Author Topic: Multimeter spreadsheet (80 manufacturers and over 400 meters listed) (Read 869414 times)

Wytnucls · « **Reply #200 on:** February 02, 2015, 07:38:29 am »

It is a subjective rating to grade brands according to general perceived overall quality. It doesn't apply to a specific DMM model.

Wytnucls · « **Reply #201 on:** February 06, 2015, 02:30:34 pm »

Here is the latest database version, with some corrections and additions.

Lightages · « **Reply #202 on:** February 06, 2015, 05:18:27 pm »

Again, thanks for the work you put into this. People need to understand the time it takes to compile something like this. Will there be errors and personal preferences given priority? Of course but like what has already been said, you can't please everyone.

BTW, are the rough prices you list based on what is paid in the end, shipping and taxes included?

Wytnucls · « **Reply #203 on:** February 06, 2015, 05:24:35 pm »

Quoting US prices mostly, otherwise eBay 'Buy Now' prices for new and used meters. Shipping is usually free, but an extra allowance should be made for postage and taxes, depending on where you live and the origin of the meter.

jamesd168 · « **Reply #204 on:** February 12, 2015, 10:39:41 pm »

What a great list! I learned something from your guys. Thanks

jamesd168 · « **Reply #205 on:** February 15, 2015, 10:43:49 pm »

Quote from: Wytnucls on February 24, 2014, 07:22:51 am

Here is a list of the most interesting multimeters for electronic work and their main features for a quick comparison. It is not an exhaustive list and will get updated as time goes by.
If you spot some glaring mistakes, let me know and I will correct them.
Don't fret too much about quoted prices, as they vary wildly from one region to another.
If you feel I have left out some worthwhile DMMs, squawk here and I will try to include them.
All meters listed have a count of 6,000 or higher, have auto-ranging and are true RMS.
All meters (except MetraHit M30) must be able to test diodes, resistance, capacitance, frequency and current.
You will find green highlights for above average features and amber highlights for poor or missing important features.
Every cell with a red triangle has a note attached to it.
There is also another list suitable for filtering, to make your buying decision a little easier.

thanks for the great list, just bought a good multimeter for myself.

VoltaicPile · « **Reply #206 on:** February 23, 2015, 02:16:19 am »

Hi, I believe I have a few corrections;

1. Agilent 34410a has a speed of 10k/s and 34411a has a speed of 50k/s for 4.5 digits. The specs seem pretty clear for the 34411, but a little less clear on the 34410, but it may be an imposed lower limit rather than hardware or adjusted for other tolerances.

2. GPIB is Optional on 34461a.

3. I'm not sure if you are referring to something more generic in the Mc column, but I think 34461a should have a note at least that it has a Voltage-Complete output (but I'm guessing it does not work for other measurements).

As a notation note; K is used in the spreadsheet for kilo where k would be correct.

Thanks for the great comparison it is helping me look at a new DMM.

Wytnucls · « **Reply #207 on:** February 23, 2015, 09:24:26 pm »

Thanks for the corrections. I'll look into it.
Capital K will have to stay, as there are too many instances in the database by now, to be modified easily.

retiredcaps · « **Reply #208 on:** March 20, 2015, 10:53:03 pm »

Quote from: 3roomlab on March 20, 2015, 04:58:07 pm

i saw peter oakes short review on U1461A. this is a very new DMM? the display seems bugged, ending up with 2 digits even though its 60000 count

1) Video is here.

2) Big huge TWO THUMBS DOWN to Keysight for requiring a login to view the bloody user manual. See captured screenshot.

3) To get around the login, type "u1461a user manual" into your search engine and then it should bring up

http://literature.cdn.keysight.com/litweb/pdf/U1461-90003.pdf

without any login screen. WHY Keysight?

4) Default for U1461a is 6600 counts. See screenshot.

5) Disappointing to see a nearly $1000 CDN meter out of calibration right out of box.

Wytnucls · « **Reply #209 on:** March 21, 2015, 06:12:50 am »

Impressive Keysight insulation meter, with loads of features that would put some normal DMMs to shame. If it is an indication of things to come, their next top of the range multimeter should be a world beater.
Strange glitch though, on the DC volt accuracy, considering it comes with a calibration certificate.

I included the U1461A in the latest datasheet seen below:

Grottenolm85 · « **Reply #210 on:** March 29, 2015, 06:48:29 pm »

I own the CEM-DT989 (In Germany it's called Peak Tech 3440) The battery does last about 6 hours but it is rechargeable(Multimeter comes with an AC-adaptor). Therefore it is a bit off to compare it to 9V-Multimeters.

