Author Topic: bench multimeter for someone learning  (Read 12406 times)

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Offline NoisyBoy

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Re: bench multimeter for someone learning
« Reply #25 on: March 25, 2023, 06:50:52 pm »
I feel like we are jumping too far in the recommendation when so little is known about the need, use case, and budget. Perhaps the OP can share more so the community can make a better recommendation.
 

Offline GigaJoe

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Re: bench multimeter for someone learning
« Reply #26 on: March 25, 2023, 07:20:24 pm »

suggesting  FLUKE 45
dual display  ; min\max ; REL ; diode ; FREQ ; 5.5D ; reasonable accuracy
reasonable price around 120 - 160 USD , hunting on ebay, need to look at display brightness

 

Online bdunham7

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Re: bench multimeter for someone learning
« Reply #27 on: March 25, 2023, 07:33:24 pm »
I feel like we are jumping too far in the recommendation when so little is known about the need, use case, and budget. Perhaps the OP can share more so the community can make a better recommendation.

Very possibly the person thinking about buying the meter actually knows less about what he needs than us random lot of kibitzers. 
A 3.5 digit 4.5 digit 5 digit 5.5 digit 6.5 digit 7.5 digit DMM is good enough for most people.
 
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Online J-R

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Re: bench multimeter for someone learning
« Reply #28 on: March 26, 2023, 01:55:02 am »
If the 34461A fan noise doesn't mesh with your other equipment, then a common mod is a Noctua fan.  It doesn't impact the calibration from my testing.  I used the 20mm thick one personally, and actually lowered the speed even a bit more to make it nearly silent.

The Fluke 45 has a serial port and Test Controller support (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/program-that-can-log-from-many-multimeters/), so that is somewhat compelling.  No 4-wire or rear jacks, though.

Looking at the OP's other posts it seems they are mostly interested in the bleeding-edge cheap stuff, so I don't think the old pro gear is what they are looking for.
 

Online BillyO

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Re: bench multimeter for someone learning
« Reply #29 on: March 26, 2023, 02:32:31 am »
I did not assume that bench was about precision, the parameters I like about bench meters are:
Can run for any amount of time without turning off
4 terminal ohm
Can be read and logged from a computer.
Easy readable display (Display with lights are much easier to read on my bench that low contrast LCD meters).
Good precision (I use 6½ and 7½ meters). In most cases it is not very important.
You can get all that from a meter with Siglent written on it.

So, the OP is looking for something budget friendly and you are touting $1500+++ Keithley or Shitsight instruments?  :-//

Whatever.  7.5 digits?  :palm:

I would imagine any of the Siglents are already out of his price range.
« Last Edit: March 26, 2023, 02:37:05 am by BillyO »
Bill  (Currently a Siglent fanboy)
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Offline Fungus

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Re: bench multimeter for someone learning
« Reply #30 on: March 26, 2023, 02:58:35 am »
What about one of these:



Cheap, small, comes with warranty...  :-//
 

Online BillyO

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Re: bench multimeter for someone learning
« Reply #31 on: March 26, 2023, 03:02:16 am »
Cheap, small, comes with warranty...  :-//

The only thing I don't like about them is they are not stackable, but for a beginner that has not yet lost his mind buying T&M equipment it might just be the ideal solution. :-+
Bill  (Currently a Siglent fanboy)
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Offline rdl

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Re: bench multimeter for someone learning
« Reply #32 on: March 26, 2023, 03:10:54 am »
I think the Vici VC8145 is the best choice here, if the op is dead set on buying a bench meter.

That Owon gets removed from my possible buy list due to the idiotic "Trigger" indication that does nothing but take up screen space.
 

Offline GigaJoe

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Re: bench multimeter for someone learning
« Reply #33 on: March 26, 2023, 05:13:48 am »
owon was as suggestion at the first post, and question about XDM2041 as well,  that XDM2041 in US$250 territory . so question what the budget ?  250-300 USD possible to find a very reasonable device.

personally for owon thingi -they have a switching noisy PSU and in overall a bit sluggish ,  I would say it not a total garbage, but would be some dissatisfaction down the road . 

VC has alot of empty space inside ( fun for improvement, but not a beginners)
https://lygte-info.dk/review/DMMVici%20VC8145%20UK.html
 

Offline Fungus

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Re: bench multimeter for someone learning
« Reply #34 on: March 26, 2023, 10:31:24 am »
owon was as suggestion at the first post

Yes, but this has been derailed into the usual discussion of unobtainable boat anchors.

personally for owon thingi -they have a switching noisy PSU and in overall a bit sluggish ,  I would say it not a total garbage, but would be some dissatisfaction down the road . 

