Author Topic: Pocket Multimeter Recommendations (Read 41221 times)

Wytnucls · « **Reply #25 on:** January 13, 2015, 05:33:04 am »

The Digitek mentioned by Lightages is also made by Victor. Cruder construction, not that small, but powered by 2 ubiquitous AAA batteries and has a nice sharp screen.

Lightages · « **Reply #26 on:** January 13, 2015, 05:42:01 am »

Sorry Wytnucls, they are not the same. They have different construction and the Digitek uses two SR44 batteries.

Wytnucls · « **Reply #27 on:** January 13, 2015, 06:22:44 am »

Yes, but I see a family connection there, with the meters using the same case, probes and lettering. Victor also sold a similar meter with a current range. Seems discontinued now. Possibly all made by a third party for Digitek and Victor, who knows...

Lightages · « **Reply #28 on:** January 13, 2015, 06:27:10 am »

Yes, it is very rare that the Chinese manufacturers copy each other....

tautech · « **Reply #29 on:** January 13, 2015, 06:45:47 am »

Got one of those little Victor pocket DMM's for an EE mate 10 years ago as a gift, at the time he graciously thanked me for it (thinking it was crap) then raved that it was soooo handy for years.

AFAIK he's still got it.

Wytnucls · « **Reply #30 on:** January 13, 2015, 06:53:47 am »

Sanwa has an interesting layout and green credentials for theirs:
http://overseas.sanwa-meter.co.jp/items/detail.php?id=33#

iloveelectronics · « **Reply #31 on:** January 13, 2015, 07:08:26 am »

The Digitek pocket meter might look similar to the Victor but internally I think they are rather different. The case's molding is definitely different with different batteries, etc. The probes are different. The Digitek ones have some removable rubber caps for less tip exposure when needed. Here's a pic of the inside:

Wytnucls · « **Reply #32 on:** January 13, 2015, 07:33:44 am »

The Victor doesn't have a mA range, so the PCB would be different. The case molding is also slightly different, but I wouldn't be surprised if it stems from an original design with identical external dimensions (Victor 120x80x20). The four screws holding the PCB are also in the same positions, with clips on top. If the manufacturers are different, the original design was heavily copied.
There was also a similar Victor with a mA range, but never saw the PCB layout or the batteries powering it.

rollatorwieltje · « **Reply #33 on:** January 13, 2015, 09:20:57 am »

Avoid the UT10A, the mode switch is unreliable as hell. It appears to be switched to the correct mode, but it doesn't actually read anything. Probably caused by the paper thin case that offers basically no protection to the internals, making it easy to crush the switch.
Quite a shame, other than that it's quite good, even the autoranging speed is acceptable.

omgfire · « **Reply #34 on:** January 28, 2015, 09:53:22 am »

DER EE call DE-19A a pocket multimeter.
What are the cons of open jaw design?

Lightages · « **Reply #35 on:** January 28, 2015, 05:37:12 pm »

The open jaw part is a current probe.

SkyMaster · « **Reply #36 on:** January 28, 2015, 11:28:31 pm »

I would recommend the Digitek DT-4000P-2 Pocket Multimeter.

The rotary knob feels good, all the functions work properly. The test lead are thin but they fit easily into the tray.

When the cover is closed, the multimeter is totally protected; which is what you want from a pocket multimeter.

I bought mine from iloveelectronics ebay store.

omgfire · « **Reply #37 on:** January 29, 2015, 07:23:04 am »

Quote from: Lightages on January 28, 2015, 05:37:12 pm

The open jaw part is a current probe.

I was asking what is the difference between open jaw noncontact current meter and clamp noncontact current meter with closed loop. As long as they support DC, they both use Hall effect.

EEVblog · « **Reply #38 on:** January 29, 2015, 07:40:09 am »

I have these that were (are) for shootout:
Sanwa PM3
Hioki 3344-60 Card tester
Digitech QM1544 (Jaycar rebadged whatever)
Unit-T UT10A
Wavetek DM78A (lost to hand, but somewhere here...)

I wanted a lot more though, think I had 10 on my list.

Cursory glance:
Digitech very nice all round, feel solid. Quick & loud continuity.
Hioki has the best case (hard plastic) but minimal features.
Uni-T is cheap and crappy looking, but nice 1pF resolution and feature set. Quick cont.
Sanwa could be a rebadged Uni-T, but feels a lot better quality. Quick cont.
The DM78 has always been my personal go-to pocket meter for a decade now, but basic features.

Out of those, at first glace I'd say the Sanwa.

rollatorwieltje · « **Reply #39 on:** February 01, 2015, 07:32:24 pm »

Some comparisons between the Fluke 101 and UT10A.

