Good multimeter for general purpose electronics repair, etc..?

[Fungus]

Wow, maybe it's our batch that has this problem. My 857s serial # is 191110835. What's yours? I need to get into contact with my seller...

181061100

[Fungus]

857s seems to be using a different processor or something, it takes longer for readings to stabalise especially in 500,000 count voltage mode (usually over 5 seconds), and ohms range takes over 10 seconds or more to stabalise for small resistances (try shorting the leads and wait for it to give you a stable reading).

??

I just shorted my leads in Ohms mode and it took about 2 seconds to stabilize, exactly the same as in Dave's video:

https://youtu.be/tXu0lsOjvDs?t=734

I grabbed a 1.5V battery and it takes about a second for the voltage reading to stabilize in 500,000 counts mode.

nb. If you're watching that video in 2020: The backlight has been completely fixed since then (in the model with a 'S' at the end of the name - "BM857s")

Wow, maybe it's our batch that has this problem. My 857s serial # is 191110835. What's yours? I need to get into contact with my seller...

My backlight is fine. It's orange and it looks pretty good.

Any news? I really don't understand how you can have a batch of meters that's much slower.

(and did anybody else ever see this...?)

[Corner]

857s seems to be using a different processor or something, it takes longer for readings to stabalise especially in 500,000 count voltage mode (usually over 5 seconds), and ohms range takes over 10 seconds or more to stabalise for small resistances (try shorting the leads and wait for it to give you a stable reading).

??

I just shorted my leads in Ohms mode and it took about 2 seconds to stabilize, exactly the same as in Dave's video:

https://youtu.be/tXu0lsOjvDs?t=734

I grabbed a 1.5V battery and it takes about a second for the voltage reading to stabilize in 500,000 counts mode.

nb. If you're watching that video in 2020: The backlight has been completely fixed since then (in the model with a 'S' at the end of the name - "BM857s")

Wow, maybe it's our batch that has this problem. My 857s serial # is 191110835. What's yours? I need to get into contact with my seller...

My backlight is fine. It's orange and it looks pretty good.

Any news? I really don't understand how you can have a batch of meters that's much slower.

(and did anybody else ever see this...?)

Brymen got back to me with a video recording in which the meter shows exactly the same slow reading. They say this is normal due to what they had to change in some of the circuit design going from 857a to 857s. There's nothing I can do.

[Fungus]

Any news? I really don't understand how you can have a batch of meters that's much slower.

(and did anybody else ever see this...?)

Brymen got back to me with a video recording in which the meter shows exactly the same slow reading. They say this is normal due to what they had to change in some of the circuit design going from 857a to 857s. There's nothing I can do.

Mine's an 857s, and it's fast. 

[wizard69]

I may get the $25 Aneng 2008 or whatever it is reviewed by Dave as a replacement to the Sperry because the leads will fit and he had good things to say - and as an el-cheapo just to have for quick things it is good enough... then for serious things, or where more accuracy is needed I'll be looking through all of your recommendations and picking one... This way I have a slightly better el-cheapo instead of the Sperry with more features... in addition I'll get something really nice.

Considering the number of meters you already have of questionable quality and utility, I think buying another cheap meter is a big mistake.    In fact it seems to be foolish especially if you have suitable budget.   I will not specify a specific meter but would suggest looking towards the well regarded manufactures and get a meter that will be good for you for the couple of decades.   

Please understand I have and have had my share of cheap meters, but any tech should have one high quality, dependable meter.    You will want a meter that you can go to with confidence.

[Wytnucls]

Have a look at the new UEi DM525.
Slightly above your budget at $225.00, but it comes with a 2 year warranty.
It has decent specs, lots of functionality, high protection and is ETL listed.

https://www.ktool.net/copy-of-uei-dm393-multimeter-trms-temp-cap/

[MiroS]

Considering the number of meters you already have of questionable quality and utility, I think buying another cheap meter is a big mistake.   

I agree, personaly I am keeping myself away from them , especialy from aliexpress/chinese for three resons, but not only them. There are like 200USD mutimeters feture reach which are not worth of time and money too:

1/ This is not economical - they fail often for stupid reason, e.g. dead after simply laying on shelf, week mechanical construction - failure after a few batery replacements ...  (long lost), one better / more expensive will last long and will be cheaper in long term

2/ Capabilities - cheap multimeters have a lot of 'attracive' features which are addition and never will substitute autohold, wide AC bandwith, fast bargraph, reliable ac+dc , current puses and so on.

