Pocket Multimeter Shootout

[EEVblog]

Realised I forgot Amprobe DM78C 
I think it's an important contender.
RS have one, but $139+GST 

[kalel]

Realised I forgot Amprobe DM78C 
I think it's an important contender.
RS have one, but $139+GST 

Nice collection. Digitech design is kind of MP3/MP4 player styled?

[EEVblog]

Pretty sure I won't include the Digitech QM1328 as it uses standard leads and has no case. If I include that then I guess I have to include the AN8008 and Fluke 101 etc

[kalel]

Pretty sure I won't include the Digitech QM1328 as it uses standard leads and has no case. If I include that then I guess I have to include the AN8008 and Fluke 101 etc

I meant the yellow one, not sure about the number. Looks a bit like an MP3/MP4 player.

[MrW0lf]

@ Dave , Ask Charles at TRIO test if he has one of these in stock.
Extech DM220.  Might not be a true wallet style but should be easy to get hold of and add to the follow up testing.

Seems same thing as PeakTech 1020 A
http://www.peaktech.de/productdetail/kategorie/digital---handmultimeter/produkt/p-1020.html



Not strictly shirt pocket format, but been very reliable little puppy. Drag it around for years now - zero problems. That huge mains indicator lights up from very far away and can save the day, or maybe even life.
Seems that version currently on sale has replaceable probes now (inline connectors on cable, not by sockets on DMM).

[ebastler]

Pretty sure I won't include the Digitech QM1328 as it uses standard leads and has no case. If I include that then I guess I have to include the AN8008 and Fluke 101 etc

I was going to ask about that one when I saw the photo.
I thought removable leads were verboten? 

[Rbastler]

Pretty sure I won't include the Digitech QM1328 as it uses standard leads and has no case. If I include that then I guess I have to include the AN8008 and Fluke 101 etc

I was going to ask about that one when I saw the photo.
I thought removable leads were verboten? 

Then the Aneng would need to go too.
But Id give that one a pass, because its all in one case.

Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

[hans_ober]

You need to do a $50 and $100 shootout too. Been some time since you looked at that range.

[EEVblog]

I was going to ask about that one when I saw the photo.
I thought removable leads were verboten? 

Then the Aneng would need to go too.
But Id give that one a pass, because its all in one case.
[/quote]

Correct.
The Digitech one uses standard 4mm plugs and large full size probes, so I therefore deem it not to be a proper "pocket" meter, it's a "compact" meter.

[EEVblog]

Will start shooting this tomorrow.
The Amprobe is on order and I can include that at the last minute as it will likely take a couple of days to shoot this and compile the info.

[idpromnut]

@EEVBlog: I am expecting some cheesy packet multimeter quick-draw intro to this video!  Complete with pocket-protectors and dramatic close-ups!

[kalel]

Will start shooting this tomorrow.
The Amprobe is on order and I can include that at the last minute as it will likely take a couple of days to shoot this and compile the info.

Looking forward to the video already.

[ciccio]

Seems same thing as PeakTech 1020 A
http://www.peaktech.de/productdetail/kategorie/digital---handmultimeter/produkt/p-1020.html



Not strictly shirt pocket format, but been very reliable little puppy. Drag it around for years now - zero problems. That huge mains indicator lights up from very far away and can save the day, or maybe even life.
Seems that version currently on sale has replaceable probes now (inline connectors on cable, not by sockets on DMM).

I have one: nice tool, but:
a)  the display cannot be easily read from below (when the meter is horizontal on the bench) because the display is too recessed from front panel
b)  at switch-on it defaults to AC volts, a little annoying for me
It's  a nice instrument, the Non Contat voltage tester  works very well. It has no case, so you must use a rubberband to keep the cables from creating a mess in the toolbox.
I could never find a way to open it without breaking the case.. any suggeston?

[MrW0lf]

a)  the display cannot be easily read from below (when the meter is horizontal on the bench) because the display is too recessed from front panel
b)  at switch-on it defaults to AC volts, a little annoying for me
It's  a nice instrument, the Non Contat voltage tester  works very well. It has no case, so you must use a rubberband to keep the cables from creating a mess in the toolbox.
I could never find a way to open it without breaking the case.. any suggeston?

