Multimeter for a beginner which meets spec, price range: 100€

[winfreak]

Hello guys,

I hope I am "allowed" to ask this question multiple times because it was solved multiple times by and for others - even by Dave himself.
Now, I've looked at botht the 50$ shootout and the 100$ shootout video. From what I've seen, I've made a list of what I liked and disliked and selected three meters which should suit my needs:

1.) The UNI-T UT61E
2.) The AMProbe AM220
3.) The Extech EX330

"All nice and dandy" I thought to myself. While the UNI-T looked a bit dodgy construction wise, I've read many good things about it, but all in all I thought it was a between the AMProbe and the Extech, but then I went to the EEVBlog Forums and found out all of those meters are out of spec, what a bummer! Also, I've read on here that the quality control that Extech does is just nasty, so why even bother with it.

Now, my main question is: What meter can you suggest that is like those 3 and is actually in spec but in a price range that doesn't go well beyond 100€?

Thanks for all your suggestion, I hope I didn't make a mistake by asking this again. If so, have mercy please, I'm just a beginner.

Best regards
- Thomas

[markce]

Brymen BM257S

[winfreak]

Wow that one looks like a winner!
Thanks very much. Any general thoughts about this product or alternatives?

[EEVblog]

Brymen BM257S

It is very nice:

[winfreak]

Wow, just saw the review, seems like an absolute winner - all in all just like 15 bucks more expensive than the UT61E, but it meets specs AND has more/better functions, if I compared them right

Thank you guys really much, I'll be looking into getting that one next month then. It's exactly what I wanted. One last question though, does it the stupid fall over thing like the Ideal meter you once reviewed? I definitely want to use the stand, that's why I want to know - is it at least a bit stable or is it EX330 like horror? You don't really show that in the video, that's why I'm asking.

Anyways, thanks for your answers

[markce]

There is also a EU review from Kiriakos Triantafillou. His comment about the tilting bail is that it is small (the BM257 itself is compact) but well made.

[winfreak]

There is also a EU review from Kiriakos Triantafillou. His comment about the tilting bail is that it is small (the BM257 itself is compact) but well made.

OK thank you very much for that info... I think I'm set now!! Thanks guys. I'm glad I didn't buy the UT61E straight ahead, but instead made a bit of research and asked other people

[torr032]

ut61e beats the crack out of bm257 for bench electronic use.

bm257 is more like a meter for electrician and its not 15$ more expensive its 2.5 times more expensive.

This all thread looks like a paid Brymen advertise though.

[dannyf]

This all thread looks like a paid Brymen advertise though.

[mtdoc]

bm257 is more like a meter for electrician

Clearly you've never used one.

It's all about buying quality...

[Lightages]

The UT61E is fine for bench use and has 22,000 count vs the 6,000 count for the BM257S. It also has a bit higher accuracy and comes with a PC communications kit and software. It does not have temperature, back light, speed, good input prtection nor the build quality of the Brymen. The BM257S is 2x the price.

If you are just going to use your meter for electronics and stay away from high energy circuits then I would say that the UT61E is maybe a better buy. You can get two almost for the same price and have dual measurement capability which is quite useful. You could also just get a UT136C as a second meter. It has temperature measurement and costs less than $25.

If you have any idea that you will be measuring high energy circuits like house wiring then get the BM257S. It is a great meter and built safely. It will outlast any Uni-T product easily.

[SeanB]

I have both, and use them both. they are mostly aimed for different applications, the BM251 I have is more aimed to electrical work and the UT61E is more aimed for electronics where you want the larger number of digits. But both do the basics and both work well. YMMV.

[mtdoc]

I have both, and use them both. they are mostly aimed for different applications, the BM251 I have is more aimed to electrical work and the UT61E is more aimed for electronics where you want the larger number of digits. But both do the basics and both work well. YMMV.

The Brymen BM251 is a different meter than the BM257.  The 257 is in an entirely different class and has several electronics specific features lacking on the 251 --  Capacitance, true RMS, LoZ, Crest, min/max record, temperature, etc.
See HERE

The 251 would not be a good choice for an electronics bench multimeter IMO. But the 257 is an excellent choice.

As stated the UniT has higher counts (occasionally important) and a lower price but is lacking some of the useful features of the BM257, is less safe for anything high energy, and most importantly IMO - it is a much, much lower quality build.

[Flump]

i have the ex330 and the 61E

the 61E is really a very good meter and streaks ahead of the ex330
and my 61E is well within spec on every mode and more accurate
than the ex330 when i tested them using my refferences

[winfreak]

Guys, please don't confuse me, now I don't really know what to do lol.
And no, the UT61E is only 15€ less here in Germany.

I want to work with high voltages as well as very low voltages at the same time, so I'd want my meter with a bit of protection, and to me (and according to this board) the UT61E just looks a bit dodgy to me compared to the BM257S (which btw. also has data logging functionality), so do the upgraded counts really weigh up to the missing build quality?

i have the ex330 and the 61E

the 61E is really a very good meter and streaks ahead of the ex330
and my 61E is well within spec on every mode and more accurate
than the ex330 when i tested them using my refferences

I meant security specs, not measurement specs - if they had been out of spec in measurements, I wouldn't have considered them in the first place.

Still, thanks anyone for commenting. It really helps. Or confuses lol.

[mtdoc]

Do you really need more than 6000 counts?

