Pen / Probe DMM Review

[Ernie Milko]

I'm still mourning the passing of my SOAR probe DMM a couple of years ago. I've not been able to find (IMO) a worthy replacement.
Most of the ones available now either look like toys or shite, or both.
Dave, I would love to see a review of any worthy contenders!
cheers,
Ernie

[PetrosA]

I know there's an Extech pen style DMM on its way to Dave Not sure if that's what you're looking for or not, or whether Dave can be talked into reviewing it...

[Ernie Milko]

Thanks for the reply, PetrosA.
So no-one's interested in penDMMs? I'm very surprised. Useful little blighters.

[alm]

If you're unable to find a worthy replacement, what equipment do you expect Dave to review? The least you can do is do the leg work to find a good candidate, and that obviously doesn't guarantee that Dave has any interest in doing a review.

I'm quite happy with regular DMMs that I don't have to lift all the time, and they usually seem like cheap toys to me, but I imagine they could be useful in some applications (eg. if the equipment is larger than the length of the test leads).

[Fraser]

I am no expert on pen type multimeters but I have used a few over the years. As Dave commented regarding the small wallet type multimeters, these types of meters are a compromise due to their size but are still very useful to have around in the workshop or whilst mobile. I settled on the Wavetek DM73A as it is very well built, provides decent accuracy and is small enough for my needs. It is also available under the AVO-Megger brand and was the choice of the UK Military, in the AVO guise, for their probe multimeter requirements.
The DM73A measures DC/AC Volts, Ohms and continuity. A hold function is also included. Dimensions are: approx 180mm x 27mm x 20mm with tip and 0V lead fitted. The tip and 0V lead is removeable reducing the length to 145mm. Battery supply is via two common Alkaline button cells and stated maximum power consumption is 7mVA. UL listed 87PJ, E166560, CE marked. Input is rated 300 V ac/dc CAT II. And it's made in JAPAN :-)

Info here:

Datasheet: http://www.prime-electronics.com.au/datasheets/data/Wavetek/Wavetek%20DM73A%20Pen%20DMM.pdf

http://www.tequipment.net/WavetekDM73A.html

http://www.omnicontrols.com/wavetek_digitalmultimeters.aspx


I liked it so much I bought four of them and all are still working after 6 years of hard use. Hope this helps.

I attach two pictures of one of my DM73's.

PS. I see that the DM73C is the current model. I have no knowledge of that units performance and recommend searching out a DM73A as these still appear to be available new from retail suppliers on the NET.

[Mechatrommer]

we almost lost the blog when Dave reviewed the earlier Extech model, iirc.

[Ernie Milko]

Thanks for your detailed reply, Aurora.
I've seen the DM73A in my searches, it looks very good indeed, although I've not been able to locate a supplier.
It looks a lot better than the newer DM73B, and the DM73C (which appears to be the current model).
The DM73A looks very similar to my old SOAR.

I'm in the UK too, so if you can be persuaded to part with one of your collection of 4; please let me know. 

[Fraser]

I'll check with some of my equipment sources to see if I can uncover a DM73A for you... no promises though.

With regard to letting one of my DM73A's go to a new home.... I'll have to think about that a little as they are so good and, as you say, newer models may be lesser build quality/performance. I actually have one new in it's hard case as my back-up in case I lose one ! I am a Gemini and always like to apply the "one and a spare" policy when I find a really useful item.... it isn't always practical or affordable but in this case the meters were affordable enough to buy several :-)

[Ernie Milko]

Thanks Aurora.

Well, I'm a Virgo; so everything has to be just so. (Yes, I know, a male Virgo engineer; nothing worse!)

[saturation]

Pen DMMs are nice for their compactness back in the 1980s.  If you work in a situation were you can't lay the meter down while taking a reading, like in a car engine, it'll help.  

The cons are you have a much heavier item in your main probe hand, a small LCD readout, limited digits, and for safety, if you had some high voltage issue, the meter could explode, in your hand.

If all you need is compactness there are thin pocket DMM have been made that have similar specs.

For working in environments like car engines, I use a full sized Fluke 87 in touch and hold mode, put the magnet holder on and stick it on the front fender; or if no safety issues are at hand, on my belt.

