Is it not time for another multimeter shootout yet?

[Wytnucls]

The BM257 is a better contender, but for the 6000 count, with no high res mode. If there is nothing else with a higher count, that one should do.

[Wytnucls]

Difficult question.
If you need a firm cut-off point, I would venture 10% above threshold. Any higher figure would probably open up the competition to more expensive meters and make the restricted comparison meaningless.

[Bored@Work]

instead of sending their meters to a UNI-T repair center.

From Europe? Where is the nearest repair center? Somewhere around half the world in Asia? And maybe some day Uni-T will even provide the information on their web site that they have repair centers at all. And heaven forbid, maybe some day they they will manage to even provide their location and contact information.

But as long as they don't tell their users that they have these repair centers, they aren't of much use.

So they end up with pissed users who have no reasonable means to sort out an issue with a Uni-T product. And that is not the fault of the user.

(But heaven forbid you suggest that people should not buy their unsupported, unsafe stuff ...)

[EEVblog]

Although it seems to be an older model, I'd probably be prone to consider the MB817A as it has a bit of an edge spec wise at a quick glance, including safety.

Yes, better specs, and input protection, 60ohm range, but compared to the BM257 the BM817A is :
- bigger
- Maybe not UL listed? (I'd trust a UL listed meter with lesser CAT than a higher CAT with no UL testing)
- No NCV EF tester
- $15 more, putting it a fair way outside the $100 limit.

Dave.

[nanofrog]

Difficult question.
If you need a firm cutoff point, I would venture 10% above threshold. Any higher figure would probably open up the competition to more expensive meters and make the restricted comparison meaningless.

Let me offer up an example of why I asked;

I can get a UEi DM391 for $100, and the DM393 for $135 from the same vendor (just for comparison's sake, as the DM391 made the cut in the last $100 shootout). That seems about the going rate to add TRMS features to what is otherwise the same meter IIRC, and is outside of the 10% threshold you propose.

Yes, better specs, and input protection, 60ohm range, but compared to the BM257 the BM817A is :
- bigger
- Maybe not UL listed? (I'd trust a UL listed meter with lesser CAT than a higher CAT with no UL testing)
- No NCV EF tester
- $15 more, putting it a fair way outside the $100 limit.

I was paying more attention to the fuse and transient values than the CAT ratings, given the CAT Fail thread (600V fuses & 8kV transient values for the BM817 instead of 500V & 6kV for the BM255).

Given the underrated fuses vs. CAT ratings that have been seen, do you think the UL compliance testing claims are genuine?

[Wytnucls]

instead of sending their meters to a UNI-T repair center.

From Europe? Where is the nearest repair center? Somewhere around half the world in Asia? And maybe some day Uni-T will even provide the information on their web site that they have repair centers at all. And heaven forbid, maybe some day they they will manage to even provide their location and contact information.

But as long as they don't tell their users that they have these repair centers, they aren't of much use.

So they end up with pissed users who have no reasonable means to sort out an issue with a Uni-T product. And that is not the fault of the user.

(But heaven forbid you suggest that people should not buy their unsupported, unsafe stuff ...)

UNI-T has partners in Europe (Conrad) and in the States (Tenma) with local warranty and repair centers.
Instead of buying from these companies, most people go for the cheap option of buying directly from online sellers in China, often with no warranty at all and then complain when something goes awry.
Regardless, all the UNI-T contact information is on their site, on the multimeter box, the DMM manual and the warranty card.
They are very responsive and will advise you on the best course of action within a few days.

[EEVblog]

The BM257 is a better contender, but for the 6000 count, with no high res mode. If there is nothing else with a higher count, that one should do.

I don't think Brymen have another suitable higher count meter near the $100 mark.
The BM257 is about US$110 in EU conversion:
http://www.tme.eu/en/katalog/digital-multimeters_112609/#id_category=112609&s_field=artykul&s_order=ASC&visible_params=2%2C1785%2C1786%2C1787%2C1799%2C55%2C1790%2C72%2C1794%2C1747%2C1796%2C1803%2C845&used_params=2%3A45315%3B
(good price comparison list)

But really, the $100 price category I think is not about the best accuracy or count for the price, but more about the best safety and build quality, and a few extra features features. i.e. that "step up" from the $50 cheapies.

Dave.

