Best low cost (<$200) BENCH multimeter ?

[rsjsouza]

About as versatile as a Bryman 869s except it only has 60000 count unlike the 500000 count on some of the ranges of the 869s and 867s(which I have).

Just one detail: the 500.000 count mode of the Brymens is fairly inaccurate but useful to track trending voltages - something useful for analysis of battery discharge, for example.

[Fungus]

About as versatile as a Bryman 869s except it only has 60000 count unlike the 500000 count on some of the ranges of the 869s and 867s(which I have).

Just one detail: the 500.000 count mode of the Brymens is fairly inaccurate but useful to track trending voltages - something useful for analysis of battery discharge, for example.

Yep. Pressing a button to add an extra digit to the end of the display doesn't change the base accuracy. The 0.02% specification still applies and that's only 5,000 counts.

(although it will do better than 0.02% in practice, the 50,000 counts in "low res" mode isn't completely wasted)

[rhb]

I just got my 2nd HP 3478A and cleaned the sticker residue off a couple of days ago.  I've also got a pair of 34401As.  I paid $105-110 for the 3478As and $240-250 for the 34401As, USD delivered .

The 3478As are dedicated to PSU monitoring.

I'm not aware of anything comparable in cost, performance and availability.  I'd say mean time to find at the prices I quoted as 4-6 weeks of watching.  Then make an offer.

[nctnico]

It depends on how define performance... I looked at those old DMMs as well but they lack a lot of useful features compared to the VC8145. Also I hate the small LCD display on the HP 3478A. It is hard to read.

[gearshredder]

It depends on how define performance... I looked at those old DMMs as well but they lack a lot of useful features compared to the VC8145. Also I hate the small LCD display on the HP 3478A. It is hard to read.

what features exactly?

[nctnico]

Besides a back-lit LCD with big digits: Fast continuity, frequency, capacitance, temperature and 20A current range.

[coromonadalix]

a Fluke 8846a  will give almost everything you need,  10 amps not 20 amps,  but the price range is not what you want at the end.

[AudioNoob]

The Hioki has good resolution 1mohm, 1pf. good DC accuracy 0.025% same as fluke 289, but measures slightly more accurately. About as versatile as a Bryman 869s except it only has 60000 count unlike the 500000 count on some of the ranges of the 869s and 867s(which I have).

Hioki - close to $500
Brymen 867s (50 000 / 500 000 counts) - close to $150. This is not even an apples to apples comparison.
(Why does any equipment discussion end up at handheld DMMs?)

[rsjsouza]

The Hioki has good resolution 1mohm, 1pf. good DC accuracy 0.025% same as fluke 289, but measures slightly more accurately. About as versatile as a Bryman 869s except it only has 60000 count unlike the 500000 count on some of the ranges of the 869s and 867s(which I have).

Hioki - close to $500
Brymen 867s (50 000 / 500 000 counts) - close to $150. This is not even an apples to apples comparison.

The Hioki is close in price and features to Keysight's U1282A.

Why does any equipment discussion ends up at handheld DMMs?)

People looooove their HHs!

[Shmidtey]

I just bought myself the VC8145 that was mentioned, maybe i'll see if i can bring it into the metrology lab i work at and poke it with the ol' fluke 5500A .
I've been able to play with quite a few more pricey/higher spec'd meters from the work, (fluke 8842 & 45, HP 34401 & 3458A, Keithley 2000, 2400, 197/197A) so it will be interesting to see how it compares.

[exe]

it will be interesting to see how it compares.

Please share your thoughts!

[Shmidtey]

It got delivered today!
Im really liking the display, very bright with good contrast, and I think the dual display refresh rate is as fast or maybe a little faster than the fluke 45s i've seen. Continuity test is very fast, and is merged with diode test. Compared to my other DMMs its accurate enough, though I havent had a chance to check it in the lab yet against its full specs. But i have already spotted one HUGE problem. (Pictured)
A TYPO! Unacceptable.

[exe]

Did you use hacksaw to reduce the depth of the device? It looks very shallow.

[Shmidtey]

Lol yeah, there is alot of empty space in there, and bench space is a precious commodity for me. So I cut it in half, gonna square up the cut by hand, and then do the same for the back end of the housing.
I think im going to ditch the internal supply for and external 9 volt wall wart to save even more space.

[coromonadalix]

they should have done a hand held dmm with this bench meter ...

[nctnico]

they should have done a hand held dmm with this bench meter ...

For what reason? Put another handheld on the market in an already crowded segment? IMHO the VC8145 sits in a very nice sweet spot where it comes to price, features and competition.

[Shmidtey]

they should have done a hand held dmm with this bench meter ...

Im glad they didnt, i quite like my VC8145-Shorty! 
Bet you can't do this to a fluke 45 or HP 34401 LOL.

[Fungus]

they should have done a hand held dmm with this bench meter ...

Im glad they didnt, i quite like my VC8145-Shorty! 
Bet you can't do this to a fluke 45 or HP 34401 LOL.

I'm thinking of doing it to a Fluke 37 I got the other day.

(for 20 Euros)

[coromonadalix]

they should have done a hand held dmm with this bench meter ...

Im glad they didnt, i quite like my VC8145-Shorty! 
Bet you can't do this to a fluke 45 or HP 34401 LOL.

Nope  loll  i can't do that on my 34401

Maybe on my tektronix dm5120, since the meter module is in a frame, the xformer and the gpib plug are exrternal, i'll shorten it, maybe by 3 or 4 inches for a start ... loll

Just paid 200$  for it,  a 6.5 digits meter, an oldie but a goodie  loll