6000 count DMM's (NOT a good $9 newbie meter..) Resolved.

[Cliff Matthews]

PCB looks a bit Aneng-ish inside but it's all bigger (fuses, rubberized case, 9v battery). A bit sad we've come to comparing something at $9 with what Dave reviewed in #1007 at $25. At least his finger pokes won't tip this one over so easy?

*edit - Joe's test shows this bag of bolts is a dud. Better form factor than Aneng mini DMM, a nice try but no cigar..

[In Vacuo Veritas]

Christ can't anyone spell hobbyist correctly before writing it in monitor-high letters?!?

[Cliff Matthews]

I'd trust it to 60vdc, maybe..
https://www.amazon.com/Meterk-Multimeter-Detector-Temperature-Continuity/dp/B0755BCCGV/ref=sr_1_5?s=lamps-light&srs=17509189011

[Cliff Matthews]

The more I look, the more I want 4 of these as bench kickers. I've had 4 non-autoranging ICL-type 2000 count units forever..
Here's the obligatory tear-it-apart photos..

[malagas_on_fire]

A good starting tool on the electronics for the given price.

Nowadays they are all most auto-ranging and most likely they share the same chipset.

But my uni-t 50b with manual range is more faster in reading capacitors than the Aneng's ( i have one too) and it's 8 years old

[Kleinstein]

It looks relatively good for a cheap meter - though it does not look like the CAT rating is correct. More like 300 V CAT 2 or similar.  Maybe there is a similar EU version with correct labeling.

At < $10 it is a surprise to see a labeled HRC fuse - though having a label does not say that much. Still better than the usual 5x20 glass fuse found in cheap meters, though the distances around the fuse holder are still a little small.

[malagas_on_fire]

About the fuses are they filled? You have glass fuses that can break 10x Nominal current and  ceramic ( anti-flame) that can break thousands of Amps, suitable for inductive loads , in the 5x20mm package.

[Cliff Matthews]

About the fuses are they filled? You have glass fuses that can break 10x Nominal current and  ceramic ( anti-flame) that can break thousands of Amps, suitable for inductive loads , in the 5x20mm package.

I doubt it, it's a newbie hobbyist low voltage DMM (at $9 expect nothing more than the Aneng 8000 series gives..)

[sleemanj]

Good that they marked the 6x32 fuse as 250v on the PCB, if they'd just do that on the front I'd be happier, the fat 10A fuse is an interesting choice in such a cheap meter... I'd say that fuse is probably the most expensive part of the entire assembly, at least retail pricing, for a cheap meter like this, I think that using 5x20 250v ceramics is fine and cheap, as long as they would just mark on the front "250v" for the current ranges (as some cheap meters do, the Mastech MS8233E and rebadges thereof).

The plastic looks extremely cheap and shiny in the video.  Not sold on that reflective labelling.  It gives me the impression of a child's toy from the 80s.

[Cliff Matthews]

This PCB looks the AN860B but with re-worked fuse area. This could be good news since that was based on the 12000 count DTM0660 (isn't that a Hycon HY12P66 clone?). PCB clip from Artur's Lab: https://youtu.be/92Asdrcb_DE?t=624

[joeqsmith]

The input is routed directly to the switch.  None of them surge rated resistors, PTCs and MOVs to throw off your reading.  Put a little gasoline on the LCD lens and let me know what happens.  The free ones from HF have no trouble with this but so far every Aneng meter I have looked at was damaged by this.  Crack open the fuses.  Filled?   

[Cliff Matthews]

Nice to see you back in the saddle Joe. After what you've been through, bloody hell is all I can say..

As for this new cheapo meter, it looks like volt/ohms goes through that 600ma fuse (on the PCB-bottom pic above). I'm sure there's plenty of room in this cheap case for a new video.. You could call it 20k or bust ha ha! (but did you buy a new camera?).

[MacMeter]

This meters face plate is exactly the same as my $13.00 “Ragu 17B”, except mine does not have the temp feature, and my rubber boot cover is red. I would never need the amp setting, bought it to leave in road trailer, reading 1800 amp AC tractor generator. Just need to monitor volts and hertz. For $9, I’ll get this one as backup. I lost my 1st Ragu when I tried to make a 9v battery eliminator, and screwed something up, my bad, but at these prices they are practically disposable, and if stolen or broken, it won’t make you cry like losing a fluke.

