Author Topic: A second DMM (Read 4174 times)

anishkgt · « **on:** March 10, 2017, 12:57:34 pm »

I have replaced my old mastec dmm. Was not very accurate so got an Extech 330 and I was thinking of getting a second dmm as well. Not sure if I should get the UNI-T or the extech brand. I have a budget for 200 for the second one.

Could somebody please recommend me the second one.

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jeroen79 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 10, 2017, 02:12:37 pm »

What are your requirements for the second DMM?

anishkgt · « **Reply #2 on:** March 10, 2017, 02:22:24 pm »

Basically to measure microcurrent and mv with better resolution and better temp range than the first one.

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anishkgt · « **Reply #3 on:** March 10, 2017, 02:33:21 pm »

And peak voltage and current reading.

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tooki · « **Reply #4 on:** March 14, 2017, 11:04:47 am »

You might get lucky and find a used Fluke 87V within that budget. It's got a really good peak detect that most meters don't have.

anishkgt · « **Reply #5 on:** March 14, 2017, 11:11:35 am »

Well I did check that and had in my list but the extech MP530A USD: 160/- and the MM560A USD: 244/- with high accuracy (0.03% + 2d) was something cheaper and near spec to the fluke. The fluke 87-5 cost USD: 371/-excluding shipping to Qatar.

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anishkgt · « **Reply #6 on:** March 14, 2017, 11:12:42 am »

Yea a used one would be good. But don't want to take the risk of may or may not work in the long run.

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CraigHB · « **Reply #7 on:** March 14, 2017, 12:29:59 pm »

I have an Extech MM570A, pretty similar to the MM560A. It does have really good accuracy and resolution. Pretty happy with it. I actually got it as a warranty replacement for a cheaper model I sent in for service. It was defective out of the box and they upgraded me for my trouble. Though to be honest I think the quality is better with a Fluke, but they're quite a bit more costly. I can't say if Fluke quality is worth the additional cost.

anishkgt · « **Reply #8 on:** March 14, 2017, 01:20:42 pm »

I doubt I would be willing to pay 100/- extra for a brand name. After extech seems to me like a pretty good brand and name. 560A and 570 are not similar m70 is all about accuracy without the temp feature.

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CraigHB · « **Reply #9 on:** March 14, 2017, 02:09:55 pm »

Well they're similar enough to be covered by the same user manual; http://www.extech.com/resources/MM560A-MM570A_UM.pdf

retiredcaps · « **Reply #10 on:** March 14, 2017, 05:55:55 pm »

The Extech MM570A and MM560A are made by Brymen.

anishkgt · « **Reply #11 on:** March 14, 2017, 05:56:46 pm »

Oh that's something new.

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retiredcaps · « **Reply #12 on:** March 14, 2017, 05:58:24 pm »

Quote from: anishkgt on March 14, 2017, 01:20:42 pm

After extech seems to me like a pretty good brand and name.

Extech don't make a single multimeter. They get someone else like Brymen or CEM Instruments to rebrand their meters in Extech's green and orange colors. Avoid any CEM Instruments rebrand. There are enough teardown pictures of shoddy and inconsistent CEM meters to make you avoid them.

retiredcaps · « **Reply #13 on:** March 14, 2017, 06:00:57 pm »

See Spawn's experience with the Extech CEM and Brymen rebadge teardown pictures and review.

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/teardown-extech-ex570-my-first-but-also-last-extech/

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/extech-mm570a-arrived-as-replacement-for-ex570-but-is-it-better/

anishkgt · « **Reply #14 on:** March 14, 2017, 06:20:03 pm »

I am thinking of getting those from tequipment. So am hoping they won't be crappy ones. Since these are Brymen made should I go for the brymen dmm or are there better ones for the same price.

And thank you for the heads up.

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CraigHB · « **Reply #15 on:** March 15, 2017, 05:23:54 pm »

Quote from: retiredcaps on March 14, 2017, 06:00:57 pm

See Spawn's experience with the Extech CEM and Brymen rebadge teardown pictures and review.

That's exactly what happened to me with the same meters, EX570 I bought was a POS out of the box. I sent in a support request about the issues I was having and they replaced it with a MM570A. I think it was even the same Extech guy that handled the issue and it was about the same time. Though mine came to me new and untouched out of the box. No blown fuse or fingerprints on the inner screen.

