Multimeters with (Color) Graphic Display - Summary & Comparison

[Markus2801A]

Hello!

I try to do some comparison and listing of all available Multimeters with (Color) Graphic Display.
It should be able to show you more than only numeric Values or fixed (in LCD placed, shaped electrodes) signs, so I mean a Display which is able to change its Content absolutely freely like your Smartphone does, and maybe future Firmware Updates will offer additional functionality and UI-Updates etc.
Maybe we can work together and create a list and share our experience and opinions about those Meters.
Its because I plan to buy the new Version of the Metric MTX 3293-BT which will be released soon in 2019 (see below)

As far I  found out, the following companies offer Multimeters with graphical color Display. Some of them seem to be rebranded types, so every information regarding this would be nice!
Please feel free to comment and complete the list! It would also be nice to know when those meters were released? Some of them seem to be very pricey some a bargain? but are they useful, or china crap?

Brand	Type	Price (18.04.2019) incl. TAX	Comment
Fluke	287 & 289	575€	no color Display but seems to be the one of the Top Player!
Metrix (Chauvin Arnoux)	MTX 3290-3293 (BT)	740€	high quality Top DMM! still available but will be replaced by new Type called C.A. 5292 & 5293 in appprox. 1 year
Chauvin Arnoux	C. A. 5292-5293 (BT)	t.b.a. 2019	release DATE t.b.a.already listed in FR 2019 Catalogue (according to C.A. Austria on 23.04.19 Release will be delayed 1 year) - more Memory but what else?
ExTech	GX900	545€	pricey? How does it compare to Uni-T and CEM? Maybe higher priced but same hardware like CEM Uni-T and friends?
C.E.M.	DT-9987	260€	Bargain? Or China Crap?
C.E.M.	DT-9989	399€	with Oscilloscope functionality
C.E.M.	DT-989	178€	same as PeakTech 3440
RS Pro	HS608 MeterScope	415€	looks like rebranded CEM DT-9989
PeakTech	3440	182€	same as CEM DT-989
Uni-T (UniTrend)	UT181A	260€	bargain? or china crap? Looks almost like CEM DT-9987
Hantek	2000 Series	169€ - 199€	listed under "Handheld Oscilloscope" with DMM functionality? CRAP?

Only Fluke and Chauvin Arnoux offer Firmware updates for their Top Tiers of Multimeters. Unfortunately Fluke doesn't offer one with color Display, but I think the 289 is one of the best DMM you can buy. So lets start the discussion :-)


The Idea is also regarding the question, do your really need today an extra Bench-Top Device? Handheld High-End like Fluke and Matrix/Chauvin Arnoux seem to be more versatile!? What do you think?


Markus from Austria!

[TurboTom]

Hi Markus -

welcome to the forum! You can also add the CEM DT-989 (aka Peaktech 3440, Southwire and several others) to your list. This is a relatively compact meter and once in a while, it's available at a bargain or with a package of additional items. I think I got mine for round about 170€ including a pouch of test leads, thermocouples, thermocouple adapters, test clips and what not. Mike('s Electric Stuff) published anice review on one of the rebrands:



 I'ld stay away from OLED multimeters since there's quite some complaints of the screens fading even without being intensely used, I've experienced one such case myself.
Cheers,
Thomas

[Markus2801A]

Thanks! Im working to create a better overview as table layout, maybe also with images, but im not so familiar with creating nice looking postings (HTML Code etc)
I will update my initial post soon ;-)

Yes i forgot Peaktech and the cheaper CEM with little smaller display, i will add them too!

Any ideas why other companies didn't release color Multimeters til yet?

[shakalnokturn]

Comparing the specs and ADC solutions used should be interesting too.
I'd be surprised if the upcoming C.A. had much different from the former MTX329x.

I'd avoid the Extech, that's going to be a clone of one of the others sold for around 100-150€ extra.

The other question is there any real point in having a colour LCD DMM other than to suck the Füçk out of the power source? (4 chan DSO no problem, but graphical DMM...?)
Actually I don't see much point in a graphical DMM unless it can capture and display glitches. I do see the point in a logging DMM having the possibility to graph the logs. If it must have a colour LCD I'd request that at least the screen could be disabled in logging mode.

[Markus2801A]

@shakalnokturn: you're absolutely right!
I think a color display makes it much more readable and if displaying a bunch of values it might be helpful in distinguishing between those values and meanings?

Thanks for the hint with the EXTECH, I will update the list ASAP :-)
Seems there is a bunch of Color Display DMM which use almost the same Hardware in different colored housings! :-) But why?