[Cliff Matthews]

Fluke's likely not excited on that model number, but then again, they may not know Ragu is a spaghetti sauce either.. 

[joeqsmith]

Nice to see you back in the saddle Joe. After what you've been through, bloody hell is all I can say..

As for this new cheapo meter, it looks like volt/ohms goes through that 600ma fuse (on the PCB-bottom pic above). I'm sure there's plenty of room in this cheap case for a new video.. You could call it 20k or bust ha ha! (but did you buy a new camera?).

I've seen a few meters where they route more than the current through the fuse.   The problem I see with them is you may not be aware that you damaged the fuse and the meter reads zero volts.   You may not have a fuse on-hand and cram some wire in there instead, then go to use the current.     

We talk with the insurance company today.  So far, I have no plans to file a claim as I suspect I can repair the big ticket items but I do want to make sure that if the lab were lost that it would be covered.   Interesting thing I did find out is that if the items were damaged by what they call a surge is they limit the electronics.  If it was damaged from lightning, there is no limit.  But in many cases a surge is caused by lightning.      

I do like the camera Dave shows.   I don't have a device in the house that will display 4K but the quality of the picture is impressive. 

[MacMeter]

Fluke's likely not excited on that model number, but then again, they may not know Ragu is a spaghetti sauce either.. 

Unlike the RAGU, I am not able to find an online PDF manual for this meter. Guess I’ll have to make one from the included paper one. Two days to my door for $9, not bad.

OMG: If you watch this “review”, you’ll know why it should have been an audio only podcast....

[Cliff Matthews]

On a hunch, function should be the same as AN860B or Zotek VC17B, Amazon list specs:

Product description

Specifications:
Brand Name: Meterk
Color: Black
Material: PVC Plastic
Range Control: Auto Range
Screen Size: 65 * 40mm / 2.56 * 1.57in
DC Voltage Range: 600mV/6V/60V/600V/1000V
DC Voltage Resolution: 0.1mV/0.001V/0.01V/0.1V/1V
AC Voltage Range: 600mV/6V/60V/600V/750V
AC Voltage Resolution: 0.1mV/1mV/10mV/100mV/1V
DC Current Range: 600μA/6000μA/60mA/600mA/10A
DC Current Resolution: 0.1μA/0.001mA/0.01A/0.1A/1A
AC Current Range: 600μA/6000μA/60mA/600mA/10A
AC Current Resolution: 0.1μA/0.001mA/0.01A/0.1A/1A
Frequency Range: 10Hz/100Hz/1KHz/10KHz/100KHz/1MKHz/20MHz
Frequency Resolution: 0.01Hz/0.1Hz/1Hz/10Hz/100Hz/1KHz/10KHz
Resistance Range: 600Ω/6kΩ/60kΩ/600kΩ/6MΩ/60MΩ
Resistance Resolution: 0.1Ω/1Ω/10Ω/100Ω/1kΩ/10kΩ
Capacitance Range: 60nF/600nF/6μF/60μF/600μF/6mF
Capacitance Resolution: 10pF/100pF/1nF/10nF/100nF/1μF
Temperature Range: -20～1000℃/ -4～1832℉
Temperature Resolution: 1℃/1℉
Function: Hold Mode, Backlight, Auto Power off, NCV Test, Frequency Test, Temperature
Measurement, Continuity Buzzer Test with LCD, Over Load Protection,
Short-circuit Protection, Live Line Test, Diode Test
Sampling Time: about 3 times/second
NCV Detection: ≥2V rms
Power Supply: 1 * 9V NEDA1604/6F22 Battery (Included)
Operating Environment: 0～40°C(32-104°F)
Storage Environment: -20～60°C(-4-140°F)
Item Size: Approx. 184 * 90 * 46mm / 7.67 * 3.35 * 1.37in
Item Weight: 360g / 12.69oz (Battery Included)

Package List:
1 * Digital Multimeter
1 * Test Lead
1 * TP01 Thermocouple Sensor Probe
1 * Use Manual (English + French + German + Italy + Spanish)

[MacMeter]

Thanks, I’ll have no trouble with it, almost identical to the Ragu, I just like to collect and file all my user manuals on my phone, in iBooks. Once I create my own PDF, if anyone wants a copy, PM me.

