Products > Test Equipment
bench multimeter for someone learning
J-R:
Oh wow, I'm not sure which is more ludicrous, bringing up the 34461A in a beginner discussion or saying the VC8145 is better for daily use. You could have just mentioned the Vici by itself and no one would have caught on to your mental disorder! ("Pro-tip" on the 34461A and similar: spend a few minutes configuring the default display configuration for each function with statistics for example and save it as the power-up config.)
Both the Vici and the Owon models have some pretty serious flaws as mentioned by various online reviewers but that may not matter here.
A common tactic for parents is to buy their kids cheap stuff to start, because neither is sure whether it's just a phase or something serious.
So I don't think even $150 makes a ton of sense for a beginner, especially if they already have a DMM. Spend the money on breadboards, components, a 3D printer, a scope, ESR meter, whatever.
It's true many of the older bench DMMs are missing useful features, but you can combine it with a decent handheld and be pretty far ahead. Unfortunately it is also true that the pressure from inflation and supply-chain issues on the higher end models is generally raising the prices of used gear. But the deals can still be found if you're diligent and have a specific needed feature in mind.
The Fluke 8840A and 8842A are objectively excellent at their provided functions, with a big, bright VFD display, three update speed choices, 4-wire capability, front/rear terminals, and dedicated buttons for everything. But I'm not seeing this route for someone starting out.
I'm a fan of test equipment DIY kits for learning. You can build something that can also be used on the bench afterwards.
nctnico:
--- Quote from: MrYakimovYA on March 25, 2023, 02:01:45 am ---
--- Quote from: nctnico on March 24, 2023, 08:57:22 pm ---Don't make the mistake that bench meters are all about precission. For regular use, you just need handheld features with a mains cord. I would not want to use my 34461A as a daily driver DMM. Hell no; it kills productivity.
--- End quote ---
Excuse me, what's wrong with 34461a? I have it at my work office. I think it's very good model. I also fall in love with Agilent/HP 34401a. It's VFD looks very seriously. I also have an everyday horsework GW Instek GDM-8145 4.5 digit multimeter. It's fully manual but it has widely known ICL7135 inside, and this DMM is just beautiful.
--- End quote ---
34461A: slow continuity, whiny fan, slow to start. Sometimes more is less. I only use it when I need better than 4.5 digit precission.
Kleinstein:
The 34461 is a pretty expensive meter. There are likely not that many used ones around to make them afordable. Chances are many would prefer a DSO that can be had for 1/2 the price.
It is a reasonable meter, but not really needed for a beginner.
For a beginner one usually does not need high accuracy - the point that makes the 3478 / 3468 attractive is getting 100 nV resolution due to a 30 mV range. For most beginners it is already overkill, but these 2 type come up used relative frequent in the US for price comparable to a lower end new bench DMM. The LCD display can be a bit hard to read under poor light conditions.
From the functions the 3478 can provide it is a definite step up from the VC8145 or the XDM1041 - however old and used and it may need some maintainace / repair (battery and maybe capacitors) soon.
Still the GPIB interface for the computer may add quite some costs if wanted.
A bench meter is usually not such a high priority - most things can also be done with a usually cheaper handheld. One of the reasons to want a bench meter may be for tranfering data to the computer - most bench meters can, but only few of the handhelds and this comes with limits from the battery power.
nctnico:
--- Quote from: Kleinstein on March 25, 2023, 05:09:17 pm ---From the functions the 3478 can provide it is a definite step up from the VC8145 or the XDM1041
--- End quote ---
But the 3478A is missing lots of modern day features like capacitance, continuity, frequency, AC rms in dBm, temperature, dual value display (AC + frequency for example), averaging, etc. All features which the VC8145 (for example) does have. And all very handy features to have for general purpose use. In the end 3478A is a voltmeter, it is not a Digital Multipurpose Meter that meets today's DMM standards (which is probably what the OP is looking for).
--- Quote ---A bench meter is usually not such a high priority - most things can also be done with a usually cheaper handheld. One of the reasons to want a bench meter may be for tranfering data to the computer - most bench meters can, but only few of the handhelds and this comes with limits from the battery power.
--- End quote ---
No. Why would computer data transfer be important? To me it is not. The main reason for having a bench DMM for me is that it never runs out of batteries, it is stackable and doesn't clutter my desk like handhelds tend to do. I used to have a few handhelds but I got rid of them. Recently I sold a brand new U1281A that was sitting on one of my shelves for a a couple of years already. I have no use for handhelds on my bench. In addition, a decent handheld also costs quite a bit of money so if a bench DMM is a better fit, then it is better to go for the bench DMM right from the start.
bdunham7:
--- Quote from: Kleinstein on March 25, 2023, 05:09:17 pm ---From the functions the 3478 can provide it is a definite step up from the VC8145 or the XDM1041
--- End quote ---
It depends on what you want to do. If 100nV resolution, 4W ohms and ultimate precision are your goals, perhaps a 3478 is OK. I have one, it works perfectly and I never use it. I don't have a VC8145, but if I had only those two meters I'm pretty sure I'd use the VC8145 at least 90% of the time. You can use it with an RS232 connection and HKJs TestController program (or the included software, no idea if it is any good) without having to deal with GPIB. It also has many more useful features such as capacitance, frequency, dual display and TRMS AC+DC. And then there's the 300V limitation of the HP3478. So the Vici is essentially an economical full-featured meter that more or less replicates the functions of a decent hand-held in bench form. At the under $150 price point, I'm not sure what else there is that isn't utter trash.
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