New Uni-T UT61 series (UT61e+)

[sot010174]

Howdy folks! I saw this today on Aliexpress and wondered if it is time to upgrade my "old" UT61E. Has anyone already bought one of these puppies? Is it as good as the original?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001616769137.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.4e3a3c004WVFve&mp=1

[Wytnucls]

Some useful changes:

4 AAA batteries
AC+DC (voltage only)
Backlight
Max/Min
Low pass filter
hFE
NCV

Otherwise, 250V fuses still and no UL listing.

[Wytnucls]

There is also a 161 version (161B, D and E), with 1000V fuses, Intertek certificate and a CE mark for the European market
161B and 161D have a 6,000 count only.

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[rvalente]

Oh eyah, that hfe feature that almost nobody uses is present, sex on stick!

[Fungus]

Oh eyah, that hfe feature that almost nobody uses is present, sex on stick!

And it takes up a whole range selector position while other, more useful functions are crammed 4:1!

[Fungus]

Howdy folks! I saw this today on Aliexpress and wondered if it is time to upgrade my "old" UT61E. Has anyone already bought one of these puppies? Is it as good as the original?

If your old meter is still working then there's not much point, but... you can never have too many multimeters, so why not?


Option (b) is to try some other brand/model. Mix, match and compare!

eg. An Aneng 870: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33004463675.html

PS: Aneng just launched a whole bunch of new meters.

[sot010174]

(...) you can never have too many multimeters, so why not?

Yeah, my thoughts exactly. If the UT161E turns out to be as good as it seems - safe, good bargraph (uni-t seems to be skimping on this lately with those "as-fast-as-the-counter" bars), inexpensive and accurate I can see myself buying one. Normally I don't deal with high voltage but If I can get a safe meter why not?

Option (b) is to try some other brand/model. Mix, match and compare!

eg. An Aneng 870: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33004463675.html

PS: Aneng just launched a whole bunch of new meters.

I've got an AN8009. Love it, I take it everywhere with me, it's an EDC meter. But when I'm home I reach for my ut61e every single time. Another one I was considering buying is the Owon B41T+.

Ill look into the Aneng 870...

[Fungus]

Ill look into the Aneng 870...

The 860/870 are a huge step up from the 8009 in terms of solidity/reliability/confidence.

[rsjsouza]

(...) you can never have too many multimeters, so why not?

Yeah, my thoughts exactly. If the UT161E turns out to be as good as it seems - safe, good bargraph (uni-t seems to be skimping on this lately with those "as-fast-as-the-counter" bars), inexpensive and accurate I can see myself buying one. Normally I don't deal with high voltage but If I can get a safe meter why not?

The UT61E (original) is not very robust electrically but it does an excellent job for electronics. It also has an excellent bargraph; it is sad to see them skimping on that.

Ill look into the Aneng 870...

The 860/870 are a huge step up from the 8009 in terms of solidity/reliability/confidence.

I agree. I have the RM219 (Aneng An870) and it is much better than the smaller ones.

@the OP: sorry for the shameless plug but, if you are not familiar, I did some reviews of the UT61E and the RM102Pro on my Youtube channel. I still need to take heed of a few loose ends to finish the review of my RM219. The channel is at http://videos.vbeletronico.com

[ResistorRob]

1) Is that a camera mount on the back?
    Looks like the thread size of a tripod for cameras.

2) It says optional Bluetooth/app.
     Do they sell a Bluetooth module for this?

[Fungus]

2) It says optional Bluetooth/app.
     Do they sell a Bluetooth module for this?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001525757614.html

[ResistorRob]

2) It says optional Bluetooth/app.
     Do they sell a Bluetooth module for this?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001525757614.html

umm, ok?

You linked me to a random meter? My question was do they sell a Bluetooth module for this meter.  I didn't ask to get recommended an inferior meter with Bluetooth built-in.

[SmokedComponent]

My two cents of a minor rant... :-)
I hate it when they cram so many modes into one rotary switch position (). Does it even remember last mode?
Instead of gain position they could have easily moved capacitance there.

[Wytnucls]

1) Is that a camera mount on the back?
    Looks like the thread size of a tripod for cameras.

2) It says optional Bluetooth/app.
     Do they sell a Bluetooth module for this?

There is a BT adaptor that should fit. Whether it works or not with this model is an open question.

https://www.banggood.com/Uni-T-UT-D07A-Bluetooth-Adapter-Module-for-UNI-T-UT181A-UT171A-UT71E-p-1220316.html?cur_warehouse=CN

[xavier60]

But does anyone have a solution to the AAA cell leakage problem?
NiMh can be used for AA cells.

[rsjsouza]

Despite knowing how 9V batteries can be expensive in some places, due to the leakage problems I don't see it having AA/AAA batteries as an advantage. The 9V on the original UT61E has great endurance already.

[xavier60]

Just discovered that Eneloop AAA cells do exist, https://www.amazon.com.au/Panasonic-BK-4MCCE-4BA-Ni-MH-Battery/dp/B01NA8IFFE/ref=asc_df_B01NA8IFFE/?tag=googleshopdsk-22&linkCode=df0&hvadid=341793314840&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8833507744174598613&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9068976&hvtargid=pla-703359270644&psc=1

[xavier60]

I need to know if it beeps in a useful way on Diode test range.

