Multimeter Shootout

[EEVblog]

Heads-up everyone.
Many people have requested that I do reviews of more affordable multimeters rather than just the top shelf stuff.
Rather than review one-by-one I'm thinking of having one big "Under $XX Multimeter Shootout" and am and trying to tee this up.
And it'll be "to destruction" of course!

I don't know what the $XX amount will be, taking suggestions on that too, but certainly under the $100 mark. The idea is to find the best value/performance meter under that amount.

Rather than just pick the meters myself, I'd thought I'd also let viewers suggest ones they are interested in.
So if you want to see a particular model reviewed, let me know, but it MUST be picked from here, and be at least under that $100 mark:
http://www.tequipment.net/

Thanks.
Dave.

[jimmc]

At the risk of incurring your wrath can I suggest one not from that source.

At the very bottom of the pile is the ubiquitous  DT830B, the cheapest I've found it is here £2.71 ($4.50) including postage!)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LCD-Digital-Multimeter-Voltmeter-Ammeter-Meter-OHM-DVM_W0QQitemZ390171973976QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET?hash=item5ad80fd958
This would at least show what the very bottom of the range is like.

I confess I have a few in addition to my main meters, they do have their uses if their limitations are understood.


Jim

[desolatordan]

At the risk of incurring your wrath can I suggest one not from that source.

At the very bottom of the pile is the ubiquitous  DT830B, the cheapest I've found it is here £2.71 ($4.50) including postage!)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LCD-Digital-Multimeter-Voltmeter-Ammeter-Meter-OHM-DVM_W0QQitemZ390171973976QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET?hash=item5ad80fd958
This would at least show what the very bottom of the range is like.

I confess I have a few in addition to my main meters, they do have their uses if their limitations are understood.


Jim

Was just going to suggest the cheap $3 ones from Harbor Freight, looks like they're the exact same meter.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=98025

EDIT: Oops, didn't noticed the Tequipment note in the post.

Extech 430
http://www.tequipment.net/ExtechEX430.asp

[EEVblog]

At the risk of incurring your wrath can I suggest one not from that source.

Only problem with that is that Tequipment are providing the meters for nix.
So I can get other ones, but I'll have to scrounge them from somewhere else or buy them myself.

Dave.

[freddyk]

  A multimeter for only $4.50? I'd love to see how that one measures up to other multimeters.

It would be fun to have my preconception of cheap China Export blown to pieces if it (against all odds?) proved not to be as bad as the price suggests. 

Dave, I'm going to donate a small amount to you ($42 ought to be the optimal amount), hoping that you include one of those mega-cheap multimeters in the review...

[migsantiago]

This one is not sold at Tequipment... but maybe you could check it out. It seems to be a Fluke 17B "clone"...

VC99 3 6/7 Multimeter analog bar C F better FLUKE 17B
http://cgi.ebay.com/VC99-3-6-7-Multimeter-analog-bar-C-F-better-FLUKE-17B_W0QQitemZ120513720463QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_Electrical_Equipment_Tools?hash=item1c0f2d708f

$36.99USD

[MTron]

I have had some good experiences with other Amprobe meters, and this one just fits your bill for under $100

http://www.tequipment.net/Amprobe35XP-A.html

[EEVblog]

A multimeter for only $4.50? I'd love to see how that one measures up to other multimeters.

It would be fun to have my preconception of cheap China Export blown to pieces if it (against all odds?) proved not to be as bad as the price suggests. 

Dave, I'm going to donate a small amount to you ($42 ought to be the optimal amount), hoping that you include one of those mega-cheap multimeters in the review...

Thanks for the donation, I can get a few more now!
Somehow I don't think the $5 meter is going to compare with a $50 meter, at which price point you can actually get a decent quality meter.

Dave.

[csadzuki]

I would be very interested in your opinion/review of UNI-T multimeters.
http://www.uni-trend.com/software/DMM%20Catalog_2009.pdf
(I have a UT61C, but my feelings are mixed...)