[EEVblog]

Given the underrated fuses vs. CAT ratings that have been seen, do you think the UL compliance testing claims are genuine?

Brymen have been in the game a long time, and make reputable (albeit low cost) meters. If they stamp US UL listed on the front, then yes, I'd trust that they have sent it to UL and it been tested and has passed that claimed ratings.

Dave.

[EEVblog]

So the current $100 list is looking like:
- Fluke 17 AU$102 (because it's a Fluke)
- Uni-T UT71A AU$109 (the wizz-bang multi display 20,000 count, USB etc)
- Brymen BM257 AU$129 (solid, small, UL listed, good brand meter)

As definites.

- Amprobe AM-270 AU$127 (but it's just a rebadged and repackaged Brymen BM815)
- Slot open? An Extech? or other brand?

Dave.

[Wytnucls]

An Extech would make sense, an EX430 perhaps (4000 count True RMS)?

[firewalker]

Any BK-precision? Or something less known? Like Benning (I discover this searching ebay.de) or so.

http://de.benning.de/en/corporate/products-services/testing-measuring-and-safety-instruments.html

Alexander.

[blackknife]

- Slot open? An Extech? or other brand?

This one retails for only 129$ and has pretty impressive specs...
http://www.nsiteck.com/tes-prova-801-803-digital-multi-meter.html

[Lightages]

I'd go for the BM257.

[EEVblog]

This one retails for only 129$ and has pretty impressive specs...
http://www.nsiteck.com/tes-prova-801-803-digital-multi-meter.html

That one is $260 on ebay from Hong Kong. What's up with the $129 price? sounds too good to be true...

Dave.

[Spawn]

It is little bit pity that Agilent U1231A don’t have mA range like you said Dave, I was looking for a Agilent for my collection and a lower priced one was a good to start with.

I got little bad taste of Extech after what I have seen with the meters I got from them, but maybe Dave can change that with a new one.

Maybe a brand which people see as junk and need to prove itself like Mastech?
Mastech MS8218
Or Mastech-MS8228
 http://www.getprice.com.au/Mastech-MS8228-Autorange-Digital-With-Back-Light-Gpnc_501--67649965.htm

[EEVblog]

The Brymens have arrived.

https://twitter.com/eevblog/status/299648739138732032/photo/1

and I present to you, a nomination for the worst backlight in history


Dave.

[Wytnucls]

Well, glow worms are really energy efficient.
Not sure what they feed on though...green solder mask?

[Spawn]

The Brymens have arrived.
and I present to you, a nomination for the worst backlight in history

Isn’t it hideous? That’s first thing I thought when I saw those on my rebadged Brymen. Those 4 lights give some depth in dark it is really weird to see and the digits fade because of it.

[Wytnucls]

Where is the UT71A? 

[Lightages]

The UT71A is shaking in the corner......

Seriously, it will be interesting to hear your thoughts on the Brymens. I can already see a big "FAIL" coming for that BM857 at some point

[Wytnucls]

NOT SHAKING...JUST WARMING UP FOR THE FIGHT!   %-B

[nanofrog]

Backlight on the BM857A is rather poor, but the viewing angle is also fairly limited. So if you're looking at it sideways, forget it.

FWIW, another thing to be careful with, is the fuses don't meet the CAT ratings in mine (CAT is 600V, and they used 500V fuses). Not the end of the world, and they can be upgraded with the correct fuses (just need the correct fuse clips soldered in). Rebranded versions may not have this issue (IIRC, the Extech MM560A comes with 600V fuses, which I presume was per Extech's request).

[firewalker]

Any Amprobe on the list? Eg AM-270.

Alexander.

[dr_p]

Any Amprobe on the list? Eg AM-270.

Alexander.

So the current $100 list is looking like:
- Fluke 17 AU$102 (because it's a Fluke)
- Uni-T UT71A AU$109 (the wizz-bang multi display 20,000 count, USB etc)
- Brymen BM257 AU$129 (solid, small, UL listed, good brand meter)

As definites.

- Amprobe AM-270 AU$127 (but it's just a rebadged and repackaged Brymen BM815)
- Slot open? An Extech? or other brand?

Dave.

[justanothercanuck]

Hey Dave, if you're doing another ~$100 shootout, how about the Extech ex430?

edit: seems like I'm a page late.