Author Topic: Most compact high quality Multimeter?  (Read 48845 times)

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Offline EEVblog

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Re: Most compact high quality Multimeter?
« Reply #25 on: October 10, 2011, 05:14:49 am »
It would be nice if the review could combine pocket and sub-compact meters, I would maybe define sub-compact as under 10 cubic inches of volume (basically a bit over 25mm x 75mm x 150mm)

I put them in two separate categories.
"Pocket" meters are ones you should literally be able to slip into your pocket, and of course they almost always (or should) have some form of way case/pouch etc to fold the leads up into.

The other ones would simply be any other compact meter that you couldn't slip into a pocket.

Dave.
 

Offline FenderBender

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Re: Most compact high quality Multimeter?
« Reply #26 on: October 10, 2011, 02:32:32 pm »
It would be nice if the review could combine pocket and sub-compact meters, I would maybe define sub-compact as under 10 cubic inches of volume (basically a bit over 25mm x 75mm x 150mm)

I put them in two separate categories.
"Pocket" meters are ones you should literally be able to slip into your pocket, and of course they almost always (or should) have some form of way case/pouch etc to fold the leads up into.

The other ones would simply be any other compact meter that you couldn't slip into a pocket.

Dave.

So the review is a go!? Should we expect a video soon?

Thanks.  :)
 

Offline zaoka

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Re: Most compact high quality Multimeter?
« Reply #27 on: October 10, 2011, 02:45:59 pm »
I recommend HIOKI 3804-50

Its very accurate, faster than Fluke 83, best display contrast and angle view from all meters I have seen, thick protective rubber cover,  and it cost $119. You can get one of eBay for $75 new.
Hioki is Made In Japan.

Again its so fast!

I will review one this week.

 

Offline slipjointedTopic starter

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Re: Most compact high quality Multimeter?
« Reply #28 on: October 10, 2011, 10:45:34 pm »
That Hioki above looks pretty decent. :)

It would be nice if the review could combine pocket and sub-compact meters, I would maybe define sub-compact as under 10 cubic inches of volume (basically a bit over 25mm x 75mm x 150mm)

I put them in two separate categories.
"Pocket" meters are ones you should literally be able to slip into your pocket, and of course they almost always (or should) have some form of way case/pouch etc to fold the leads up into.

The other ones would simply be any other compact meter that you couldn't slip into a pocket.

Dave.

I think that makes sense.

As far as my OP, I'd be open to either as long as they are good quality. I'd greatly prefer replaceable leads though, but that's probably a no-go for most true pocket meters.

I ended up cancelling my BK 2709 and going with the EX505 from Extech, they had a promo for a free non-contact tester (which I actually find handy sometimes), and I couldn't resist the waterproofing and the carrying case.

That said, I'm still definitely in the market for a compact meter.
 

Offline saturation

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Re: Most compact high quality Multimeter?
« Reply #29 on: October 10, 2011, 11:02:21 pm »
Hioki is  a good brand, don't know this meter per se but it looks well made; but is it compact?  Looking forward to the review!

I recommend HIOKI 3804-50

Its very accurate, faster than Fluke 83, ...
I will review one this week.
Best Wishes,

 Saturation
 

Offline sonicj

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Re: Most compact high quality Multimeter?
« Reply #30 on: October 10, 2011, 11:08:09 pm »
i loved my Fluke 12 before i got my 87V. it did temperature with a ad-on thermocouple dongle. no current though.
-sj
 

Offline EEVblog

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Re: Most compact high quality Multimeter?
« Reply #31 on: October 11, 2011, 04:33:53 am »
It would be nice if the review could combine pocket and sub-compact meters, I would maybe define sub-compact as under 10 cubic inches of volume (basically a bit over 25mm x 75mm x 150mm)

I put them in two separate categories.
"Pocket" meters are ones you should literally be able to slip into your pocket, and of course they almost always (or should) have some form of way case/pouch etc to fold the leads up into.

The other ones would simply be any other compact meter that you couldn't slip into a pocket.

Dave.

So the review is a go!? Should we expect a video soon?

Thanks.  :)

Err, no. I haven't even approached anyone about getting meters yet...  ::)

Dave.
 