The general opinion seems to be that they are great bang for the buck meters.
They are sold under many names (VoltCraft, etc.).
(Sorry, not sure if tequipment.net carries them. )

[EEVblog]

VC99 3 6/7 Multimeter analog bar C F better FLUKE 17B
http://cgi.ebay.com/VC99-3-6-7-Multimeter-analog-bar-C-F-better-FLUKE-17B_W0QQitemZ120513720463QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_Electrical_Equipment_Tools?hash=item1c0f2d708f

A few people have asked about that one, as it seem to be prolific on Ebay. So I've just bought one.

Dave.

[migsantiago]

It'll be interesting to watch some clone wars... Fluke vs. whoknowswhat... 

[Simon]

VC99 3 6/7 Multimeter analog bar C F better FLUKE 17B
http://cgi.ebay.com/VC99-3-6-7-Multimeter-analog-bar-C-F-better-FLUKE-17B_W0QQitemZ120513720463QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_Electrical_Equipment_Tools?hash=item1c0f2d708f

A few people have asked about that one, as it seem to be prolific on Ebay. So I've just bought one.

Dave.

oh thanks Dave I have one of those and while its my top meter (while i recover from my investment in the rigol scope) I don't like to trust it, a lot of your comments on it when I posted about it whilst considering it were true: no SMD all standard parts and well just nothing like I hope a real fluke is, I also have good reason to beleive that the temp measurement reads an astounding 5 C over the actual temp !

[EEVblog]

So how do people think I should run this comparison?
I don't think it's fair to compare a $5 meter with a $70 meter for example, so I'm probably going to exclude those $5 meters.
An how do you fairly compare a better quality $50 meter with basic features, to a lesser quality $50 meter with all the bells and whistles?

Categories?
Any ideas?

Dave.

[dmlandrum]

My first thought is to compare across comparable feature lists and leave price for last. So, group all multimeters by feature range, do your comparison, rank them, and then factor the price into it. You can then let that alter your rankings if you desire, or you can take each "feature-equivalence" category and choose a "best performer" and then a "best bang for the buck." Who knows, they might be the same in some cases.

I hope that makes sense. I'm not saying it's a good idea, just that it's my first.

[armandas]

I think it is a good idea to throw in one or two $5 meters. Even if they can't compare with others, you can tell everyone how horrible they are, or better yet, "test" their input protection (if you know what I mean )

[migsantiago]

A comparison table would be enough I think. The columns should be the dmm models and every row should be a feature.

First, the electronic and electric features: voltage precission, battery endurance, capacitance measurements, transistor HFE, number of displayed digits, etc.

Another group of rows should be the number of standards that the dmm has (that CAT III thing labeled on the probes for example).

Then the "appeal" features: product looks, shape, shock resistance, beeper loudness, battery replacement, display readability and the most special one... the feel.

And the last group of rows... the tough tests... free falls, apply 220VAC while measuring ohms (yeah, it happens! hehe), water proof, etc.

The columns (dmm models) could be arranged from lower to higher price.

[Simon]

My first thought is to compare across comparable feature lists and leave price for last. So, group all multimeters by feature range, do your comparison, rank them, and then factor the price into it. You can then let that alter your rankings if you desire, or you can take each "feature-equivalence" category and choose a "best performer" and then a "best bang for the buck." Who knows, they might be the same in some cases.

I hope that makes sense. I'm not saying it's a good idea, just that it's my first.

sounds good, I have meters that are almost identical but i apid very different prices for them and have seen them for much less recently, with price on these cheap meters it is more down to channels you buy through than what they do or who branded them

[MTron]

So how do people think I should run this comparison?
I don't think it's fair to compare a $5 meter with a $70 meter for example, so I'm probably going to exclude those $5 meters.
An how do you fairly compare a better quality $50 meter with basic features, to a lesser quality $50 meter with all the bells and whistles?

Categories?
Any ideas?

Dave.

Well.....you could always do some kind of standardization of score... develop say, 4 categories out of 10 to be graded on, divide each category by the price, and sum the total from each of thr 4 categories....might come to some kind of best bang for the buck....LOL

i think ive been in the science papers to much.....