No suggestion about opening, but heres one about using on bench:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2121969
Think AC is safety measure. I use it mostly to solve "general household problems" that deal mostly with AC. Or stuff in dirty environment - construction site, checking fishing boat battery etc. Not IP rated but clearly built with harsh use in mind. If not see it in this contest, then maybe in next - "compact DMMs in enterntainingly dirty conditions" Perhaps one can first open zombies heads with U1282A and then poke around with rugged compact

[EEVblog]

OPINION NEEDED:

I just got this Sanwa PM300 pocket meter:
http://www.sanwa-meter.co.jp/prg_data/goods/img/PH61491811587.pdf

But I was looking at potentially reselling this one (initially without EEVblog branding), and have a quote and permission to resell it.
Now, that potentially puts me into a vested interest position if I include this in the shootout.
What do people think, will people trust my openness in a shootout in which I sell one of the meters? (of course I'll be upfront about it)

Although I haven't tested it yet, it might well win the shootout in terms of "cost is no object" metric. The range switch is to die for, CAT IV rated, solid case, gorgeous TPU case (but very thick), gold probes, good strain relief, and it kills all the others in build quality and look and feel.
But it is by far the most expensive meter, I'd have to retail for probably US$75. So it wouldn't win any bang-per-buck metric.

Opinions please...

[Lightages]

I say that you should include it. Nobody is immune to bias but if you state it then people can take your opinion with a grain of salt. You might also want to state that the Amprobe PM51A is made by Brymen and because you sell the BM235 that your opinion might be biased with it too.

I believe you are an honest person and would not lie to people to make a buck. That does not mean you could lie to yourself and therefore pass that lie on to others. Just be open and stop worrying about the people who might be suspicious of anything you say.

[plazma]

OPINION NEEDED:

I just got this Sanwa PM300 pocket meter:
http://www.sanwa-meter.co.jp/prg_data/goods/img/PH61491811587.pdf

True RMS and 6000 count. I wonder what the chipset is.

[noidea]

Regards the Sanwa PM300 yes please go for it.

I noticed Kyoritsu / KEW have now have an update to the 1018, the 1019R which is True RMS but lacks diode test so is a non starter for me, the PM300 has it which looks promising.
http://www.kew-ltd.co.jp/en/products/detail/00023/

Is there any chance you can get hold of one of the KEW mini clamp pocket meters to throw in the mix?
http://www.kew-ltd.co.jp/en/products/detail/00923/

[amspire]

Definitely include the Sanwa. There is no problem reporting the facts. Subjective views, such as "I just love this meter" are fine as long as we know you have an interest in the meter. Anyway, it is your site - nothing wrong with promoting items that help pay for the site.

If you over-promote the Sanwa meter, you know you will spark off a deluge of a few hundred posts arguing the matter. Hard to be more open then that.

[EEVblog]

If you over-promote the Sanwa meter, you know you will spark off a deluge of a few hundred posts arguing the matter.

That happens if I cough the wrong way 

[kalel]

OPINION NEEDED:

I just got this Sanwa PM300 pocket meter:
http://www.sanwa-meter.co.jp/prg_data/goods/img/PH61491811587.pdf

But I was looking at potentially reselling this one (initially without EEVblog branding), and have a quote and permission to resell it.
Now, that potentially puts me into a vested interest position if I include this in the shootout.
What do people think, will people trust my openness in a shootout in which I sell one of the meters? (of course I'll be upfront about it)

Although I haven't tested it yet, it might well win the shootout in terms of "cost is no object" metric. The range switch is to die for, CAT IV rated, solid case, gorgeous TPU case (but very thick), gold probes, good strain relief, and it kills all the others in build quality and look and feel.
But it is by far the most expensive meter, I'd have to retail for probably US$75. So it wouldn't win any bang-per-buck metric.

Opinions please...

I think you should include it with that acknowledgment. It might also explain why you want to resell the meter itself.

[Fungus]

Nothing wrong with having categories of winners:

Under $20

Over $50

etc.

[kalel]

Nothing wrong with having categories of winners:

Under $20

Over $50

etc.

Agreed

[MacMeter]

Review it, curious to see what might make it worth 2-3x more then the average cheap pocket meters.

[EEVblog]

OPINION NEEDED:

I just got this Sanwa PM300 pocket meter:
http://www.sanwa-meter.co.jp/prg_data/goods/img/PH61491811587.pdf

True RMS and 6000 count. I wonder what the chipset is.

HY12P66
Just opened it at home and it's very nice!
GDT + PTC protection for the CAT IV rating.
Selectable auto power off and beep off.