[PetrosA]

The one I sent to Dave I got as a prize from Extech in one of their online promos. I tried it out at work for a few weeks but there were a few things about it that made it less than ideal for an electrician, although I think a bench user would feel differently. There's no backlight - big minus for me. It's also not quite as rugged feeling as I'd like and I felt I had to be too thoughtful about how I treated it. The alligator clip included with the lead was way too delicate for my needs and kept popping off when clipped to a ground or neutral lug in the panel. I replaced it with a better Fluke clip for the trial. Values in the Ohms range seemed to vary depending on whether it was in autoranging or manual mode - not by much, but it was noticeable. I didn't document any of this, so I can't give specifics now.

I was in contact with Andre Rebelo during that trial period and gave him feedback from an electrician's POV. He was very interested, but I don't know that Extech sees this form of meter as something marketable to electricians in the US so I don't know what, if any, improvements they would make to the design. Here the diehard standard is the clamp meter for everyday use because of its versatility and inherent safety (no way to forget the leads in the amp terminal...).

I offered it to Dave to use as he sees fit, either for review or as a giveaway treat - his decision

[Kiriakos-GR]

I will use less words to describe my opinion. 

I hate those tiny pen probes, its more trouble than good .
They help for simple tests , when you work on panels at the same height of your head.
And that's it . 

[Fraser]

I have to agree that Pen multimeters can be a pain to use when you can't easily see the LCD screen and they are more bulky than a standard probe. The HOLD function on the Wavetek does help with the LCD viewing issue.

I would not have just a pen probe multimenter as my only means of making measurements especially as most do not have a decent current range. I consider my pen multimeters an additional tool in my toolbox of test equipment. It's a bit like a mechanics toolbox really, you have your favourite tools that are used regularly and then you have the 'odd' or 'specialist' tools for special applications or just occasional use. My pen multimeters fall into both categories for me as I have one in my desk at work, one in my home office for quick checks on PCBs/PSU's and one in my car glove box for emergencies.

IMHO these types of meters are not better or worse than others... they are just a different tool with differing pros and cons. I have several multimeters ranging from the Wavetek probe through to the Fluke 87 and 8840A, they all serve me well but in different ways and with differing capabilities. If you can afford it, why limit yourself to only one type of multimeter... probe, handheld or bench ?

This is a good discussion and as I have said, probe multimeters are not for everyone but I would not class them as a toy and they do have their uses  

[EEVblog]

I offered it to Dave to use as he sees fit, either for review or as a giveaway treat - his decision

I was just going to give it away in a comp, as I already have a backlog of items to review.
I personally don't find pen type meters that interesting, does anyone else?

Dave.

[Bored@Work]

I personally don't find pen type meters that interesting, does anyone else?

They are called prodding sticks here in lab slang. Nothing very exciting about them. They are ok for prodding a circuit if you have the PCB right in front of you on the bench and you don't want to look up and down between the PCB and a normal meter or bench meter. They get inconvenient when you have to fiddle inside some piece of equipment.

I rarely use them. What I do use, however, is a pen type logic probe.

[Fraser]

One of the problems I have with probe type multimeters these days is finding one of decent quality and I suspect Dave would be disappointed with the build quality and safety of many. With such a device it is important that it is intrinsicly safe as you are gripping it in your hand as has already been stated. I believe the OP is just wishing to replace a unit that he liked to use with a similar quality device. If nothing else, his search and present situation may be an indicator that decent quality probe meters are rare these days and maybe they are not a good choice for that reason. My Wavetek DM73A design is probably around 8 years old and was built to a good standard. Many look good in the pictures but disappoint when received. This thread could act as a warning to others considering the purchase of a probe multimeter. It would therefore be useful if owners of such devices comment on the build quality and safety of their particular model. The ergonomics are a slightly different issue.

[Ernie Milko]

Thankyou all for your replies so far; useful and otherwise.  
In summing-up; I think Aurora and myself are on the same wavelength. (Maybe probe multimeters are a UK thing?)

