NEW $50 multimeter shootout - 15 DMMs compared - Aug 2, 2015

[retiredcaps]

@saturation, Thanks for that photocopy/fax paper shot.  From teardowns on the AM-5X0, people have observed that there are similarities between the Uni-T meters, but there was never any hard proof that Uni-T made them.  For example, companies that resell CEM meters under their own brand only change the exterior colors, but the internal pcb is labelled with CEM's part number.

This photocopy/fax may have been in another thread somewhere, but this is the first time I recall seeing it.

edit: fixed typo.

[saturation]

You're welcome.  I don't know if Amprobe has released such detail before because their website is redesigned.  The main link I left to their certification page provides pdfs, some have lots of detail.  I checked some of the Brymen look-a-like DMMs but they managed to remove the manufacturer from it, it only says Amprobe, but not this Uni-T series, maybe it slipped by?

@saturation, Thanks for that photocopy/fax paper shot.  From teardowns on the AM-5X0, people have observed that their are similarities between the Uni-T meters, but there was never any hard proof that Uni-T made them.  For example, companies that resell CEM meters under their own brand only change the exterior colors, but the internal pcb is labelled with CEM's part number.

This photocopy/fax may have been in another thread somewhere, but this is the first time I recall seeing it.

[5ky]

Hey retiredcaps--do you know if anyone has rebranded the Finest 707?  It looks like it's a pretty nice 50,000 count DMM, but I can't seem to find anywhere that I can buy it online.  If the quality is anything like that Klein mm2000 (that you said is a rebranded finest), I'd imagine it could potentially be a pretty nice DMM. 

[retiredcaps]

Hey retiredcaps--do you know if anyone has rebranded the Finest 707?

Finest 707 = UEI DM397.

Already video reviewed by three eevblog members.

[5ky]

Hey retiredcaps--do you know if anyone has rebranded the Finest 707?

Finest 707 = UEI DM397.

Already video reviewed by three eevblog members.

Excellent--I had a feeling you'd know    Thank you sir.  Much appreciated!

[5ky]

DM397, very nice (if only it works accurately?). DMM with micro ohm capability and is portable. and cheaper than brymen (TE depot on sale USD226, maybe they have problems with the entire batch? )
the inside looks somewhat flimsy ... from which country is this DM397 made in? doesnt look like china?

Korea

[fanOfeeDIY]

Excellent video on
"$50 Multimeter Shootout Update (Continuity Test w/ Quality Probes) - #0079 ".

You might be the first person who demonstrated that changing to the quality probe from the cheap stock probe would make so difference on multimeter's Test!
Nice! 

[bitseeker]

Yeah, it was cool to see the difference demonstrated.

Here's the link to the vid for your convenience:

[joeqsmith]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=fihUrdsyddc#t=117

Just  to be clear, the 101 is what survived.  I have never tested the 107, however I did run the 87V which was also damaged.   The 101 I have is VERY robust.   The generator ended up around 20J at 13KV.   It's not can crushing energy but could be lethal.      I started well under a J and still had meters fail.   

Good job with your continued efforts making these videos.   Looking forward to seeing the AC line voltage tests.   

[5ky]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=fihUrdsyddc#t=117

Just  to be clear, the 101 is what survived.  I have never tested the 107, however I did run the 87V which was also damaged.   The 101 I have is VERY robust.   The generator ended up around 20J at 13KV.   It's not can crushing energy but could be lethal.      I started well under a J and still had meters fail.   

Good job with your continued efforts making these videos.   Looking forward to seeing the AC line voltage tests.

Good point.  I didn't consider the fact that the 107's additional functionality could introduce weaknesses. It's great to hear that the Flukes are still as reliable as they're known to be.  I'm curious how the 17B would fair

[joeqsmith]

I am not sure where the Fluke 87V I tested would have failed, only that it did not handle the same transient that the 101 did.    I would like to run your 107 across it.    Before I do anything, I would like to make a test jig that I can easily set the waveform.    As it is now, all I could tell you is if your meters could survive what the 101 was hit with.   The generator evolved as the meters fell by the wayside.   

I am also interested in how the Brymen holds up to some of this.   Looks like the front end on that meter may be alright but until I hit it, hard to say.   

