Hello EEVBlog folks,
I've been researching recently and viewing Dave's (and others') videos regarding hand-held multi-meters. I was quite horrified by, but sheepishly enjoyed Dave's post #868 where he and friends absolutely terrorized a Keysight U1282A, which brings me to the purpose for this post.
I'm about to retire my beloved Fluke78 that still works like a champ after 25 years of faithful service. Along with the excellent service of that meter, I've always received excellent customer support from the people at Fluke. So I'm a huge fan and particularly partial to the Fluke brand, but I'm considering alternatives strictly because I'd like to have one feature that none of the hand-held Flukes currently offer (to my knowledge) - 0.001 Ohm resolution. The Fluke289 will do 0.01 Ohm, but that is the top of their offerings.
All of that said, I'm leaning toward the Keysight U1282A, mainly because I've been able to see and read a lot about it, and especially because with the zeal of a Spartan it refused to succumb quietly to Dave and friends' nefarious nihilism.
Another one I'm interested in is the REED Instruments R5005, mainly because it does offer the high resolution at about half the price in US$, but with fewer bells and whistles (no phone app). What concerns me is that I've been unable to find a single review, teardown etc. of the REED R5005. From what I've read here, I'm under the impression that the REED is made by a Chinese manufacturer that makes meters marketed by many companies. I'm ok with that so long as it is high quality.
My specific need for the high resolution resistance measuring capability is to test the auxiliary windings that are clumped in with the main windings on the generator ends that Kubota uses on their small (6kW - 10kW) generator packages. The detection winding spec is 0.03 Ohms, so I'd like to have the extra digit just to be precise. Aside from that specific need, I do work on electronic fuel injection engines and industrial gensets of all sizes and high voltage as well, so quality, safety and durability are a must.
Plus I need a new toy and a good tax write off.
I guess my question is: Should I stick with the Fluke289 with 2 digits resolution and phone app at the highest price, go with the Keysight at just less $ to have the extra digit and the phone app, compromise with the REED for the least $ but no phone app, or is there another bargain priced meter of high quality (sorry Extech, that excludes you) that will suffice? Excellent customer support and service/warranty are also factors to be considered.
Lastly, the 3 meters I've mentioned are the most readily available to me which is why I've narrowed down to them at this point.
Thank you for reading this rambling if you're still doing so, and by all means if there are other meters I should consider, please do elaborate.