EEVblog #1083 - Pocket Mutimeter Shootout

[EEVblog]

14 pocket multimeters from $8 to $65 are torn down and compared for feature set and build quality.
Ranging in price from $8 to $65, which one is the best in each price category?
Timestamps:
6:07 XB866 Wun Hung Lo
9:42 ANENG AN8203
15:47 $10 Shootout Summary
16:14 Uni-T UT10A
19:12 Uni-T UT120B/120C
22:41 UNI-T Shootout Summary
23:05 Jaycar QM1544
26:42 $20 Shootout Summary
27:06 Sanwa PM3
31:06 Brymen BM22 / Amprobe PM51
37:31 Kyoritsu KEW1018
42:01 Hioki 3244-50 CARD Tester
45:47 Amprobe DM78C
50:25 DER EE DE-19S
56:27 SANWA PM300
1:02:36 Conclusion

Use coupon code "pocket" for a big discount on the PM300:
https://www.eevblog.com/product/pm300/



Part 2:

[Electro Detective]

One hour of 'Pocket Mutimeter Shootout' heaven for the viewers 

How many hours spent to produce it?

Would welcome a quickie Part 11 specs shootout


FWIW, Sanwa PM300 looks like it will survive drops better from 'shirt height' which is bound to happen,   
bent/sat on in the jeans pocket, weather extremes, rain etc when closed,
and probably live through some cat and dog chomping too   

[EEVblog]

Part 2 shot this morning with some basic testing. I was able to kill the ANENG 

[EEVblog]

[EEVblog]

Would welcome a quickie Part 11 specs shootout

Not that long, maybe 3 hours to shoot, and 2 hours to edit.

FWIW, Sanwa PM300 looks like it will survive drops better from 'shirt height' which is bound to happen,   
bent/sat on in the jeans pocket, weather extremes, rain etc when closed,
and probably live through some cat and dog chomping too   

Yes, the rubber case would be the best in that regard.

[EEVblog]

My UT120C shows 10.17nF so it is a feature not a bug.

Perhaps they realised it couldn't read low values accurately (or at all) and whacked in a 10nF in parallel and rely on the delta function to read lower?

[daveshah]

I've noticed the 10.17nF thing too on my UT60x (can't remember the last letter). From memory the manual even told you to use the delta function for small capacitors.

[Cnoob]

I googled DER EE  http://www.hktdc.com/suppliers-products/Pocket-Multimeter/en/1X00III0/1960503/
They sell a DER EE  pocket multimeter model DE-19A which comes with a current probe and I am guessing that extra
compartment at the back is for that.

On PCB build quality, layout and no after thought looking components I like the Hioki the best.
But as a pocket multimeter I like the Sanwa PM300

[Cnoob]

I have found a DER-EE model DE11 https://www.deree.com.tw/de-11-pocket-size-digital-multimeter.html

with very similar looks and specs to the Sanwa pm3 https://docs-apac.rs-online.com/webdocs/0171/0900766b8017123e.pdf

[EEVblog]

I have found a DER-EE model DE11 https://www.deree.com.tw/de-11-pocket-size-digital-multimeter.html
with very similar looks and specs to the Sanwa pm3 https://docs-apac.rs-online.com/webdocs/0171/0900766b8017123e.pdf

Rebadge?

[Cnoob]

not sure if it is a rebadged one buttons are a different shape and dial different grip pattern.

[Fungus]

Need one that measures current safely?




PS: Am I the only person in the world that's noticed that you can EASILY close the case on those cheapie slotted-case meters when the switch is in the wrong position?



(...and that it's almost impossible to open them again afterwards?  )

[Fungus]

What's the thing circled in red on the DER? Why is there a gap in the case there?

Maybe the space at the back is for a different model with an expansion module or something.



It looks like there's enough lead inside that you could wiggle out a few mm to make the wrapping+storage a bit looser. It should definitely be a bit looser by default though.

Edit: Aha! Mystery solved! They make a version with a current probe that attaches there. The extra space at the back is to store the probe:

[BillyO]

For what it's worth, the Aneng AN8203 does indeed have a tripod stand.  In fact, it's one of the best and most sable I have ever used.  Just don't throw out the little strap it comes with.

