EEVBlog 121GW Software for Win & Android

[katerle]

Hi,

I've just ordered a 121GW at Welectron here in Germany.
Now I'm confused about the software.
The Windows App is'nt installable, not by the store nor by manual, because the installer linked to the store...
The links on the EEV-Store to Android-SW are dead.
I've manual loaded the meteor and the UEI Apps (Android 14), but I also have older versions of Android down to V9.
Where can I get a Windows App and which Apps are the right one for what Android-Version?
I get the meter on tuesday and can't test anything.

Thanks and Sunny Saturday, Stefan

[katerle]

No one with any tipps? I searched the forum but can't find no realy helpful threads.
Should I better cancel the meter and go for an other?
But the connectivity is a very nice to have for me, also the low burden and the 15V Diode-Test.
Or is there a chance to get the Windows-App installed without going the way over the M$-Store?
Or is there another Win-App compatible with this meter?

May be Dave has a few words to help me...

[coromonadalix]

be patient and don't force people(s) to react or post, they'll do it when they want it

or ask Dave  the master of eevblog

[Kean]

Basically Dave has said he doesn't plan to do any further development on the 121GW related app, but the Meteor app is available, and so is the source code for the original cross platform app.

For reference, see these posts by Dave:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/eevblog-121gw-discussion-thread/msg4724741/?topicseen#msg4724741
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/eevblog-121gw-discussion-thread/msg4729316/?topicseen#msg4729316
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/eevblog-121gw-discussion-thread/msg4737977/?topicseen#msg4737977

And regarding Windows support, you could try it with Sigrok:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/eevblog-121gw-discussion-thread/msg4724909/?topicseen#msg4724909

The 121GW isn't a perfect meter, but it does have some nice features that were fairly unique when it launched back in 2018.  The firmware update feature and built in SD card logging of the 121GW are certainly useful, and I think that the reported bugs related to SD card logging were fixed.

I tend to prefer using a bench DMM or DAQ device connected by a cable rather than Bluetooth, but it depends on your use case.  There are a few DMMs with isolated USB serial connectivity which makes it easy for long term software support.

If Bluetooth/BLE connectivity is really important to you right now, then there are also some other options like the Mooshimeter and some Uni-T/Owon models.  The Mooshimeter is getting quite old now (I think it launched in 2016) and it has also had app availability issues, and a search here will find a bunch of posts about Bluetooth connectivity/app issues with other DMM brands.  So the situation may be no better than for the 121GW.
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/mooshimeter-app/

[katerle]

@coromonadalix: Sorry for my impatience, but if I want to cancel the order I must hurry...

@Kean: Thank you very much, this helps me. I'll try it with sigrok. Can you tell me if the UEI-App "525 DMM" for Android is compatible with the meter? So I understand the writing in the EEV-Store, but the link is also outdated. And which would you recommend, Meteor or UEI (if it works)?

I own a plenty of meters, but the 15V-Diode and Low-burden functions I'm missing till now. That's because it's interesting for me.
BTW: I think the FW 2.05 will be the last, if I understand correctly...

[J-R]

I just tried a fully patched W11 install and had zero issues installing the 121GW app (build 65) through the Microsoft Store.  https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9n2681hjrtm8?hl=en-US&gl=US
Meteor was recently updated and works fine on Android 15.
The Official 121GW Android app is a dead end for Android 15, but older, used phones are trivial to come by.  I personally use LineageOS and there is a build archive available for older devices here: https://lineage-archive.timschumi.net

121GW low burden is perhaps slightly overrated due to accuracy and noise issues.  A decent bench DMM will be a better choice in my opinion.

[Kean]

@Kean: Thank you very much, this helps me. I'll try it with sigrok. Can you tell me if the UEI-App "525 DMM" for Android is compatible with the meter? So I understand the writing in the EEV-Store, but the link is also outdated. And which would you recommend, Meteor or UEI (if it works)?

I own a plenty of meters, but the 15V-Diode and Low-burden functions I'm missing till now. That's because it's interesting for me.
BTW: I think the FW 2.05 will be the last, if I understand correctly...

I do not have a recent Android device, so I could only test on an older Pixel 3XL with Android 12.

The Meteor app connects no problem and works as expected.

The UEi 525 DMM app installed and runs.  I could only connect after restarting BT on the 121GW, and although it would connect and let me record data, it didn't display anything and the logs were full of "null".  So the BLE connectivity may be similar to other UEi models but the packet format doesn't seem to be interpreted correctly.

The Microsoft Store app installed and ran, and I could pair my 121GW in Bluetooth settings, but I had to restart the app to see and connect to it.  It is pretty basic, but seems to work.

I don't have time right now to look at Sigrok.

With regards to newer firmware, I don't know any inside information but I believe UEi are still supplying Dave and may help to release an update if a major bug was found, but I'd say it is probably not likely to get any new features.  Historically, most handheld DMMs could not be updated anyway.