As correctly interpreted by Aurora, it is my requirement to replace a probe multimeter, I didn't ask as to the merits of probe multimeters in general, as some replies would suggest.
I certainly wouldn't advocate anyone having *only* a probe multimeter as their one and only multimeter.

I have at my personal disposal, various multimeters (mostly Fluke); including a calibrated Fluke 87IV; plus other, lesser (but equally useful) models. And I can borrow from work if the need arises.

To me, it's a question of the right tool for the job.
After all, no-one would want to own *only* one screwdriver, would they? This would limit their activities somewhat.....................

I posted in Suggestions, rather than General, as I thought (obviously wrongly) that others may be mirroring my quest, and as such, it would be an interesting idea for a blog.
(Plus I like the idea of Dave getting a load of cheap Chinese probe multimeters and tossing them across the room one at a time, whilst exclaiming ".........it's a heap of shit......." in his own, inimitable style, as he does so well!)

One respondent claimed that I should offer some meters for comment, so here we go..............
I'm in the UK, so based my search accordingly>>>

http://uk.farnell.com/_/in05261/multimeter-pen-type-volt-detect/dp/1339600

A definite candidate for the heap of shit category.

Then there's:-

http://uk.farnell.com/_/st-3216/multimeter-pen-type/dp/1430706

And:-

http://uk.farnell.com/meterman/dm73b/multimeter-digital-probe-style/dp/3890533

Which is also no-longer manufactured, and has been replaced by:-

http://uk.farnell.com/amprobe-instruments/dm73c/multimeter-probe-style/dp/1466453

At more than double the price!!!

Then there is this, by Fluke, which besides costing £118, looks too bulky for electronics use; I think it's aimed more at electricians:-

http://uk.farnell.com/fluke/t5-1000/tester-volt-cont-fluke-t5-1000/dp/184354

Trawling ebay produces:-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/220322137448

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/390138821505

Neither look like much cop, and the Kyoritsu looks to be very expensive for what it is.
On the plus side, the circuitspecialists meter has got a fairly large display.

I've also just found this:-

http://www.metrix-electronics.com/HTML/P3Q_Stix_multimeters.html

Obviously quality is good (the MX67 is the military version) but again, it looks a bit clunky for electronics use, and the display aspect is wrong.

[Bored@Work]

Thankyou all for your replies so far; useful and otherwise.  
In summing-up; I think Aurora and myself are on the same wavelength.

Have you considered same-sex marriage then?

I didn't ask as to the merits of probe multimeters in general,

Hint, when you go into a public discussion forum you will get discussions, doh! Hire a consultant if you can't stand discussions, and pay him to tell you what you want to hear. Pay him enough and you can even push him around as if he's your personal servant.

[Fraser]

Ernie,

I checked with my suppliers and both advised that Wavetek discontinued the DM73A some years ago and all remaining stocks were sold. One supplier commented that it was a great product that he could still sell in quantity today. He also agreed with my view that the latest Wavetek models do not appear to be as good. Wavetek did not actually make the DM73A, it was a badge engineered product from a large multimeter manufacturer (un-named) in Japan.

Sorry I couldn't source one for you. You sometimes see NOS Ex military AVO versions on the auction sites so keep your eyes open and if I find a source, I'll let you know.

[Fraser]

Ernie,

I see there is a SOAR pen type multimeter currently for sale:

http://cgi.ebay.com/SOAR-3100-Auto-Ranging-Pen-Style-Digital-Multimeter-NIB-/250761570738

Not sure if this is what you owned. If so you could try asking about delivery to the UK.

[Ernie Milko]

Aurora,

Many thanks for your help, your efforts are greatly appreciated.

[PetrosA]

The Extech I sent Dave looks exactly like the one in your first link

The Fluke you linked to is actually a clamp meter (open jaw type) and is WAY bigger than a pen style multimeter. The Metrix looks like a good one, but larger than others and the CAT rating isn't real clear (only says it conforms to 61010-1).