3/ I am keeping away from anything fresh / new - multimeter must be proven , LOCAL support , LOCAL saler to guerantee to folow EU law for guarantee. That is pain if you will need to pay  shiping cost to the other continent, wait weeks or months or there will be not official support rules , but good /bad will , long term support like 10 y.or more

Actually I am thinking about buying a new multimeter, at this moment no 1 on my selection list  is HIOKI DT4282 .

[MiroS]

Have a look at the new UEi DM525.
Slightly above your budget at $225.00, but it comes with a 2 year warranty.
It has decent specs, lots of functionality, high protection and is UL listed.

https://www.ktool.net/copy-of-uei-dm393-multimeter-trms-temp-cap/

I am keeping myself  away from UEI ,  DM525 was never on my short list, not experience on this, but there quite a few review of UEI multimeters on YT   ... just look at this.

Other than that - no  review at all , not mentioning by  trusted/skilled  tester, no way to get impression how it will work.

In such situation trusted saler, protection by local law, local support looks very important.

[Wytnucls]

The Hioki costs $520.00. The budget is $200.00 

[MiroS]

The Hioki costs $520.00. The budget is $200.00 

I know In my home country people say - 'if you do not have many to loose ,  buy  only good quality things' , it is hard for me to translate this right way.

I would also consider other alternatives  SDM3045X  or one of CEM multimeters e.g. DT-9979 or even DT-9929.
Anyway HIOKI is no 1 on my list at this moment.

[Wytnucls]

Jeśli nie masz wielu do stracenia, kupuj tylko rzeczy dobrej jakości
or also Kupuj tylko to, na co Cię stać (Only buy what you can afford)

[MiroS]

Jeśli nie masz wielu do stracenia, kupuj tylko rzeczy dobrej jakości
or also Kupuj tylko to, na co Cię stać (Only buy what you can afford)

 

Translation is giving strange results 

[EEVblog]

3/ I am keeping away from anything fresh / new - multimeter must be proven , LOCAL support , LOCAL saler to guerantee to folow EU law for guarantee. That is pain if you will need to pay  shiping cost to the other continent, wait weeks or months or there will be not official support rules , but good /bad will , long term support like 10 y.or more

For a <$200 multimeter I wouldn't be that concerned with local support or warranty. Most meters are going to last well beyond the warranty period unless you are very unlucky.

[MiroS]

3/ I am keeping away from anything fresh / new - multimeter must be proven , LOCAL support , LOCAL saler to guerantee to folow EU law for guarantee. That is pain if you will need to pay  shiping cost to the other continent, wait weeks or months or there will be not official support rules , but good /bad will , long term support like 10 y.or more

For a <$200 multimeter I wouldn't be that concerned with local support or warranty. Most meters are going to last well beyond the warranty period unless you are very unlucky.

That may diserve for separate thread. In short in EU I can simply send back multimeter at no cost for me and saler is charge for money back, just like that at no any explanation from my side. If I will find a bug producer has to follow strictly law e.g. lack of prompt reaction means producer is in charge for complete replacement or full refound ... Imagine you open the box and find  that multimeter is too slow or colour is not as you wanted, just anything ...  Law is giving 2 years protection, no matter what is producer saying and prompt reaction is required by law, so seler may say I am giving one yesr full stop, but law is build that way that seler cannot limit law, so no matter what is writen by seler, law enforce law itself:)

All that may look like a challenge , but actually it is not neither for seler , nor for producer -  refound or sending back is very, very rare case, but has really significant positive impact on customer service and products quality.  According to EU low saler is in charge to send  form to fill if you will  decide to send back product to seller They even usually are sending it in addressed envelope for customer convinience and to shorten processing time and minimize communciation effort

As I said that all diserve a separate topic, EU law and local PL law is on customer side. I think that law is required also if saler is located at any place, but acting on EU market.

[Acecool]

Yeah, most are fairly simple and they do typically seem to last forever... however a lot of modern stuff doesn't seem to last long but multimeters seem to be one exception..

My budget is open, I am hoping to spend under $200 but I would spend $500 on something really good. But the problem is, the more you spend, the less return you get per dollar spent as you increase in valid which is why I suggested the under 200 as that seems to be ain a good ballpark of good feature-set, quality meters, without starting to increase the amount of money you have to spend for a tiny extra QOL feature, or something like that. While they may be cool, it may not be worth it.

