EEVblog Electronics Community Forum
Products => Test Equipment => Topic started by: GeekPriest on August 19, 2015, 02:02:19 pm
-
Well, I'm greatly tempted by this $50 (USD) General DMM550 (link below) today. The question is whether it's a typical cheap junk meter that Dave ridicules or something more in line with its $75 list price?
Link: http://www.homedepot.com/p/General-Tools-Rugged-True-RMS-CAT-III-1000-Volt-Multimeter-with-NCV-Detector-and-K-Thermocouple-Probe-DMM550/205748236 (http://www.homedepot.com/p/General-Tools-Rugged-True-RMS-CAT-III-1000-Volt-Multimeter-with-NCV-Detector-and-K-Thermocouple-Probe-DMM550/205748236)
Any idea who makes this one? I found a manual for its sibling DMM570, but it doesn't include information on changing the fuses. Thus, there's no way to assess that aspect of it.
From the page:
18 functions, 48 ranges
Measures AC/DC-Voltage, AC/DC current, resistance, capacitance, frequency and duty cycle
Also measures temperature from -58° to 1112°F using “K” type thermocouple probe
Checks continuity and diode integrity
True RMS measurements
Designed to meet CAT III 1000-Volt, CAT IV 600-Volt safety standard
Auto or manual ranging
110VAC non-contact voltage (NCV) detector
AC voltage measurement range/accuracy: 0 to 1000V/±1.5% (typical)
DC voltage measurement range/accuracy: 0 to 1000V/±0.5% (typical)
AC/DC current measurement range/accuracy: 0 to 10A/±1.5% (typical)
Resistance measurement range/accuracy: 0 to 40M?/±0.8% (typical)
Frequency measurement range/accuracy: 10Hz to 40 MHz/±1.5% of reading
Capacitance measurement range/accuracy: 0 to 40mF/±3% of reading (typical)
Temperature measurement range/accuracy: 32° to 1832°F/±1% of reading
Backlit 3-1/2 digit (4,000 count) dual readout LCD with 40-segment analog bar graph
Hold, max, min, reel (zero) display options
Includes cloth pouch with belt loop, double-insulated test leads with screw-on alligator clips, “K” type thermocouple probe and plug adaptor, 3-year limited warranty, user’s manual
-
In style and layout it looks like a Mastech MS8251C. I haven't compared the specs though.
-
My gut reaction is that it's ordinary Harbor Freight grade Chinese junk. I only say that because everything I've ever seen branded "General" from Home Depot fits that description.
-
Yep. Definitely the Mastech (Sinometer) MS8251C.
JUNK.
-
Mastech MS8251B...(Lo-z)
90 day return policy from your link, I would grab one to fill in a rainy day..... :-DMM :-BROKE :)
TEquipment has them for around $55 USD so they cant be all that bad surely,
-
A pile of stinking crap, anything below 6000 count and 'no name brand' forget it :--
-
Fifty bucks is fifty bucks. Why spend it on a meter that's available for thirty-five (as a Mastech)? But then, why buy a Mastech?