Author Topic: Looking for a decent sub $1500 bench multimeter  (Read 4646 times)

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Offline hansibullTopic starter

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Looking for a decent sub $1500 bench multimeter
« on: November 08, 2022, 10:32:31 am »
Hi!

I'm looking for a decent bench multimeter to use for electronics troubleshooting and audio-related measurements for use at work.
There are lots of meters to choose from, and the specs vary greatly between manufacturers.
I've been looking at the Fluke 8845A, but this seems to be quite ancient. It's also quite pricey for the specs you're getting. But is it really nice to use? The Keysight 34460A seems to have all the bells and whistles, but has (from what I've read) a noisy fan and is slow to boot. The Siglent SDM3065X seems to be really slow to settle when I'm used to a handheld Fluke 87V, so hope the bench multimeter can be "snappy" like the 87V in terms of auto-ranging speed.

Here are some key features:

Must have/be:
  • Not "annoying and quirky to use". I want it to be just as convenient as a handheld. (I bought a Rigol DG1022Z a few years ago because of the specs, and I regret it every single time I use it since the UI is so terrible and quirky)
  • Reasonably quick auto-ranging. At least so that you'll have to sit and wait for each measurement. Maybe this can be adjusted in the settings with a tradeoff in accuracy?
  • 5.5 digits or more
  • 4-wire resistance measurement with 1 milliohm resolution or better. I'll use the meter to track down short circuits on a PCB, so this is important. If it comes with decent probes, this is a pluss
  • True-RMS
  • Reasonably fast boot time or a soft power switch for immediate startup

Nice to have:
  • dB volts
  • Capacitance measurement
  • A latched buzzer so I can drag the probes across a bunch of pins quickly to find a short circuit
  • A fan that's not so annoying you want to turn the instrument off between each measurement

These are the ones I've been considering: but are there other units worth looking at?

  • Fluke 8845A/8846A
  • Keysight 34460A/34461A
  • Siglent SDM3065X

I'd love to hear what you would recommend. Thanks!
 

Offline Someone

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Re: Looking for a decent sub $1500 bench multimeter
« Reply #1 on: November 08, 2022, 10:40:56 am »
Keithley 2015 ?
 
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Offline blackdog

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Re: Looking for a decent sub $1500 bench multimeter
« Reply #2 on: November 08, 2022, 10:46:36 am »
Hi hansibull :-)

I have several digital multimeters here KeySight, Fluke, HP and Keithley 6.5 digits and the 3458A which is 8.5 digits.

Now if you ask me for the budget you have available which one you should buy, I say the Keithley DMM6500.

The controls are a little different than the KeySight 34461A and the 34465A which are also good meters, but my experience having used the Keithley for 1 year that the DC stability is better than a pair of KeySight's 34465A which matters to me.
The difference is not big.

The interface for daily use of the KeySight 3446xA series is a bit easier.
But in my use the emphasis is mostly on performance.

I hope this helps you a little in your choice.

Kind regards,
Bram
« Last Edit: November 08, 2022, 11:16:30 am by blackdog »
Necessity is not an established fact, but an interpretation.
 
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Online 2N3055

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Re: Looking for a decent sub $1500 bench multimeter
« Reply #3 on: November 08, 2022, 10:47:01 am »
Keithley DMM6500
"Just hard work is not enough - it must be applied sensibly."
Dr. Richard W. Hamming
 
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Offline Domitronic

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Re: Looking for a decent sub $1500 bench multimeter
« Reply #4 on: November 08, 2022, 11:39:52 am »

I use a DMM6500 but it is a touchscreen interface. Not sure if that fits your not "annoying and quirky to use" requirement. I use it for measurements my handhelds are not able to do. For everything else a handheld is still more convenient in my opinion.

It has an annoying bug which is only relevant if you want to measure resistance of large inductors. There the autorange function and the 100 Ohm measuring range do not not work. Not sure if there is a fix for that in new devices. But if you don't work with large inductors it doesn't matter anyway.

Otherwise i like it. Especially for recording data over time. Measuring ranges are also nice. For example current ranges are going really low so its possible to measure leakage currents. These are the things i use it for.

