EEVblog Electronics Community Forum
Products => Test Equipment => Topic started by: mrt6644 on October 21, 2016, 06:19:54 pm
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I have searched and didn't find this.
I am looking for a reasonably priced bench multimeter. Under 500 $US. Which means a 5.5 digit desktop.
The 2 that I have focused on are the Rigol DM3058 and the Siglent SDM3055.
Yes, I know they're Chinese made, and they're not as good as Fluke, Agilent, etc, etc.
But this is where I am for price and necessity.
Does anyone know of pro's and con's of these models? Which is better?
I like the fact that the Siglent has trend graphics with a bigger screen.
I like Rigol in general. I have a scope and power supply made by Rigol.
I find them to be decent for the money.
If someone can help me choose I would be very happy.
This seems like an obvious comparison yet Im very surprised that there are no Youtube videos on this.
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How about a used Agilent 6.5 digit DMM? Since the new models came out they are dumping the old models. What is important for you? If accuracy isn't important then you could save a ton of money and go for the Vichy VC8145.
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I have to be honest and admit that the level of accuracy in a 6.5 digit is not necessary for me.
I have some good handhelds but what I want is the convenience of a bench meter for working at my "lab."
Much of the time I work on stuff in the garage or elsewhere so the handheld are good for that.
But I want a bright, easy to read screen with big numbers for lab work.
I like the features of modern bench meters for programming, etc.
Most of all, the work I do really doesnt require that much accuracy.
But since the Siglent and Rigol are basically the same price, I might as well figure out which sucks less :)
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But I want a bright, easy to read screen with big numbers for lab work.
Here ^ the Siglent is excellent. I have a SDM3055 as a demo unit and it spends all its time on my bench.
There's a # of threads on the 3055, Siglent have the FW pretty good on them now, I'm not aware of any outstanding problems/bugs with them.
As with any long threads about a product you'd be best advised to read it from the end not the beginning to get a better picture of how they are NOW.
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-new-bench-dmm-sdm3055/ (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-new-bench-dmm-sdm3055/)
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But I want a bright, easy to read screen with big numbers for lab work.
I like the features of modern bench meters for programming, etc.
I wouldn't rule out the VC8145 entirely. It has a big display with backlight. This was one of my requirements for a bench meter as well. I do have a Keysight 6.5 digit DMM but I still use the VC8145s (I have 2 of them) the most. I never tried to control the VC8145 over the serial port though. Somebody has reverse engineered the protocol so remote control shouldn't be a problem (see http://www.26th.net/blog/vichy-vici-vc8145-digital-multimeter-rs232-protocol/ (http://www.26th.net/blog/vichy-vici-vc8145-digital-multimeter-rs232-protocol/)). One of the things I really like about the VC8145 is instant continuity which is something higher end DMMs have problems with (short delay which is annoying IMHO).
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Ive scrolled through hundreds of posts on this section, searching too.
Yet there are far more posts, reviews on the Siglent than the Rigol.
I guess that's a sign.
Ive looked at both models' features and they are pretty close.
I do like the Siglent screen better. The graphing looks neat but I have a scope.
Surprised Eevblog or Lorton or anyone else hasn't done a video comparison.
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If you want to save a few $ there's also the more recently released 4 1/2 digit SDM3045X.
Not quite as much functionality though, compare the datasheets. ;)
Comparison page:
http://www.siglentamerica.com/prodcut-db.aspx?id=176&tid=37&T=2 (http://www.siglentamerica.com/prodcut-db.aspx?id=176&tid=37&T=2)