[TurboTom]

Readability of the TFT cannot be compared to standard segment (TN) LCDs, even if a backlight is used. Current consumption is considerable, that's true, but as a consequence, most of these meters come factory equipped with a rechargable battery (LiIon / LiPo4 chemistry on the recent ones) and a charger. Of course, it's a little more troublesome to always make sure the battery is charged, but compared to some of the OLED meters with primary batteries or crappy 9V block NiMHs, they are a big improvement. If you've got to work in areas with low ambient lighting and have to read the meter at awkward, varying angles, or you want to record a video clip of the screen, they are really worth a thought. Moreover, the TFTs are quite fast though this may not be of much importance in case of a multimeter.

Cheers.

[2N3055]

I have MTX3293. As far as specs for the new one goes, it seems it has more memory for logging and maybe a bit different graphic display. All else seems the same.

Meter is great, pleasure to work with. You can use it while charging.
VA mode works very well. It is great to use on the desk.
I didn't try to use it outside in direct sunlight, but I think my Brymen 869S works better for that.

Graphic display in interactive mode ended up not being very useful. It works well with logged data.
I wish secondary measurements font would be a bit larger, there is space on screen.

All in all good meter.

[joeqsmith]

Welcome to the site.  Your color choice of yellow on white make it hard to read.   I have a UT181A and made a review for it.  It has some nice features but isn't very robust.

https://youtu.be/PjNXbKlr3MI

[Markus2801A]

Good Morning!

Yes it seems C.A. changed color to their corporate identity "yellow" and added more Memory, hope we find out about further improvements. see image below (FR-Catalogue)

I wanted to buy myself a second DMM Device and considered a Bench-Top Model but I think the High End Handheld Devices today offer great accuracy and also portability and are not tied to power grid :-)
Also - as I am a teacher - I consider take them into school to show some basic measurements to my students (its because unfortunately you don't get state of the art equipment from school, what a pity!)

[2N3055]

Good Morning!

Yes it seems C.A. changed color to their corporate identity "yellow" and added more Memory, hope we find out about further improvements. see image below (FR-Catalogue)

I wanted to buy myself a second DMM Device and considered a Bench-Top Model but I think the High End Handheld Devices today offer great accuracy and also portability and are not tied to power grid :-)
Also - as I am a teacher - I consider take them into school to show some basic measurements to my students (its because unfortunately you don't get state of the art equipment from school, what a pity!)

Well, for teaching you'll gona love SPEC mode.
It is great for teaching measurements uncertainties and to get intuitive feeling  that your measurement is not one absolute correct number but a set of possible values "somewhere about here"

[windsmurf]

...Yes it seems C.A. changed color to their corporate identity "yellow" and added more Memory, hope we find out about further improvements. see image below (FR-Catalogue)...

Oh that means it violates Fluke's trademark and won't be allowed in the U.S. ...

[shakalnokturn]

Colour scheme violation? (This sounds like segregation...) How ridiculous can I.P. get? Trademarking a colour scheme is a good enough reason for me to not give Fluke any cash.

Anyway C.A. should have stuck to the MTX model's blue, unless they were already in trouble with Tektronix over using blue...

[David Hess]

Do not forget battery type and life.  Display life would be nice but it is not practical to verify.

[Markus2801A]

Well, for teaching you'll gona love SPEC mode.
It is great for teaching measurements uncertainties and to get intuitive feeling  that your measurement is not one absolute correct number but a set of possible values "somewhere about here"

Absolut, this is one of the reasons I will buy the Metrix or the new C.A. Type. At the moment Iàm waiting for the release because my dealer in Austria said I should wait for the new type!

I like Colors, yes maybe it would have been better to stick to blue than making them kind of yellow which may interferes with fluke. But the design of the C.A./Metrix is unique. regardless which color the case is.

Off-Topic Question:
Does anyone know how to make good looking tables here with BBCode? Here, it seems to don't support the new possiblitities which are implemented in newer versions of BBCode.

[2N3055]

Do not forget battery type and life.  Display life would be nice but it is not practical to verify.

It runs 4xAA size. It comes with NiMH batteries and power brick, it charges batteries in meter and can work plugged in.. It also comes with IR USB cable and has nice enough PC software. It suports Modbus and SCPI.
It also has 2 diode test modes: normal (3.5V /500uA) and zener mode (28V/10mA)
It is a well featured meter, and can replace entry level benchtop instruments.

[joeqsmith]

I am not understanding why the old Fluke 289 is included when it's not color.  Maybe change the name of from Multimeters with Color Graphic Display - Summary & Comparison  to just Multimeters -  Summary & Comparison.   Seems like there is a list for this. 

