I'm also interested in any differences between a modded AN8002 and this. I also don't know if the lower models that look the same on the outside perhaps also use the chip (e.g. AN8000/8004).
in any way, I am sure soon people will release EEPROM dumps from AN8008 and there are such from AN8002 for a long time, as well everyone having any of those DMMs can make EEPROM dumps very easy.
But, I'd also like to add that not everyone (as in 100%) here can easily dump and flash EEPROMs. Maybe it's almost everyone, but perhaps someone who is not so experienced with flashing also bought the multimeter?
I don't even have a dumping and flashing tool (I guess those might be cheap and USB based these days), and if I did, wouldn't know the procedure (e..g. if I have to desolder/resolder the chip, or attach some jumper wires, or even do it in circuit without disconnecting things). Someone did mention a bit about it here, and there might be tutorials either for the specific multimeter or just general procedure, so it might be
possible, but anyhow still seems like a risky prospect unless you're experienced.
That said, I'm carefully reading and considering all of the info here. To me, most of the AN models seem pretty great, even the 6000 count ones (with temperature -8002).