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Keithley 2100,2000, etc or Chinese bench multimeters?

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djsb:
I'm looking to buy a 6.5 digit bench multimeter. I've been looking at the Siglent SDM3065X, Hantek HDM3065 and similar. But I'm also drawn to the Keithley/Tektronix 2000 series. I've read here that the keithley has this scanner card project available

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/circuit-studio/example-project-relay-scan-card-for-k2000-dmm/?all

Now I'm thinking maybe a Keithley would give me more upgrade options via community add ons etc.

Are the Keithley multimeters a better investment and can spares still be bought (IE display etc) for them. What is your favourite Keithley model and why? Thanks.

ch_scr:
Take care, Keithley 2100 & 2110 are actually Picotest M3500A/M3510A. Not that they are bad meters per-se, but one wouldn't necessarily pay "Keithley money" for them.
For the data-logging / switch card capabilities, this has to be seen in context: it usually necessitates a semi-permanent setup (of the stuff "to be measured"), usually one that's powered on for a long(er)-ish time and connected to some kind of computer running for that time as well, and the software setup to log / display that data.
In my experience, the "general bench" is not a good place for that, as it will be in the way there, and blocking the use of the bench meter to boot!
So at least I wouldn't advocate to restrict the "general bench DMM" selection by that capability.
Which brings us to that, capabilities - e.g. if you do audio stuff, maybe look at the Keithley 2015 THD.
But more generally, what do you (want to) use it for? Answer that, and people will be able to give better advice.

Edit: For the Keithleys, the VFD's are usually unobtanium. Look at the venerable HPAK 34401A, the "general recommendation" 6 1/2 digit used market DMM, and replacement VFD's are available (except for the very early, all-red input jack model) for it, too.

BeBuLamar:
Keithley is an American company but don't they make their meters in China too?

coromonadalix:
34410a 34411a  vfd's clones can be bought  they are very good meters to,   you have the vfd less of them  the L4411a ...

but oldies like them,  vfd age is often a problem ...  check have to be done for caps and vfd's  looks, if a seller shows  it  and you see pass tests

and prices has gone bonkers ...  repairability too  in more recent stuff / models,  no schematics etc ...  i would go to  34401a 34410 and 34411, some k2000 models have been reversed

i'm waiting for a Siglent sdm3065   well see  .... but the reference voltage used is no par with the oldies with lm399 or the ltz1000 (3458a)

For the Siglent  well design capture software and automate tests with it

Keysight has lost, in their  benchvue softwares or "the old  dmm utility was better",    K2000 ??  unless you do Labview and other softwares  ??


For scanners cards,   you do have open projects who could help lower purchases costs if you need  multiples inputs,  like the posted project link

34970a was good too ...  but the problems  for all of them (cards options) is card costs ... some are unobtanium and very expensive, they where reversed too if i recall


evaluate your need for the very long time you may need them ...   and mostly calibrations,  you can or could have big surprises ...

I don't thrust any of the 34461 or 65 models,  some reliability problems with them, give me one   i'll get rid of it.

DMM6500 7500 have good comments

unless you go  pxi / pxie  mainframes meters ?? calibration prices are way to excessive


EDIT   this software is very good :
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/program-that-can-log-from-many-multimeters/

2N3055:

--- Quote from: coromonadalix on October 27, 2024, 10:32:14 am ---
i'm waiting for a Siglent sdm3065   well see  .... but the reference voltage used is no par with the oldies with lm399 or the ltz1000 (3458a)


--- End quote ---

Rigol DM3068 and Siglent SDM 3065 also use LM399...

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