EEVblog #1007 - Is a $25 Multimeter Any Good

[Mr. Scram]

The SURPEER seems to have a bargraph, something I hadn't seen yet on a cheap multimeter. Too bad it's not the prettiest.

[Specmaster]

The SURPEER seems to have a bargraph, something I hadn't seen yet on a cheap multimeter. Too bad it's not the prettiest.

Well I think it looks OK, display seems to be nice and clear as does the range selector but I notice that its not available for shipping to the UK, why? It's not because Amazon UK have it stock because they don't even list it so what gives there then.

[rsjsouza]

Well, at least in the Amazon US the price buys also a "Receive 1 SURPEER Steel Stainless Coffee Grinder free when you purchase 1 or more SURPEER LCD Auto Ranging Multimeter offered by SURPEER."

For a company that "manufactures" a wide range of products from precision instrumentation equipment to coffee grinders, I think they must be the next GE! 

[stach]

I couldn't find if this link has been posted here or not, but if you want to make Ananeg (or others which use same hardware) better read this:

https://www.jackenhack.com/aneng-an8008-modify-for-better-accuracy-faster-readings/

Does make a difference

[amspire]

The SURPEER seems to have a bargraph, something I hadn't seen yet on a cheap multimeter. Too bad it's not the prettiest.

Well I think it looks OK, display seems to be nice and clear as does the range selector but I notice that its not available for shipping to the UK, why? It's not because Amazon UK have it stock because they don't even list it so what gives there then.

I think the Zeast version on Aliexpress looks better and is probably cheaper for most people (see link in my previous post). Should be available to the UK.

It includes the bar graph, dual 4 1/2 digit displays and the NCV proximity voltage detection. It is an interesting meter even if the specifications may be a little optimistic.

[casinada]

I missed the opportunity of the free coffee grinder on amazon since the price went up back to $39.99 for the Surpeer AV4.
I found the Zeast 282 on ebay for $28.84:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/20000counts-Multimeter-Digital-LCD-Professional-Voltmeter-Current-Tester-RMS/372140030906?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
Will see when it shows up 

[BillyO]

Dave was a bit unfair to this one.  Performance wise, it literally blows the Fluke 101 away at well less than half the price.  He whined a bit much about the lack of current ranges, but ya know, I spent a few minutes looking over the Fluke 101 and couldn't find a current range at all.  How much do you have to spend on a Fluke before you get an current measurement, let alone uA and mA.  Heck, you have to go to a Fulke 115 to even get a current range, and it won't touch this.

Same quality probes, but less accessories on the Fluke.

For some dude using this in their basement with an Arduino, it is head an shoulders over anything from Fluke under $150.

I think Dave is a little split from reality.  We don't all need $2,575 multi-meters.  I'd even hazard Dave doesn't either.

[tvicol]

My solar DMM. 

[floobydust]

Dave was a bit unfair to this one.  Performance wise, it literally blows the Fluke 101 away at well less than half the price.  He whined a bit much about the lack of current ranges, but ya know, I spent a few minutes looking over the Fluke 101 and couldn't find a current range at all.  How much do you have to spend on a Fluke before you get an current measurement, let alone uA and mA.  Heck, you have to go to a Fulke 115 to even get a current range, and it won't touch this.

Same quality probes, but less accessories on the Fluke.

For some dude using this in their basement with an Arduino, it is head an shoulders over anything from Fluke under $150.

I think Dave is a little split from reality.  We don't all need $2,575 multi-meters.  I'd even hazard Dave doesn't either.

Have you ever even used a high quality multimeter?   

This cheap and unreliable multimeter has more digits than Fluke's low end, but, if the rotary switch isn't oxidized, it's the banana jacks or test leads making poor connections.
Popped the fuse? Toss the meter in the garbage or waste time doing mods to fit a "normal" fuse.
It's unsafe for high voltage or mains work due to the fake IEC61010 approvals.

Sure, it's OK for hobbyists and the Arduino/maker crowd.
Depending on what you value the most: resolution, accuracy, safety, reliability, cost, features etc. some people will spend more on a multimeter. Not to this crazy $2,575 level you mention.

[ebastler]

Dave was a bit unfair to this one.  Performance wise, it literally blows the Fluke 101 away at well less than half the price.  [...]

Popped the fuse? Toss the meter in the garbage or waste time doing mods to fit a "normal" fuse.

Popped the fuse? Just leave the burned-out fuse in there, and your Aneng comes even closer to the Fluke 101! 

[rsjsouza]

The hobbyist working on low voltages definitely does not need an incredibly safe meter, and if the temptation to use it on a household circuit can be kept at bay, there is a very high chance the meter will survive for quite a long time. So, go for it.

Even if from time to time the meter is used around in the household (but away from the circuit breaker panel), there is an incredibly low chance the meter itself will cause personal injury - still a gamble, but incredibly low. The chances the meter will be destroyed are much higher - especially with my biggest pet peeve of the super cheap meters such as this one: the quality control. While certain meters have reasonable design and ergonomics, in my experience I have *always* found one of a few problems related to quality inside brand new meters: bits and pieces of solder or tiny metallic shards; loose springs, screws or even rotary switch leads, blobs of solder that reduce creepage distances to 1mm or less; massive amounts of flux residue with impurities that also reduce dielectric resistance. Another factor that contributes to the longevity of cheap meters is the current inputs: either unfused or merged with the V range. An inadvertent flip on the switch range is enough to short very high power lines (if used around on the outlets).

