EEVblog Electronics Community Forum
Products => Other Equipment & Products => Topic started by: cheeseit on November 30, 2015, 10:31:31 pm
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I've decided to buy a DS1054Z scope and found this Batterfly bundle (http://www.batterfly.com/shop/bundle-ds1054z-ex330-fx888d). I guess another DMM is always nice and I could use something better than those I have, which I think the Extech EX330 is. The FX-888D is no doubt good but I already have what I think is a pretty good soldering station, which is the Weller WSD80.
The DS1054Z alone costs 328€, the EX330 48€ and the FX-888D 98€, while the bundle is 440€ so 112€ more than scope alone, plus 22% VAT.
Now, my questions are:
How is the FX-888D compared to the WSD80 (which I quite like but need more/new tips for)?
Is the EX330 any good/worth it?
Would I be better of to just buy the scope, some tips for my WSD80 and put the rest of the money I save towards a quality DMM, perhaps the DM3058E?
Which tips should I buy for both soldering stations that would have me generally covered?
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If you already have a good soldering station, then a new one will not be a good buy regardless of the price, IMHO. You will always need new tips.
IMHO there are some brands of multimeters to avoid: Vici, Mastech, Extech EX model series, and some others. The Extech EX series seem to have horrible quality control and it is a roll of the dice whether you get a good one or not.
So IMHO opinion, probably not worth it.
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This might be helpful for deciding the multimeter: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/student-multimeter-extech-ex330/ (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/student-multimeter-extech-ex330/)
The EX330 is alright, but it's not the best (quite old) and there are better meters around that could suit your needs. :)
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Thank you both. I've reconsidered and decided to skip the bundle. The Hakko would be nice but I don't really need it, and the Extech meter does not look that good. I'm glad I asked on that one.
I have just ordered a DP832 and a Peak Electronic Atlas Pro pack (DCA75 and LCR45) instead, and will order the DS1054Z and a UNI-T UT61D as soon as my significant other agrees. ;)
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I would also avoid the UT61D. If you must get one from that series, the UT61E i the better buy. IMHO you would be better off getting the UT139C as it has better input protection. Do you have a specific price range for the multimeter?
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Sorry that I did not get back to this before now but I have been too busy.
Got my first Rigol gear (DP832) and I must say I like it - I will definitely buy that 1054Z soon (and mod that too) but not the bundle as mentioned. Some more Peak too, that sure is nice equipment. :-+
I wrote UT61D but it was a typo, I actually meant UT61E. The UT61D looked okay but having read some more here and elsewhere I quickly settled on the E-model which is reasonably priced at Batronix. An UT61E and the 1054Z combined also means free shipping so that is a bonus.
I rarely poke around mains wired stuff and when I do, I use a CATII rated meter and only on the low-side so (reasonable) accuracy is what I need. My budget is around 100€ including VAT and is has to be within the EC but if there is another meter with equal specs which is also safer then please point me in the direction.
I am a newbie so your help is much appreciated, thanks again! :)
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I wonder if these bundle deals are really just a way of authorised distributors getting around their suppliers insisting they only
sell advertise products at MRP. Perhaps if you got on the phone and haggled a price on the equipment you actually need is a better idea? ;)