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BK Precision 2709b or 2712 ?

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TSX420J:
Hi, I am new to the forum and have seen Dave's shootout featuring the 2709b. I was most interested in buying this multimeter because of its accuracy, range and build quality. I went to BKP's website and saw there was a 2712.

I am new to troubleshooting electronic components and am learning new things everyday. I want to use this DMM for checking caps, resistors and diodes on older electronics such as old game consoles and power supplies.

I have a couple of repair projects in the works and need to buy a good DMM to be able to diagnose a PSU of a sega dreamcast console. It has a couple of caps, 10v 2200uf, 10v 3300uf, 35v 470uf and a 10v 470uf one.

My questions are, which DMM is better suited for my needs out of the two and would they be able to measure the capacitance of these caps? I'm sorry for my noobness I am unfamiliar with the way the ratings work. I want to learn more. Any help is appreciated thanks!!

2712

http://bkprecision.com/downloads/datasheets/2712_datasheet.pdf

Capacitance Ranges: 4 nF, 40 nF, 400 nF, 4 uF, 40 uF
Resolution: 1 pF, 10 pF, 100 pF, 1 nF, 10 nF
Accuracy: 4 nF range: ±(3.0% rdg + 20 dgts)
40 nF to 400 nF ranges: ±(3.0% rdg + 5 dgts)
4 uF to 20 uF ranges: ±(3.0% rdg + 5 dgts)
20 uF to 40 uF ranges: ±(5.0% rdg + 5 dgts)

2709b

http://bkprecision.com/downloads/datasheets/2709B_datasheet.pdf

Capacitance Ranges: 6.6 nF , 66 nF, 660 nF, 6.6 uF, 66 uF, 660 uF, 6.6 mF, 66 mF
Resolution: 1 pF, 10 pF, 100 pF, 1 nF, 10 nF, 100 nF, 1 uF, 10 uF
Accuracy: 6.6 nF range: ±(3.0 % rdg + 30 dgts)
66 nF to 660 uF ranges: ±(3.0 % rdg + 5 dgts)
6.6 mF to 66 mF ranges: ±(5.0 % rdg + 20 dgts)

david77:
In January I decided I needed a new meter and after watching Dave's shootout videos decided to get the 2709B.

It is a really nice meter for the money. The build quality is good, the switch is very nice - though a bit small. Continuity beeper is fast, accurate and loud wich is good. Autoranging is fast and the display is clear and good to read, not too many gimmicks that no-one really needs.
Input protection seems to work well. Do discharge every cap you measure! I already managed to blow the 500mA fuse by measuring a used cap that's been in storage for years but obviously still held some charge.
True RMS frequency range is not so good, it only goes up to a few kHz. Can't remember where it starts do drop off exactly, I think around 3-3,5kHz.

But it has some annoying habits and does some weird things.

1. The beeping. It is f***ing annoying and incredibly loud. Everytime you switch ranges it goes BEEEEP!!! Why?!
Oddly it doesn't beep when switching it into Hz mode.
Before it auto powers down it gives a few short beeps and one long beep when actually switching off. You can override the auto power down mode by pressing the Range (?) button while switching on.
I work a lot at night when it's quiet, the beeping really grates then.

2. It doesn't auto range into the 660mV range. Very annoying indeed. I'm pretty sure that's some firmware bug, not a feature as it doesn't make sense.

3. The magnet strap thing. Nice idea, I can see that coming in handy.
But: You can't put the meter flat on the bench with the strap attached, it wobbles from side to side and is impossible to use with one hand. So you take the strap off, wich means it's gone. Lost forever.

4. The 4mm input jacks. I'm not sure I like them, they seem very wobbly when not used with shrouded 4mm plugs. I have a feeling that might one day become a problem.

TSX420J:
Thanks, good info.  :) Would I be able to check the caps mentioned above with the 2709b or 2712? They seem out of range, correct me if I am wrong please. I don't want to dive into a 100+ dollars DMM to later find out it is insufficient for my needs. Thanks again for the reply!

david77:
The 2709B goes up to 66millifarad = 6600µf, so yes it can measure them. The 2712 hits the wall at 40µf.

I wouldn't get hung up about the cap range on a meter, though. It's not that often used in real life. If you want to know about the health of your caps what you want to know is the ESR value and I'm not aware of any multimeter that can do that.
A standard DMM will give you a ball park figure on the capacity, with electrolytics that's enough. For really accurate cap measurements you're probably better off with a LCR meter.

ejeffrey:
I say get the 2709B.  I have the 2912, and I don't really like it. The autoranging and the continuity beeper are way to slow.  I haven't seen the 2709B in person, but I think the display on the 2912 is a bit worse.

I don't think the improved accuracy and resolution is worth the tradeoff.  If you for some reason need the DC+AC RMS voltage you will need to get the 2912, but otherwise I think the 2709B is a better general purpose meter.

The 2709B can also measure much larger capacitance values, which sounds like something you are interested in. 

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