 

Offline coromonadalix

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Re: Looking for a decent sub $1500 bench multimeter
« Reply #5 on: November 08, 2022, 11:51:35 am »
Capacitance / Inductances  measurements      use dedicated  lcr meters like  DE-5000  ....  not a dmm or bench meter
 
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Online nctnico

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Re: Looking for a decent sub $1500 bench multimeter
« Reply #6 on: November 08, 2022, 01:06:17 pm »
Keithley DMM6500
+1  I don't have this model but if I was in the market for a new precission bench DMM this model would be first on my list to look at. I have a Keysight 34461A myself but the DMM6500 has more ranges and other features. One of the things the 34461A can't do well is measure small resistance values as the lowest range is 100 Ohm.

Capacitance / Inductances  measurements      use dedicated  lcr meters like  DE-5000  ....  not a dmm or bench meter
I get that but the thing is that an LCR meter usually sits somewhere in a desk drawer. When I need to measure a capacitor quickly to check the value, I always use my bench DMM because it is always there and has enough accuracy.
« Last Edit: November 08, 2022, 01:08:45 pm by nctnico »
There are small lies, big lies and then there is what is on the screen of your oscilloscope.
 
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Offline hansibullTopic starter

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Re: Looking for a decent sub $1500 bench multimeter
« Reply #7 on: November 08, 2022, 02:13:56 pm »
Thanks for pointing me toward the DMM6500. It seems like a really nice bit of kit.
But sadly, it seems like it's out of stock everywhere  :(
 

Offline BillyO

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Re: Looking for a decent sub $1500 bench multimeter
« Reply #8 on: November 08, 2022, 02:20:57 pm »
I'll be first to say I don't think you will be disappointed with the SDM3065X.  While I don't have one, I do have the SDM3055 which shares the same UI.  It's never been quirky to use.  Plus, there are a lot of YT reviews of the SDN3065X and it is well liked.  It's also well within your budget too.
Bill  (Currently a Siglent fanboy)
--------------------------------------------------
 

Offline oewean

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Re: Looking for a decent sub $1500 bench multimeter
« Reply #9 on: November 08, 2022, 02:57:16 pm »
You also have the Rigol DM3068, a nice multimeter but a little older "design" with smaller display, but it's easy to read.







Norwegian distributor of test and measurement equipment....
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Online bdunham7

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Re: Looking for a decent sub $1500 bench multimeter
« Reply #10 on: November 08, 2022, 03:30:47 pm »
The Fluke 8845A and 8846A are discontinued.  I have the 8846A and wouldn't give it up for any other, although it does have its issues (current ranges) and is indeed an older design with a VFD.  It is very straightforward to use and has a good array of features.  It has things like 1G ohms, selectable continuity thresholds and diode test voltage/current, 1000VAC capability.  If you can still find it for sale, I'd recommend you seriously consider it.  The 8845A lacks some of these as well as capacitance, so I wouldn't go looking for that model.

Autoranging speed and fast continuity aren't usually things that high-end bench meter buyers look for, so you might want to look at less-high-end models and make sure to get feedback from people who actually use the model in question.  Some of things you want to know aren't found in the datasheet specs.  Also, your plan to track down shorts with a meter having milliohm resolution isn't an easy one to implement and requires specialized probes, such as the 2X4 Fluke models that were just for the 8846A/8845A. 
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 alm

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Re: Looking for a decent sub $1500 bench multimeter
« Reply #11 on: November 08, 2022, 03:52:01 pm »
Autoranging speed and fast continuity aren't usually things that high-end bench meter buyers look for, so you might want to look at less-high-end models and make sure to get feedback from people who actually use the model in question.  Some of things you want to know aren't found in the datasheet specs.
Bench meters are often used for system applications where speed matters. I haven't used the latest graphing generation, but I found the HP 34401A and Keithley 2000 very snappy to the point of needing to slow them down so I can still read the VFD: they can go up to 2000 readings per second under specific conditions. Reading rate and auto-ranging speed should be specified in the data sheet. For example see attachment for the Keithley DMM6500. Pay attention to the footnotes, though.

For continuity speed you might have to dig a bit more.

