The Woods DMMW3 pocket multimeter
Thank you for that in-depth testing!!!
The DMMW3 did better than I thought it would in your torture test. It's not a Fluke but I still like it.
If we only consider the meters ran after I changed my test setup, it's pretty bottom of the barrel. Attached, the top graph is roughly the number of meters that failed each test. The lower graph shows how many meters survived after each test.
Many people mention the Fluke 87V is the gold standard. I believe that as well. Notice that large peak in the top graph and the sharp roll off in the lower? Once we get beyond that we are starting to see the better meters stand out. Products that are more robust than the 87V are to the right of that hump.
Dave's rebranded Brymen 235, the Fluke 115, the 101, the 107 and even that HIOKI I looked at are really in a whole different class when it comes to their front end robustness. This is where I am expecting Dave's 121GW to fall in.
Some meters will place the high speed clamps after the switch. The Woods is not like that. Once I damaged the meter the first time and repaired it, I only tested the meter in its voltage mode. You may believe the meter was just running all fine and dandy but we know the meter was damaged again right away. It was the same circuit and with those clamps not being switch out, the would fail just like before.
For me personally, $30 for the Woods or just under $50 for the 101 it's no contest.