I mentioned this apparently new meter from Peak Meter in a couple of threads, finally got around to buying one ( from
Aliexpress )
I won't comment on accuracy, I don't have appropriate references or equipment to check it, but I think by now we can assume that multimeters are generally accurate within their specs, it's more or less a solved problem, ignoring isolated calibration failures.
The meter at first glance appears to be an autoranging version of the PM18/18C, I don't own that one, but just going by the pictures of the PM18, and that it clearly came in an PM18 manual ranging box with an 18A sticker on it. Although actually looking at PeakMeter's website I can't see the exact model depicted on the box, so who knows.
It comes with a short Users Manual, which at first glance isn't actually bad, no really terrible chinglish jumps out at me but of course the grammar is a bit lacking as is common.
4 AA batteries, this is a pretty hefty beast, compares the the VC99 it's about the same width/height, but thicker, and heavier, so yeah, this is not a pocket meter for sure, 429 grams with batteries without leads, compared to say the 8002/RM102 which is 139 grams similarly equipped, and the VC99 which is 350 grams and ADM02 209 grams.
The construction is stiff, compared to say the VC99 which flexes like a ballerina if you twist it, the PM18A feels like a brick.
The tilting bail, as we know a sort point amongst meter users, is actually pretty good, it holds the meter at a decent angle (unlike the VC99, which is once again like a ballerina doing the splits), and the range selector can be turned one-handed, mostly, even on my hard-surface desk.
The rubber holster (which is a slightly darker orange than the VC99's more yellow appearance) is fairly flexible around the sides, but like the ADM02 (Mastech MS8233E) it is a tough bugger to actually get off, it's actually not bad to put back on though. In another thread somebody mentioned that PeakMeter and Mastech are related, and I can definitely see design commonality between these meters, not just in the holster - that's not a bad thing since the ADM02 is fairly decent.
The supplied leads are just typical chinese leads, not terrible, not silicone, pretty flexible, untested as to current (but did to temperature, they don't stand 200'C)
On opening the meter, with 4 self tapped screws (the battery panel has a thread insert) the biggest surprise is the fuses, these are not 5x20, they measure 6.5x31mm, the holders have some extra length so I expect up to 33mm should be ok. The pcb is marked as for 1000v fuses, but the ones in it are stamped with 250v
I am not observant enough to comment on clearances etc so I will let pictures talk on that. but it looks a clean spacious layout.
The chipset is, wait for it... the DTM0660L, quelle surprise, this chipset really is becoming the darling of chinese meters.
Not COB in the one I have (but I imagine as production continues it might become one), so all the pins can be accessed if you are into the hackery type stuff which is nice.
The other side of the pcb has nothing of interest except that they have silkscreened markings round the range selector showing the positions, just an odd little detail I don't remember seeing before.
( The full size images are available at imgur here...
http://imgur.com/gallery/CgQxi )
Functionality wise, I won't comment on it's accuracy as said previously, but here's the specs written in the manual...