I have had the edge to get what I would call a good bench meter. I have plenty of digital handhelds, Fluke 289, Fluke 87V, Fluke 27FM, Agilent U1252A and then a Klein with an amp clamp of some kind that I generally use for auto stuff and where it will get dirty. I do have one bench meter, a really old Fluke 45. Not the highest resolution, but still dead on accurate. Kind of boring and it’s getting old, wait it is old.
I’m wondering if getting a bench meter is wise since I have so many other meters, but I guess I could sell some.
I really would like to get at least a 6-1/2 digit meter. I’d consider myself an extreme hobbyist. I love repairing and restoring old pieces and enjoy building diy amplifiers and preamps. I am guessing I really don’t need that resolution, but I would really like to have it.
The models I have been looking at are the Siglent SDM3065X ($745 USD), Keithley DMM6500 ($1600ish USD though it looks like directly from South Korea I could snag it for $1450), and lastly the Keysight 34465A. I also looked at a couple of used units, like on eBay there is a Tektronix DMM4050 that won’t boot for $385, but not sure I want to chance a repair on a unit that will have future screen issues.
So, the Siglent. It’s half the cost of the other two. That’s a pretty big savings. On the other hand it also looks like it’s lacking compared to the other two, there is a reason it’s so much cheaper. A huge plus for me is that I can purchase it on Amazon and pay interest free payments over the course of 5 months, $149 a month. That is incredibly helpful and may be the decision maker.
The Keithley DMM6500, personally I love this meter. I own a couple of Tek scopes so why not. I have done a ton of reading and it looks like the DMM6500 is fairly equal to the 34465A, but is less expensive and more people recommend. Plus I like the fact that the DMM6500 has a low ohm function, will be very useful for short finding on a circuit board. Honestly this is the one I truly desire.
The Keysight 34465A looks like a fantastic meter. It looks like it has a couple of shortcomings compared to the Keithley, but at the same time is better in a couple of ways. I highly sought I’ll be doing any data logging or anything like that. If I happen to find one that is used in good condition for a price that makes sense then I would pick up this unit over the Keithley.
I found one place at looks like I could pick up the Keithley and make payments through Klarna interest free over 4 payments, but it looks like the auto draw every two weeks, so $800 each month. If someone knows of a longer payment term please let me know. I could pay all at once, but spending that kind of money all at once, I’d get the side eye from my wife. Over several months, less of a big deal.
Anyways, looking for opinions on these units, maybe people that have used a couple of these have an opinion? What would you do in my situation? Financially it seem the Siglent would be the way to go, but it seems less “wow” and I’d hate to have buyers remorse wishing I had bought better.
Thank you,
Dan
I’m wondering if getting a bench meter is wise since I have so many other meters, but I guess I could sell some.
I really would like to get at least a 6-1/2 digit meter. I’d consider myself an extreme hobbyist. I love repairing and restoring old pieces and enjoy building diy amplifiers and preamps. I am guessing I really don’t need that resolution, but I would really like to have it.
The models I have been looking at are the Siglent SDM3065X ($745 USD), Keithley DMM6500 ($1600ish USD though it looks like directly from South Korea I could snag it for $1450), and lastly the Keysight 34465A. I also looked at a couple of used units, like on eBay there is a Tektronix DMM4050 that won’t boot for $385, but not sure I want to chance a repair on a unit that will have future screen issues.
So, the Siglent. It’s half the cost of the other two. That’s a pretty big savings. On the other hand it also looks like it’s lacking compared to the other two, there is a reason it’s so much cheaper. A huge plus for me is that I can purchase it on Amazon and pay interest free payments over the course of 5 months, $149 a month. That is incredibly helpful and may be the decision maker.
The Keithley DMM6500, personally I love this meter. I own a couple of Tek scopes so why not. I have done a ton of reading and it looks like the DMM6500 is fairly equal to the 34465A, but is less expensive and more people recommend. Plus I like the fact that the DMM6500 has a low ohm function, will be very useful for short finding on a circuit board. Honestly this is the one I truly desire.
The Keysight 34465A looks like a fantastic meter. It looks like it has a couple of shortcomings compared to the Keithley, but at the same time is better in a couple of ways. I highly sought I’ll be doing any data logging or anything like that. If I happen to find one that is used in good condition for a price that makes sense then I would pick up this unit over the Keithley.
I found one place at looks like I could pick up the Keithley and make payments through Klarna interest free over 4 payments, but it looks like the auto draw every two weeks, so $800 each month. If someone knows of a longer payment term please let me know. I could pay all at once, but spending that kind of money all at once, I’d get the side eye from my wife. Over several months, less of a big deal.
