''Brymen" - might be better option:
https://brymen.eu/product-category/multimeters/
https://brymen.eu/product-category/multimeters/
Hi,
no pun intended whatsoever towards DIYaudio, but eevblog might be the better source of information in case of such equipment.
They tagged a extensive list of DMMs showing the features and the robustness-test results of hundreds of DMMs.
On my website I feature a section ´Test-lab´ where I describe my DMMs and the reason of their choice ... among them a Brymen 867 and a Uni-T UT61e.
Generally I think that nowadays it´s becoming harder to judge by the datasheets or published specs of a device since even really bad devices often throw a deceiving shine.
First and foremost You should evaluate what You need and only then what You wish for and the specs written on paper.
If for example You need the DMM just for lowvoltage applications, electrical robustness/safety doesn´t play a big role.
If You have to measure line voltages and higher also, then robustness might save You the day.
In robustness generally A-brands excel ... Brymen and Fluke beeing at the top end here.
If You measure a certain voltage range regularly, You may have a look at the counts digits.
A 6000 counts display could measure a 5V supply down to a 1mV with 3 digits, same as a 22000 display, while a 4000 count display would loose one digit already (10mV, regardless of the devices true resolution).
The 22000 display though could show 15V with 3 digits after the dot.
Regarding RMS measurements have a look in the details.
TrueRMS doesn´t necessary mean reliable and true RMS.
Some DMMs only measure true with sinusodal signals.
Most can measure only signals with low Crest-factors.
And only few can measure signals containing a dc-offset.
The Brymen 867/869 shines here, as it also shines using it´s Crest function, a dedicated fast recording function (max/min/avg) with which You can catch signals on say a distorted supply line, that other DMMs leave undetected.
Besides there are many more factors in the decision process that you should know or like to know of before, like:
jauu
Calvin
no pun intended whatsoever towards DIYaudio, but eevblog might be the better source of information in case of such equipment.
They tagged a extensive list of DMMs showing the features and the robustness-test results of hundreds of DMMs.
On my website I feature a section ´Test-lab´ where I describe my DMMs and the reason of their choice ... among them a Brymen 867 and a Uni-T UT61e.
Generally I think that nowadays it´s becoming harder to judge by the datasheets or published specs of a device since even really bad devices often throw a deceiving shine.
First and foremost You should evaluate what You need and only then what You wish for and the specs written on paper.
If for example You need the DMM just for lowvoltage applications, electrical robustness/safety doesn´t play a big role.
If You have to measure line voltages and higher also, then robustness might save You the day.
In robustness generally A-brands excel ... Brymen and Fluke beeing at the top end here.
If You measure a certain voltage range regularly, You may have a look at the counts digits.
A 6000 counts display could measure a 5V supply down to a 1mV with 3 digits, same as a 22000 display, while a 4000 count display would loose one digit already (10mV, regardless of the devices true resolution).
The 22000 display though could show 15V with 3 digits after the dot.
Regarding RMS measurements have a look in the details.
TrueRMS doesn´t necessary mean reliable and true RMS.
Some DMMs only measure true with sinusodal signals.
Most can measure only signals with low Crest-factors.
And only few can measure signals containing a dc-offset.
The Brymen 867/869 shines here, as it also shines using it´s Crest function, a dedicated fast recording function (max/min/avg) with which You can catch signals on say a distorted supply line, that other DMMs leave undetected.
Besides there are many more factors in the decision process that you should know or like to know of before, like:
- budget ... of course
- can You test/light-up LEDs with the diode test?
- build quality, external as well as internal ... say simple wood screws or threaded bushings and mashine screws ... main function switch robustness, etc, etc.
- haptics may play a role, especially with larger sized DMMs. Does it fit Your hand well ... does the main function switch turn smooth and precise and over a long period ... how about the quality and readability of the display .... and so on.
jauu
Calvin
I have two UNI-T LCR meters and they work satisfactorily : a basic UT-603 and a more sophisticated UT-612
That said, I never tested their DMM. I rely on my two FLUKE FL87-III, two FL87-V, an one 8060A, but certainly UNI-T offers good DMMs, if I state by the good performance of their LCR meters...
T
That said, I never tested their DMM. I rely on my two FLUKE FL87-III, two FL87-V, an one 8060A, but certainly UNI-T offers good DMMs, if I state by the good performance of their LCR meters...
T
If you have to qualify a product specification, then fine, buy an expensive instrument with credentials. Otherwise, I use disposable meters, ie nothing over $50.
True RMS?: get a scope. In the old days of analog meters, 5% was considered accurate. Now the cheapest nasty POS will do 1%. The other reason people buy expensive equipment is to look "professional", at least to, shall we say, laymen. I have no reason to impress anyone.
True RMS?: get a scope. In the old days of analog meters, 5% was considered accurate. Now the cheapest nasty POS will do 1%. The other reason people buy expensive equipment is to look "professional", at least to, shall we say, laymen. I have no reason to impress anyone.
Mastech 830 is $6 or so here, and a Sanwa 360 or similar analog meter is handy.
Sanwa was famous in India, Hung Chang from Korea was also good back in the day.
Most meters in the same range use the same circuits, the haptics and build quality differ.
Buy as per your needs, and the best you can afford.
I started with cheap meters, upgraded, and found the cheap ones are within 0.1V of expensive ones on 20 VDC range, so you must decide if the extra accuracy is needed.
The really cheap $1.50 meters have terrible wires and build quality, but are disposable...
Get a good extra kit of probes with clips, clamps, and so on as well, they are needed at times.
Sanwa was famous in India, Hung Chang from Korea was also good back in the day.
Most meters in the same range use the same circuits, the haptics and build quality differ.
Buy as per your needs, and the best you can afford.
I started with cheap meters, upgraded, and found the cheap ones are within 0.1V of expensive ones on 20 VDC range, so you must decide if the extra accuracy is needed.
The really cheap $1.50 meters have terrible wires and build quality, but are disposable...
Get a good extra kit of probes with clips, clamps, and so on as well, they are needed at times.
on the link i gave, sort the dvm in order of safety
its better to get a safe meter with good protection regardless of use
for the money, the uni-t ut139c is very good
Yes indeed - IMHO, don't expect the ability to measure, accuracy and repeatability of a FLUKE 87-V, but also take in count that this is a 10X higher priced DMM !
But for 42 Euros, the UT-139 is fine, so go for it...
T