The closest thing that Fluke makes to what you're looking for is the T140 for £86

http://www.fluke.com/fluke/uken/electrical-test-tools/electrical-testers/fluke-t100-series.htm?PID=56171

Looks like maybe that ebay SOAR might be your best bet

[Ernie Milko]

Thanks Petrosa, yes, those Fluke T5-1000 things do look very big. The Fluke T140 you linked to looks more like a voltage indicator than a multimeter.
I was pondering getting one of these, at least they're cheap! They look fairly compact, and the display looks quite large.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/220322137448

[Fraser]

It's a Colluck(HK) HH3211D rebadged for CSE  
 
You can find the specs here if you need them.

http://www.colluck.hk/product.asp?id=22

It shows the UL symbol but I can't confirm it's valid.

Note The manufacturer claims Max Volts = 600V whereas CSE state only 400V.... interesting. It doesn't appear to have a finger guard, just a grip strip...not to my liking if you are working on higher voltages.

Manufacturers details:

Colluck Company Limited
Flat A, 11/F., Kam Fai Commercial Building,
Kowloon City, Kowloon
Hong Kong
Voice: (852) 2718 3966
Fax: (852) 2718 5265
Website: http://www.colluck.com.hk/
Email: colluck@colluck.hk

Don't expect too much of it and you will be OK but I have spent a lot of time in HK (especially Kowloon) and this looks to be a pretty standard cheap multimeter of average build quality to match it's price. In HK I would expect to pay around £5, or even less, for it so consider this when thinking of ordering.

[Ernie Milko]

Thanks, Aurora.
It doesn't actually look too bad, does it?
I'm not sure I'd want to chance it on more than 100V, or so.

Those Canadians' don't know what they're missing..........

Not for sale in Canada

[Fraser]

I just bought a new one of these ISO-Tech probe meters for GBP29 on e*ay :-)  My purchase was the kit that contains the add on clamp meter. Clever and useful 

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=getProduct&R=6974070

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=searchProducts&searchTerm=186-2405&x=29&y=18

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=getProduct&R=6974064

Excellent quality but a little larger than my Wavetek probe meters. Accuaracy is nothing to rave about but is adequate for the uses that I have in mind for the probe meter.

I believe ISO-Tech are a brand mainly sold via RS Components.

http://www.iso-techonline.com/index.html

[Bored@Work]

I believe ISO-Tech are a brand mainly sold via RS Components.

ISO-Tech is a "brand" owned by RS. It is badge engineering. RS buys from many different manufacturers and gets the stuff labeled ISO-Tech.

[Fraser]

Hi Boredatwork,


That explains why some 'ISO-Tech' products appear better made than others  

I recently purchased the ISO-Tech 1332A Lux meter and the very nice IDM305 multimeter, brand new, boxed and sealed, at very wallet friendly prices. They appear very well made using quality materials and good build practices such as HRC fuses etc.

For info to all, ISO-Tech/RS has recently changed it's brand colours from 'light grey& red' to 'dark grey & green' and the older light grey/red stock appears to have been 'dumped' onto third party test equipment dealers for onward sale at prices approaching a third to one quarter of that in the RS catalogue.

I don't know the OEM of these meters but I remain impressed with the quality. The stated specs on the IDM305 are very near to those of my Fluke 87 series III and it has all the bells and whistles that a bored tech could wish for  .

[Fraser]

I see that Tektronix think the 'Iso-Tech' IDM17 probe meter is worthy of their name:

http://www.slack.com/TE/TekDMM150/index.html

[Ernie Milko]

Wow! A Tektronix Isotech! From what I read of current-day Tek, at TekScopes, Tek ain't what they used to be.
I'm familiar with Isotech, and these meters, not bad, from what I've seen.

[alm]

Wow! A Tektronix Isotech! From what I read of current-day Tek, at TekScopes, Tek ain't what they used to be.

Not so much current-day Tek, the re-badged cheap test equipment has been discontinued for at least a number of years. They were introduced somewhere in the nineties, when Tek wanted a full line of test equipment to attract distributors, and were definitely not Tek quality or documented to Tek standards (no service docs). Apart from the Fluke bench meters they sell (Fluke is owned by the same Danaher group), I don't think they currently sell much re-badged equipment anymore, excluding some accessories like the isolated probes for the TPS2000 series, which are made by Multi-Contact. Unlike Agilent who sold Rigol scopes until recently .