20 am
content: The Brymen BM525 has no tradeoffs compared to its brother the BM829 when it comes to adding logging. The display is just as nice and you lose only the non-contact voltage detector. You can buy two BM525s for the price of one Fluke 289, or two BM829s plus the PC cables for the same price.My point to continuing on yelling about Brymen is that you get much more for the same money. I own, Fluke, UEi, Uni-Trend, Victor, Digitek, Brymen, Metek, Mastech, and some others. In addition I have used Agilent(HP), Keithley, Amprobe, BK Precision, and some others. If I were asked which of my meters I could keep or buy and I must get rid of all else, I would pick the Brymen BM525 or the BM869. I think I would lean towards the BM525 because it does everything the BM869 does except for mainly accuracy, plus data logging.If you just want a meter that competes with the Fluke 87V but for much less money, then the Greenlee DM830A (Brymen 829 re-brand)for $150 plus shipping cannot be beat IMHO.

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2014, 12:56:55 pm
content: Consider the Fluke 179. One of the best all-rounder trusty robust multimeters ever made. Beautifully engineered, great specs and the batteries last a very long time. Refresh rate is reasonable, but it does not have data connectivity. I have never met anyone disappointed with the Fluke 179.If you are interested and want to save $, consider getting one on eBay. I bought mine for $US 190 delivered to my door in Australia from the US. Second hand, but in as new condition. I checked its calibration with a high end new Agilent 34410A in calibration, and it was spot on all round.At the time of writing, there are about 20 used Fluke 179's on eBay worldwide.

author: gv260ea
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2014, 01:41:01 pm
content: Thank you all for sharing your thoughts. I think i'll be getting a Fluke 289 FVF.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 17, 2014, 01:47:55 pm
content: Quote from: Lightages on October 14, 2014, 10:53:22 pmThe thing with the Fluke's, apart from the best-in-class build quality and (limited) lifetime warranty, is for industry guys like me who've used them for decades, they are just super reliable and you always feel confident using it. That's why they have the rep they do.Other brand meters struggle to offer that same level of industry trust.Whether or not that is worth enough to you to pay the extra for far less features, is entirely a personal choice.Apart from the industry rep, the Fluke's offer poor bang-per-buck.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 17, 2014, 01:51:34 pm
content: Quote from: AG6QR on October 15, 2014, 05:18:31 amYes. The 87V is much more usable meter for general daily use. Aside form the really annoying default to AC current mode. They changed that from DC from the series III based on "industry research"

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2014, 01:51:45 pm
content: Quote from: VK3DRB on October 15, 2014, 12:56:55 pmI'd be very disappointed if I paid that much for a multimeter and didn't get a uA range.