Author Topic: If you only had one meter?  (Read 13806 times)

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Offline M0HZH

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Re: If you only had one meter?
« Reply #50 on: March 01, 2023, 01:02:52 pm »
I guess I'd be happy to have my Fluke 287 as the only meter. It is slow and eats through batteries, but it does everything I need.

I'm picturing a skeleton sitting at a desk waiting for the 287 to start up.

Once you're used to it it's not that bad, you turn it on and then fit the probes, find the test points you want to measure, take a mortgage, send kids to university and bam, just in time to measure.
 
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Offline DavidAzulay5000

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Re: If you only had one meter?
« Reply #51 on: March 01, 2023, 01:17:16 pm »
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Offline sonpul

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Re: If you only had one meter?
« Reply #52 on: March 01, 2023, 01:18:00 pm »
Especially for existence in a one DMM and to close all questions, Brymen created the Brymen BM789 model.
But I did it differently. I bought 2 meters of BM789. There is definitely no such dual display anywhere.
 :-DMM  :-DMM
« Last Edit: March 01, 2023, 01:40:49 pm by sonpul »
 

Offline lugaw

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Re: If you only had one meter?
« Reply #53 on: March 01, 2023, 04:17:05 pm »
My most used meter right now is a Hioki 3244-60
 

Offline TomKatt

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Re: If you only had one meter?
« Reply #54 on: March 01, 2023, 05:19:29 pm »
If you could only have one meter, you'd probably be here at EEVblog looking for reviews and opinions which one that should be  :P

And I'm sure you'd be able to talk yourself into getting another, no matter the restrictions  :P
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Offline Xandinator

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Re: If you only had one meter?
« Reply #55 on: March 01, 2023, 11:06:31 pm »
You'll be fine as long as you stay away from the TEA thread...
I think it is more about the inability to talk yourself out of it, the true meaning of DMM ultimately being "dispossession of my money".

Technically two BM789 can be seen as only one DMM – e.g. a 28IIex is just a very prominent and safe replacement fuse carrier for a 87V – having two of the same kind is even better because it also holds spare batteries!
 

Offline coromonadalix

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Re: If you only had one meter?
« Reply #56 on: March 02, 2023, 03:28:12 am »
For theses new Brymen series, sure they seems good,  but i can't appreciate  where the meter sit on a bench and have a tendency to wiggle on the meter stand,  they should have get rid of the round-ish  bottom meter case part

The older series had the same complaints
 

Offline rsjsouza

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Re: If you only had one meter?
« Reply #57 on: March 02, 2023, 03:59:24 am »
All things considered, I think I would go with either the U1272A or the U1282A (if waterproof and a signal generator were needed).

They both have one of the most comprehensive set of functions I know with dual display, data logging good capacitance meter, quite accurate and the battery life is very good.

If battery availability was a severe problem (post-nuclear holocaust or other severe supply chain disruption) then I would have to go with an analog VOM - at least voltages and currents wouldn't need one.
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Offline Electro Detective

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Re: If you only had one meter?
« Reply #58 on: March 02, 2023, 09:31:09 am »
"If you only had one meter?"

Where and under what conditions?  :-//

Lab job, home, shed, under car, dead boat and radio in gale force wind waters,
suspect non labelled 3 phase mains switchboard,
PCB with bloated and 'normal appearance' monster caps,
rich no-life scum cheapass clients hassling you to find problems left by the last tech/s who 'worked cheap' etc

At this point it's 2 meters/meters/? (200cm/2000mm/78.74 inches) of decent quality or nothing for me

Why risk it on one meter that may fail, get dropped/driven over/drowned
or batteries go flat?

That said two AVO8-mk5 analogue needle pointers in a briefcase won't let you down
(especially if shipwrecked on Earth, or spacewrecked on Moon or Mars)
and don't need batteries,
passive features only,
and up to 3kv if you like living terminally dangerously

Active features can be handled by digital Fluke beaters
with 'installed and removed on the day of use' batteries,

assuming there is squeeze room for them in the briefcase,
and no one at interstellar flight control checks the weight   :popcorn:



AVOs need batteries for the ohms ranges & things like Fluke 77s last for up to years on a 9v battery.
Your "use & remove" batteries would probably not last much longer, as they would run into "shelf life" problems.




Agreed on the shelf life, but the ubiquitous guaranteed 'leakage' is my only concern,
been there too many times, wasting time cleaning up marketed expensive bunny batteries
more often than 2 dollar shop cheapies with pre-schooler grammar labelling

and I did quote: 
"and don't need batteries,
passive features only,"

but did forget to mention a flying AVO will down the first shipwreck island attacker or Moon/Mars alien
and maybe the idiot behind him too  :clap:

drive in tent or lunar module leg stakes under heavy gale or lunar wind conditions

and still work to measure whatever DC the cobbled trashed radio needs to send out a rescue signal,

and most important:
fetch a good auction price if rescued from the above  :-+

 
 

Offline nukie

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Re: If you only had one meter?
« Reply #59 on: March 03, 2023, 03:43:12 am »
Fluke 187 and 189. I have both, with refreshed supercap. Very reliable time tested instrument except for the leaky cap.
 