Offline slipjointedTopic starter

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Re: Most compact high quality Multimeter?
« Reply #32 on: October 11, 2011, 07:34:18 am »
Dave,

When the EX505 comes in, I'll pop it open and see if they managed to clean up that mess of a board inside. If there's anything different from the review, I'll be sure to post some pictures.

It originally was a problem for me, but then I thought about how some of my designs have ended up looking in the past, and they worked fine. I guess I really don't have any room to speak. :D
 

Offline MBY

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Re: Most compact high quality Multimeter?
« Reply #33 on: October 16, 2011, 07:41:02 pm »
Yes! A pocket DMM shootout would be fantastic!

I'm on a endless quest for finding my dream pocket DMM. What I found so far is that higher brand DMMs are more frustrating, idiotic, non-working than lesser known brand and cheap Chinese stuff.

For many years I have own "noname" brand pocket DMMs from "Biltema" a Swedish car parts retail store. They do not sell anymore so I haven't found a picture, but they are similar to Extech DM110 http://www.extech.com/instruments/product.asp?catid=49&prodid=291
The chassis is exactly the same but the functions differ. The DMMs don't have a 400 mV range so I tried to replace them with a new beast. Edit: For clarity: The Extech DM110 _does_ have a mV range on DCV!

I have so far tried:
Amprobe PM55. Its sucks. Hard. First of all, they missing a mV range as well. It has only ONE button, no data hold, no rel mode, no range lock. It eats battery and have so much problems with freezes and other acting up that they have a system reset function (hold the button for 6 or 10 seconds). The current mode is a joke with a burden resistor of 3k! Freq measurement is not reliable.
The continuity mode is really slow. All in all, the meter is useless.


Then I tried the APPA iMeter 5 that actually have a mV range. But it is also really slow on the continuity mode, again having a burden resistor of 3k, can only measure freqs up to 40 kHz (in my case that is completely useless) and it beeps constantly when pressing a button or changing mode.

Then I was curious about the UNI-T pocket meter UT10A, but it also only measures up to 100 kHz.

My $15 "Biltema" DMMs is still the champion of pocket DMMs in my toolbox. It has a ok continuity mode, measures freqs _above_ the specs (10 MHz) and is really sensitive and can measure really small Vpp on freq or duty mode. It has a non-retarded layout with a real range switch with a real off position and do relative mode measurements, have a hold and an range switch for disabling autorange. And the cap and diode modes are really good too.

The "brand" DMMs from Amprobe/Meterman is a totally PoS and the APPA (with is somewhat of a brand) sucks as well. The UNI-T is far better but I consider the freq measurement a big fail.

I value usability, fast continuity mode, mV measurement and freq measurement up to at least 10 MHz as the most important properties of a pocket DMM. The typical use of a such meter is to test continuity, check voltage over small SMD components and check for a freq on a bus (like a clock signal). Duty cycle is also important.

I can live without a current range on a pocket DMM, but if its there I don't want a freak 3 kohm burden resistor! My next pocket buy might be the Extech DM110. It seems like a real killer. It even has a real 400 mA current range! If Dave doesn't find any big flaws in it, of course in the hopefully upcoming shootout! :)   

Edit: In fact, I will buy a Extech DM110 as soon as I can find one in Sweden or a seller that ships to Sweden!
« Last Edit: October 16, 2011, 07:50:18 pm by MBY »
 

Offline FenderBender

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Re: Most compact high quality Multimeter?
« Reply #34 on: October 17, 2011, 10:29:03 pm »
It would be nice if the review could combine pocket and sub-compact meters, I would maybe define sub-compact as under 10 cubic inches of volume (basically a bit over 25mm x 75mm x 150mm)

I put them in two separate categories.
"Pocket" meters are ones you should literally be able to slip into your pocket, and of course they almost always (or should) have some form of way case/pouch etc to fold the leads up into.

The other ones would simply be any other compact meter that you couldn't slip into a pocket.

Dave.

So the review is a go!? Should we expect a video soon?

Thanks.  :)

Err, no. I haven't even approached anyone about getting meters yet...  ::)

Dave.

Well start sending them emails!  :P

All joking aside, it would be a very cool shootout since it's category most people don't pay attention to, but really can be quite useful.
 