Anyways, looking for opinions on these units, maybe people that have used a couple of these have an opinion? What would you do in my situation? Financially it seem the Siglent would be the way to go, but it seems less “wow” and I’d hate to have buyers remorse wishing I had bought better.
Thank you,
Dan
Amazon return under $600?
https://www.amazon.com/Siglent-Technologies-SDM3065X-Digital-Multimeter/dp/B07YL2J7VT?th=1
I did see that, thank you, but if I chose that option I wouldn’t have the 5 monthly payment option. It is definitely cheaper overall though.
Dan
Dan
The Amazon one might also have a really long return window for you to play with...
I have several 6 1/2 digit meters. they are interesting but only the first 4 or 5 digits matter. My main meter is a Keithley 2015 that is great for troubleshooting. I have a Fluke 8506A as a reference should I need that much resolution (7 1/2 digits at 10V). I would look for a 2015, there are several on eBay. The various Hp, Agilent, Keysight Keithley etc. meters are very well made. You may need to do a cap replacement on an older one but they are quite reliable and stay in cal for a long time. My fluke is still in tolerance after 30? years. Also look at the specs to understand how accurate and for how long.
Go here to really get lost in the weeds: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/metrology/ They all live and breath long scale meters.
Go here to really get lost in the weeds: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/metrology/ They all live and breath long scale meters.
Thank you so very much for your suggestions. I currently have a QA403 analyzer that I use for distortion measurements, but I’m very familiar with it 2015. What makes it so great for troubleshooting over say other multimeters? I would absolutely agree with you that especially for what I do that after thr fourth and fifth digits it’s not important. I think it’s just the cool factor, getting a new toy and having it be able to know that you could get those numbers if you ever needed to. I’ve been looking closely at thr Keithley 2001, it would get me an extra digit, and be slightly cheaper, but at the expense it’s a little less exciting and it’s missing some features. I would personally like, like a continuity beeper.
But yeah, I’m totally open to 2015, but curious as to why it’s better for trouble shooting. regardless of the meter I pick a must is for wire resistance measurements, and I would want it to be able to have the resolution to measure down to the milliohm.
Dan
Hi,
I agree with 1audio on the typical non-requirement of 6.5digits.
I also own the Siglent 3065, but can´t really remember if I needed the last digit.
The cheaper 3055 would have sufficed .... besides, the price/performance relationship of the 3055 is certainly better.
I also work with an 34401 at work and in direct comparison they are almost on par.
The differences appear more as a matter of taste to me.
The HP´s ranges base on 1 (1V/1A/1k, etc) while the Siglent bases on 2 (2V/2A/2k, etc), which sometimes appears as if the HP has a tad more resolution.
The HPs lowest current range is rather high after todays standards, but apart from that .... its well known, well built, stable and certainly earned its reputation.
The Siglents big advantage is its nice grafic display and associated software.
The price/performance of the 3065 is fully ok, though a bit on the high side in comparison to the 3055.
Siglent also built a reputation for good update support, while Keysight changed its policy to ´professionals support only´, which might be an issue if You want to get calibration or repair (btw. there are rumours that R&S are introducing even more strict policies, basically excluding Hobbyists completely from any direct support at all). 👎👎👎
So take care of whom You buy ... I personally woudn´t go the Amazon/Ali/Ebay route, but always choose a decent registered dealer ... nowadays You are just one firmware update away from bricking Your device.
jauu
Calvin
I agree with 1audio on the typical non-requirement of 6.5digits.
I also own the Siglent 3065, but can´t really remember if I needed the last digit.
The cheaper 3055 would have sufficed .... besides, the price/performance relationship of the 3055 is certainly better.
I also work with an 34401 at work and in direct comparison they are almost on par.
The differences appear more as a matter of taste to me.
The HP´s ranges base on 1 (1V/1A/1k, etc) while the Siglent bases on 2 (2V/2A/2k, etc), which sometimes appears as if the HP has a tad more resolution.
The HPs lowest current range is rather high after todays standards, but apart from that .... its well known, well built, stable and certainly earned its reputation.
The Siglents big advantage is its nice grafic display and associated software.
The price/performance of the 3065 is fully ok, though a bit on the high side in comparison to the 3055.
Siglent also built a reputation for good update support, while Keysight changed its policy to ´professionals support only´, which might be an issue if You want to get calibration or repair (btw. there are rumours that R&S are introducing even more strict policies, basically excluding Hobbyists completely from any direct support at all). 👎👎👎
So take care of whom You buy ... I personally woudn´t go the Amazon/Ali/Ebay route, but always choose a decent registered dealer ... nowadays You are just one firmware update away from bricking Your device.
jauu
Calvin
2015 for troubleshooting-
I have used a number of these long scale meters (from HP3455 on) and most are slow and focused on the special needs of metrology. The 6015 has featires like Continuity test (with adjustable sensitivty) that I use a lot. The THD is a good quick test for working or clipping before the analyzers can lock onto the signal. Switching functions is quick, the display is easy to read. My 2015 replaced a Fluke 8860 which was a great bench meter with 5 1/2 digits. However the Ohms function failed with unavailable parts.