Offline Fungus

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Re: If you only had one meter?
« Reply #60 on: March 03, 2023, 05:10:53 am »
Fluke 187 and 189. I have both, with refreshed supercap. Very reliable time tested instrument except for the leaky cap.

187 doesn't have the cap.

(and is the more sensible choice of the two)
 

Online 2N3055

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Re: If you only had one meter?
« Reply #61 on: March 03, 2023, 08:14:23 am »
I couldn't decide between BM869S, BM525S and Metrix 3293.

Metrix 3293 has datalogging, graphical display, high precision, high voltage/current diode mode (27V/10mA), single current socket (100uA to 10A) with automatic socket switching from A to V and back....
It also can charge while working... But it's batteries last maybe a month. It is my favorite indoors.
BM869S has very nice screen and is excellent meter.

In field I carry BM525. It has very good battery life, datalogging, and huge, nice screen with good visibility.

I could survive with any of those 3 though.  Many years ago all we had were analog scale passive multimeters and we did good job with those too.. I have two old ones that are still in perfect working order.
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Offline shakalnokturn

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Re: If you only had one meter?
« Reply #62 on: March 03, 2023, 01:36:56 pm »
Help me choose...
Either Fluke 867B (it's a big fat Swiss knife with the wrong colour), Fluke 189 (I'd call the best overall compromise), Metrix MX54 (my go-to meter for everyday use).

Now, if you only have one meter I have plenty to sell and I'll help you choose... >:D
 

Offline bookaboo

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Re: If you only had one meter?
« Reply #63 on: March 03, 2023, 01:56:40 pm »
I'd go for my Keysight U1273AX. It's handheld but with more than enough precision for my needs.
I got it as a gift and initially I preferred the old 87V for bench work but I've grown to really like it.
 
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Offline andyB2022

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Re: If you only had one meter?
« Reply #64 on: April 18, 2023, 06:25:19 pm »
I would pick Fluke 189. 289 is very bulky, has a slow boot time, power hungry, low LCD contrast, need to press couple of buttons to get where I need to... 

Imo Fluke 189 is the best (most complete) DMM they have ever manufactured.
 

Offline Fungus

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Re: If you only had one meter?
« Reply #65 on: April 18, 2023, 08:50:45 pm »
Imo Fluke 189 is the best (most complete) DMM they have ever manufactured.

I prefer 187 - the same meter but no stupid internal supercap to fail and ruin it.
 

Offline PushUp

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Re: If you only had one meter?
« Reply #66 on: April 18, 2023, 11:53:54 pm »
For me, there is nothing better than the Fluke 289! ...and yes, anyone knows the disadvantages, but the advantages are the reason to buy it - at least for me, myself and I:


- the build quality is perfect: the rotary switch is top, as well as the button design and button feeling when pressing


- best precision: no matter against which benchtop or handheld multimeter - you can trust it! (well, my Keysight U1273A is also bang on!)


- best arrangement of the display and possibilities to switch values from the top to the bottom and vice versa, the way you need it (even better than the Keysight U1273A with its OLED and free arrangement, because you have more space!)


- own switch to power it on, so that you can leave the testleads in their plugs and the rotary switch in its position


- you can measure anything (apart from white LEDs in diode mode as 3.1V is max)

=> capacitance up to 100mF like the Rigol 3068/Siglent 3065
=> resistance up to 100MOhm like the Rigol 3068/Siglent 3065
=> low pass filter
=> LowZ
=> LowOhm
=> frequency up to 999.99kHz
=> 250µS to capture nearly any peak


- best prioritization such as measuring capacitance: as an LCR-meter is better, it is enough to have not endless digits such as the Keysight U1273A, with its flickering getting on my nerves


- easy to use with its F-Buttons, you even have a help-menu


- you can do everything in the settings: comma or point; dd-mm-yy or mm-dd-yy; any local time format; any backlight with its two brightness settings or power off timing you can imagine


- you can save ANY measurement and recall it immediately without pc or software and see it the same way as the real time measurement like a snapshot even with time and date, which is simply worth any penny of this DMM


- you could update the FW on your own (thank you, Fluke)


- the USB-IR-adapter has a fair price (thank you, Fluke)


- it works with any OS (thank you, Fluke)


- it measures fast enough in any setting and it is the fastest as far as capacitance is concerned due to its prioritization (see above)


- it could record any measurement with a graph (which is probably responsible for keeping this poor display, unfortunately...)





Cheers!  ;)
 
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Offline bdunham7

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Re: If you only had one meter?
« Reply #67 on: April 19, 2023, 04:01:15 am »
=> resistance up to 100MOhm like the Rigol 3068/Siglent 3065

500M + nS (0.01nS resolution) actually.  And you neglected to mention the warranty.