Offline EEVblog

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Re: Most compact high quality Multimeter?
« Reply #35 on: October 17, 2011, 11:55:48 pm »
The more I look in this category, the more meter I find.
I have kinda started a list that has:
Extech DM110, DM220
Sanwa PM3
IDEAL 61-605
UEI DM5B
AMPROBE PM55
HIOKI 3244-60 CARD

In addition to a couple  already have that are often rebaged.

But the list seems endless, but it would make for an insane shootout!

Dave.
 

Offline alexwhittemore

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Re: Most compact high quality Multimeter?
« Reply #36 on: October 18, 2011, 01:31:36 am »
I'm getting even more interested in this. The thing is, with full-size handheld meters, you can get most of the key points online. It still helps to get someone's first-hand impression, but I can look up specs, I can see what it looks like, I can find out how accessible the fuses are, etc all online. On the other hand, the one key aspect of a pocket meter is how big and easy to handle it is, which is something you cannot in any way get a sense of without watching someone handle it.

If it helps a company reading this send you a review unit or two, I AM making a buying decision and it IS contingent on seeing a few of these guys go head to head in the same person's hands!
 

Offline Kiriakos-GR

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Re: Most compact high quality Multimeter?
« Reply #37 on: October 18, 2011, 03:32:26 am »
I can find out how accessible the fuses are, etc all online.

What Fuses ?

The pocket ones all that they do, are ohms /continuity / and voltage measurements !!
They are simple and tiny devices.

Yes some people are interested about them, but there is no much to talk about them other than comparing exterior quality and basic accuracy.
You can not even expect large digits !!  ;D
 

Offline alexwhittemore

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Re: Most compact high quality Multimeter?
« Reply #38 on: October 18, 2011, 03:50:02 am »
Yeah, that's my point! I sure as hell can't compare exterior quality or size by looking at pictures of them with no size references and in the best possible light.

And, irrelevant though it is since i didn't mention it in reference to the small meters, you didn't look at any of the models dave neatly posted in a list; a couple have fused current ranges.
 

Offline MBY

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Re: Most compact high quality Multimeter?
« Reply #39 on: October 18, 2011, 09:10:49 am »
I can find out how accessible the fuses are, etc all online.

What Fuses ?

The pocket ones all that they do, are ohms /continuity / and voltage measurements !!
They are simple and tiny devices.

Yes some people are interested about them, but there is no much to talk about them other than comparing exterior quality and basic accuracy.
You can not even expect large digits !!  ;D
A few of them actually do current as well. The DM110 measures up to 400 mA, and the UEI DM5B up to 300 mA. I know that a DM110-like unit has a fuse (I'm not sure about DM110, but I guess is does) and the shitty Amprobe and Appa I listed above do current up to 2/4 mA. They are not fused, but rely on a 3 k shunt resistor (resulting in a completely ridiculous 6-12V of burden voltage!).
 

Offline MBY

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Re: Most compact high quality Multimeter?
« Reply #40 on: October 18, 2011, 09:22:44 am »
The more I look in this category, the more meter I find.
I have kinda started a list that has:
Extech DM110, DM220
Sanwa PM3
IDEAL 61-605
UEI DM5B
AMPROBE PM55
HIOKI 3244-60 CARD

In addition to a couple  already have that are often rebaged.

But the list seems endless, but it would make for an insane shootout!

Dave.
Yes, there is almost endless rebadging when it come to pocket DMMs. Your idea of separating small DMMs in two groups, those who actually fit in a pocket and those who don't, is very good. The DM220 and for instance the UNI-T U20 (a really cute toy) are small but thick meters and don't fit in a pocket. My hint is that you should not worry about rebadging and only test unique instruments and then let the public figure it out witch DMM is corresponding to witch in a store. It does not have to be perfect, I think your list are almost complete already. Maybe include UNI-T U10 (pocket) and U20 ("toy"). Some of the meters (Amprobe PM55, etc) comes in different styles with different capabilities (PM53, PM54(?), PM55). Skip all variation and just take randomly one of them (they all sucks, but that is my own opinion :) ).

Or, do a "pre-shootout" on the forum. List all meters you can find and let us vote on a few for a video shootout!
 

Offline EEVblog

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Re: Most compact high quality Multimeter?
« Reply #41 on: October 18, 2011, 11:04:52 am »
Yes, I wouldn't bother trying to sort out the rebadged ones, just get one of each type that looks decent.

