Electronics > Beginners

Opinion on a BSIDE ZT302 multimeter

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mel:

--- Quote from: ldevm on November 01, 2017, 12:35:48 am ---

If at least one of them have the data logging feature, I've already flipped that coin ;)

I'm not in such a hurry for the multimeter, I'll go for Mark's advice and wait for his review on the ZT301, after all we are near christmas and its not the best time for buying and waiting for things to arrive from china.

--- End quote ---

I had pretty much made up my mind on getting a Zotek VC17B+ for around £15, which I believe I have read that the AN860B+ is a direct clone/rebrand of. Then I came across the ZT301, then found this thread :) 


I presume you've seen the post about modifying a Zotek VC17B+ to add data logging, which might also apply to some other versions if they have used the same revision of the chip that has serial support:-

http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.aspx?from=&to=en&a=http%3A%2F%2Fkazus.ru%2Fforums%2Fshowthread.php%3Fp%3D1117475%23post1117475

(untranslated link http://kazus.ru/forums/showthread.php?p=1117475#post1117475 )

There's no guarantee that the manufacturer won't have switched to a revision that doesn't support serial, and it could be cheaper and more sensible to buy a meter that supports data logging without a hack :)

 I'm fairly sure I also read a comment that it was possible to hack meters with the DTM0660 to support counts of up to a maximum of 8000 with true rms, as the bside zt301 already does.

Fungus:

--- Quote from: ldevm on November 01, 2017, 12:35:48 am ---t apart the 2000 counts less, I can't see any other significant diference (not counting the exterior look and feel). Am I missing any other difference (feature wise)?

--- End quote ---

I don't think so.

ldevm:

--- Quote from: mel on November 01, 2017, 02:55:59 pm ---
I presume you've seen the post about modifying a Zotek VC17B+ to add data logging, which might also apply to some other versions if they have used the same revision of the chip that has serial support:-

http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.aspx?from=&to=en&a=http%3A%2F%2Fkazus.ru%2Fforums%2Fshowthread.php%3Fp%3D1117475%23post1117475

(untranslated link http://kazus.ru/forums/showthread.php?p=1117475#post1117475 )

There's no guarantee that the manufacturer won't have switched to a revision that doesn't support serial, and it could be cheaper and more sensible to buy a meter that supports data logging without a hack :)

 I'm fairly sure I also read a comment that it was possible to hack meters with the DTM0660 to support counts of up to a maximum of 8000 with true rms, as the bside zt301 already does.



--- End quote ---

Thanks for your link! I never thought in hunting info in russians forums! But I've already know that the AN860B+ and all their clones/rebrands can be hacked for data logging, as many others cheap multimeters out there. Again, the problem is that I don't have a backup meter, so messing with the new soon to be acquired one doesn't seem to be a very smart move. Also, I expect to spend a little more cash on my second multimeter, so I think it won't be a problem to find one that already supports data logging ;)


--- Quote from: Fungus on November 01, 2017, 06:23:15 pm ---
--- Quote from: ldevm on November 01, 2017, 12:35:48 am ---t apart the 2000 counts less, I can't see any other significant diference (not counting the exterior look and feel). Am I missing any other difference (feature wise)?

--- End quote ---

I don't think so.



--- End quote ---

Yeah, I will wait for Mark's review on the ZT301, but for all the info gathered until now it seems that AN860B+ a better choice. Fungus, two more questions regarding the AN860B+:
1. This meter has glass fuse right, is it easy to find ceramic replacements?
2. I've just saw a review on Artur's Lab channel, and the backlight is really weak, is it the case of yours?

Fungus:

--- Quote from: ldevm on November 02, 2017, 12:23:05 pm ---Fungus, two more questions regarding the AN860B+:
1. This meter has glass fuse right, is it easy to find ceramic replacements?

--- End quote ---

a) Yes.
b) They're standard size fuses so it shouldn't be difficult.



(from: http://www.markhennessy.co.uk/budget_multimeters/aneng_an860bplus.htm )


OTOH if you're using this meter in a situation where glass fuses might be dangerous then maybe you're doing it wrong. The fuses are only on the current input jacks and you should never be poking the meter anywhere risky with the cables connected there.

(this is why I prefer meters with separate inputs for current ranges - shared voltage/current inputs are riskier).



--- Quote from: ldevm on November 02, 2017, 12:23:05 pm ---2. I've just saw a review on Artur's Lab channel, and the backlight is really weak, is it the case of yours?

--- End quote ---

Nope. Definitely not.

(where's this review so I can see what's said?)

ldevm:

--- Quote from: Fungus on November 02, 2017, 01:33:17 pm ---
--- Quote from: ldevm on November 02, 2017, 12:23:05 pm ---Fungus, two more questions regarding the AN860B+:
1. This meter has glass fuse right, is it easy to find ceramic replacements?

--- End quote ---

a) Yes.
b) They're standard size fuses so it shouldn't be difficult.



(from: http://www.markhennessy.co.uk/budget_multimeters/aneng_an860bplus.htm )


OTOH if you're using this meter in a situation where glass fuses might be dangerous then maybe you're doing it wrong. The fuses are only on the current input jacks and you should never be poking the meter anywhere risky with the cables connected there.

(this is why I prefer meters with separate inputs for current ranges - shared voltage/current inputs are riskier).

--- End quote ---

I'm not using this multimeter (or any for that matter) in high current/voltage, let it be DC or AC, but I like to be on the safe side, I never know if I could lend my multimeter to a friend, or forget it at a friend's house, or in any other sistuation I want it to be safest that it could be (I know that in this case the safety is barely none, but if it could be barely, it is better than nothing). That is why I asked for the ceramic fuses.


--- Quote from: Fungus on November 02, 2017, 01:33:17 pm ---

--- Quote from: ldevm on November 02, 2017, 12:23:05 pm ---2. I've just saw a review on Artur's Lab channel, and the backlight is really weak, is it the case of yours?

--- End quote ---

Nope. Definitely not.

(where's this review so I can see what's said?)


--- End quote ---

https://youtu.be/I5g0zuLRjcc?t=903

It's so dim compared to an8002 that it seems to be no backlight at all. Is that the case of yours? Or could it be improved by some hack?

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