Yes, I also own _many_ meters... 

[katerle]

Here in Germany is a saying: "Besser Haben als Brauchen", means "better have then need".
The only common thing all meters have is that you can't get enough of them... 

Where can I get the old meter-app for older Androids? I can't find a source, because I don't even know the exact name for the .apk.
When I want to install the M$-App, I always end like shown in the picture (Win 11 Pro 24H2).

Then I delete the UEI-App again.
LineageOS does say me nothing.

Thank you and have a nice Sunday, here we have 18°C and pure sunshine in Bavaria...

BTW: It would be good if Dave updates the links in his Shop, so they are outdated.

[PA0PBZ]

Just to make sure it's not a geographical block I tried the Microsoft link given in reply 5 and it downloaded without a problem.
I didn't try to install but I zipped and attached it, give it a try.

Edit: Never mind, when I run the .exe it goed to the store and "currently not available.."
Maybe it's a geo block?

[katerle]

@PA0PBZ: Geoblocking may be, I'll try it with VPN Australia/US/Canada. I will report it...

Maybe POTUS is slowly switching out the lights in Europe... ;-)

[Kean]

I'm still on Win 10 22H2, so it may be a Win11 restriction.

There is an APK that Dave uploaded to the GitLab repo (not GitHub) in March 2023.  Not sure where it came from.
https://gitlab.com/eevblog/app-121gw - file called x121GW.Android.apk
Direct link https://gitlab.com/eevblog/app-121gw/-/raw/master/x121GW.Android.apk?inline=false

To install & run it I needed to accept lots of warnings.
It needs permissions for Location, Nearby Devices, and File and media.  The first two for BLE access, the latter for data export.
It ran and connected to my 121GW but it would not display readings.  The MODE and RANGE buttons did control the device though.

YMMV...

[katerle]

OK, nothing works with VPN, same as before.

I go to my lab, there are also WIN 11 22H2 Installations. I'll try this. Or may be they have banned the app from the store. Can you try if it is possible to install from your location, to know if it is ageneral problem with the store, with Win or with geoblocking?

Thank's for the links, I will try this app also...

A BenchDMM unfortunately is no alternative for me, because I need the things portable...

[Kean]

I installed it from the MS store today - but I am in Australia and on Win 10 22H2.  No Win 11 machine available right now.
https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9N2681HJRTM8?hl=en-us&gl=AU&ocid=pdpshare

I doubt Dave would have intentionally enabled geoblocking as he has customers worldwide, but MS might be limiting access based on newer T&Cs.
The downloadable version from the MS Store isn't the complete app, only a installer that needs to contact the store.

[katerle]

OK, I tried it with W10 22H2 - Nope, the same.
Seems you are right with M$ T&C, maybe Dave has to change something in the store.
It seems to be an european problem.
Is there a chance to get the software by sideload with an unidipendent installer?
I will write a PM to Dave, he's the godfather of the software... 

[Kean]

Is there a chance to get the software by sideload with an unidipendent installer?
I will write a PM to Dave, he's the godfather of the software... 

LOL, I don't think Dave knows any details about the apps.  They were developed by David2 quite some time ago and are UWP apps (so not just a simple exe or installler).

But... yes, you can try sideloading the MS Store app...

See the instructions here to download files using the store URL I shared earlier.
https://superuser.com/a/1801552

You only need to download the four AppxBundle and Appx dependency files for x64, as I assume you are not using x86 or arm...
Then you just double click the Appx dependencies and then the AppxBundle to install each one.

I tried installing this on a different Win 10 x64 machine in my lab and it worked.

As before, I seemed to have to manually pair the 121GW in Bluetooth control panel, but that also required first removing the pairing from the other PC.
If the Bluetooth device doesn't show up in the list, try restarting the app and/or turning BT off/on on the DMM.
I was a bit impatient so maybe the device would appear eventually without doing this.

There is also an EAppxBundle file as well with a newer version number (1.4.65.70) - but that is encrypted, so you won't be able to do anything with it.  The 1.4.65.0 AppxBundle file seems to be sufficient.

If you cannot download the files using the above method, then send me a PM and I will share them.  They are too big to upload here.

[katerle]

Thank you very much. It worked. 
I not yet have the meter to connect, but the app starts and looks like on the picture.
A click on settings does nothing, but I hope this is why no meter is connected/was found...

[Kean]

Thank you very much. It worked. 
I not yet have the meter to connect, but the app starts and looks like on the picture.
A click on settings does nothing, but I hope this is why no meter is connected/was found...

Great.  Yes, that is all you will see until you connect to the DMM.

The Settings icon is just for selecting the first tab where you connect to a device.  Nothing is shown there other than the device list, app build number, and a Refresh button.  No actual app settings.
When you connect a DMM, you will get a second tab - initially it will come up as "Test", but after a moment it should change to "121GW 0".