Looking forward to your next review.       

[5ky]

I am not sure where the Fluke 87V I tested would have failed, only that it did not handle the same transient that the 101 did.    I would like to run your 107 across it.    Before I do anything, I would like to make a test jig that I can easily set the waveform.    As it is now, all I could tell you is if your meters could survive what the 101 was hit with.   The generator evolved as the meters fell by the wayside.   

I am also interested in how the Brymen holds up to some of this.   Looks like the front end on that meter may be alright but until I hit it, hard to say.   

Looking forward to your next review.       

The equipment / tool hoarder in me doesn't want to let go of the nicer multimeters, but the child inside of me wants to see some multimeter destruction.  How about I mail you all fifteen multimeters and you mail back the ones that survive?  (which I'd imagine will only be the 107?)

[joeqsmith]

 

Well, I think I can satisfy your desire to see some meter carnage that but to be honest, I don't think I could pull the trigger on that VC890 OLED meter of yours.   It just looks way too nice.     

It will take me some time to sort out the generator.   To be clear, I would still not be trying to blow the backs off the meters.  Rather,  just something to make this an easier job and provide us with a better idea how they stack up with each other.    If you are concerned at all about the AC line test, I would be willing to add this in the mix as well.   

I would also like to do a post analysis of the meters that fail and possibly repair them.   This will all take a fair amount of time. 

So take your time with your reviews and I will start working on a better way to test them.   

[Robomeds]

I will do my part by waiting eagerly to watch/read the results 

[5ky]

Well, I think I can satisfy your desire to see some meter carnage that but to be honest, I don't think I could pull the trigger on that VC890 OLED meter of yours.   It just looks way too nice.     

It will take me some time to sort out the generator.   To be clear, I would still not be trying to blow the backs off the meters.  Rather,  just something to make this an easier job and provide us with a better idea how they stack up with each other.    If you are concerned at all about the AC line test, I would be willing to add this in the mix as well.   

I would also like to do a post analysis of the meters that fail and possibly repair them.   This will all take a fair amount of time. 

So take your time with your reviews and I will start working on a better way to test them.

No worries--I'll probably be done with the $50 ones by next weekend.  Then I'll send them your way!  I'm excited to see how they each do.   

And I wasn't intending on sending the VC890--that multimeter I rather like.  It's not as fancy as my 87V or U1253B, but man, that screen shows up great on video.  (and outlasts the Agilent's battery by a huge order of magnitude)

[3roomlab]

i just saw this video, on the VC DMM

@ 40+ min mark, it somehow beat the LCR meter in reading the 4700uF cap ( a agilent LCR? beaten?), imo german engineering/design are really scary in a good way 
and there is currently NO CLONE of this in china market. which means likely final assembly is in germany?

[meeder]

Oh, before I forget!  I already uploaded the video, but if you haven't seen it, I hooked up a set of gold plated probemaster probes to the Uni-T UT61E and it ended up having a BLAZING fast continuity tester.  The crappy stock probes were making it seem like it had a sub-par continuity tester but it was actually the probes holding the meter back.  I was really surprised.  It makes me wonder how many multimeters out there appear to have bad continuity testers but really have great ones that are being held back by crappy probes.

I have seen the same but the other way around. My Brymen 869s is really fast as a continuity tester with the standard probes but when using a Fluke test lead set it became slower and very scratchy, even after cleaning the tips.

[joeqsmith]

No worries--I'll probably be done with the $50 ones by next weekend.  Then I'll send them your way!  I'm excited to see how they each do.   

And I wasn't intending on sending the VC890--that multimeter I rather like.  It's not as fancy as my 87V or U1253B, but man, that screen shows up great on video.  (and outlasts the Agilent's battery by a huge order of magnitude)

Looking forward to it. 

Maybe 15 years ago I would have thought of the 87V as a fancy meter.   It's dated, doesn't have many features but gets the job done in most cases.  The VC890 is loaded and it looks great!   

Watched your latest BK review.     I thought you were just a bit reserved after seeing possibly the worse continuity tester in the history of mankind.       Half a second just to detect???  Did that decision come from marketing or sales? 