A person asked me about looking at the AM MTX 3283BT.  The conversation is attached.  I never did hear any more about it and wonder if they damaged their meter.  It really wouldn't surprise me and if that was all it took to damage one, I see no reason to dig into it further.   Still,  I would like to see some high resolution pictures of the internals.

I picked up one of UNI-T's Bluetooth adapters for the UT181A.  While they don't offer a Windows based program, with a sniffer and the help of a few members here I was able to get it working with LabView.   A couple of changes to this meter and it could be really nice for for what I would use it for and if they offer an improved version, I will pick one up.  Here you can see the BLE interface in operation. 
https://youtu.be/e_YzwO62feQ?t=1205

[Markus2801A]

I included the Fluke because it is said its one of the best DMM out there. It is almost capable of replacing many Bench-Top Devices as far as I have read reviews etc. about it.

In my opinion, you don't need a bench top device if you own one of the high accuracy DMM like Metrix (Chauvin Arnoux) or Fluke. In least I would rely on those devices but im not sure if the other like Uni-T 181A or CEM are also as exact as the higher priced Fluke 287/289 Series are. The price is a bargain for approx 260€ you get CEM 9987 or Uni-T 181A with color Display and their Specs are impressive for this Price range, but are they true?

[2N3055]

I don't own UT-181.
I do have UT-70C, and truth is, when did some checks against calibrated 6.5 digit meter, it read dead on. To last digit. Also, it had VERY fast peak detect mode, very flat bandwidth  on AC mode, exceeding 200kHz for -3dB point.
But it is bad quality of materials and workmanship. Not very much used meter had input banana sockets falling proper contact after maybe 6 months. I managed to find thin 4mm internal dia tubes and replaced soft metal inserts. It working OK now.
Also there is a trimpot inside for basic trim of voltage reference.
Pot started to be noisy at one time, I discovered it had too much of the trimming range. Replaced with combination of two fixed resistors and better quality 10-turn pot. After adjusting, again very accurate in all other ranges. It still is after few years.

I don't use it anymore, it is delegated to my son for measuring simple stuff on the desk and in the car..
I didn't try it myself, but I believe it would be damaged easy by Joe Q Smith, and it is not used for anything that would have enough energy to make it dangerous.

And that seems to be the story of UNI-T. Basically, instruments that could have been great, but not executed quite right.
Good for the money, but not great.

[joeqsmith]

I included the Fluke because it is said its one of the best DMM out there. It is almost capable of replacing many Bench-Top Devices as far as I have read reviews etc. about it.

In my opinion, you don't need a bench top device if you own one of the high accuracy DMM like Metrix (Chauvin Arnoux) or Fluke. In least I would rely on those devices but im not sure if the other like Uni-T 181A or CEM are also as exact as the higher priced Fluke 287/289 Series are. The price is a bargain for approx 260€ you get CEM 9987 or Uni-T 181A with color Display and their Specs are impressive for this Price range, but are they true?

I understand now that color isn't a metric for your thread.   I have seen many posts about the Fluke 87V being the gold standard of handheld meters but rare I see anything on the 289.   

Hard to compare any handheld meter's performance against an unknown bench meter.   Obviously there is a need for very high end equipment.  Even at home, once in a while my old HP 34401A falls short.  I doub't we will see a handheld match the performance of the HP3458A any time soon.    I will say that I do find I use my Brymen BM869s for most of my home electronics projects now but that's not much of a test case.

Of the meters I have looked at, the one that comes closest to matching my bench meter is the Gossen Ultra, however, as it is sold is not very impressive. 

[joeqsmith]

I don't own UT-181.
I do have UT-70C, and truth is, when did some checks against calibrated 6.5 digit meter, it read dead on. To last digit. Also, it had VERY fast peak detect mode, very flat bandwidth  on AC mode, exceeding 200kHz for -3dB point.
But it is bad quality of materials and workmanship. Not very much used meter had input banana sockets falling proper contact after maybe 6 months. I managed to find thin 4mm internal dia tubes and replaced soft metal inserts. It working OK now.
Also there is a trimpot inside for basic trim of voltage reference.
Pot started to be noisy at one time, I discovered it had too much of the trimming range. Replaced with combination of two fixed resistors and better quality 10-turn pot. After adjusting, again very accurate in all other ranges. It still is after few years.

I don't use it anymore, it is delegated to my son for measuring simple stuff on the desk and in the car..
I didn't try it myself, but I believe it would be damaged easy by Joe Q Smith, and it is not used for anything that would have enough energy to make it dangerous.

And that seems to be the story of UNI-T. Basically, instruments that could have been great, but not executed quite right.
Good for the money, but not great.