The app has a very simple UI designed mainly for touch screen use on phones in landscape or portrait mode.  The code is cross platform UWP/Android/iOS.
If the window width to height ratio is "wrong", then all you can do is tap to switch between LCD and graph display and clear/export the graph data, you cannot see the buttons to change modes/ranges etc.
But if you make the window narrow but tall (vertical/portrait display) you will see control buttons appear below the LCD, and a simultaneous graph display below that.

See attached screenshot.

I couldn't work out a way to disconnect from the DMM other than turning off DMM/BT or closing the app.   
Also, I found that after unpairing the DMM it now appears in the device list anyway.  So I guess I was just being impatient before. 

There was another version of the app that had a Math tab, but it doesn't seem to be implemented here.  I think it was mainly for power calculation when you had two DMMs measuring V & I.
The source code is available if you or someone wants to try extend it, but you might just find the Meteor app or Sigrok are better.

I have occasionally used Meteor 0.2 on iOS which was improved with a data export feature, but Meteor 0.1.3 on Android doesn't have that.

[katerle]

On Tuesday I hope the meter will arrive. Then I can test all the apps in all constellations. I will report this here.
The Sideload-Trick with the Store-App would be a good thing to pin up, because it seems that all european Users are affected...

[EEVblog]

Basically Dave has said he doesn't plan to do any further development on the 121GW related app, but the Meteor app is available, and so is the source code for the original cross platform app.

Correct, this is why I released the entire source code as open source.
This is the first time I've heard of the Windows app not working.
I'll try and install it myself and check, but I don't know the details of how all this works at the install and Microsft level etc.

EDIT: I just installed the Windows app no problems on Win 10. Microsoft asked if I was in the Uk or the US, I said the UK.

[J-R]

It's plausible that at some point in the future there will be no way to make the 121GW work with a modern device.  So it would be wise to have a few fall back plans.

LineageOS is the continuation of CyanogenMod and both have pretty much been the top alternative Android OS for decades.  I have a decent selection of old Android phones collected from friends, family and eBay.  I use them for virtual gauges in my cars, security cameras, and of course specific apps to support devices with older manufacturer apps, such as the 121GW.


Sigrok link: https://sigrok.org/wiki/EEVBlog_121GW

Linux support: https://github.com/chlordk/121gwcli

[Kean]

EDIT: I just installed the Windows app no problems on Win 10. Microsoft asked if I was in the Uk or the US, I said the UK.

I am suspecting it is a Win 11 issue where MS are "protecting" users from older apps.  Both Apple and Google like to remove older apps from their stores as well.  I understand they do it primarily as they don't want to deal with backwards compatibility, but it just exacerbates the issues of technical obsolescence when companies drop support of a product or go out of business.  It also seems to encourage companies to release new versions of their apps at a ridiculous rate.  Do we really need our social media and shopping apps updated almost every week...

I provided instructions above on how to "extract" and side-load the Windows Store app.  I can send you the UWP Appx install files I extracted if you'd like to host them on your site.

[J-R]

For sure not a Windows 11 issue since as stated previously I just installed the 121GW app directly from the store on a fresh 24H2 machine.

However, as a side note, UWP apps are probably on life support as MS announced back in 2021 that UWP was deprecated.  They've yanked the Office UWP apps from the store and will fully drop support (for the Office UWP app) in October.

[Kean]

Actually, MS specifically say that UWP is not deprecated[1], even if the Oct 2021 announcement was interpreted that way by the press & developers.  Wikipedia even incorrectly states it is deprecated.

UWP is still supported, even with .NET 9, but it would not be a good idea to develop a new app using it.  It has some annoying limitations, as does .NET MAUI.  Cross platform dev is like that.   

[1] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/get-started/windows-developer-faq#deprecations-and-migrations

Are UWP / WinUI 2 deprecated?

No. UWP and WinUI 2 are still supported and will receive bug, reliability, and security fixes. However, most new features and capabilities will only be added to WinUI 3.

UWP developers should feel no pressure to migrate their apps to the WinUI 3, if they are happy with UWP and its feature set. The best choice for some apps may be to never migrate.

[katerle]

I am suspecting it is a Win 11 issue where MS are "protecting" users from older apps.

No, I've also tried as written with W10. I think it is something with the data protection rules here in Europe, the EU is regarded to this mostly a little big "Gaga"... 

@Dave: So it makes sense, UK is Europe, but not EU. I think the T&C in the store should be updated to allow installing in EU, because the SW runs even on W11 24H2 after installing with sideload. Maybe it's only a checkmark in the store...

[EEVblog]

@Dave: So it makes sense, UK is Europe, but not EU. I think the T&C in the store should be updated to allow installing in EU, because the SW runs even on W11 24H2 after installing with sideload. Maybe it's only a checkmark in the store...

I have no idea how that even works. From memory we never set anything to do with region.