[sot010174]

Just discovered that Eneloop AAA cells do exist

They do! I've got a bunch. They rock.

I hate it when they cram so many modes into one rotary switch position (). Does it even remember last mode?
Instead of gain position they could have easily moved capacitance there.

Agreed, But IMHO it is OK at this price point. It won't deter me from buying it. No, I bet it doesn't remember your last setting. It should default to the resistance scale. I'm waiting for the 11.11 to see if there will be additional discounts.

2) It says optional Bluetooth/app.
     Do they sell a Bluetooth module for this?

I remember someone saying that the transmission protocol is very crude and because of that it is very hackable. When UNI-T updates their download section on the UT61E+ / UT161E if it is the same software it is possible that it is compatible with the current bluetooth adapter.

Ill look into the Aneng 870...

The 860/870 are a huge step up from the 8009 in terms of solidity/reliability/confidence.

Maybe I'll get one later as a carry everywhere meter. It's only a little more expensive and it really seems good. I think I've been infected by the MAS-19 desease (Meter acquisition syndrome-19). No vaccines for me please 

[sot010174]

[ResistorRob]

1) Is that a camera mount on the back?
    Looks like the thread size of a tripod for cameras.

2) It says optional Bluetooth/app.
     Do they sell a Bluetooth module for this?

There is a BT adaptor that should fit. Whether it works or not with this model is an open question.

https://www.banggood.com/Uni-T-UT-D07A-Bluetooth-Adapter-Module-for-UNI-T-UT181A-UT171A-UT71E-p-1220316.html?cur_warehouse=CN

Hey, thanks for the link. It's not a lot of money, so I think I will try it. In need of a decent general purpose meter and this looks like just the ticket. About once per year I need to do a remote measurement and if the module works it will be a nice bonus.

2) It says optional Bluetooth/app.
     Do they sell a Bluetooth module for this?

I remember someone saying that the transmission protocol is very crude and because of that it is very hackable. When UNI-T updates their download section on the UT61E+ / UT161E if it is the same software it is possible that it is compatible with the current Bluetooth adapter.

Maybe I'll get one later as a carry everywhere meter. It's only a little more expensive and it really seems good. I think I've been infected by the MAS-19 disease (Meter acquisition syndrome-19). No vaccines for me please 

- I know web programming (PHP, JavaScript) but don't know much about transmission protocols, but it's something I have been wanting to learn. This could be the perfect project to mess around with.
- I agree this meter seems really good.
- I also suffer from Meter acquisition syndrome, except for  I tend to collect the weird and rare stuff, so getting something practical like this would be great. I do have 1 budget meter that is amazing, but it doesn't have Bluetooth, so if I can get that working on this meter then I should be able to handle the majority of stuff I work on. 

[Trader]

I think the "UT161E" was exclusive for Banggood, I can't find it anywhere.

[sot010174]

- I also suffer from Meter acquisition syndrome, except for  I tend to collect the weird and rare stuff, (...)

Yeah, look at this Aneng 870 lookalike with a bargraph and dual view. 

(...) so getting something practical like this would be great.

Please provide us with a quick review if you decide to get it!

[Trader]

Seems very good, but maybe the AN870 has better accuracy.


Borbede BD-99

DC Voltage: 200mV/2V/20V/200V/1000V
AC Voltage: 200mV/2V/20V/200V/750V
DC Current: 200uA/2000uA/20mA/200mA/10A
AC Current: 200uA/2000uA/20mA/200mA/10A
Resistance: 200Ω/2kΩ/20kΩ/200kΩ/2mΩ/20mΩ
Capacitance: 20nF/200nF/2uF/20uF/200uF/2000uF
Temperature: -20 -1000℃/-4 -1832F
Frequency: 10Hz-20MHz
Duty Cycle: 0.1%-99%


AN870

 DC Voltage     19.999mV/199.99mV/1.9999V/19.999V/199.99V/1000V     ±(0.05％+ 3)
 AC Voltage     19.999mV/199.99mV/1.9999V/19.999V/199.99V/750V     ±(0.3％+ 3)
 DC Current     1.9999A /19.999A / 19.999mA /199.99mA /99.99μA /1999.9μA     ±(0.5%+3)
 AC Current     1.9999A /19.999A / 19.999mA /199.99mA /99.99μA /1999.9μA     ±(0.8%+3)
 Resistance     199.99Ω     ±(0.5%+3)
      1.9999kΩ/19.999kΩ/199.99kΩ     ±(0.2%+3)
      1.9999MΩ/19.999MΩ     ±(1.0%+3)
      199.99MΩ     ±(5.0%+5)
 Capacitance     9.999nF     ±(5.0%+20)
      99.99nF/999.9nF/9.999uF/99.99uF/999.9uF     ±(2.0%+5)
      9.999mF     ±(5.0%+5)
 Frequency     99.99Hz/ 999.9Hz/ 9.999kHz/ 99.99kHz/ 999.9kHz/ 9.999MHz     ±(1.0%+2)
 Duty Cycle     1%~99%      ±(1.0%+2)

[sot010174]

Seems very good, but maybe the AN870 has better accuracy.
[/tt]

Yet the BD-99 is about 40-50% more expensive  . Maybe the specsheet is omiting something...