Sanwa PM300 Pocket Multimeter Review Teardown

[noidea]

I took it to a job today and tried it out, it didn't go bang and was quite happy measuring Aussie three phase AC.
Auto range on ohms is not the fastest but no worse than my U1252B.

[MacMeter]

While it can be argued that this meter might be truly worth 1/3 the asking price of a similar 100% Chinese meter, in my search for the FINAL pocket or bag meter, this one looks like it might end my search. So I just ordered it from Daves store. I think the rubber case and the ease of putting the leads and cables in the case was the final selling point. As Dave stated, at this point in time, you can't find this Japanese sourced meter anywhere online. It's still made for them in China, but the build quality looks good. As most of you know even Amprobe has some of their lower end meters made in China but keeps an eye on quality control which is the major issue. At this point, besides my main trusted EEVBLOG BM235, I have a ZT102, and ZT109, Woods DMMW3, none of which have permanently attached leads or a clamshell type case. After spending a bit over $80 US, I pray this is my last, and most expensive pocket meter!

Thanks Dave for making it available.

[Electro Detective]

Are there ANY pocket meters that sport True RMS coupled with the Hz feature?    Is this exclusive to the Sanwa?

Has anyone yet done an AC performance comparison (500 hz to 20hz?) with a well spec'd or standard meter* using clean and dirty/square/rectangular/ and suss UPS waveforms/?  yes, a Fluke* of course 

It would be handy to know the volt count variation is (if any) on 120, 240 and 440v mains etc  when compared with a full size meter

But please don't get fried doing it ! 

[MacMeter]

Received the PM300 today. Very NICE!
Wondering if it might be recommended to add a few drops of a flexible cement sealant on the ends of the probes where the wire enters the top of the probe as the wires go in loose and can easily twist and over time break off?

[EEVblog]

Couple of observations. 
1) Just had to stop and appreciate how good Dave is now at these single take videos now.  I give him credit for being able to do these and be fairly good videos. 

Thanks.
The 1000th video was shot as a single take with 4-5 separate segment or whatever it was, but I ended up editing that a bit to take out the awkward camera movement bits.
The 1001st uBeam video taken from that was a single take as well, I just walked between the two whiteboards.

[EEVblog]

Received the PM300 today. Very NICE!
Wondering if it might be recommended to add a few drops of a flexible cement sealant on the ends of the probes where the wire enters the top of the probe as the wires go in loose and can easily twist and over time break off?

I noticed that when I first got it. I did some twisting tests and it didn't look like a problem. But users can do that if they want.

[MacMeter]

Used GE Premium Silicone glue in tube. Could not get much down into hollow end of lead tube as glue is so thick, used a toothpick. Should be better then nothing.

NOTE: Could NOT attach an iPhone photo, “warning” says cannot attach JPEG extension, only JPG. Odd!

[brian_stine]

Does anyone have instructions on how to calibrate the meter?  I don't want to send it to them and I have all the equipment to do it myself. 

[whill44]

After Dave sent out an email about this particular meter being on sale I ordered one. I had already received the bm235 and it's better than advertised. I not only enjoy his videos but trust his opinion about such things, same with joe smith.

Thanks again.

[brian_stine]

to enter Calibration mode:

(1) Hold down select and hold keys at same time.  (2) switch range to ACV (3) release 'select' and 'hold' keys after 5 seconds.  Meter enters calibration mode. 

[2X]

Hello, do you know where can I buy this Multimeter from Europe or from outside the Europe but from a trusted seller?

[EEVblog]

Hello, do you know where can I buy this Multimeter from Europe or from outside the Europe but from a trusted seller?

AFAIK it's discontinued. There is still some stock around though.

[rsjsouza]

Just FYI, this is an excellent meter - I got mine when Dave did a fire sale years ago and I don't regret at all. It is quite the workhorse.

[MacMeter]

Just FYI, this is an excellent meter - I got mine when Dave did a fire sale years ago and I don't regret at all. It is quite the workhorse.

I bought one from Dave as well. The Sanwa PM3 meter is still available, on Amazon for approximately $40.00. Dave reviewed this model as well. However, it’s NOT “True RMS”, unlike the PM300. It is thinner though.

[J-R]

Sorry to say, the PM300 was a disappointing purchase for me.  Yes, there are specific situations where obviously the feature set aligns for some people.  But otherwise I think it's too heavy/chunky and the case/lead/probe situation is obnoxious.