The price is about 230$ btw.

james3 · « **Reply #211 on:** April 04, 2015, 08:14:18 am »

Hello thanks for this post, I write here because I need an advice.
I'm going to buy a new multimeter and I choose this one http://www.extech.com/instruments/product.asp?catid=49&prodid=296 that will cost to me 50€ shipped.
My questions is:

Are there some other multimeters for that price range that I should consider ? Mostly I use multimeter for hobby and wee-end electronics, I'm not professional what I need is the thermocouple, continuity, resistance etc.

thanks for your advices

Winston · « **Reply #212 on:** April 06, 2015, 07:51:56 pm »

I looking for a fairly rugged, low cost (if possible) mini-DMM for inclusion in R/C aircraft and rocketry hobby field boxes. Only low voltages would be worked with and extreme accuracy is not needed. Any recommendations? I don't see any dimension columns in the spreadsheet. Various really cheap mini-DMMs I've tried have all eventually died even though little used, some while just sitting in the field box, specifically this one:

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-function-multimeter-98025.html

I found this to be the case just today which is why I'm posting this.

Wytnucls · « **Reply #213 on:** April 06, 2015, 09:19:24 pm »

This list only caters for True RMS meters with a minimum count of 6,000.
I would suggest a Fluke 101 for your basic field use.
Start another thread for other recommendations.

g0uli · « **Reply #214 on:** April 26, 2015, 01:21:45 am »

Uni-T UT71x Series meters sourced from Germany are fitted with proper 1000 volt ceramic HRC fuses. The front panel ratings are downgraded to Cat 3 600v and Cat 2 1000v. Internal circuit layout remains substantially unchanged. So I would rate it as okay for use on protected domestic 240 volt circuits. Keep away from three phase and the input side of the mains supply.

_Wim_ · « **Reply #215 on:** May 03, 2015, 08:25:26 pm »

Could it be the price for the Extech GX900 is incorrect? I was interessed in this one (if available for 300$), but all sellers I can find ask twice as much... Any other meter in the <300$ price range with 1mOhm resolution (excluding the finest and UEI)?

Wytnucls · « **Reply #216 on:** May 04, 2015, 04:01:56 am »

Yes, best price for the GX900 is around 600$. Will update the database later. The similar CEM 9987 meter goes for about 350$.

_Wim_ · « **Reply #217 on:** May 04, 2015, 05:05:33 am »

Thanks for the tip on the CEM, but it seems it does not have the low resolution on the mOhm: http://cem-instruments.de/portfolio-item/true-rms-digital-multimeter-dt-9987/

Wytnucls · « **Reply #218 on:** May 04, 2015, 08:22:22 am »

No, only 10mOhm. Try a used Gossen 28S, if you live in Europe and don't want to pay more than 300$.

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Gossen-Metrawatt-Metrahit-28S-TRMS-Multimeter-FMA1-Feldmessadapter-defekt-/351372152460?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_77&hash=item51cf698e8c

_Wim_ · « **Reply #219 on:** May 04, 2015, 07:08:26 pm »

Thanks for the tip. The one in the link is broken, so that is an expensive gamble. Maybe I will safe up some more. As to living in Europe, yes, I live in Belgium also

Wytnucls · « **Reply #220 on:** May 04, 2015, 08:53:42 pm »

That one is defective, but the ones in good working condition sell for about the same price. They come up regularly, if you can wait. As you seem to focus on accurate low resistance measurements, a 4-wire bench meter makes more sense.

_Wim_ · « **Reply #221 on:** May 04, 2015, 10:01:42 pm »

Thanks, I will watch out for one. Actually, I am not really into to accurate low measurements, I just want a good repeatability and good resolution. I intend to use this for finding shorts or damaged ICs in broken equipment (by measuring trace resistance).

I agree a bench multimeter would be an option, but I have already two older ones (philips pm2525), but they get rarely used (I always grab my low cost chinese portable multimeter). So I figured it was time to add a decent portable multimeter to my collection, and it seemed a good idea to have the 1mOhm resolution.

mjkuwp · « **Reply #222 on:** May 17, 2015, 02:00:13 pm »

Correction candidate:

Extech MX560A and MX570A Best DC resolution is 10uV 0.010 mV {not 1 uV as presently listed}

Datasheet

http://www.extech.com/instruments/resources/datasheets/MM560A_MM570Adata.pdf

the lowest range is 500mV and this is a 50,000 count meter.

[ EDIT: CORRECTION, as Wyntnucls stated in the next message there is a momentary high resolution mode available to bring resolution to 500,000 counts in some modes (1 uV in DC mode). It is clear enough in some places of the documentation ]

The GX900 however does have a 50mV range and thus better resolution.

Awesome reference! Thanks so much for the hard work. I am using this to choose a new meter for checking load cell outputs

Wytnucls · « **Reply #223 on:** May 17, 2015, 04:17:36 pm »

AFAIK, MM570 and MM560 have a 500,000 HiRes mode in DC volt, so best resolution is 1uV with 500mV range.

VK5RC · « **Reply #224 on:** May 23, 2015, 11:23:26 am »

Thanks for your efforts, curiosity has got the better of me, are you happy to say what DMMs do you own and what is/are your favourite/s DMM?


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Author Topic: Multimeter spreadsheet (80 manufacturers and over 400 meters listed) (Read 869414 times)

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