Still reviewing a lot of stuff..


Also - the Fluke 17B+ - there is supposed to be an international version but aside from a single Youtube video, I can't really find anything about it. The Chinese version you don't get a warranty with it, but the international is supposed to come with one and also have slightly better specs ( but the fuses seem to look the same so probably just meh )....

I was thinking that one as a mid-range throw in bag one which can be had for around $90 instead of the $25 to $30 Aneng 8008 or whatever it is. but it is only 4000 count so I may stick with the cheap aneng as the whatever meter and the other. But yeah, if I get the Fluke I'd still get another.... so a bag meter for < $100 probably and a really good one for $300, or whatever... It is an open budget.

I don't like skimping on quality on guns or tools... well, technically they're both tools.




I am likely going to make the purchase today...

[MiroS]

Yeah, most are fairly simple and they do typically seem to last forever... however a lot of modern stuff doesn't seem to last long but multimeters seem to be one exception..

My budget is open, I am hoping to spend under $200 but I would spend $500 on something really good. But the problem is, the more you spend, the less return you get per dollar spent as you increase in valid which is why I suggested the under 200 as that seems to be ain a good ballpark of good feature-set, quality meters, without starting to increase the amount of money you have to spend for a tiny extra QOL feature, or something like that. While they may be cool, it may not be worth it.

Still reviewing a lot of stuff..


Also - the Fluke 17B+ - there is supposed to be an international version but aside from a single Youtube video, I can't really find anything about it. The Chinese version you don't get a warranty with it, but the international is supposed to come with one and also have slightly better specs ( but the fuses seem to look the same so probably just meh )....

I was thinking that one as a mid-range throw in bag one which can be had for around $90 instead of the $25 to $30 Aneng 8008 or whatever it is. but it is only 4000 count so I may stick with the cheap aneng as the whatever meter and the other. But yeah, if I get the Fluke I'd still get another.... so a bag meter for < $100 probably and a really good one for $300, or whatever... It is an open budget.

I don't like skimping on quality on guns or tools... well, technically they're both tools.




I am likely going to make the purchase today...

I have Fluke 17B+  , but this is not TRMS multimeter, if you are looking at that range then Brymen is actually no 1 for features / money category.
I use this very rare due to its limits.  FK17B+ is solid like a tank,  but not TRMS and missig several features. It is solid basic mutimeter.
It it not very precise (in spec of course), and not fastest one. If you are in need to measure like 1mOhm or AC at 15kHz, or TRMS and so n than FK17B+ should be rather avoided.

I have  BM869s and I am very pleased.  I think most Brymen mutimeters have really   good reputation and are widely used.

[Fungus]

Also - the Fluke 17B+ - there is supposed to be an international version

Nope.

[bdunham7]

For a <$200 multimeter I wouldn't be that concerned with local support or warranty. Most meters are going to last well beyond the warranty period unless you are very unlucky.

Not that I necessarily disagree, but doesn't that also remove the case for buying new?  If you aren't getting support or warranty due to your local circumstances, why not get a better, perhaps better brand, used meter? 

[Electro Fan]

Overall, it sounds like you might have mild (but persistent?) case of TEA in which case you should think ahead to what the next bout(s) will bring you - you can always take a quick dose of an Aneng 8008 (very nice meter for what it is) but you might want to be prepared to take a strong dose of something else to keep the TEA at bay.  Just kidding, sorta.

More seriously, it's a little hard to say given your budget seems to have a pretty wide range (less than $100? to comfortably 200? to maybe $500), but given your pretty strong preference for "quality" I think you have a Fluke in your future - it might just a matter of which one.  Could possibly be a 11X (they are solid meters), but given your preferred specs it seems more likely to be a 179 or maybe (probably?) a 87V.

If it isn't a Fluke the other two meters that come to mind when reading your posts are a Brymen (pick whichever one corresponds to your Fluke of interest), or maybe (maybe?) a Siglent 3055.  Of course, if you are doing outside work you are going to want/need a handheld DMM but when reading a lot of  your specs/preferences the 3055 might be something that would check a lot of boxes.  If you are likely to keep going on the journey an 87V plus a bench DMM might be the ticket. 

PS, read bdunham7's tag line.... TEA is pretty contagious...

[Wytnucls]

Also - the Fluke 17B+ - there is supposed to be an international version

Nope.