I wouldn't really qualify the Fluke as a pocket multimeter. It's small compared to most multimeters, but not really small enough to keep in your pocket. It doesn't help that it comes with standard sized leads.

It is nice on the desk though, it doesn't take up much space and it has regular 4mm sockets. Continuity is latched, so there is a small delay.

firepower · « **Reply #40 on:** February 02, 2015, 02:18:23 pm »

Found this pic while searching for pocket multimeter

dadler · « **Reply #41 on:** February 08, 2015, 08:09:20 pm »

Quote from: Lightages on January 13, 2015, 04:09:48 am

I agree with you 100%

The BM27s was made specifically, from my estimation, for industrial process technicians, who have very specific needs. All of the other functions are perfect for most people. The BM22s drops the very low current measurement and other features but has a nice 30mS peak measurement. IMHO, Brymen would sell many more pocket meters if they dropped the current measurement and added the peak detect. In its current form the current measurement is all but useless to anyone not measuring fame sensors.

This is why I suggest people wait to see my video review of the pocket meters I have before making any purchasing decisions. The reviews by you, Wynucls, and by Spawn, should be considered before any decisions are made.

Did you ever conduct your video review of the pocket meters? I searched and was not able to find it, though I just looked for new topics/posts by you here on the forum.

Lightages · « **Reply #42 on:** February 08, 2015, 09:31:14 pm »

Real life keeps interfering with things I want to do! It will be done very soon is all I can say. Sorry.

Wytnucls · « **Reply #43 on:** February 08, 2015, 09:35:31 pm »

Too busy preparing the test leads review.

dadler · « **Reply #44 on:** February 08, 2015, 10:50:25 pm »

Quote from: Lightages on February 08, 2015, 09:31:14 pm

Real life keeps interfering with things I want to do! It will be done very soon is all I can say. Sorry.

No worries, just was interested in case you had posted it.

I am thinking of purchasing a BM27 as an adjunct to the BM869 I just ordered (for when I am too lazy / out of desk space for the big meter). You speak positively of it, and it seems to be rebadged as Amprobe/Meterman/Greenlee. The rebadged versions seem to be generally well regarded, but the sample size is small as I can find precious few reviews/comments. A rebadged version on Amazon has several one star reviews, and I found a post on here from 2011 with some pretty serious gripes about a rebadged BM27 (forget the particular rebadge).

There does seem to be a major market gap in small, yet very high quality, meters. We can make iPhones and Androids in tiny packages--I think we humans could make very high quality and feature packed DMMs in tiny packages. Must just be a lack of demand?

I'd be willing to spend >$100+ for a tiny, accurate meter with good usability. The BM27 seems like the closest match from my recent research (albeit the useless "flame sensor" current range, although if I was measuring flame sensors all day I would probably think differently).

zapta · « **Reply #45 on:** February 08, 2015, 11:41:38 pm »

With patience you can score a Tecktronix DMM150 on ebay

It also has a AC current clamp accessory.

Lightages · « **Reply #46 on:** February 08, 2015, 11:54:40 pm »

Quote from: Wytnucls on February 08, 2015, 09:35:31 pm

Too busy preparing the test leads review.

I have a pile of videos to make and that is definitely 3 of them.

dadler · « **Reply #47 on:** February 10, 2015, 03:48:11 am »

Welp I couldn't resist and ordered a Brymen BM27 from TME. Wish I'd had the good sense to order at the same time as the BM869 and save shipping. And the only place I could find the BM86x USB adapter was eBay for almost $60 shipped from Chinaland, argh.

Still looking forward to your review!

iloveelectronics · « **Reply #48 on:** February 10, 2015, 04:54:40 am »

Quote from: dadler on February 10, 2015, 03:48:11 am

... And the only place I could find the BM86x USB adapter was eBay for almost $60 shipped from Chinaland, argh.

That would be my eBay store. I'm located in Hong Kong though, just wanted to clarify

Our postal system is independent from mainland China's.

Stonent · « **Reply #49 on:** February 10, 2015, 05:18:52 am »

Not one that I use, but it seemed to have a lot of features for $60. Volts, ohms, uA, diode, capacitance, frequency, LoZ, non-contact voltage detect.

http://www.amprobe.com/amprobe/usen/Multimeters/Pocket-Multimeters/AMP-PM55A.htm?PID=73304

I thought this one looked like an iPod, apparently they did do if you watch the video.

"Does everything except play MP3s"


EEVblog Main Site	EEVblog on Youtube	EEVblog on Twitter	EEVblog on Facebook	EEVblog on Odysee

Author Topic: Pocket Multimeter Recommendations (Read 41221 times)

Share me