The list so far is:
Extech DM110, DM220
Sanwa PM3
IDEAL 61-605
UEI DM5B
AMPROBE PM55
AMPROBE DM78C (very similar to IDEAL, but screen slightly different?)
HIOKI 3244-60 CARD
Wavetek DM78A (got it) (BK Precision 2700 + others)
Digitek (Jaycar) QM1544 (got it, but discontinued?)
UNI-T U10

That's 10 already, and there are probably another half dozen on the market, crazy.
When you have that many units, 1 minute saying someone about a feature of each one really ads up!

Dave.
« Last Edit: October 18, 2011, 11:15:51 am by EEVblog »
 

Offline MBY

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Re: Most compact high quality Multimeter?
« Reply #42 on: October 18, 2011, 12:47:11 pm »
Yes, I can see the problem! :)

Digitek (Jaycar) QM1544 (got it, but discontinued?)
Hmm. That got me thinking. This is almost the same as Appa Imeter 3 or 5, and on Appas homepage, the specs is freq measurement up to 4 or 5 MHz, but mine does clearly not go beyond 40 kHz. Not in real life, not in the manual. I bought mine on DX. Maybe I have a counterfeit meter? The build quality is very good (metal insert screws, good plastics, good looking PCB, excellent probes. Unfortunately the meter is really crappy anyway, but no quality issue. 
 

Offline gdeg

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Re: Most compact high quality Multimeter?
« Reply #43 on: October 18, 2011, 01:15:01 pm »
Some of the meters (Amprobe PM55, etc) comes in different styles with different capabilities (PM53, PM54(?), PM55). Skip all variation and just take randomly one of them (they all sucks, but that is my own opinion :) ).
They don't suck equally, the two other versions of the Amprobe PMxx don't pretend to measure current and therefore don't suck at it. They also use less current. I think the middle version does the things it can do very well, having 6000 count and higher accuracy (0.5%) than the Extech. It is better for checking Li-ion batteries, for example, while the Extech might be closer to the functionality of a real DMM.
 

Offline MBY

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Re: Most compact high quality Multimeter?
« Reply #44 on: October 18, 2011, 01:42:00 pm »
Ok, that's nice to hear. But none of the Amprobe/Meterman PM5X series has a mV range as far as I know. And the user interface is quite horrible with one button to do it all.

How is the continuity test speed on the other models? And the lock ups/acting up (as I say earlier the PM55 has a reset option by holding the button for 6 or 10 seconds)? A meter that need a "ctrl-alt-del" option was unheard of to me before I fooled myself buying one!

Well, I can rant more of the PM55 (and the Appa i Meter 5) but this is maybe not the right thread for this...
 

Offline gdeg

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Re: Most compact high quality Multimeter?
« Reply #45 on: October 19, 2011, 08:40:03 pm »
The continuity test is not too slow for me. I don't think I have seen lockups or acting up.
 

Offline Bobson

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Re: Most compact high quality Multimeter?
« Reply #46 on: March 20, 2016, 03:45:32 pm »
There is interesting compact model by some BST Caltek company, BST BS2903P (and lower models from BS2900 series also). http://www.bstcaltek.com/catalog2/index.php/bs2903p.html

It has milliamps, and even True RMS!
 

Offline ZeTeX

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Re: Most compact high quality Multimeter?
« Reply #47 on: March 20, 2016, 05:40:58 pm »
I got pocked sized meter, its the Fluke 107.
it has big HRC fuse, isolation slots, all the protections devices, tested mains on ohms and it survived, got for over a year.
pretty good multimeter and extremely small, also comes with TL-75 leads.

got mine from ebay, dont remember how much did it cost.
 

Offline XOIIO

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Re: Most compact high quality Multimeter?
« Reply #48 on: March 21, 2016, 03:54:49 am »
Well heck, why not find the smallest multi meter possible? I want to see one you can strap to your wrist. Perfect for the EE on the go.

Offline dexters_lab

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Re: Most compact high quality Multimeter?
« Reply #49 on: March 21, 2016, 03:47:42 pm »
I got pocked sized meter, its the Fluke 107.
it has big HRC fuse, isolation slots, all the protections devices, tested mains on ohms and it survived, got for over a year.
pretty good multimeter and extremely small, also comes with TL-75 leads.

got mine from ebay, dont remember how much did it cost.

the fluke 101 is even smaller, slightly less functions but very pocket sized


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