Products > Test Equipment
Brymen vs bench top multimeter
robdejonge:
Many years ago I bought a $5 meter 'just so I had one'.
Then I got into playing with electronics and to get a 'decent' meter I got a Holdpeak HP-770D. It did the job for a few years, but it has been behaving oddly of late and I've decided to just get it out of the way and buy "a serious meter". I landed on Brymen, and picked the BM867s model for its insane value for money.
While browsing 'similar price' multimeters on the shop I'm buying from, I saw the Owon XDM2041. And then I saw the UNI-T UT8804E which would be a real splurge but does really look the part without becoming silly for a hobbyist like me.
I've always wanted a bench top multimeter. But the depth is just a real challenge. I'm lucky enough to have carved out a space as a dedicated bench, but it's only 60cm deep and these things are massive. Shelves overhead can't accommodate. So I'd have this great big honking meter on the main surface ... and I'm just wondering .... is that the right decision?!?
I've always liked (reading and getting) the feedback of this forum, so I thought I'd throw this out there and ask you guys what you think about such a decision. When to get a bench top, how valuable bench top space is, etc.
(Although my main point is above, also welcome comments comparing those exact meters. As an aside, I did look at the XDM1041 / 1241 a long time ago but for some reason decided not to get it even though the form factor would be ideal for my setup. There was something about it I didn't like, although I can't recall what it was.)
Thanks all!
(update: is it maybe that "you get a bench top meter only when you want to be able to do 4-probe measuring"?)
Fungus:
--- Quote from: robdejonge on March 27, 2023, 01:26:55 am ---I'm lucky enough to have carved out a space as a dedicated bench, but it's only 60cm deep and these things are massive. Shelves overhead can't accommodate. So I'd have this great big honking meter on the main surface ... and I'm just wondering .... is that the right decision?!?
--- End quote ---
I vote "no".
2N3055:
What do you need it for?
There are bench multimeters that do not have 4W resistance measurements.
Bench multimeter is a form factor.
They mostly work with external power so no need for batteries.
- that is good because if you work a lot you will use a lot of batteries otherwise. Or battery will die when you need it.
- that is bad because you need electricity for it to work, where you work.
There are bench meters that have high precision.
- if you don't need higher precision or 4W ohms than it doesn't matter.
You can put them on the shelf so you clear up desk space..
- If you can't put it out of your way, than it will take more space.
If I were you I would rather buy an LCR meter, like DER-EE DE-5000, if you don't have one. You already have excellent meter that is more than enough for professional work. And LCR meter is a very useful instrument, for instance. Just another meter that will give you nothing new is not something useful.
Sometimes few cheap meters are also useful when you need to measure several things at the same time. etc etc..
This is just one of those questions where people are not sure what to do. And truth is nobody can decide for you. Everybody have some limitation on resources (money, desk space, number of equipment before their wife divorces them etc.), different needs (some work on this some on that, and some people simply collect T&M equipment instead of stamps) and wishes (everybody wishes 8.5 digit handheld multimeters with 0.001% error LCR meter built in. Or 4 GHz scopes. While in reality, DER-EE DE-5000, BM867 and 1000 series AWG and 1000 series scope from Siglent or Rigol are good enough for lots of pro work).
So any time you have an itch to buy any new piece of T&M equipment (or tool or something) ask yourself:
- Do I NEED it? As in: I cannot repair this because I need to measure this and none of my instruments can do it.
- Would it help if I had one? As in: If I had this it would save me time when I repair this and that. And since I do that a lot...
- Can I afford it? Will money I give for it be worth it in some way (whatever that means. Some people buy expensive cars because they simply like it, not really need it..) Will I use it enough for it to be worth it? Or shall I just borrow or rent something occasionally..
- Do I have resources needed to use it? As in: space on desk, space in a shop, water, electricity etc etc.
robdejonge:
--- Quote from: 2N3055 on March 27, 2023, 05:34:23 am ---if you don't need higher precision or 4W ohms than it doesn't matter.
--- End quote ---
I don't need that level of precision. I was just wondering if that is the main reason people opt for bench meters.
--- Quote from: 2N3055 on March 27, 2023, 05:34:23 am ---You already have excellent meter that is more than enough for professional work.
--- End quote ---
You mean the Holdpeak? It was fine when it worked, but I've grown frustrated with it.
--- Quote from: 2N3055 on March 27, 2023, 05:34:23 am ---And truth is nobody can decide for you.
--- End quote ---
This is a fair comment. I was merely asking for thoughts though, as sometimes others will offer arguments I would never have thought of myself. Or, in this case, where specific models were listed, that might have triggered some comments. In the end, you're right, I'll always have to make the decision myself. But I take your point that it might be too vague a question. Or maybe even too specific, maybe I should have asked "what are the arguments for/against bench top, in general?"
Appreciate you taking the time to write up the response. Thank you.
tooki:
--- Quote from: robdejonge on March 27, 2023, 07:31:09 am ---
--- Quote from: 2N3055 on March 27, 2023, 05:34:23 am ---if you don't need higher precision or 4W ohms than it doesn't matter.
--- End quote ---
I don't need that level of precision. I was just wondering if that is the main reason people opt for bench meters.
--- End quote ---
I have a Keithley 2015 and a few Keithley 197 bench meters.
4W ohms for measuring small resistances is the only thing I ever use in my bench meters that my handheld meters really can’t do. I almost never need extra precision. While it’s very… gutturally satisfying to see 230V measured to the millivolt, nothing I have ever done actually requires anything of the sort.
Another thing I love about the Keithley 2015 is its speed: it’s just insanely fast. For most things, you’re simply never waiting for the reading to settle. Put the probes on a voltage source and the voltage reading is just… there, before your eyes have even had time to refocus on its display. Again, in no way necessary, it’s just nice. The 197 is much more ordinary, with 3 readings per second, similar to most handheld meters.
The last thing that I really like about the K2015 is the display. As a vacuum fluorescent display, it’s just easier to read than an LCD.
And of course, the other advantage of a bench meter is that it can just be there out of the way, yet ready to use. I don’t have to grab and stand up a handheld meter, and the buttons let me operate it with one hand (unlike the knobs on many handhelds). But for this you have to have the space for it. My bench is 90cm deep, and even with that it feels cramped!
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