Online nctnico

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Re: Looking for a decent sub $1500 bench multimeter
« Reply #12 on: November 08, 2022, 04:35:20 pm »
IMHO continuity speed is not a strong suit of the higher end bench DMMs. On the Keysight 34461A there is a considerable lag. Personally I prefer instant continuity so I can wipe the probe across a row of pins quickly until I hear a beep.
There are small lies, big lies and then there is what is on the screen of your oscilloscope.
 

Offline mawyatt

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Re: Looking for a decent sub $1500 bench multimeter
« Reply #13 on: November 08, 2022, 04:49:15 pm »
We have and use the DMM6500 and three KS34465As, plus a couple older HP34401As and SDM3065+. They were all put to use recently on a complex project that required multiple DMMs to be monitored.

IMO you can't go wrong with the DMM6500 or the KS3446X flavors, they are really good, the older 34401As are also very good but wouldn't recommend the SDM3065+ against any of these other DMMs.

The recent KS34465A was acquired by error, we had placed an order over a year ago but these were BO, so we found a DMM6500 in stock and purchased this. Seems the PA forgot to cancel the BO KS34465A request by engineering, so when the KS34465A arrived unexpectedly at the shipping dock (house door), he blamed engineering, which blamed the CFO, which blamed the CTO and eventually everyone blamed the CEO :o

Here at Wyatt Labs LLC, we are a one person show  :-//

Best,
Curiosity killed the cat, also depleted my wallet!
~Wyatt Labs by Mike~
 
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Online tszaboo

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Re: Looking for a decent sub $1500 bench multimeter
« Reply #14 on: November 08, 2022, 04:54:03 pm »
The DMM6500 is nice, and you might have a better support to your warranty if you are not a company.
But I prefer the 34465A. 34461A is probably OK just as well.
At least with the Keysight, your exported readings will be in order and you don't have to muck around with buffer size and trigger settings to set up a simple logging. And it does cold junction compensation by measuring a temperature. And the battery which is impossible to reach on the Keithley dies in 3 years or so, which of course you are breaking the holder while replacing. So IMHO only get the DMM6500 if you want to measure very fast.
 
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Online nctnico

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Re: Looking for a decent sub $1500 bench multimeter
« Reply #15 on: November 08, 2022, 05:02:34 pm »
Here at Wyatt Labs LLC, we are a one person show  :-//
You must be the king as well as kings typically refer to themselves as we  :-DD
There are small lies, big lies and then there is what is on the screen of your oscilloscope.
 

Online Martin72

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Re: Looking for a decent sub $1500 bench multimeter
« Reply #16 on: November 08, 2022, 05:11:35 pm »
Keithley DMM6500

A buyers vote(german, translated via deepl)from Voelkner Electronic:

Quote
Continuous power guzzler and poor workmanship
Keithley has still not managed to install a "humm" free mains transformer. Only soft power button, over 20 watts in standby?????
Main board bends extremely when the rear switch is pressed.maybe a fake vote, can´t see a rear switch...
The SMD components are certainly happy every time.
1300€ spent on junk made in China
« Last Edit: November 08, 2022, 05:15:28 pm by Martin72 »
 

Offline mawyatt

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Re: Looking for a decent sub $1500 bench multimeter
« Reply #17 on: November 08, 2022, 05:18:50 pm »
You must be the king as well as kings typically refer to themselves as we  :-DD
Well "we" refers to me, myself and I, so maybe King of a very small Empire!!

This also applies when the Chairperson of the Board (read not me, she's the Real Boss) refers to as "we" getting something done, like right now!! Here the "we" refers to me and not her :-\

Best,
Curiosity killed the cat, also depleted my wallet!
~Wyatt Labs by Mike~
 

Offline mawyatt

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Re: Looking for a decent sub $1500 bench multimeter
« Reply #18 on: November 08, 2022, 05:33:40 pm »
Keithley DMM6500

A buyers vote(german, translated via deepl)from Voelkner Electronic:

Quote
Continuous power guzzler and poor workmanship
Keithley has still not managed to install a "humm" free mains transformer. Only soft power button, over 20 watts in standby?????
Main board bends extremely when the rear switch is pressed.maybe a fake vote, can´t see a rear switch...
The SMD components are certainly happy every time.
1300€ spent on junk made in China

Think they got the decimal point shifted, our DMM6500 consumes ~2W in standby. Our hearing isn't very good, but no hum detectable either.