A meter doesn't have to be for life, this is just to get somebody started who might not even be doing this a year from now.

 

Offline coromonadalix

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Re: bench multimeter for someone learning
« Reply #35 on: March 26, 2023, 12:01:46 pm »
The OP hasn't given life for a while

i think this thread is going nowhere
 

Offline Fungus

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Re: bench multimeter for someone learning
« Reply #36 on: March 26, 2023, 12:37:19 pm »
The OP hasn't given life for a while

i think this thread is going nowhere

Film at 11.  :-)

These people want a simple answer, something they can one-click order on Amazon. They don't want to be told to go out and trawl the local flea-markets to see if they can find an old classic that still works.
 

Offline tooki

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Re: bench multimeter for someone learning
« Reply #37 on: March 26, 2023, 02:42:36 pm »
one more piece to this kids (he is 19 and looking like this is what he wants to do or at least something in a similar field) puzzle. he was showing me the owon bench meters and i personally have zero experience with them. any thoughts? anything better for the money? he has a nice fluke handheld and wants a bench unit. budget is low but want something thats at least decent. he saw the owon 1041 or the 2041 which i think he likes a bit better being a larger footprint he can stack vs the skinny 1041 as examples but again i have no idea if they are garbage or not. he is learning and will either go off on his own or maybe work for me (if im still around then) once he gets some experience. in the meantime i kind of took him under my wing and am teaching him. he is an excellent student so far and this is something he is highly interested in. he is trying to complete his bench setup and pf course has a budget. any other models to recc. i got him to go for the slightly better oscope in the siglent and that did eat up a bit more then he hoped. i told him use the fluke for now and he mat do that but he really would like a bench unit. should he spend a bit more and if so for what? again i have not bought much new myself personally except soldering stations in the past few years.

as always you guys are awesome and i very much appreciate the help.
If it's just about having a meter that doesn't use any more space on the work surface, but is otherwise comparable to a handheld, look at old 100-series Keithley meters. (For the LCD models, look for the "-A" versions with backlit displays.) I have a couple of 197's and they're nice little meters. Should be able to find something for around $100. Just keep the Fluke handheld for continuity, since they don't have it at all.

On the other hand, if it's about high performance (which at this point in his learning is a luxury, nothing more), then look at the used market for the Keithley 2000, 2015, 2016, or 2700. I have the 2015 and it's a magnificent device that is my primary multimeter: fast, easy to use and set up, great continuity tester, oh and did I mention it's fast? But with today's prices, consider yourself lucky to find one for under $500. :(
 

Online BillyO

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Re: bench multimeter for someone learning
« Reply #38 on: March 26, 2023, 02:56:16 pm »
So, for those suggesting this beginner go look for a pricey used meter, are you going to help him with that process?

How about help him fix whatever might be wrong with it?  Oh, and take him through the calibration process?

He's a beginner. :palm:
Bill  (Currently a Siglent fanboy)
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Offline alm

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Re: bench multimeter for someone learning
« Reply #39 on: March 26, 2023, 03:12:09 pm »
So, for those suggesting this beginner go look for a pricey used meter, are you going to help him with that process?
Keep in mind that is 'beginner' is in the US, where used meters do not have to be so pricey. The prices I quoted where from recently completed listings, not some hypothetical local flea market deal from a decade ago.

Oh, and take him through the calibration process?
Why would a beginner need a calibrated meter? Do the Owon or Vichi meters come with a cal certificate? Just compare a bunch of readings to your existing handheld.

The choices appear to be:
  • An affordable meter with shitty usability (Owon, random AliExpress special)
  • An affordable meter with very limited performance / functionality (Vichi)
  • An affordable used meter with better performance and usability, but might require some time.
  • An expensive meter of the brand you're apparently a fanboy of.
When I started out, I first went for option #1: a barely usable Metex bench meter that was a waste of money (for example the continuity beeper would take multiple seconds to respond), and then #3: a used but functional HP 3468A, and this was in the EU, so shipping was not super cheap. I really wanted four wire ohms to measure low value resistors, and I didn't have a stable external current source (my bench supply was part of the same unit as the shitty meter). Based on that, I would recommend option 3 (based on personal experience) or 2 (based on nctnico's reports).
« Last Edit: March 26, 2023, 10:30:19 pm by alm »
 