China, Singapore, Vietnam only

https://www.fluke.com/en-vn/product/electrical-testing/digital-multimeters/fluke-17b-plus

[Wytnucls]

I don't like skimping on quality on guns or tools... well, technically they're both tools.

Here the perfect meter for you then:



Bonus: 5 year warranty. 

[rsjsouza]

Yeah, most are fairly simple and they do typically seem to last forever... however a lot of modern stuff doesn't seem to last long but multimeters seem to be one exception..

My budget is open, I am hoping to spend under $200 but I would spend $500 on something really good. But the problem is, the more you spend, the less return you get per dollar spent as you increase in valid which is why I suggested the under 200 as that seems to be ain a good ballpark of good feature-set, quality meters, without starting to increase the amount of money you have to spend for a tiny extra QOL feature, or something like that. While they may be cool, it may not be worth it.

As others have said, when you are looking at a combination of features and safety you will be above the US$200 mark. IMHO the BM869S aggregates the most features and safety per buck, but to get warranty in the US you would need to spend considerably more for its local OEM Greenlee DM-860A. That puts it dangerously close to Keysight's U1272A/U1273A, the most uncompromised and closest to a perfect meter that I know (I have a U1273A). These two Keysight models are fast, accurate, safe and quite packed with features covering somee gaps of the BM869S/DM-860A (autohold, multiple logging triggers, LowZ, 300M ohms, 30mF, etc.).

Keysight has an even more accurate model (U1281A/U1282A) but it is a tad slow for my liking.

Also - the Fluke 17B+ - there is supposed to be an international version but aside from a single Youtube video, I can't really find anything about it. The Chinese version you don't get a warranty with it, but the international is supposed to come with one and also have slightly better specs ( but the fuses seem to look the same so probably just meh )....

If it is important to you, the Fluke 17B+ does not have True RMS and some folks reported it as being a bit slow despite feeling quite sturdy (I don't have one).

I was thinking that one as a mid-range throw in bag one which can be had for around $90 instead of the $25 to $30 Aneng 8008 or whatever it is. but it is only 4000 count so I may stick with the cheap aneng as the whatever meter and the other. But yeah, if I get the Fluke I'd still get another.... so a bag meter for < $100 probably and a really good one for $300, or whatever... It is an open budget.

If you want a throwaway on the bag only for electricity or work around the house but very safe, I would look at the Fluke 101 (also only with warranty in China) and a more expensive one for electronics (if you are looking for features and long term stability) or a cheaper but still quite featured alternative such as the AN870 or the UT61E. I have the three of them and, despite I find the 101 a bit lacking on features, you can't fault its sturdiness and very small size (I have the version with the magnetic hanger - highly recommended as it doubles as a stand). Between the AN870 and the UT61E, I tend to like the latter for its features (bargraph, ranges) but there are too many reports of it lacking long-term stability (mine is four years old and still going strong, but it may be a one-off). I only have the AN870 for a couple of months, but it is a decent meter with some compromises (the stupid weak tilting bail is the most annoying one).

I'm also a fan of Keysight meters, very well designed and made; better than Fluke IMHO.

There's a new U1233A listed on the Keysight eBay store right now for $211 but you'll have to add your state's tax to that.  They usually have a 'make offer' option and I've found will accept a 90% bid.  $211 is the list price for this meter on the Keysight website.  I own 3 Keysight multimeters and have a 34461A as my main calibrated bench meter, they are all great meters.

I am a fan of the Keysight meters as well. I had a U1233A and it was quite well made and it had more features than the Fluke 179 - although the 179 is built like a tank like the 87V.

Any news? I really don't understand how you can have a batch of meters that's much slower.

(and did anybody else ever see this...?)

Brymen got back to me with a video recording in which the meter shows exactly the same slow reading. They say this is normal due to what they had to change in some of the circuit design going from 857a to 857s. There's nothing I can do.

Mine's an 857s, and it's fast. 

Interesting development regarding the BM857. Mine is a bit of an off pre-production unit but it is quite fast in all ranges except capacitance.

[ledtester]

I have the Aneng 8008 and Probemaster probes. Both are excellent, but... they don't work the best with each other:



The Aneng sockets are not deep enough the for the probes and I've encountered several disconnects  using them. My next meter is going to have deeper sockets.

[MiroS]

I coaxed a friend into buying a Gossen METRALINE DM41 (around 85 € in Germany). I think highly of Gossen; very safe meters, and good quality. Let's see if this one is as good.

I think this is multimeter made in India.

[connectTek]

You can never have enough.