I have seen the same but the other way around. My Brymen 869s is really fast as a continuity tester with the standard probes but when using a Fluke test lead set it became slower and very scratchy, even after cleaning the tips.

I may toss the Brymen in the mix with the rest of 5KY's meters.   

[3roomlab]

can i ask to measure the input impedance of the VC890 on each selector range w/o power on? and compare that to the fluke 101 / 87 and 1253B ?

[5ky]

can i ask to measure the input impedance of the VC890 on each selector range w/o power on? and compare that to the fluke 101 / 87 and 1253B ?

sure--I'll post results once I'm home from work

[commie]

That Voltcraft VC890 is a pile of shit dressed to thrill, it's basic dc accuracy is +-0.8%, that's crap and it's boasts 60000 count

[joeqsmith]

can i ask to measure the input impedance of the VC890 on each selector range w/o power on? and compare that to the fluke 101 / 87 and 1253B ?

A GDT for example is going to read an open.  Of course, who puts GDTs in meters besides the Germans!   Pulled out a few MOVs and the first one I looked at was 50M.    It's going to be very non-linear and there is a lot to consider when it comes to protection than just the DC resistance.


The following data was taken with the Fluke 101 that beat out all the other meters in the transient tests.   I waited for reading to settle, however settling time was several minutes in many cases.  I may have not waited long enough in some cases but it should give you some idea.     I used banana to banana leads.   Sorry but I no longer have the old 87V to check.   Besides it was damaged so may have different leakage after I changed out all the diodes in it.   

No batteries,  Pos lead to Pos, Neg to Neg  ( I know you did not ask for polarity but it will make a difference)
ACV  >100M
DCV  15.2M
ACmV 3.3M
Ohms 1.6M
Cap. 1.6M
Hz  3.1M

No batteries,  Pos lead to Neg
ACV  >100M
DCV  12.2M
ACmV 2.4M
Ohms 8.56K
Cap. 8.56K
Hz  3.1M


Batteries installed, Pos lead to Pos, Neg to Neg
ACV  >100M
DCV  11.1M
ACmV 5.5M
Ohms 3.7 - 4.4M, Cont. 1.1M, Diode 4.8M
Cap. 1.8M
Hz  5.5M, DC 5.5M

Batteries installed, Pos lead to Neg
ACV  >100M
DCV  11.1M
ACmV 5.1M
Ohms 2.3K, Cont. 2.3K, Diode 570K
Cap. 183K
Hz  5.0M, DC 5.0M

There is no manual range on the 101 to see how the attenuator effects it.

[5ky]

That Voltcraft VC890 is a pile of shit dressed to thrill, it's basic dc accuracy is +-0.8%, that's crap and it's boasts 60000 count

It's actually 0.03% +10 for 600mv range and 0.05% +10 for 6-1000v range

EDIT: check page 81: http://www.produktinfo.conrad.com/datenblaetter/100000-124999/124600-an-01-ml-VOLTCRAFT_VC890_OLED_DMM_de_en_fr_nl.pdf

[5ky]

can i ask to measure the input impedance of the VC890 on each selector range w/o power on? and compare that to the fluke 101 / 87 and 1253B ?

VC890 - No batteries:

ACV: 5.49 M
DCV: 5.5 M
DC mV: 1 M
Ohms: 0.7 M
Cap: 0.7 M

87V - No batteries: 

VAC: 8.6 M
VDC: 6.5 M
mvDC: 95 K
ohms: 98 K

U1253B - No batteries:

VAC: OL
VDC: 9.7 M
mvDC: 300 K
ohms: 250 K
cap: 250 K

[joeqsmith]

That Voltcraft VC890 is a pile of shit dressed to thrill, it's basic dc accuracy is +-0.8%, that's crap and it's boasts 60000 count

It's actually 0.03% +10 for 600mv range and 0.05% +10 for 6-1000v range

EDIT: check page 81: http://www.produktinfo.conrad.com/datenblaetter/100000-124999/124600-an-01-ml-VOLTCRAFT_VC890_OLED_DMM_de_en_fr_nl.pdf

If its just for show and collects dust, 10% is good enough.      

Did you try flipping the leads and see if it made a difference on your meters?