Is it not time for another multimeter shootout yet?

[lpc32]

What about the new UNI-T UT139C True RMS?

Looks interesting. Though if it's a $100-range shootout, this one's half the price. But wouldn't it be nice if it were just as good?

[Nursepeter]

Hi there, I'm brand new here and was really looking forward to seeing this test! I've had way too many cheap mm and my current one is its death throws.. Was looking forward to a relatively unbiased view on the UNI-T UT71A by Dave (or anyone) as its in the price range (AU$134 off http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/131064894151?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

I'm looking for something thats going to last, I'm really a complete hobbyist, many use the mm for continuity and 12v finding in the car

[Wytnucls]

The UT71 series are not good meters when it comes to continuity testing. The continuity test signal is latched but much slower than the average meter out there. Apart from that quirk, it would be fine for low power electronic work, but even then, the 71B is a more capable meter, at little extra cost.
If you need something long lasting, with a fast continuity test and some basic features, look somewhere else, like the new Fluke 101 for instance.

[Nursepeter]

I ended up going for Wytnucls (thankyou) advice and went the Fluke route, though I went for the 17B as I am always one to get a tool that is above my capabilities as I am always interested in learning new stuff.  (I have played around with electronics kits, so this might give me a good excuse to explore further)

[GiskardReventlov]

What's the list of must-have features for a DMM to make the cut to get into the $100 shootout? Is it just the price? That's a pretty low bar.

I guess it depends on how many viewers are repeat viewers, but since the BK2709b was in the top in the previous shootout it may be interesting to include the BK again as a benchmark if for no other reason.

[omgfire]

As an idea for $100 shootout: treat a couple sub $50 multimeters as one sub $100 multimeter.
For example, UT61E + UT139C complement each other. UT61E has better resolution/claimed accuracy, PC connection, bargraph. UT139C has temperature, NCV, Max/Min.
Could UT139C+UT61E be competitive to single $100 multimeter?

[nixfu]

Wow... I went back and watched the old multimeter shootout.   Episode #99.



Sure was fun to watch a video from back in the garage days.

It really IS TIME for another shootout I think. 

[EEVblog]

FYI, I have been slowly collecting pocket multimeters for that shootout.

The problem with price based shootouts is just that, price.
Is it fair to compare a $70 meter to a $130 meter?
How much buffer do you put around that "price point"?
The price point in which country?

I'm leaning toward, like I am with the pocket meter shootout (it must fit in a shirt pocket & have attached leads, and be in some case or wallet), that it's simply better the group based on similar functionality, and be damned the price?

[pickle9000]

Functionality over price.

Perhaps not really shootout material but.

- DC clamps maybe
- A comedy featuring transistor testers in DMMs
- I've always found the bare board esr meters interesting (cheap on ebay)

[poida_pie]

Oh yes, do the big comparison first.
And then sell on ebay all the meters, and include the auction prices as part of the results.
Surely, those meters that are well thought of will attract the better prices.
This is not a measure of selling for profit, more an indication of how desirable the meter is
in the minds of other people.

[Wytnucls]

I would base the shoot-out loosely on price, with one meter from the most popular brands and the occasional worthwhile outsider for fun.

In the most popular 100$ request:
1. Brymen 257 ($135)
2. UNI-T UT139C (60$) or UT71C ($130)
3. Fluke 115 ($140)
4. Amprobe AM570 ($110)
5. BK Precision 2712 ($115)
Outsiders:
    Vichy VC87 ($90)
    Fluke 8060A ($100)

In the next most popular request ($200):
1. Brymen 867 ($220)
2. Agilent U1233A ($210)
3. BK Precision 393 ($220)
4. UNI-T 171B ($200)
5. Hioki 3805-50 or Sanwa PC773 ($230)
6. Extech EX570 ($200)
Outsiders:
    Mastech 8218 ($200)
    Rishabh 18S ($200) 

[Legit-Design]

As an idea for $100 shootout: treat a couple sub $50 multimeters as one sub $100 multimeter.
For example, UT61E + UT139C complement each other. UT61E has better resolution/claimed accuracy, PC connection, bargraph. UT139C has temperature, NCV, Max/Min.
Could UT139C+UT61E be competitive to single $100 multimeter?

UT61E also has max min, but it's called "PEAK" pmax pmin on the meter, same thing. But in addiction to UT61 meters UT139C has MAX-MIN mode, that is MIN subtracted from MAX, might be useful for something.

Having used UT139C I wouldn't put much if any value on having NCV, in my opinion it's way too sensitive for all kinds of fields. I actually went and got cheapest non contact volt meter pen from the store, it was 5€ and it can light led on which europlug hole is the live one. First pen I got didn't work a real piece of crap, even tried another battery, went to the store and got it exchanged and they even let me test the new was functional. Of course a meter is way too big to show anything with such accuracy, but UT139C picks up fields from all over the place. For example just measured full bars 80mm from my computer display that has ccfl backlight. If I bring my hand to closer to the meters sensor it will drop to 2 bars. A real non contact voltage pen doesn't react to display in any way. Also UT139C seems to pick up voltages from just simple metal surfaces around the room. UT139C thinks my headphone cable while only connected to computer has 4 bars worth of voltage, and I'm not even playing anything through the headphones can even disconnect and leave only the cable and it still thinks there is big voltages on the cable. Real cheapo voltage pen doesn't show anything for the headphone cable. Or maybe the unit I received is faulty and I opened mine and posted some pictures so it doesn't even have warranty anymore, or maybe it never had warranty since I bought it ebay china. I wouldn't advice anyone to trust their lives on UT139C NCV function, it's flaky and unreliable. If properly used a cheap non contact voltage pen might be something to rely on.

[zapta]

Wow... I went back and watched the old multimeter shootout.   Episode #99.



Sure was fun to watch a video from back in the garage days.

It really IS TIME for another shootout I think.

It should have been episode #100 ;-).

[Wytnucls]

There are significant differences between Peak Hold and Max Min functions.
Peak Hold is meant to be used with AC voltage and current only, displaying peak instead of RMS values, taking the DC offset into account. Sampling interval is high at 100uS.
Max Min works with any measurements, with a lower sampling interval of about 2 seconds. In AC voltage or current mode, it will display max and min RMS values.
The 61E has to be modified to be able to display Max Min values.

[gildasd]

The price point in which country?

AUS: makes your work easier and anybody with a half passing interest can do the conversions themselves.
Don't be too nice to your users, most of us have a nice thick skin and we can take a bit of the old roughing up.
We don't come here to get flowers from Dave, but for his lovely natural abrasion.

Whiners make a lot of noise but are ultimately a minority.

[nowlan]

I think USD is what the price should be listed in. Let everyone else convert to local currencies.
That $135 brymen is now closer to $166 au since au no longer at parity.

I have friends who love their $10 hobby king dmm.
If it breaks/lost they have a spare in the draw.

Who is this shoot out catering to? First time buyers, or people with their $10 meter looking to step up.
Where is the value add coming from? What does $150 more buy me? What will warrant me paying more.

1. How many hobbyist will go near 240v?
2. Better continuity
3. Accuracy
4. display readability
5. update rate

I was keen for a Brymen, but I think I be better off with a Der 5000 & cheapo uni-t for electronics work.

[gildasd]

I'm a hobbyist, but I also have a house and in Europe 240 is the norm.
So right now I have a UT61b that sees a lot of mains work...
Dual use stuff is also much easier to get greenlighted by my spouse

[angelicterran]

I almost bought the BK Precision 2709B after watching the $100 shootout then i realized it's a 4 year old video  . Can't wait for this new shootout