Multimeter spreadsheet (80 manufacturers and over 400 meters listed)

[gwideman]

First, huge thanks to Wytnucls for the prodigious amount of work on this spreadsheet. That represents a very high commitment to helping out the community.

That said, I'm afraid I'm among those who were unable to use the spreadsheet in the current form, owing to my eyes being unable to follow a particular line of data across a row, unless I can select the row in Excel so that Excel gives it an outline. Or other tricks like copying selected data to another sheet.  Also freezing the top rows of titles, hide columns I don't care about and so forth.

All this is prevented by the locking.  I can confirm that the workaround from dtmr_e works in Libre Office (though the relevant xml attribute is "protected" not "protection".)  With that fixed, I'm finding the spreadsheet is very useful. Thanks again.

[rsjsouza]

...and this is how you respectfully make your point and voice your concerns to the content producer. 

[JustSquareEnough]

may I suggest we consider adding the extech ex355.  it looks to be a newish release to the ex330 that won Daves $50 shootout however is 6000 count.

I have not used the meter yet and am having a hard time finding anyone that has reviewed it yet. but i was checking to see what the latest offerings were in the 6000 count category and saw it list on extech's site.  Street price looks to be about $90 in the US.

http://www.extech.com/EX355/

[mikeselectricstuff]

A slightly unusual one - I'd not heard of this company but got an email out of the blue and they are sending me one next week - will do a video review in the next couple of weeks.

https://www.pce-instruments.com/english/measuring-instruments/test-meters/digital-multimeter-pce-instruments-true-rms-digital-multimeter-pce-hdm-10-det_5844159.htm?_list=qr.art&_listpos=7

Unusual as it has Bluetooth and colour LCD and rechargeable battery, charged via the terminals.
Most of their other DMMs are badged from Uni-T and others.  Although it looks fairly "industrial" it does have uA range
Though not mentioned on the PCE page I think it has datalogging and graphing display judging by this German video :


I have seen some similar-looking ones with other names on,
https://mymeter.com.au/product/ht-italia-ht64-graphics-digital-multimeter-with-colour-lcd-display/

http://www.made-in-china.com/showroom/cem-instruments/product-detailrKimEXLAOkWh/China-Heavy-Duty-True-RMS-Industrial-Multimeter-with-TFT-Color-LCD-Display-DT-989-.html
https://www.reichelt.com/gb/en/?LANGUAGE=EN&CTYPE=0&MWSTFREE=0&CCOUNTRY=447&ARTICLE=151733&PROVID=2788&wt_guka=22596852977_79177432577&PROVID=2788&gclid=CjwKCAiA7ovTBRAQEiwAo8dPcRkrW15zftFEQiY7pDPkZRs9cpVjhdY3jhlKLK_4T5flAoEP6XZqfxoCrTMQAvD_BwE

As well as some with more features but very similar specs, which look like they're from the  same manufacturer
http://www.reedinstruments.com/product/reed-r5005-trms-industrial-multimeter
http://www.aktakom.com/products/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=24142
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/digital-multimeter-oscilloscope-LCD-Color-screen-usb-DT-9989-Professional-current-voltage-test-electrician-tools/1972181740.html

Judging from the part numbers of some of these I suspect it's made by Digitek.

[Muttley Snickers]

It's just another rebranded CEM meter, probably a DT-9989 by the look of it.   

[mikeselectricstuff]

It's just another rebranded CEM meter, probably a DT-9989 by the look of it.   

Looks like DT-989 - for some reason my searches didn't find it :
http://www.cem-instruments.com/en/Product/detail/id/891

[EEVblog]

A slightly unusual one - I'd not heard of this company but got an email out of the blue and they are sending me one next week - will do a video review in the next couple of weeks.

I got that same email but turned them down. It's just a re-badged CEM DT-989

[aabbcc]

So the spreadsheet is a bit...overwhelming (in a good way!).

Could someone recommend me the an accurate DMM for max 150eur (less would be nice) and available in Europe.

I don't need temp measurments and will mostly be working with analogue audio circuits (synths).

The only real requirement I have is that the DMM can measure and display in a resolution of 4.5 digits since I will be using it alot to match transistors according to Ian Fritz method.

http://www.dragonflyalley.com/synth/images/TransistorMatching/ianFritz-transmat0011_144.pdf

[rsjsouza]

If you are looking for quality at your price point and features, I would choose either a BM857S-WB or, for a slightly higher price but much better value, a BM867S, which has the benefit of being specified up to 100kHz. The BM827S has a bit less counts but it is still a good value.