I would have actually preferred it if they used the smaller standard diameter fuse on the mA range like on the EX570 Those big 440mA fuses are really expensive. I don't know where the guy was getting them that he could say they were only ten bucks, but I can't find them for less than like forty, crazy. I made an adapter so it could use a standard size fast blow fuse that costs a buck or two a pop. Though as I mentioned before those cheap ones are only 250V rated instead of the 1kV rated fuse it comes with.

In any case I've been using my MM570A for some time now, three maybe four years. I've been really happy with it. It is made by Brymen so if you can find the Brymen branded one for a lot less than what Extech charges you should go that route.

BTW, the backlight on the MM570A and probably the MM560A as well is a joke. It might work if you're in a closet with zero ambient light. It's not an issue for me since I only use the meter on my well lit work bench, but it does amaze me they figured out a way to put such a crap backlight on a high end meter like that. Even a dirt cheap PSU I bought and have since replaced had nice backlighting on the displays.

anishkgt · « **Reply #16 on:** March 15, 2017, 05:28:06 pm »

Hmmm brymen, I thought they were some cheap brand when I had checked there website but reading here turns out they are the kings of DMM. will check that as well. Tequipemtn does not have the brymen unfortunately. Would
Anyone know where I could get a similar one like the EX570A.

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Lightages · « **Reply #17 on:** March 15, 2017, 11:59:49 pm »

First thing, the back light on the MM560A and 570 should have been updated to a better one now.

You can get the equivalent Brymen from www.tme.eu.
http://www.tme.eu/en/details/bm857s-wb/portable-digital-multimeters/brymen/
http://www.tme.eu/en/details/bm859s/portable-digital-multimeters/brymen/

also consider the BM867S or BM869S
http://www.tme.eu/en/details/bm867/portable-digital-multimeters/brymen/bm867s/
http://www.tme.eu/en/details/bm869/portable-digital-multimeters/brymen/bm869s/

anishkgt · « **Reply #18 on:** March 18, 2017, 12:47:45 am »

Ordered the Brymen869s.

ProBang2 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 18, 2017, 01:59:51 am »

BTW:

There is a better source for the Brymen available:
The official german Brymen distributor: Welectron.
Why better?

- Price. Brymen869S from Welectron: 184.03 € without VAT. TME: 200.87€.
- Worldwide shipping. Within the EU: Free shipping!
- Included are: Test leads with silicon wire, gold plated tip, thread for 4mm banana connector and the connectors. (TME: Standard leads.)
- Zipped pouch. (TME: N/A.)
- Last, but for sure not least: A responsive, fast reacting service. (BTW: Polite and friendly contact.)

See yourself: Brymen869S from Welectron

I am not related in any way to Welectron, except: I have bought a Brymen869S from them two weeks ago.
And I can rate the service: Nothing, really nothing went smooth at this transaction. None of the problems were the fault of Welectron. The service worked fast, culant and effective.

2N3055 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 18, 2017, 11:51:28 am »

I also bought mv BM525S from Welectron. Not only it was a bit cheaper than in TME, but you get Nylon carrying pouch and a set of their Brymen BL21S2-T4SC Silicone Test Leads (the good ones). And free shipping in Europe. So all in all good value.. I also got the extra pouch (less than 10€...) for mx BM869S that came without it from TME..

anishkgt · « **Reply #21 on:** March 20, 2017, 07:14:49 am »

Unfortunately I bought from tme.eu and I guess it was bad choice. They have not got back to me with a follow up on the order. Shipped, held, or out of stock. Somebody here was bragging about tme.eu

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ProBang2 · « **Reply #22 on:** March 20, 2017, 11:54:25 am »

"Somebody here was bragging about tme.eu"

I am pretty sure: Without bad intention.
For a long time tme.eu was the single source for Brymen DMM´s in europe.

anishkgt · « **Reply #23 on:** March 20, 2017, 11:58:23 am »

Yes ofcource, certainly not with a bad intention. I was saying the customer support needs to be more professional. Speaking to one of them was good though. More brymen retailers are hard to find these are they not known with electronics enthusiasts? Maybe brands like extech use them and hence not very much known.

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Author Topic: A second DMM (Read 4174 times)

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