Offline MrYakimovYA

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Re: bench multimeter for someone learning
« Reply #40 on: March 26, 2023, 03:22:21 pm »
Cheap, small, comes with warranty...  :-//
And lightweight) I think you must hold it with arm when you are goint go push some button :)
 

Offline Fungus

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Re: bench multimeter for someone learning
« Reply #41 on: March 26, 2023, 04:05:29 pm »
Cheap, small, comes with warranty...  :-//
And lightweight) I think you must hold it with arm when you are goint go push some button :)

Weight is easy to add...  :popcorn:
 

Offline Fungus

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Re: bench multimeter for someone learning
« Reply #42 on: March 26, 2023, 04:09:14 pm »
(but really you'd probably put your hand on top and push buttons with your thumb. Pushing horizontally with an index finger isn't very ergonomic anyway)
 

Offline alm

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Re: bench multimeter for someone learning
« Reply #43 on: March 26, 2023, 04:24:18 pm »
Weight is easy to add...  :popcorn:
So that's the genius of the VC8145's mechanical design: Lots of space to add weight :D

Offline BeBuLamar

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Re: bench multimeter for someone learning
« Reply #44 on: March 26, 2023, 04:25:29 pm »
If the 34461A fan noise doesn't mesh with your other equipment, then a common mod is a Noctua fan.  It doesn't impact the calibration from my testing.  I used the 20mm thick one personally, and actually lowered the speed even a bit more to make it nearly silent.

The Fluke 45 has a serial port and Test Controller support (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/program-that-can-log-from-many-multimeters/), so that is somewhat compelling.  No 4-wire or rear jacks, though.

Looking at the OP's other posts it seems they are mostly interested in the bleeding-edge cheap stuff, so I don't think the old pro gear is what they are looking for.

I think that the OP is looking for bleeding edge but cheap stuff. I really think if someone is still learning a basic but professional grade meter is more useful even if it's fully manual.
 

Offline Fungus

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Re: bench multimeter for someone learning
« Reply #45 on: March 26, 2023, 05:12:30 pm »
Weight is easy to add...  :popcorn:
So that's the genius of the VC8145's mechanical design: Lots of space to add weight :D

It's a good place to hide gold ingots. Nobody would ever think of looking there.
 

Offline nctnico

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Re: bench multimeter for someone learning
« Reply #46 on: March 26, 2023, 09:43:38 pm »
So far we have discussed units from Owon, Uni-t and Vici where the ones from Owon don't receive much love. Are there any other contenders in the -say- $150 segment? I'm up for buying another (cheap) bench DMM but I'm wondering if something else came onto the market that rivals the VC8145? The rotary knob on the Uni-t models doesn't appeal to me so those are out.
There are small lies, big lies and then there is what is on the screen of your oscilloscope.
 

Online Martin72

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Re: bench multimeter for someone learning
« Reply #47 on: March 26, 2023, 09:59:33 pm »
Maybe this is something for you:
ET3240

I had positive experiences with their LCR meter, maybe the same applies to their DMM.

 
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Offline nctnico

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Re: bench multimeter for someone learning
« Reply #48 on: March 26, 2023, 10:27:57 pm »
Maybe this is something for you:
ET3240

I had positive experiences with their LCR meter, maybe the same applies to their DMM.
:-+ Interesting but continuity is too slow for my taste:

When I test continiuty between two points (call them A and B) I actually make 3 measurements: A-A, A-B and B-B to make sure the probes are actually making contact. So fast (instant) continiuty is something I rate as extremely important.
« Last Edit: March 26, 2023, 10:30:35 pm by nctnico »
There are small lies, big lies and then there is what is on the screen of your oscilloscope.
 

Online Martin72

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Re: bench multimeter for someone learning
« Reply #49 on: March 26, 2023, 11:26:18 pm »
Hm..
The used probes could make a difference too, the fastest results I got with the gold plated probemasters.
But out of genuine curiosity, I'll ask:
Why does it have to be "super fast" ?
It is just a simple test procedure to see if there is a low impedance connection.
In addition, I e.g. always test connections with the "eye", not with the buzzer.
Because the vast majority of meters beep below a certain resistance value and that is not zero ohm.
This is for me a source of error, so I look at the display, whether it is really "zero" ohm and that eats time.
Therefore, the speed is not completely indifferent to me, but secondary.



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