In all seriousness, how about 2 broad categories. an ultra cheap, bare bones, first multimeter you buy ever just to test wall voltage category, and then the decently accurate well equipped multimeter for someone starting out in the field

Personally i found your previous reviews on multimeters quite informative, and the one were you did a brief overview of the Meterman multimeter peaked my interest as the Meterman (Now Amprobe) multimeters seemed to be pretty decent in quality....i actually went out a bought an Amprobe 34XR-A to replace my 15 dollar import meter

[domm123]

A multimeter for only $4.50? I'd love to see how that one measures up to other multimeters.

It would be fun to have my preconception of cheap China Export blown to pieces if it (against all odds?) proved not to be as bad as the price suggests. 

Dave, I'm going to donate a small amount to you ($42 ought to be the optimal amount), hoping that you include one of those mega-cheap multimeters in the review...

I would also like to see a $4.50 multimeter taking measurement, and compare it side by side with a expensive one! 

[PetrosA]

In this price range I'd be interested in a backup/secondary DMM. My primary is now an Agilent u1211a clamp meter but I'd like to have a second one for measuring voltage and amperage together. Since I work on line voltages, anything I use has to be at least CAT III to 600V and that is the primary criterion I used gathering my list of meters. I stayed away from Amprobe only because I know you've already gotten a lot of requests for them.

Here's the list:

http://www.tequipment.net/ReedST-9918.asp
http://www.tequipment.net/Ideal61-320.asp
http://www.tequipment.net/BK2708B.html

Sure, I dream of a high end data logging DMM, but there are lots of other tools on my "to buy" list

Edit to add:

I didn't notice that the Reed 9918 was discontinued and the replacement is just over $100. The 9917 would also fit my requirements.

http://www.tequipment.net/ReedST-9917.asp

Mini rant - tequipment.net is a great source and has excellent live chat help (I've used it before) but they really need to do some work on organizing the products better, as well as making the search functions more useful (like by price and availability).

[Simon]

not sure if it has alreadbeen mentioned but I'm considering the amprobe AM220 after getting fed up with that fluke 17B mikitake from china off ebay. it looks like a good all round meter but for 30 quid I'd dubious as thats what I paid for the peice of crap I have from ebay

[flano]

Dave,

Really enjoy your reviews. I'm looking getting a new meter like.

http://www.tequipment.net/UEiDM397.html

So would be interested in a review of one of their lower priced units.

http://www.tequipment.net/UEiDM391.html

As for how to review them, I think you should rate them on their:-
- Construction - How relieable will they be?
- Safety - What standards do they conform to? Can they take 240V on the ohms range? ...
- Accuracy compared to your Fluke 87
- Feature set/Bang for buck.

Look forward to watching the shootout.

Thanks Mike

[Simon]

Clone war is a good idea the VC99 meter very comon on ebay and sold as a fluke 87 equivalent putting it against the real one would be good.

[domm123]

My cheap $5 meter have arrived!! Some picture.. It is very small and feels very light as compare to my fluke 87-v.
Btw, it does not look as bad as the cheap meter that dave have. The soldering on the pcb is pretty neat, and it uses smd component.

Model is DT-830B

[lebeno]

Dave, super idea, this multimeter shootout!

Because I was planning to buy a second, more accurate DMM, I did some "market research" and put  the specs of the products I liked in this document: Quality Autoranging TrueRMS multimeters compared.

The document is far from complete: a lot of multimeters could be added and in most cases for the accuracy of a given function (e.g. DCV) I took the best one I could find for the different DCV ranges. Also, I "calculated" the total accuracy for every function by taking the measuring accuracy and then adding the "counts" accuracy divided by the total number of counts. Dunno if this formula is any good, but I wanted something to compare the bare facts.

The Cineese Uni-T UT71C seems to be a very good multimeter (on paper anyhow). Compared to the Fluke 87 V and the Gossen Metrahit PRO, it almost beats them at every spec at a third of the price! But then again, my comparison is probably very inaccurte, incomplete, or Uni-T could be lying or incomplete? And the dial is doubtfully as sexy als the Gossen's

Anyhow, I did find a nice video that seems to suggest the Uni-T multimeters have an easy calibration feature:

Uni-T also has the UT71D and UT71E models. Apart from the number of data logging records or a power meter option, they have the same specs.

If you guys think this comparison table is any good or you have suggestions, I can give you write permission to add stuff.