Multimeter choices for rural/outdoor use

[bernroth]

Hello all!

Browsing though the topics of the forum about multimeters, people ask often about the best, full featured, reliable, feature blown, µA range multimeters for the lab.
I am a proud owner of an Agilent U1272A and a Gossen Metrawatt Energy meter which I use in my lab. I am very satisfied with them  O0

Now I would like to purchase a multimeter for usage in tough environments, more specific in Mexico on an seaside property, like for debugging the local power installations (probing 110V power cables in the fuse box, measuring resistances etc...). There is already a little cheapo china meter which I don't like to use at all because it's just crap and insecure. Anyways the battery is already empty and leaky.
Well, I have found meters like a Gossen Metrahit Tech/Pro for around USD $200 but I don't think that a precision meter like the gossen is adequate for that use case.
It should be protected against water and dust and survive a bit of sun exposure without the display to fail.

What would you recommend? I would like to go for the Gossen because of the price. A metrahit outdoor would be adequate but for ~ USD 700 quite expensive. Some risk of the meter getting stolen is always present. Are there some good Flukes or Agilents suitable for this usecase?

Maybe someone has one to sell? 

Regards,

Bernhard

[Bored@Work]

Is that robust enough for you?

[bernroth]

Yeah, that's robust indeed but quite pricey. Does it get hard to find something in the < USD 200 range?

[Wytnucls]

Since you don't want to spend a fortune on a Fluke 28, have a look at the CEM range of IP67 waterproof meters:

http://www.cem-instruments.com/en/pro/nsort14-1.html

[Bored@Work]

CEM? Are you serious?

[Legit-Design]

Are there any websites with parametric search for this, I checked farnell and digikey, neither included environmental ratings in their parametric search. Mouser has "Handheld, waterproof" but that only includes three extech meters, hardly the same thing as separate column for IP-rating/waterproof.

I mean real parametric search like with http://geizhals.at/de/ thats the most awesome thing for searching computer parts/cameras/camcorders full parametric search with real pricing. Even if I don't live in any of the countries they deliver to, I can still use it to find something, without having to do my own list, or searching for some half assed reviews. For example I search for ssd in certain pricerange or best bang per buck (€/GB). Or camcorders with certain sized sensor with optical image stabilization, and it should be as cheap as possible, my first step is to go to parametric search.

[Wytnucls]

Well, you can't have your cake and eat it.
I'm talking second best option here.
Sturdy IP67 meter, CAT III 1000V, GS listed, that doesn't cost a fortune.

[bernroth]

Any opinion about Extech EX510?

[dds]

Fluke 25? Military version, used surplus from Royal Air Force tough as hell

[bernroth]

Where to get these used Fluke 25 from? Sounds very interesting but nothing found on eba...

[dds]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fluke-25-Multimeter-with-case-and-probes-/221282936090?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item33857da51a


Watch ebay.co.uk for fluke 25

[Wytnucls]

Out of calibration! No Max/Min and no 'Relative' mode on the 25 model. Quite sturdy though, but I'm not sure if they are water proof or not. Very similar to the 27 model.

[Wytnucls]

Any opinion about Extech EX510?

Rugged design IP67, but no GS listing and there have been quite a few reports of shoddy workmanship on Extech meters in general.

[alm]

Rugged design IP67, but no GS listing and there have been quite a few reports of shoddy workmanship on Extech meters in general.

Shoddy workmanship on Extech meters produced by CEM?

[Wytnucls]

I was waiting for that one.
They may have different assembly lines, because the CEM-branded meters don't have the same problem.

[dds]

I will trust my life for checking mains voltage to uncalibrated  Fluke 25 , not to some Extech crap. I own two  Fluke 25 (both are military version) I'm very satisfied with them. Just my opinion

[dds]

Out of calibration! No Max/Min and no 'Relative' mode on the 25 model. Quite sturdy though, but I'm not sure if they are water proof or not. Very similar to the 27 model.

It looks like that Fluke 25 is waterproof:

http://roscigno.com/FLUKE_25_27.pdf

[KJDS]

Where to get these used Fluke 25 from? Sounds very interesting but nothing found on eba...

Purely by coincidence, I collected 20 of them yesterday, haven't tested any yet so no idea how many of them work.

[danb35]

A used Fluke 27 would be an option as well.  Very rugged, I believe they're supposed to be waterproof, and last I looked there were tons of them on eBay as military surplus.  Certainly should be < $100, and you may find around $50 if you're lucky.

[KJDS]

I've now tested a few, £45 delivered to mainland UK, I'll find out postage for Western Europe tomorrow. Postage for further afield on request. They are a little scruffy, showing obvious signs of being used and some have serial numbers painted on but they are working well.

[Lightages]

I think I would pick a good used Fluke 25 or 27 anytime over any CEM. I have to confess I have never held a CEM so I can't be sure they are crap  but from the experiences people have had with the Extech re-brands I would avoid them. I would seriously doubt that CEM would have a dedicated assembly line and better trained workforce for their meters over the Extech models.

[Wytnucls]

Most of the new CEM models are now IP67, GS TUV tested and have proper input protection, with HRC 1000V fuses. I don't have much experience with them either. I do own the CEM DT9935 LCR meter which is reasonably well made and works as advertised and a cheap Velleman rebrand, which hasn't given me any problems either.

CEM production base is located in Shenzhen, China, with 1000 + employees, five production plants and 20 production lines.

[mmagin]

[...] like for debugging the local power installations (probing 110V power cables in the fuse box, measuring resistances etc...).

This sounds like a very good reason to use a meter where you can trust the validity of the CAT III/IV certification.  I'd prioritize that over the level of dust/water protection (though it's probably worth getting something that can take dust and a little rain, it sounds like whether it can take immersion is a distraction from the original question.

[Lightages]

Another alternative perhaps?
http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/amprobe/multimeters/hd110c_hd160c.htm

I have no experience with this neither but I tend to trust Amprobe's quality.

[Bored@Work]

Well, you can't have your cake and eat it.
I'm talking second best option here.
Sturdy IP67 meter, CAT III 1000V, GS listed, that doesn't cost a fortune.

Well, exactly that DT-9949 is dubious.

When I search for it in the TUV database I end up at a certificate AN 50225998 http://www.certipedia.com/certificates/50225998 But for whatever reason the DT-9949 is not mentioned in the certificate data. Further, the certificate is for EU low-voltage-directive conformance. The description of that particular test contains the following

The EC declaration of conformity refers to the tested sample as stated in the certificate. It certifies that this sample complies with the safety objectives according to the latest version of Low Voltage Directive Annex I. The certificate does not refer to serial production of the product and it does not authorize to use a TÜV Rheinland test mark.

So even if this happens to be the certificate for the DT-9949 it does not allow to use the TUV and GS mark.

I'd rather use a brand where they have their shit in order and where the risk of "spontaneous" cost savings during production is low.