A very small probability of accidents can happen with voltage surges coming from the power lines. That is quite unusual and has unpredictable consequences, but a safer meter will have more chances of preventing the user from being harmed.

With any meter, always keep in mind that accidents happen when someone is most distracted or tired or misinformed - a gamble that has less probability of having terrible consequences if the meter is safer and better built.

The way I see these evaluations is that Dave, on his position of educating and influencing the crowds, is hard pressed to provide a verdict that is based on his own experience with several brands. If the quality is not comparable, I would want to know that his "grade" would reflect that, otherwise there would be a lack of reliance in his evaluations if the standard of a well built meter is reduced to cater to the ultra low cost audience.

[Fungus]

Have you ever even used a high quality multimeter?   

Yes! 

This cheap and unreliable multimeter has more digits than Fluke's low end, but, if the rotary switch isn't oxidized, it's the banana jacks or test leads making poor connections.

Real life experience tells us that this doesn't happen as often as Fluke-owners like to think.

Secondly: If you're working with a meter every day then you'll soon know if it starts to give problems. The real problem is with cheapo borrowed meters, not the meters you own. Moral: Never use an unkown meter for critical/dangerous jobs. This applies to Flukes, too - you don't know what's inside.

If you've got two or three cheapo meters then you'll be fine for hobby work IMHO. Of course it would be nice to own three Flukes instead, no disagreement there, but that's often not realistic.

The hobbyist working on low voltages definitely does not need an incredibly safe meter, and if the temptation to use it on a household circuit can be kept at bay...

If the temptation can't be kept at bay then a Fluke 101 is a nice addition to any collection (and only costs about $45).

[madires]

If you like to work on mains wiring and distribution panels get a proper tool like a Duspol (similar testers are available from Fluke). A DMM is simply the wrong tool for this kind of work.

[Fungus]

If you like to work on mains wiring and distribution panels get a proper tool like a Duspol (similar testers are available from Fluke). A DMM is simply the wrong tool for this kind of work.

I guess that choice depends on the ratio of mains/non-mains work.

[madires]

A Duspol Analog rated for CAT III 1000V and CAT IV 600V is about EUR 55, and it doesn't require you to be a mutant with three arms. It also has some nice features like LowZ, RCD check and phase detection. Since it doesn't measure current you can't forget to switch the probe leads back to the voltage input jack or cause other related disasters.

[ebastler]

If you like to work on mains wiring and distribution panels get a proper tool like a Duspol (similar testers are available from Fluke). A DMM is simply the wrong tool for this kind of work.

I guess that choice depends on the ratio of mains/non-mains work.

No contradiction between those two statements, in my book. If you like to work on mains wiring and do so regularly, a Duspol is a good idea. If you only work on mains a couple of times per year, nothing wrong with using the trusty multimeter which you bought for your electronics projects. Provided, of course, that the meter has decent safety, and that you use it properly.

[rsjsouza]

The hobbyist working on low voltages definitely does not need an incredibly safe meter, and if the temptation to use it on a household circuit can be kept at bay...

If the temptation can't be kept at bay then a Fluke 101 is a nice addition to any collection (and only costs about $45).

Yes, that is a nice meter indeed. However, such "temptation opportunities"  tend to happen at the most unexpected times, when one gets the first (or the only) meter within their reach.

A Duspol Analog rated for CAT III 1000V and CAT IV 600V is about EUR 55, and it doesn't require you to be a mutant with three arms. It also has some nice features like LowZ, RCD check and phase detection. Since it doesn't measure current you can't forget to switch the probe leads back to the voltage input jack or cause other related disasters.

These testers are really nice. For a casual hobbyist, though, it is hard to justify the cost - after all, much more capable gear can be had for a fraction.

The grandpa of these testers: 

[Fungus]

If you like to work on mains wiring and do so regularly, a Duspol is a good idea. If you only work on mains a couple of times per year, nothing wrong with using the trusty multimeter which you bought for your electronics projects. Provided, of course, that the meter has decent safety, and that you use it properly.

QFT.

[Muttley Snickers]

For those in Australia interested Aldi have another multimeter and some other stuff on offer this coming Saturday, the meter is $20 and appears to be a Holdpeak 39B with a large 2000 count display according to the specifications. Anyway, it looks to be an improvement and slightly cheaper than the previous thing they had on offer and Banggood currently have them listed for around $26, as with any Aldi purchase always keep your receipt.

I don’t think anyone could take something back to Aldi based on the “not as described” consumer law because they are as vague as mud when it comes to product descriptions and information, perhaps this is a ploy to get customers into the store to find out what the hell the product actually is or does. I shouldn’t criticise them really as they do keep the other major players on their toes in regards to competition and pricing.

Aldi Special Products.   
https://www.aldi.com.au/en/special-buys/special-buys-sat-21-july/

HoldPeak Meters.   
http://www.holdpeak.com/Product/plist/id/114/one/1/two/1.html

[Camicia]

This SURPEER AV4 True RMS 4.5 Digit (20000 count) Multimeter  0.05% class, CAT IV 600V rated supposedly (not certified) is $13 on amazon. It used to be $37.