Reasonable cost multimeter

[tony3d]

Hi all, I currently own a Klein MMO 1000 multimeter, it's really decent, but I would like something with a higher count, and slightly better accuracy. Is there something out there in the 20000 count area with decent accuracy, at around $200-$250. A backlight is a must as well.

[Fsck]

Brymen BM867 or an old (used) Fluke 187/189 are the only thing I can think of in that price range.

For more $$, you have the Fluke 287/289, Agilent U1251, U1252, U1253, U1271, U1272, U1273 or Brymen BM869. you may find one of those used for something in your price range, but I've haven't found one personally

[Lightages]

The Amprobe AM-160-A  is a re-case and re-badge of the BM859. It is a very well built and accurate meter but has a horrible back light.
http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/amprobe/multimeters/am-160-a.htm
This is one option if you want to buy from a US dealer at $243.

The BM867 and BM869 are the newer models from Brymen. They have dual displays and a really good back lights among other improvements. They can be purchased from tme.eu with shipping around $40 to the US. The BM 867 is around $180 plus shipping and the BM869 $250 plus shipping.
http://www.tme.eu/en/details/bm867/portable-digital-multimeters/brymen/#
http://www.tme.eu/en/details/bm869/portable-digital-multimeters/brymen/#

There is another option but it is not one I can recommend without a caveat. The UEi DM397 is a great buy with great accuracy and many features. The caveat is that I received a bad one and I cannot say that you will not have the same problem. Mine might have been just a one time problem, but who knows? If I had no problems I would say it is the best buy in the under $300 price range. It comes with a PC RS232 cable and software as standard for $235. I do have to say that UEi was very responsive in resolving my problems.
http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/uei/digital-multimeters/dm397.htm

If you can live with a lower count meter, the Amprobe 37XR-A is a good buy at around $130. It has two issues. One is a slow continuity test and the other is a very high burden voltage for the current measurements. Dave did a review on this early in his eevblog career and it appears that it is a good meter for the price. It also does inductance.
http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/amprobe/multimeters/37xra.htm

All of the above have video reviews on youtube if you want to see them.

[tony3d]

Does anyone own the UNI-t 71D. Is that meter a good bench meter. I know mains could be iffy, but I really only need it for bench measurements.

[retiredcaps]

Is there something out there in the 20000 count area with decent accuracy, at around $200-$250. A backlight is a must as well.

The Fluke 87 (original), 87 III and 87V have 20,000 count in high resolution mode.  The 87 and 87 III have a 1/sec update in high resolution mode.  The 87V has 4/sec update in high resolution mode.

The original 87 has a green backlight.  Some 87 III have green and some have white backlight.  The 87V has two level white backlight.

An used Fluke 87 costs around $100 USD on ebay.  An used 87 III goes for about $120 USD.  An used 87V goes for under $200 USD easily.

[retiredcaps]

Does anyone own the UNI-t 71D.

Review by Martin.

[alm]

Does anyone own the UNI-t 71D. Is that meter a good bench meter. I know mains could be iffy, but I really only need it for bench measurements.

If you searched for UT-71D using Google, you'd find the following threads containing experiences and links to a review done by an owner:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/uni-t-multimeter-ut71d-unboxing-and-teardown/
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/user-experience-of-a-uni-trend-ut71d/

So yes, at least two people own(ed) this meter.

[Lightages]

I have the UT71E. It came way out of spec but other than that and the poor input protection it is an OK meter. It has some issues like a sloooowwww continuity test, high burden voltage on current measurements, and a  slow update rate in normal mode but there are worse meters on the market.

The UT71D has PC connection and some other added bits for the price and so in the price range it is a good buy for a bench meter. If you aren't going to use the PC connection and temperature and prefer a better built meter then the Brymen BM867 is a much better value.

[tony3d]

Thanks everyone.

[Sigmoid]

I got a barely used Fluke 87-V off Amazon, with full warranty, for about $260. And by "barely used", I mean "maybe unpacked once and then re-packed". It was the electrician's kit, so I got the high voltage probes, but I'm already quite well-supplied with good probes, and it was an awesome bargain.

So actually, keeping a lookout on Amazon is a good idea.