I can't bring myself to buy new test equipment except in special cases. The quality instruments are made to last years, some metrology stuff for decades. However most industry turns the stuff over in like 5 years or less.
The 2015 is an odd case- they were bought in China for caell phone test lines. Cheaper than an AP. The QA stuff replaced them in that market.
I have used a number of these long scale meters (from HP3455 on) and most are slow and focused on the special needs of metrology. The 6015 has featires like Continuity test (with adjustable sensitivty) that I use a lot. The THD is a good quick test for working or clipping before the analyzers can lock onto the signal. Switching functions is quick, the display is easy to read. My 2015 replaced a Fluke 8860 which was a great bench meter with 5 1/2 digits. However the Ohms function failed with unavailable parts.
I can't bring myself to buy new test equipment except in special cases. The quality instruments are made to last years, some metrology stuff for decades. However most industry turns the stuff over in like 5 years or less.
The 2015 is an odd case- they were bought in China for caell phone test lines. Cheaper than an AP. The QA stuff replaced them in that market.
I have a couple of old HP 3478A DMM’s that are for me very reliable and accurate. Compare Specs on what you chose. The only complaint I have heard is that they only go up to 300V so not good for hi voltage tube stuff. maybe they don’t like the non backlit LCD but that’s not much of a problem unless you work in the dark.
For the $ you are talking you could buy a bunch of 3478’s and have spare parts for your life.
I am not a fan of vf displays as over time they dim and segments are at different brightness.
On the qa-403, Bob Cordell just released a excellent tutorial on its use, posted in the test equipment section of his web site cordellaudio.com
For the $ you are talking you could buy a bunch of 3478’s and have spare parts for your life.
I am not a fan of vf displays as over time they dim and segments are at different brightness.
On the qa-403, Bob Cordell just released a excellent tutorial on its use, posted in the test equipment section of his web site cordellaudio.com
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Just make sure to buy a set of Kelvin probes if you buy an expensive DVM.
The AC accuracy for older DVMs like HP3478 or 68 is limiting when measuring non-sine sources
The AC accuracy for older DVMs like HP3478 or 68 is limiting when measuring non-sine sources
Hi,
I am familiar and recommended the HP 3478A.
It has a AD536 (A1-U303) true RMS detector. Would have to look to see if they used the AD536 AK or AJ trimming option.
1/76—Revision 0: Initial Version
Wide response capability
Computes rms of ac and dc signals
450 kHz bandwidth: V rms > 100 mV
2 MHz bandwidth: V rms > 1 V
Signal crest factor of 7 for 1% error
dB output with 60 dB range
Low power: 1.2 mA quiescent
AD536 is still in production, Mouser has them. they are not cheap. For the price of a used HP3478A you can buy a AD586AJDZ
100% I find for low resistance measurements that Kelvin is the way to go. You cannot buy them for this little ESR meter, but there are simple instructions to follow online. so I made a pair for this and use it for all of my lower measurements.
The new meter I end up getting, I will want it to have at least one milliohm resistance. I already have the leads.
I really did have my heart set on the DMM6500, but after talking with my wife, she thinks it’s best if I come down from the clouds a little bit.
Dan
6.5 digits is fine for "certification" or "calibration" work, but for repairs and troubleshooting, a total waste. For $500+, you can buy a scope etc. In some cases, you want a "disposable" meter.
I think for certification or cal work your in the HP3458A arena.
I don't own a Siglent DMM, but have been pleased with my Siglent 'scope and Siglent power supply. https://siglentna.com/digital-multimeters/
Note that the Siglent DMM's can measure up to 1,000VDC, and will do 4-wire Ohms.
I don't own a Siglent DMM, but have been pleased with my Siglent 'scope and Siglent power supply. https://siglentna.com/digital-multimeters/
Note that the Siglent DMM's can measure up to 1,000VDC, and will do 4-wire Ohms.
I'm going to post a contrarian opinion. Don't waste your money on the ultimate multimeter. 6 significant digits is way overkill for audio. There is no application in audio circuits which will require that much precision.
Spend your money on an oscilloscope or spectrum analyzer. And audio range oscilloscope can be found for under $1000. They are extremely useful for troubleshooting.
Just a thought.
Spend your money on an oscilloscope or spectrum analyzer. And audio range oscilloscope can be found for under $1000. They are extremely useful for troubleshooting.
Just a thought.
A good scope with a distortion analyzer is an unbeatable combination for understanding your DIY constructions.