Amprobe AM220 or SANWA CD770 or UNI-T

[neutrino]

What meter should I (beginner) choose?

Can't find any review of SANWA CD770 except this link with photos

Amprobe AM220  


Measure: AC/DC Voltage up to 600V, AC/DC Current up to 10A, Resistance, Capacitance, Frequency, Duty Cycle
AC/DC micro Amps for sensors diagnosis
Large Backlight LCD Display
Diode Test
Audible Continuity Test
Data Hold
MAX, MIN and Relative measurements
Auto and Manual Ranging
Auto Power Off (can be disabled)
Tilt stand

CAT III 600V

AC/DC Voltage:          400mV 4.000/40.00/400.0/600 V
AC/DC Current:          400/4000µA 40/400 mA 4/10 A
Resistance:          400.0 Ohms 4.000/40.00/400.0 kOhms 4.000MOhms/40.00 MOhms
Capacitance:          40.00/400.0 nF 4.000/40.00/400.0/4000µF
Frequency:          10.00/ 100.0/1000 Hz 10.00/100.0/1000 kHz 10M Hz
Duty Cycle:          0.1%_99.9%

€49.61



SANWA CD770

3-3/4 digits 4000 count
Easy to read large LCD
Thermo plastic elastomer, high resistance against drop shock
Safety cap on current terminal
Data hold, Range hold, Relative function
Continuity check, Diode test
Auto power off function (30min.)
Display : numeral display 4000
Sampling rate : 3 times / sec.
AC frequency bandwidth : 40-400Hz (sine wave)

IEC61010-1 (EN61010-1) 2001-02
CAT.III 600V Max. / CAT.II 1000V



€53,00 +VAT

[Simon]

AM220 would be my choice and is, I own one and am quite happy with it

[neutrino]

the UNI-T  UT61D $43.19 from ebay is worthy ?

these ebay uni-t models are real or fakes?

[stan001]

I've a Sanwa CD770 and here are my comments on it..

I like this Japan built quality DMM but there are a few things missing ( the higher model have it at a much higher price ) :-
- Current measurement, only 400mA, no 10A
- no backlight

Overall, I am satisfied with this model, pretty fast readings and good accuracy ...

[Bored@Work]

the UNI-T  UT61D $43.19 from ebay is worthy ?

these ebay uni-t models are real or fakes?

I haven't seen fake Uni-T meters. Fraudsters, when going through the trouble to fake a meter, like to target the high-end brands, because the margins for the fraudsters are higher. Uni-T is low-end stuff. It is not the bottom of the barrel, but it is nothing to write home about. They aren't high-end meters in stealth mode. You get your $43.19 worth, but not more.

[Mechatrommer]

Current measurement, only 400mA, no 10A

for me, this is to be taken seriously, i will trash any dmm model from my recommendation list if it cannot do 10A (unless it has very special feature that other dmm cannot do). i recommend Unit-T... reason? i own uni-t71a, how good it is? i'm not sure, but i believe it serves my purpose, i just will not expect it to be higher or the same as more expensive unit. i got what i pay. and Dave reviewed Uni-T without any serious comment/issue.

[Simon]

yea really unless you know you will confine yourself to low power stuff you need a meter capable of 10A as a first meter, after that look at meters that are more niche but good at what they do

[Kiriakos-GR]

you need a meter capable of 10A as a first meter

The second would be 25A ?   And the third 70A ?  

The first one could be what ever you can find, experiments with small batteries does not need
that power in Ampere .  

UNI-T will be fine as option.

[Simon]

you need a meter capable of 10A as a first meter

The second would be 25A ?   And the third 70A ?  

The first one could be what ever you can find, experiments with small batteries does not need
that power in Ampere .  

UNI-T will be fine as option.

Well I'm sure one of the first things a hobbiest may do is use a car battery as a power source and want to measure charge and discharge of it. I say the first meter should be general purpose with a 10A range, after that you could get a more niche meter with only 400mA but hopefully that would be a better quality meter or have other nice functions

[neutrino]

Got my mind made up, it's Amprobe AM220.
Thanks for the comments