Newby question - Batronix Multimeters any good?

[Paulo]

Hi!

I'm a newby and I need some advice in buying a multimeter. Because money isn't much I was thinking in buying one of these 2 multimeters:

Batronix BXM98T
http://progshop.com/shop/multimeter/multimeter-bxm98t.html

ISO-Tech IdM72
http://pt.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=getProduct&R=6974042

The Batronix has 0.05% basic DCV precision and is very nicely priced - too nicely to be true? I can't find any reviews or comments in the net about this brand. ISO-Tech perhaps is a better brand but the specs are not so good.
Has anyone heard about any of these two multimeters or brands? Are they any good? I really need some help on this!

Please forgive my bad english, it's not my mother language.

Thank you and Merry Christmas to all!

With kind regards,
Paulo from Portugal.

[Psi]

The ISO-Tech IdM72 is a better meter, it autoranges and looks to be better quallity however it doesnt have a mA range, which you really do want.

[Bored@Work]

Both are rebranded stuff. I wouldn't trust any of them, as long as the original manufacturer isn't clearly identifiable. I hate this stupid rebranding games. Why the fsck do even distributors like RS think they need an own store brand, instead ob being honest about where their stuff comes from?

If I had to choose, I'd go with the ISO-Tech and dump the Batronix, because from the features it is more of a joke for 70 USD.

[EEVblog]

I had an Iso-Tech about a decade ago, was a heap of rebadged crap.
The internal support post broke when unscrewing the case.

Dave.

[Psi]

The fluke meters built for the china market are around the same price and far better value.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.28659

Only real disadvantage is it's not true RMS like the two above are. However i think i'd trust a non-rms fluke over a dodgy brand true rms meter anyway.

[Bored@Work]

I had an Iso-Tech about a decade ago, was a heap of rebadged crap.
The internal support post broke when unscrewing the case.

One of the issues I have with these store "brands" is that they make it impossible to predict the quality of the branded stuff.

Over the years there must be hundreds of manufacturers behind ISO-TECH products. Some may even be good (ISO-TECH IDS-6000A oscilloscopes are in fact Instek GDS-1000A oscilloscopes). But just because some instruments are good doesn't mean the next instruments from another OEM are as good.

With a real brand chances are that they keep their quality level and it is possible to predict the quality of a new instrument. Yes, there are slips, but in general a real brand makes it much easier to predict their quality.

[Simon]

To be honest that ISO-TEC reminds of my VC-99 multimerter off ebay - a very bad buy, the case is the same outline although some functions have been split up and there is a button under the display less and they are a different shape, I don't know, don't take it as being a fluke equivalent

[Kiriakos-GR]

Hello Portugal . 

It looks that about Batronix  , your are dealing with an German company ,
that offers something with 3 years warranty.

Its not the first time , that Germans or English companies ,
makes  deals  with Chinese companies, and they offer one product range,
that it was previously  inspected and tested by the importer it self.

Re brand, its an common trick ,  because if it was called as FUK-NA-CHEN ,
you would probably avoid it.

Interesting enough,  those Germans they have the product range of  RIGOL about bench multimeter,
and oscilloscopes , and the Batronix range as portable multimeter's.

Their technical papers , looks well made , but not top.

I will say yes .. get it ,  the three years warranty , and the faith of the seller on the product,
its positive signs  ,  that you do not find easily , when you buy similar stuff , on super market baskets for
9.99 EUR .   

[Psi]

To be honest that ISO-TEC reminds of my VC-99 multimerter off ebay - a very bad buy, the case is the same outline

Thats interesting, because it reminds me of one of my meters too. My one is exactly the same case except its orange plastic and different brand/rebrand.  And i am quite happy with my one.  Its not an awesome meter, but its pretty good.

Looks like BoredAtWork is right, you never can tell the quality with re-branded meters that use the same case.

[Simon]

well I can't swear from the little picture that is is the same case as the VC-99 but it sure reminded me of it, although the buttons are different but then that's just a case of punching different shaped holes in it.