MESTEK DM90 or DM91A multimeter? Choice

[Aang]

Hi.

I would like to ask you for advice. I choose a cheaper multimeter and I was very surprised by MESTEK DMxx, but they have more kinds. E.g. DM90 or DM91(A). Would you advise me on the right choice? What's the difference? Do you have experience with them?

Thank you

[rsjsouza]

I have experience with the DM91A and it is a good basic multimeter. It has good number of counts (9999), reasonable accuracy, well built and with decent selection of features. It has a good range for resistance (100MΩ), very reasonable capacitance meter up to 10000µF (the manual claims 100000µF, but in practice it is too slow). It has a 3V diode tester. Its voltage range starts in V_DC. The frequency meter is reasonable.

A few annoyances: it beeps at every change of the switch and keypress. The arrangement of the rotary selector is a bit weird - it starts with NCV, then voltage detector and only at the third position it goes to Volts. The bandwidth is somewhat low (~3kHz) but it has VFC if needed.

The bad stuff: do not trust its CAT ratings. It shared the µA/mA input with V/Ω. The continuity buzzer is very slow.

Other features that are quite nice: the flashlight is handy, although not very powerful. The backlight is very nice. The NCV is also the best as its antenna is very well visible at the top of the meter and it is not too sensitive. The battery testers are really nice as well.

[Aang]

Well. So you think it's the best multimeter at this price? Or would you suggest a different type? Thanks

[rsjsouza]

Well. So you think it's the best multimeter at this price? Or would you suggest a different type? Thanks

I don't know what price you have, thus I can't answer. For the price I got (US$15.00 with shipping) it was excellent. Another meter at this price I got with better protection but less counts and features was a DM139C (a Uni-T UT139C but from a different manufacturer).

I personally don't like the AN8008/8009, which are comparable to the DM91A, and the next contender at a higher price but much larger size is the AN870 and its variants.

[001]

The bad stuff: do not trust its CAT ratings. It shared the µA/mA input with V/Ω. The continuity buzzer is very slow. 

I personally don't like the AN8008/8009, which are comparable to the DM91A

Why? AN8008/8009 are faster than dm91a 

[rsjsouza]

The bad stuff: do not trust its CAT ratings. It shared the µA/mA input with V/Ω. The continuity buzzer is very slow. 

I personally don't like the AN8008/8009, which are comparable to the DM91A

Why? AN8008/8009 are faster than dm91a 

Yes, but that is only one aspect. The small fuses, the form factor, the absence of a tilt stand... These are all aspects that steer me away from this model.

[Aang]

Yes. My budget is between 15-25 dollars, according to Price/performance. I also just enough wondered over Aneng 870, but now I stumbled upon Metex and it seems to me better. Maybe it's the best at the price. Maybe I would lean towards a higher price.

[indman]

DM90 is much nicer looking than DM91A in terms of functionality (and upgrade), but costs less.
I advise you to pay attention to new models of Chinese industry RM405A (ZT-M0, Aneng V7) or even more fresh and new RM406B (Mestek DM100).
I have DM90, in stock ZT-M0 - Multimeter very functional, fast and convenient  AUTO measurement mode.
RM406B must soon come to me, but many people who have received it, very positive about it.

[Aang]

DM90 is much nicer looking than DM91A in terms of functionality (and upgrade), but costs less.

So do you think that the type of DM90 is better in functionality than DM91A? Has more features? I thought it was better to go to the newer DM91. Now I'm in the selection confused.

RM406B must soon come to me, but many people who have received it, very positive about it.

It looks very good, but already considerably exceeds my budget:). But thank you for the recommendation.

[indman]

So do you think that the type of DM90 is better in functionality than DM91A? Has more features? I thought it was better to go to the newer DM91. Now I'm in the selection confused.
RM406B must soon come to me, but many people who have received it, very positive about it.
It looks very good, but already considerably exceeds my budget:). But thank you for the recommendation.

DM90 and DM91A are compact measuring instruments, small by the size, reliable,but they are constructed on already outdated processor of the HY12P65(DTM0660) family. DM90 has 6000 counting, but can be easily updated up to 10000 counting by a firmware method.
RM406B is constructed on the processor of new generation (on 2-x core) and has the high speed measured and also several important functions which distinguish it from other models. Attentively read its advantages in the review.
I bought it on the stock on AliExpress for $24, now it can also be ordered within this sum. She fits into your budget.
Only do not confuse with the RM406A(DM100C) model - it looks internally as well as RM406B, but is constructed on the same old DTM0660 processor.