Best,
Curiosity killed the cat, also depleted my wallet!
~Wyatt Labs by Mike~
 
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Online Hexley

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Re: Looking for a decent sub $1500 bench multimeter
« Reply #19 on: November 08, 2022, 06:34:59 pm »
The recent KS34465A was acquired by error, we had placed an order over a year ago but these were BO, so we found a DMM6500 in stock and purchased this. Seems the PA forgot to cancel the BO KS34465A request by engineering, so when the KS34465A arrived unexpectedly at the shipping dock (house door), he blamed engineering, which blamed the CFO, which blamed the CTO and eventually everyone blamed the CEO :o

Actually, it looks like your CFO did OK: Keysight currently specifies a 64-week lead time (!), so having one in hand is quite an asset. And since prices continue to rise, that 34465A could probably be sold today for more than you folks paid a year ago. Win! :clap:

The DMM6500 has a mere 36-week lead time by comparison. (Both numbers from Mouser, btw.)

Not a great time the OP to go shopping.  :(
 

Offline mawyatt

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Re: Looking for a decent sub $1500 bench multimeter
« Reply #20 on: November 08, 2022, 08:12:14 pm »
The recent KS34465A was acquired by error, we had placed an order over a year ago but these were BO, so we found a DMM6500 in stock and purchased this. Seems the PA forgot to cancel the BO KS34465A request by engineering, so when the KS34465A arrived unexpectedly at the shipping dock (house door), he blamed engineering, which blamed the CFO, which blamed the CTO and eventually everyone blamed the CEO :o

Actually, it looks like your CFO did OK: Keysight currently specifies a 64-week lead time (!), so having one in hand is quite an asset. And since prices continue to rise, that 34465A could probably be sold today for more than you folks paid a year ago. Win! :clap:

The DMM6500 has a mere 36-week lead time by comparison. (Both numbers from Mouser, btw.)

Not a great time the OP to go shopping.  :(

Exactly why the CFO decided to keep the 34465A after consulting with the CTO, rather than return it, altho the Chairperson of the Board wasn't too happy about that  ;)

BTW this wasn't a year ago, just a couple months ago that it was received, altho the original order was placed early this year. Newark even honored the original price which was lower that todays price :-+

Best,
Curiosity killed the cat, also depleted my wallet!
~Wyatt Labs by Mike~
 

Offline mwb1100

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Re: Looking for a decent sub $1500 bench multimeter
« Reply #21 on: November 08, 2022, 10:20:29 pm »
that 34465A could probably be sold today for more than you folks paid a year ago. Win! :clap:

Not to mention that even after splitting the profit between the engineer, CFO, CTO and CEO each would have gotten a full share!
 

Offline Domitronic

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Re: Looking for a decent sub $1500 bench multimeter
« Reply #22 on: November 08, 2022, 10:57:06 pm »

The DMM6500 has a mere 36-week lead time by comparison. (Both numbers from Mouser, btw.)


RS online shop shows expected delivery on 19.12.2022. But also at much higher price compared to what we paid last year.

 

Offline coromonadalix

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Re: Looking for a decent sub $1500 bench multimeter
« Reply #23 on: November 08, 2022, 11:09:31 pm »
you have an 34461A  for sale here   750 euro ??
 

Offline mawyatt

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Re: Looking for a decent sub $1500 bench multimeter
« Reply #24 on: November 09, 2022, 12:09:49 am »

Not to mention that even after splitting the profit between the engineer, CFO, CTO and CEO each would have gotten a full share!

The engineer claimed it was his doing that the KS34465A profit would be realized and asked for a raise, the CTO supported the engineer but the CFO offered a stock option instead after getting approval from the CEO and Chairperson. The option shares were granted on 100mm square soft tissue invisible print on a roll, it's located on a small spool on the wall in the tiny private office room with one "seat" with running water and a fan ;D

This tiny office has the unique property if you need to "Go", you can just "Stay" ::)

Best,
« Last Edit: November 09, 2022, 12:13:19 am by mawyatt »
Curiosity killed the cat, also depleted my wallet!
~Wyatt Labs by Mike~
 


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