In the middle of the pack you have the UT61E, which has users that love and others that hate it.
https://www.batronix.com/shop/multimeter/multimeter-ut61e.html

You can try your luck with one of the cheapies from Banggood:
The Aneng, which cost a fraction of your budget but don't have published bandwidth specs and is only 10k counts
 https://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-1007-is-a-$25-multimeter-any-good/msg1333864/#msg1333864

The Bside ZT302, with the same specs as above:
https://www.banggood.com/BSIDE-ZT302-Digital-Multimeter-True-RMS-9999-Counts-LED-Backlight-AC-DC-Voltage-Current-Resistance-p-1245349.html

Or the "generic branded" HY-19E with 20000 counts:
https://www.banggood.com/HY-19E-20000-Counts-NCV-Multimeter-AC-DC-Voltage-Current-Resistances-Capacitors-Diodes-Temp-Tester-p-1153062.html

[aabbcc]

If you are looking for quality at your price point and features, I would choose either a BM857S-WB or, for a slightly higher price but much better value, a BM867S, which has the benefit of being specified up to 100kHz. The BM827S has a bit less counts but it is still a good value.

In the middle of the pack you have the UT61E, which has users that love and others that hate it.
https://www.batronix.com/shop/multimeter/multimeter-ut61e.html

You can try your luck with one of the cheapies from Banggood:
The Aneng, which cost a fraction of your budget but don't have published bandwidth specs and is only 10k counts
 https://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-1007-is-a-$25-multimeter-any-good/msg1333864/#msg1333864

The Bside ZT302, with the same specs as above:
https://www.banggood.com/BSIDE-ZT302-Digital-Multimeter-True-RMS-9999-Counts-LED-Backlight-AC-DC-Voltage-Current-Resistance-p-1245349.html

Or the "generic branded" HY-19E with 20000 counts:
https://www.banggood.com/HY-19E-20000-Counts-NCV-Multimeter-AC-DC-Voltage-Current-Resistances-Capacitors-Diodes-Temp-Tester-p-1153062.html

Thanks! The Brymens ones look nice but just a tad too expensive, might be worth it though. (Don't trust the chinese versions and cant be bothered to wait for the long shipping time).

[rsjsouza]

The Brymens are quite good and have excellent support from the manufacturer. I don't think you can go wrong with them.

The UT61E has a bandwidth of only 10kHz - somewhat limiting for audio.
http://www.uni-trend.com/productsdetail_1971_1105_1105.html

[nugglix]

The Brymens are quite good and have excellent support from the manufacturer. I don't think you can go wrong with them.

The UT61E has a bandwidth of only 10kHz - somewhat limiting for audio.
http://www.uni-trend.com/productsdetail_1971_1105_1105.html

Yes, the Brymens are good.
Have the "little" BM869s and I'm very happy with it.

Given the mention of Uni-Trend, the OP might look at the UT71 series.
Specs are quite good, and it is reliable. Got the UT71C years ago.
There are 5 or 6 models in the 71 series, starting at ~125€ afaik.

But beware: Uni-Trend <- never ever touch mains with them!

[Candid]

UNI-T is not easy to give reliable infos for one model. I own an UT71E that I bought at Reichelt Elektronik in germany. It is one of the more seldom UT71 series models that has fine HRC fuses. But the voltage input resistors are low power and the MOVs I had to install myself (pcb was prepared for them). I found several photos from UT71 series with small glas fuses and no MOV ready pcb. So you never know what you get when you buy a UT71 series model.

[nugglix]

For electronic work w/ lower voltages they are okay.
As said above, wouldn't let them near the mains.

Given that a certain resolution was requested and no need for higher voltages was given,
I think the UT meters are worth to be considered.

[aabbcc]

Yea I will only be using it for audio circuits, have a hard time seeing that the voltage will ever be more than 24.

[rsjsouza]

Just don't forget if you try to probe the output of a 5000W concert amp! 

[aabbcc]

Just don't forget if you try to probe the output of a 5000W concert amp! 

Ok I should have added synths as my previous post when referring to audio circuits 

[merk]

Hello all,

I am in need of multimeter advice. The spreadsheet is awesome and I certainly can appreciate the time involved to compile that, but I am a bit lost by it all. I don't have a strong electrical background and I have always just used whatever cheap meter I had sitting around.

I am building synthesizer modules, many of which are analog. Some of these are kits and then I am also learning how to construct them from scratch.

My need for a new meter comes from a module that I am about to build. It requires a calibration process in which it is recommended to use a meter that is at least 40000 counts and has an accuracy of 4-3/4 digits. I must confess that I don't totally understand either of those two things and while I do see the counts on the spreadsheet, I don't understand the accuracy.

