7.5 digit bench DMMs comparison

[coromonadalix]

go grab a  8100 Series from Transmille   loll

EDIT   or the Fluke 8588A  loll

[mawyatt]

You are doomed. IKEA no longer produces alkaline cells.

@tautech: you can try photography, cycling etc.  instead of electronics , sometimes it may be cheaper

Yes, this is the last of our Reference IKEA AA cells!! Will probably need to replace with a DuraHell or NeverReady AA cell

Best,

[coromonadalix]

CellAgeddon    loll

[elecdonia]

Although I am one digit short of 7.5, I remain quite satisfied with the performance and features of my HP 3456A 6.5 digit digital multimeter.

I do wish it was smaller, especially its dimension from front to back. This is too large for most of the shelves in my workshop.

I consider it to be one of my best “scores” for obtaining functional/useful vintage test gear. It was an ebay auction that went for $22 USD. Shipping however added $60 USD to my cost. Yes, this unit fits into the “boat anchor” category. Still a great deal at <$100 USD. I posted this shortly after getting it:
   eevblog.com/forum/testgear/list-your-test-equipment-score-here!/msg1134405

[Kleinstein]

The choice of new 7 digit meters is relative limited: mainly the KS34470 , Keithley DMM7510 or 2010 and maybe one from Advantest or Transmile.  The Keithley 2001 is a rather old design and except if one needs a 20 V range I would not consider it anymore.

[tomud]

Although I am one digit short of 7.5, I remain quite satisfied with the performance and features of my HP 3456A 6.5 digit digital multimeter.

You have to ask yourself if you really need 7 1/2 digits or more. I know that such a multimeter looks nice. However, you have to spend a lot and take care of calibration from time to time to make it make sense (this generates additional expenses).

IMHO, if someone asks about the price and is afraid of high costs, to be honest, they probably don't need such accuracy. I think that for amateur applications, 6 and 1/2 digits are enough (even that is usually too much). For example, the mentioned KS34465A.

If someone needs such a multimeter, it is enough to review the technical data of multimeters from reputable companies and he will know whether it will work in the projects he performs...

[EEVblog]

Although I am one digit short of 7.5, I remain quite satisfied with the performance and features of my HP 3456A 6.5 digit digital multimeter.

You have to ask yourself if you really need 7 1/2 digits or more. I know that such a multimeter looks nice. However, you have to spend a lot and take care of calibration from time to time to make it make sense (this generates additional expenses).

IMHO, if someone asks about the price and is afraid of high costs, to be honest, they probably don't need such accuracy. I think that for amateur applications, 6 and 1/2 digits are enough (even that is usually too much). For example, the mentioned KS34465A.

If someone needs such a multimeter, it is enough to review the technical data of multimeters from reputable companies and he will know whether it will work in the projects he performs...

Agreed. Rarely does anyone need more than a 6.5 digit meter, and you are paying a real premium to get it. So better off to use that extra money saved to buy another piece of kit.

[coromonadalix]

+1  and  the calibration pricing ....

[iMo]

..
Agreed. Rarely does anyone need more than a 6.5 digit meter, and you are paying a real premium to get it. So better off to use that extra money saved to buy another piece of kit.

Yep, do buy the second and third 6.5 digit meter off the saved money then (as people do say you want 3 meters to be sure) 

[tomud]

..
Agreed. Rarely does anyone need more than a 6.5 digit meter, and you are paying a real premium to get it. So better off to use that extra money saved to buy another piece of kit.

Yep, do buy the second and third 6.5 digit meter off the saved money then (as people do say you want 3 meters to be sure) 

For most, two is enough to have a dilemma which multimeter tells the truth 

[elecdonia]

Yep, do buy the second and third 6.5 digit meter off the saved money then (as people do say you want 3 meters to be sure) 

For most, two is enough to have a dilemma which multimeter tells the truth 

My HP 3456A is my only 6.5 digit DMM.

That said, all 3 of my “every day” bench DMMs are 5.5 digit: HP 3468B and two Fluke 8800A. A handy feature of the Fluke 8800A is being able to keep it on the 200V range nearly all the time. I can measure up to 199.999V with 1mV resolution without changing the range. Another nifty Fluke 8800A feature is its extremely high input resistance on the 200mV, 2V, and 20V DC ranges. It accomplishes this with an electrometer-style input buffer amplifier which has compensation to zero out its input bias current. Impressive circuit design for the 1970’s!

[mawyatt]

We have 3 KS34465As called Moe, Larry and Curly, and two 34401As called Laurel and Hardy. Our lone DMM6500 is called Rufus, named after our cousin.

Rufus lived close by in Redneckville, Tenn, as our family tree has only one branch

Rufus and I graduated from High School at the same time, we were both 23 and in the Gifted Program 

Anyway, we often ask Moe, Larry & Curly, and/or Laurel & Hardy and even Rufus to see which gives the same answers, just to be sure we've got the right answer

Best,