[Neilm]

Interesting how many of these are both CE marked and rated CATII. To be CE marked (properly), it would have to meet IEC61010 and the section on multimeters explicitly states that anything rated for connection to mains must be CATIII as a minimum.

[EEVblog]

Interesting how many of these are both CE marked and rated CATII. To be CE marked (properly), it would have to meet IEC61010 and the section on multimeters explicitly states that anything rated for connection to mains must be CATIII as a minimum.

But a CE mark can be self certifying, it does not have to be independently EMC or safety tested. Hence the majority of multimeters sold that are not independently UL/ETL etc tested for safety.

[Cnoob]

would it be a good idea to compare the best 3 pocket meters to a small Brymen (BM253) to see how they perform against it.
I bought a fluke 101 recently and it's slow and vague compared to my other meters. (measuring resistances is painful.)
I'm thinking of getting a keysight U1242C when I have the funds.

[nixfu]

Interesting to note that the AN8203 was bang on until you killed it.

DAVE, you should open the AN8203 and at least see if it was anything easily fixable.

[johnlsenchak]

Voltlog #162 - Pocket Multimeter 1KV Testing and CAT Ratings

In this video I am testing the pocket multimeters by applying transient voltages to their inputs (generated with a Brymen 887 Insulation meter) and we’re also going to talk a bit about CAT ratings and what they mean.

VoltLog
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdXHgsCiql_78oT5ydXWvzA

[Fungus]

Interesting to note that the AN8203 was bang on until you killed it.

DAVE, you should open the AN8203 and at least see if it was anything easily fixable.

If the display went blank then it's probably the main chip.

Does nobody else hate the wallet cases? They put the probes right in the 'hinge' so they never close properly. Always flapping around and opening. 

Also: How long before the bits of velcro come unstuck from the probe straps? Don't tell me you never saw that happen.


(Maybe Sanwa have some magic velcro glue but I'll wait for the long term report  )

[Cliff Matthews]

Interesting to note that the AN8203 was bang on until you killed it.

DAVE, you should open the AN8203 and at least see if it was anything easily fixable.

Maybe Dave's AN8203 sample was defective. Here: https://youtu.be/pnv5qJoWIak?t=693 he's uses an even higher voltage but for less time and didn't kill it. The ohms short seemed to show the PTC cooling off I think.

I still prefer that loud continuity beeper over the Uni-T, and IMHO that little Sanwa would be a welcome addition to the store.

[WN1X]

Of course you killed it, Dave. The Aneng case says "auto power off" and it did lol

[Fungus]

he's uses an even higher voltage but for less time and didn't kill it. The ohms short seemed to show the PTC cooling off I think.

Maybe it's luck, or maybe a slight variation on what's inside. Those meters are like DT830s, there's dozens of variants with completely different internals.

I still prefer that loud continuity beeper over the Uni-T, and IMHO that little Sanwa would be a welcome addition to the store.

Mine definitely has a loud beeper. Out of the three pocket meter I own it's the one that feels most like a "real" meter, I just hate the case and it doesn't do amps (which I want - I don't ever go poking at mains AC with mine).

[voltlog]

In my video on the ohms range, it can be seen in the video, the insulation tester I used could no keep up with the low impedance of the target and the voltage dropped close to 0 so that test does not help at all. However it's worth noting that on AC/DC voltage the meters had no problem with 1KV applied. I wonder what did Dave use when he applied that AC voltage on the ohms range, was it AC from a wall socket (high energy)? or something generated by one of his power supplies?

[Cliff Matthews]

In my video on the ohms range, it can be seen in the video, the insulation tester I used could no keep up with the low impedance of the target and the voltage dropped close to 0 so that test does not help at all. However it's worth noting that on AC/DC voltage the meters had no problem with 1KV applied. I wonder what did Dave use when he applied that AC voltage on the ohms range, was it AC from a wall socket (high energy)? or something generated by one of his power supplies?

Doesn't he have a piece of Keithley gear for that? a vintage unit, with big decade knobs etc..?