Anyway, if anybody can just make a recommendation or two, it would be most helpful to me. I don't need the best thing out there and really don't want to spend more than I have to on it. I suppose that if there is an option with an oscilloscope that is worth looking at, I would consider that too.

Thanks for any help!

PS - My apologies if this has been asked in some capacity. I don't have the time to pour through pages of questions and answers. I hope you understand...

[rsjsouza]

My $0.02. With your requirements and if you don't need mobility, it seems that a bench multimeter would be a great choice. The cheapest options would be either a new VC8145 (an experienced user here has two and swears by them) or a used A-brand multimeter such as HP3478A (I have two and are great) or even simpler but still accurate meters such as Keithley 191 or Racal Dana 5001 (I have both and I like them as well). At least in  the US, the VC8145 is around $180 and the others can be had for $100 or less.

If you need portability, a Brymen BM867 or BM869 are great choices for around $250 from European distributors (Brymen only has OEMs in the US such as Greenlee, which are more expensive).

If you prefer a new more featured bench meter, be prepared to spend around $400 for bench units from Rigol or Siglent. A used HP34401A can also be had for around this price and is well praised around here.

Always keep in mind that a used instrument has some risk attached to it, but the build quality and long term accuracy of the A-brand meters tend to tip the scale towards them.

This is not a comprehensive lost but it is a start. I am sure others have additional options.

[merk]

The VC8145 seems a little sketchy to me. I have seen the brand name spelled Vichy, Vici, and even found other names like Gain Express and Flexzion. I'm sure it is one of those cheap things where a bunch of companies latch onto the design and sell it under different names. It just seems a little weird though...

I did find a Keithley 191 on eBay for $95 + another $31.80 to ship it. Says it is seller refurbished, but there are pictures showing the voltage and ohms readings next to other equipment that I presume to be in good shape.

Thanks for taking the time to reply. It definitely gives me some things to consider.

[rsjsouza]

merk, I think this price for a Keithley 191 is a bit steep - after all, it lacks current measurements and AC voltage is an option. Its price rivals the two other more featured ones I mentioned.

I also recall other models that are highly regarded but one of their Achilles' heel is the VFD display: Fluke 45 and Fluke 8840.

There is also the GW Instek GDM8255A that went for a song when the ITT went bankrupt last year (or perhaps 2016). Despite using a VFD, these are much newer meters which usually have displays still in great shape.

One additional model worth looking is the Keithley 197 - about the same size as the 191 but it has much more features.

[merk]

Thanks again for all of the useful suggestions, rsjsouza. One more question for you. Is eBay the best place to look for these used meters? If I decide to buy a new one, is Amazon the place to go for something like a new Rigol?

[rsjsouza]

Since you live in test gear heaven (US), there are many options for used units, being eBay the main one. I usually look also at craigslist, which sometimes can have cheaper prices and the advantage that you can look at the equipment before buying.

New purchases can be done using other distributors as well, and two that I had good experiences are Saelig and Tequipment - they both offer discounts for eeVblog members.

[aabbcc]

Hello all,

I am in need of multimeter advice. The spreadsheet is awesome and I certainly can appreciate the time involved to compile that, but I am a bit lost by it all. I don't have a strong electrical background and I have always just used whatever cheap meter I had sitting around.

I am building synthesizer modules, many of which are analog. Some of these are kits and then I am also learning how to construct them from scratch.

My need for a new meter comes from a module that I am about to build. It requires a calibration process in which it is recommended to use a meter that is at least 40000 counts and has an accuracy of 4-3/4 digits. I must confess that I don't totally understand either of those two things and while I do see the counts on the spreadsheet, I don't understand the accuracy.

Anyway, if anybody can just make a recommendation or two, it would be most helpful to me. I don't need the best thing out there and really don't want to spend more than I have to on it. I suppose that if there is an option with an oscilloscope that is worth looking at, I would consider that too.

Thanks for any help!

PS - My apologies if this has been asked in some capacity. I don't have the time to pour through pages of questions and answers. I hope you understand...

I pulled the trigger on a Brymen 267s for the exact same purposes (well desktop synths) based on rsjsouza's recommendation 

[iaso]

In my country we have a saying "Not being able to see the forest because of all the trees".

I'm looking to pull the trigger on a Brymen.

Options are:

BM257S for €109
BM239R for €109
BM829 for €155 (but having to wait 2 weeks and I kind of need it now, but if it is a much better option I can wait)
BM857R for €155
BM867R for €159

I want a meter that I can use for hobby use. Testing diodes is an important factor for me. Looking at the excel the 857 seems to be the most capable, though the 867 beats it on bandwidth.

Of the above I am not sure if the 8-series are worth the €50 extra and since they are around the same price which one I should take.

I hope somebody is able to make me a bit more informed here.