[rsjsouza]

DM90 and DM91A are compact measuring instruments, small by the size, reliable,but they are constructed on already outdated processor of the HY12P65(DTM0660) family. DM90 has 6000 counting, but can be easily updated up to 10000 counting by a firmware method.

Or you get a DM91A already at 10000 counts. 

RM406B is constructed on the processor of new generation (on 2-x kernels) and has the high speed measured and also several important functions which distinguish it from other models. Attentively read its advantages in the review.

According to the picture for the RM406B meter, it is a manual range. Does it have an atuomatic selection range just like the other Aneng model (forgot its name)?

[indman]

rsjsouza,RM406B - ONLY MANUAL MODE! RM406A -AUTO+MANUAL MODE!
As for difference of DM90 from DM91A - I will prepare short comparison of their opportunities a bit later.

[indman]

Quick comparison of DM90 and DM91A:
1.DM91A superiority-10000 counting, possibility of the choice of manual range RANGE button, possibility of testing of batteries 1.5V of and 9V.
2.DM91A shortcomings in comparison with DM90 - are not present temperature measurement (this function can be added to DM90 easily through a firmware), continuity is slow, there is no range 60mV DC and AC 60mV,600mV, a counter frequency meter to 10 kHz (DM90 can measure frequency to 100 MHz).
3.DM90 about 10000 counting can be easily upgraded. Its price is lower than DM91A.
There is enough?

[Aang]

RM406B is constructed on the processor of new generation (on 2-x kernels) and has the high speed measured and also several important functions which distinguish it from other models. Attentively read its advantages in the review.
I bought it on the stock on AliExpress for $24, now it can also be ordered within this sum. She fits into your budget.

I don't see this multimeter RM406B at the price of the $24 dollars on AliExpress. Could you give me a link? I just see links to $36. Thanks

[indman]

Aang I bought it on the stock on sale. Here, for example, DM100 for about the same price https://ru.aliexpress.com/item/4000029180739.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000014.48.61b645de4Y2QEb&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller&scm=1007.13338.146107.0&scm_id=1007.13338.146107.0&scm-url=1007.13338.146107.0&pvid=7ccaa9f1-455d-4108-9f44-5ed9bfbcad4d
rsjsouza just above given link on Ebay 

[rsjsouza]

I would also check the various tests made my user HKJ here. Check:
https://lygte-info.dk/info/indexDMMReviews%20UK.html

[indman]

rsjsouza, i very attentively read each new review from reputable HKJ, but at me, unfortunately, there is no such full range for the test stand. 

[Aang]

to indman: So are you happy with DM100? I'm just watching that it's still DM100C for the same price. Not better with C? So the only difference is that DM100C is built on the old processor? So take only DM100 (without C)?
In addition, do you trust the dealers on AliExpress when they do not yet have a multimeter review? I see that there are more dealers on AliExpress who sell this multimeter for the same price.

[wraper]

Yes, but that is only one aspect. The small fuses, the form factor, the absence of a tilt stand... These are all aspects that steer me away from this model.

I choose small fuses over shared V/mA input.

[indman]

Aang, you not attentively read , I wrote earlier.
I wrote in what difference of DM100(RM406B) from DM100C(RM406A).
I do not warrant and I do not give any guarantee concerning sellers for AliExpress. All of you do at own risk.
I ordered the RM406B from the reliable seller with high rating.

[Aang]

I ordered the RM406B from the reliable seller with high rating.

So, thank's a lot for your help. You showed me a much better option for a better multimeter. I then take this RM406B with new processor:

https://ru.aliexpress.com/item/4000029180739.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000014.48.61b645de4Y2QEb&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller&scm=1007.13338.146107.0&scm_id=1007.13338.146107.0&scm-url=1007.13338.146107.0&pvid=7ccaa9f1-455d-4108-9f44-5ed9bfbcad4d

I hope I will be satisfied 

[indman]

 Aang, I hope that you will have good luck with your purchase! Otherwise, I warned you.

[tooki]

I personally don't like the AN8008/8009, which are comparable to the DM91A

Why? AN8008/8009 are faster than dm91a 

Yes, but that is only one aspect. The small fuses, the form factor, the absence of a tilt stand... These are all aspects that steer me away from this model.

Huh? It has a tilting bale. Where’d you get the idea that it doesn’t?

As for the form factor, that’s a matter of taste I guess. I love the size of my AN8008.

The tiny fuse is the only real issue with it. There’s no sensible source for replacements. (Should I ever need to replace it on mine, I’ll probably just bodge in a holder for a 5x20mm fuse.)

[rsjsouza]

Huh? It has a tilting bale. Where’d you get the idea that it doesn’t?

Thanks; I stand corrected.