I have similar thoughts about the UT181A.  I have no problem with the electronics components they used.  My concerns about the materials are mostly mechanical.   I don't remember the 181A having any mechanical trimmers.  Mine is coming up on three years old and doesn't appear to have drifted much at all.   It was also the most thermally stable handheld meter I have looked at out of the box.   Like the Brymen BM869s, I like that it supports two K-type sensors.   

From the robustness side of things, there are few brands I would consider and UNI-T has not been in the mix.  The UT181A IMO is a very big step in the right direction.  IMO the design could be right there with the best of them with a little better layout.   

[Markus2801A]

@joeqsmith: Fluke 87V is great but it doesn't came with graphing and logging capabilities.
Additional Info added: I tried to say its doesn't have a Full Graph Display, it can only display fixed numeric Values and some additional symbols, I'm sorry

As far as I know, Fluke seems to be one of the view Companies who make really good DMM not only in terms of technical features, but also in terms of production quality.
An successor, maybe with new (color) Display and built in Bluetooth etc. of the 287/289 Series would be very interesting. Any Ideas when Fluke will update their Product ranges?

[joeqsmith]

@joeqsmith: Fluke 87V is great but it doesn't came with graphing and logging capabilities.

As far as I know, Fluke seems to be one of the view Companies who make really good DMM not only in terms of technical features, but also in terms of production quality.
An successor, maybe with new (color) Display and built in Bluetooth etc. of the 287/289 Series would be very interesting. Any Ideas when Fluke will update their Product ranges?

I'm a bit slow but believe I now understand.  You really just want to discuss meters with a graphing feature.   If you were only interested in logging, many meters will fit, including Dave's rebranded UEI 121GW. 

Normally I will use a PC if I want to graph or post process the data from one of these handheld meters anyway.  I do like having a live interface but just having a way to get the data out after the fact is good enough in most cases I come across.     IMO, the 289's is just too slow to be of use.  Zooming, panning... it's just too slow.  The UT181A is much better but still after using a PC for so many years to collect and plot data, the bar is set pretty high.   

I have an old Fluke 97 scope meter.  It's nice if you need a rugged, protable, 50MHz scope.  Personally I have more use for this than a graphing meter.   

[joeqsmith]

There are a lot of them that you may want to consider then...

https://www.testproductsintl.com/digital-multimeters-dmms/440-true-rms-digital-multimeter/
https://www.valuetronics.com/product/2512-bk-precision-scopemeter-new
https://www.valuetronics.com/product/2516-bk-precision-scopemeter-new
https://www.amazon.com/Siglent-SHS806-Oscilloscope-2-Channel-Multimeter/dp/B00GQNNQTM/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=scopemeter&qid=1555700579&s=gateway&sr=8-4
https://www.amazon.com/HDS1021M-N-Oscilloscope-Multimeter-replay%E3%80%81FFT-Functions/dp/B0170N0YA0/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=scopemeter&qid=1555700639&s=gateway&sr=8-7

***
https://www.amazon.com/Oscilloscope-Multimeter-LIUMY-Professional-Scopemeter/dp/B071F1H3PG/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=graphing+meter&qid=1555702390&s=gateway&sr=8-4
https://www.amazon.com/all-sun-Handheld-Oscilloscope-Screen-Channel/dp/B01N65NXZR/ref=sr_1_11?keywords=graphing+meter&qid=1555702572&s=gateway&sr=8-11
https://www.amazon.com/Signstek-Handheld-Scopemeter-Oscilloscope-Multimeter/dp/B016DE1VXG/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=graphing+meter&qid=1555702720&s=gateway&sr=8-7
https://www.amazon.com/Oscilloscope-Waveform-Generator-Handheld-Multimeter/dp/B07KYJZJNZ/ref=sr_1_23?keywords=scopemeter&qid=1555702865&s=gateway&sr=8-23

[Markus2801A]

Oh im sorry, I Apologize when I have expressed my self wrong!

I did not necessarily mean a display which is able to represent a graph, but several information at once.
So I meant a kind of graphic display versus those multimeters that just have a numeric display and some other fixed signs due to their construction types (LCD with shaped electrodes).

Sorry for my translation issues, its my fault!

[2N3055]

I agree with Joe. One thing that I don+t use much on MTX 3293 is graphing on meter.

It has PC interface and quite nice PC app, so I record with meter and download in PC, or grab directly to PC.
I also do that with Brymens . BM869S while connected, or BM525 that has loging, log in field and connect, download and analyze.
I find little screens not very good for reviewing logged data.
That being said, if you do look at graphical data on  MTX 3293 it is a bit better than Fluke289. 
But UT-181 is much better than both in graphing mode..