Of course I have to concede that today's prices on these are getting a little absurd.  The kit I have with the cable, software, Pelican case and accessories would be ~$1500 now.  :o
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.
 

Offline Fungus

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Re: If you only had one meter?
« Reply #68 on: April 19, 2023, 04:23:40 am »


It even wins without any probes connected!
« Last Edit: April 19, 2023, 04:30:16 am by Fungus »
 

Offline Fungus

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Re: If you only had one meter?
« Reply #69 on: April 19, 2023, 04:30:21 am »

- you can measure anything (apart from white LEDs in diode mode as 3.1V is max)

3.1V is enough to light a white LED.

Does it have a high impedance measurement mode like the Fluke 8060A?
 

Offline bdunham7

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Re: If you only had one meter?
« Reply #70 on: April 19, 2023, 04:50:48 am »
It even wins without any probes connected!

Yes, it really is that good.  The MIN/MAX/AVG mode has a STOP button that freezes it and I can see that it is in that state.  The black bars on the right above the main display say "STOPPED" and "MINMAX".  No idea on the Gossen, maybe just a HOLD button?

Quote
Does it have a high impedance measurement mode like the Fluke 8060A?

No, apparently you have to go with UNI-T if you want that feature nowadays.  Most people find the LOW impedance to be more practical in a handheld though.
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.
 

Offline Swainster

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Re: If you only had one meter?
« Reply #71 on: April 19, 2023, 05:01:01 am »


It even wins without any probes connected!

Wait, is that a mains breakout box? With unshrouded plugs?...in those colours? OK, must stop as I'm starting to sound like some kind of comedy sketch, but that looks a bit "how ya doin", even by my generally quite relaxed standards.
 

Offline artag

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Re: If you only had one meter?
« Reply #72 on: April 19, 2023, 08:20:16 am »
And what if you could have only one scope ?
 

Online tautech

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Re: If you only had one meter?
« Reply #73 on: April 19, 2023, 08:24:45 am »
And what if you could have only one scope ?
Much rather have just a scope than only a meter.  :P
Avid Rabid Hobbyist.
Some stuff seen @ Siglent HQ cannot be shared.
 
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Online 2N3055

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Re: If you only had one meter?
« Reply #74 on: April 19, 2023, 08:53:43 am »
For me, there is nothing better than the Fluke 289! ...and yes, anyone knows the disadvantages, but the advantages are the reason to buy it - at least for me, myself and I:


- the build quality is perfect: the rotary switch is top, as well as the button design and button feeling when pressing


- best precision: no matter against which benchtop or handheld multimeter - you can trust it! (well, my Keysight U1273A is also bang on!)


- best arrangement of the display and possibilities to switch values from the top to the bottom and vice versa, the way you need it (even better than the Keysight U1273A with its OLED and free arrangement, because you have more space!)


- own switch to power it on, so that you can leave the testleads in their plugs and the rotary switch in its position


- you can measure anything (apart from white LEDs in diode mode as 3.1V is max)

=> capacitance up to 100mF like the Rigol 3068/Siglent 3065
=> resistance up to 100MOhm like the Rigol 3068/Siglent 3065
=> low pass filter
=> LowZ
=> LowOhm
=> frequency up to 999.99kHz
=> 250µS to capture nearly any peak


- best prioritization such as measuring capacitance: as an LCR-meter is better, it is enough to have not endless digits such as the Keysight U1273A, with its flickering getting on my nerves


- easy to use with its F-Buttons, you even have a help-menu


- you can do everything in the settings: comma or point; dd-mm-yy or mm-dd-yy; any local time format; any backlight with its two brightness settings or power off timing you can imagine


- you can save ANY measurement and recall it immediately without pc or software and see it the same way as the real time measurement like a snapshot even with time and date, which is simply worth any penny of this DMM


- you could update the FW on your own (thank you, Fluke)


- the USB-IR-adapter has a fair price (thank you, Fluke)


- it works with any OS (thank you, Fluke)


- it measures fast enough in any setting and it is the fastest as far as capacitance is concerned due to its prioritization (see above)


- it could record any measurement with a graph (which is probably responsible for keeping this poor display, unfortunately...)





Cheers!  ;)

Metrix MTX3293 has all that and some...

USB IR you get with it (no additional purchase).
It has High voltage zener mode (28V) and goes to 100MΩ
LoZ voltage and low pass filter.
Single current socket for 10nA to 20A.
Frequency up to 5 MHz
AC BW 300kHz
PT100/1000 and thermocouple temp measurement
Support for current clamp and external shunt.
Power calc (W at specified impedance)
Power measurement mode (VxA)
Math
Graphical mode and logging.
Timestamped Min/Max
dBm and relative dB mode.
Charge while working.
Color screen

Peak mode is 500µs, it has several measurement modes etc etc...

But I agree 289 is very capable instrument. I only wish they would use better screen and if the graphing would be a bit faster..
"Just hard work is not enough - it must be applied sensibly."
Dr. Richard W. Hamming
 


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