[bitseeker]

OMG: If you watch this “review”, you’ll know why it should have been an audio only podcast....

Didn't have to get very far for a hint that something may be afoot.

[Cliff Matthews]

OMG: If you watch this “review”, you’ll know why it should have been an audio only podcast....

Didn't have to get very far for a hint that something may be afoot.

So what is afoot? IMO what seems demonstrable is the AN860B's PCB has an update, and it's now 1/3 the previous price under 2 off-branded logo's. The Amazon link and the 2 video's listed seem to prove it, however bad the YT content may be..

*Edit - Aneng's a mystery (if that's the original mfg.) it's also found as: Kasuntest, Zotek, Ragu, Meterk, Zeast, and BSIDE

Perhpas the only help we can give to budget newbies at present is, "keep checking, deals like this are often posted"

[bitseeker]

Well, the chicken, for starters.

[joeqsmith]

Well, the chicken, for starters.

The trash bag in the planter?  Does sort of resemble a chicken.   Looks like he was doing a plumbing project.   

Overall, I thought he did a fine job with the video.   I didn't see any major problems like I was expecting.   The only things I saw the could have been improved were:
Spends a fair amount of time mentioning that he is not going to show how to use it but he proceeds to do a fair job of it. 
At 10:13, talks about current but there is no need to have a closed circuit to detect the voltage.  Just may not have a firm understanding of the terms.   
He does mention early on and then later the CAT III and CAT IV 600V rating.  Does not seem concerned if it actually meets it or not.   
At 11:57, mentions the "MHz one" where it's Hz.  I wonder if it will read into the MHz.   
I'm not sure why he wouldn't just say Fluke has a 17B+ model. 

I watched a few of his other reviews and get the feeling he endorses everything he reviews even if he has little knowledge of the items.  For example: 



Personally, I like the reviews where people actually put the products through their paces, then tell me what the pros and cons are. 

[MacMeter]

My comment on the Ragu video, is based on expecting some motion in a “video”, there are so many LONGGGGG... sections in the 22 minute of just a static shot of the meter, and what basically becomes voice over. You guys covered the content well. Geez, even Joes videos of his test setup always has something going on, moving, or blowing up!

Oh, I never saw the CHICKEN till mentioned, now that’s GREAT stuff.

[joeqsmith]

My comment on the Ragu video, is based on expecting some motion in a “video”, there are so many LONGGGGG... sections in the 22 minute of just a static shot of the meter, and what basically becomes voice over. You guys covered the content well. Geez, even Joes videos of his test setup always has something going on, moving, or blowing up!

Oh, I never saw the CHICKEN till mentioned, now that’s GREAT stuff.

Oh, the dead time.  Yes, I agree but it seems to be to norm with many meter reviews.  People like to state their expert feelings about them.    He talked about being an automotive AC specialist or something like that.  I was not expecting him to have a solid understanding of the product from an electronics perspective or have a knowledge of the CAT ratings and what to look for.   If he wants to continue to receive free goods, I don't think he can afford to make bad reviews.   

I get comments about my videos being pedantic.  Based on the view metrics, I think the sweet spot is 7 or 8 minutes.  Exceed that and people stop watching.  Good thing I am not in it for the money  or fame.  lol.   

[MacMeter]

@Joe
Your videos are obviously very specialized. And you fast forward for us when cycling through to recheck a meter after every potentially destructive test. Most online videos of any subject are just way too long. I suspect the main reason besides filmmaking ignorance, is the extra time and effort to EDIT them properly. And yes, experienced filmmakers can fall in love with their work, and not edit them down enough. Example:
When Marty Scorsese was hired to direct “The Wolf of Wall Street”, the contract stated the movie could NOT run over 3 hours. So Marty made it 2 hours, and 59 minutes! Decent movie, but most critics agree about 30 minutes too long.