To celebrate reaching 20k subscribers, the following list of handheld meters will be considered.
Brand model, requested by, link to manual
Hioki DT4282, Fungus, https://www.hioki.com/euro-en/products/testers/dmm-4/id_5803
Sanwa PC7000, rsjsouza, https://overseas.sanwa-meter.co.jp/download/index.html
AEMC MTX 3293B, Bogdan Oliver, https://www.aemc.com/userfiles/files/resources/usermanuals/Multimeters/MTX3292B-3293B_EN.pdf
I am sorry, I couldn't resist. And
I am also sorry in advance if my post is going to be wrongly interpreted.
Hioki DT4282:
Its younger brother gave great performance in your tests. I doubt it will be any different. Some of its quirks have already mentioned by some members here.
Sanwa PC7000:
After looking at its teardown, I am sure it is manufactured by Brymen since it is using Brymen branded chips. Even though these are lower specs models, I doubt they'll behave badly. If they do, it will be a slap in Brymen's face. MJLorton did a review and a teardown of this meter.
AEMC MTX 3293B:
Weirdly shaped but a very nice battery powered, handheld form factor benchtop multimeter, very capable, has math functions that are not normally found on handheld meters.
If my memory is serving me right, Joe, it has event counting function that you were looking for, a few years back.
Other than that, even though it is the next iteration, B model, its specs are almost the same. In a glance, the only difference I could spot is that the number of measurement records has been increased to 30,000 measurements as well as the records can be better managed in different files.
If they haven't installed any shield inside this B model as well, you better buy that sheet metal you used to shield Gossen Ultra before ordering this meter.
Its only my guess that it is using the same Hycon front end as 121GW. Perhaps someone who owns this or the previous non B model can confirm it.
As per their manual:
Has much more detailed specs than most meters. The only rival here is Gossen.
IP67 rated.
Has math functions.
Has 200kHz ACV bandwidth.
Has comparatively low burden voltage for current measurement.
Can measure voltage and current simultaneously.
I know nothing about its PC software capabilities. Must be great.
Has ability to use J, Pt100/Pt1000 in addition to K type thermocouple.
Operating temperature range is 0 to 40 degree C.
Battery life specified for 6V 2400mAh batteries is approximately 80 hours.
Specifications are guaranteed only after 30 minutes warm up.
The recovery time for the PTC thermistor is quoted as 10 minutes.
Does not have conductance function.
Bar graph update rate is still 5 times/sec, same as the display.
Capacitance measurement is slow in 1mF and 10mF ranges. Also, in capacitance function, resolution drops down to 1000 counts??? Am I reading it right?
Temperature coefficient is worse in some functions than Fluke 189. I don't know if anybody has practically checked the Fluke claimed temperature coefficient of 189 or other meters.
In the end, its your money, man. My suggestion is to get some other more popular meter, test it to death, show others how to improve it (like you did with UT61E) and soon you'll be celebrating 50k subscribers. I thought you don't care how many subscribers you get.
Or how about UT60BT: Its cheap, 9999 count, has better build than Anang 9999 count meters, has bluetooth. And hopefully, will die with the first hit of the grill starter just to keep its reputation that it is made by Uni Trend. But it will be way less burden on your pocket.
For me it's not just the electrical robustness testing, the quirks you find in the meters are the ones that I find most interesting. That is something other reviewers usually don't find. Maybe because they're sponsored, or maybe it requires that you have to spend real time with the meter going through everything and keep being alert. I think you have a real talent for that.
Well said. Me too.