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Datalogging multimeter- Yes or no?

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FenderBender:
I have a bit of money that I want to spend on my lab. There are a few things that I've been considering. One is a datalogging multimeter. However, I can't seem to find very many loggers that don't cost a fortune and that don't suck.

I've had my eye on the Agilent U1232A, which would have been perfect if it had a mA range...but it doesn't.

I've seen the Uni-T 71D, but people have given it crap for poor construction and inconsistency.

Then there's a slew of other Chinese meters with RS232 interfaces.

Then there's the big boys like the Fluke 189/289 or the Agilent 1272A. But these are really expensive. I'm 18 years old. My job doesn't pay enough to justify one of these.

---

But the main question is: Do you think a datalogging meter is helpful? Do you think having only ONE datalogger is helpful? It seems that you might want to have atleast two to maybe track differences or something.

What do you guys think? Should I buy one or should I invest into something else like a function generator or something else?

T4P:
several UT61Es ... and a PC nearby, done.
I never ever thought of having a self-datalogging meter because they have limited recording memory anyway

jabramo:
My rule of thumb is buy what you need. Now that doesn't mean overlook features you may need you may need in the future.

Do you have any use for a data logging meter now? You probably already have a regular meter is that good enough?
Same thing for the function generator do you have any use for it currently?

Those thing will always be up for purchase and as time goes on they should get cheaper and better. You'll know when you need something. Save your money for now and wait until you need data logging and a function generator and then you can make sure it will meet all your needs.

FenderBender:
It's always a tough call. "Do you really need it?"

Because if I had it, maybe I'd find a good use for it. But if I don't have it, I'd never know.

I've been after a function gen and maybe an LCR meter because I want to do some RF stuff eventually.

Achilles:

--- Quote from: FenderBender on December 08, 2012, 06:59:52 pm ---It's always a tough call. "Do you really need it?"

Because if I had it, maybe I'd find a good use for it. But if I don't have it, I'd never know.
...
--- End quote ---

Yes, probably.... I really often use the logging function, but not attached to a PC..... If you want to use it on a PC anyway, it would more likely check for a cheap USB-DAQ like the Labjack Stuff.
The nice part is when you can switch the meter on and let it do it's logging. Then just grab it after a while and process the data. I often used it for checking solar power supplies of our stations now and it's quite handy to see trends and so on.

I can really recommend the U1272A. Maybe check on ebay, as they sometimes pass by on a pretty low price. Maybe it's not that urgent to have a logging meter and then it would be more wisely to wait and grab a used one on the ebay or in some forum or so.

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