Most people don't.  Have you ever seen Dave need more than 6000 count resolution in any of his videos?

I have several meters including a Fluke 87V, and HP3478A and Fluke 8842A bench meters.  The BM257 gets used the most.

If high counts is what you crave - get the UniT

If a high quality, safe, accurate, feature rich electronics bench multimeter is what you want- get the BM257.

How's that for a Brymen advertisement?

[rolycat]

I'd get the BM257 and something like a UT136C if your budget will run to it.

Total cost should be around 100 Euros and two multimeters are much better than one.

[gildasd]

Apparently you can do a lot with a cheap "SInometer":

[winfreak]

Wrong thread?

[gildasd]

Woops...

Multimeter,  oscilloscope, smuzimeteroscpe...

[winfreak]

Actually, there IS such a thing: http://www.pce-instruments.com/deutsch/index.htm?id=FROOGLE&_artnr=19632&_p=291.55&_pmode=0&_pbexkey=4&_date=20140714015002&_pbhash=8816e432fc5e01d602b58584e78e4dc44d15beadc5978da975ff0332466d0157&gclid=Cj0KEQjw_42eBRDHqcG1psmtneEBEiQAWPL8WKUVVS1gX2A7QsLpuah3J1bH_VJF-el521mPj6-OIrwaAt6a8P8HAQ

But that's wayy too offtopic right now

[markce]

In EU UT61e is Eur 80 and BM257s Eur 84 nearly the same price.
Just to clarify, in no way am I commercially involved in Brymen or resellers of Brymen.
For me, it's just that the BM257s would be the MM of choice if I needed one now.
And how much is 5% of 2000? A 6000 count meter is really sufficient for the real accuracy offered
in this price range.

[winfreak]

Well, I also kind off tend to the Brymen - but I'll read what the others have to say. You never can have too much info

[Lightages]

Well if you insist on buying inside or Europe, the BM257S, without a doubt. The German GS version of the UT61E is different than the international version in that it has improved input protection but still not as good as the BM257S.

The UT61E can be purchased on ebay for under $58 USD shipped.

Get the BM257S and don't look back. If you can swing the extra money the PC connection kit is a nice addition.

Disclamer: I intend to start selling Brymens soon. This choice was made after buying 3 different Brymens and using them. My opinion on how good Brymens are is not swayed by my selling them but rather the other way around.

[jay]

Do you really need more than 6000 counts?

Even less is enough most of the time. There are situations when a lot of digits is nice.. I have these small solar powered devices (IoT stuff) that charge really slowly. With enough digits I can see the battery voltage climbing slowly up or slowly declining if it's not charging. Sure, measuring current is an option but connecting the meter between the device and the battery is much more effort. In this use case I don't really need absolute accuracy, just enough digits. I can think of few other use cases but those are rare for me.

One vote for UT61 series.

[winfreak]

Well if you insist on buying inside or Europe, the BM257S, without a doubt. The German GS version of the UT61E is different than the international version in that it has improved input protection but still not as good as the BM257S.

The UT61E can be purchased on ebay for under $58 USD shipped.

Get the BM257S and don't look back. If you can swing the extra money the PC connection kit is a nice addition.

Disclamer: I intend to start selling Brymens soon. This choice was made after buying 3 different Brymens and using them. My opinion on how good Brymens are is not swayed by my selling them but rather the other way around.

Probably I should get both, then

[ProBang2]

In EU UT61e is Eur 80 and BM257s Eur 84 nearly the same price.
[...]

84 € for the Brymen BM-257? Where to buy?
Can you post a link to the source, please?

[Lightages]

http://www.tme.eu/en/details/bm257/portable-digital-multimeters/brymen/bm257s/#

add VAT and shipping of course.

or it can be purchased for $135 USD shipped to your door by our friend iloveelectronics here on the forums. I am not sure he has any of the latest version yet, BM257S, but he might soon.

[winfreak]

That would be about the same than buying it from TME.
It's almost exactly 100€ (Price + VAT + Shipping) but that is fine with me as that was my limit.

[Wytnucls]

Second-hand Gossen 31,000 count, AC+DC 18S usually sells for 100 euros on eBay.

Make an offer on this one if you want a sturdy all-round meter:
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Multimeter-Gossen-Metrawatt-METRAHit-18s-Isolationsmessgerat-/221466732162?pt=Mess_Pr%C3%BCftechnik&hash=item3390722682

[winfreak]

That is close to 200€. Way too much, even with the offer I won't get it down to 100€.

[Wytnucls]

If the seller doesn't take your generous offer of 100 Euros, you haven't lost anything and besides, those meters come up regularly for less, so only some patience is required.

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Multimeter-digital-Gossen-Metrawatt-Metrahit-18s-voll-funktionfahig-Profigerat-/251566968792?pt=Mess_Pr%C3%BCftechnik&hash=item3a928f4fd8

http://www.utwente.nl/tnw/onderwijs/Practica_TNW/doc/apparatuur/multimeters/metrahit18s.pdf

[winfreak]

If I will get my hands on one, I might consider this instead of the Brymen. Looks like a higher resolution version of the Brymen, really.

[Wytnucls]

Some advantages:
31,000 count (0.05%+3)
AC+DC
double the AC bandwidth (20kHz)
4VDC diode test (instead of 1.6V)
auto Hold
clock
dB
event counter
German engineering 

[markce]

Com'on, its a very nice meter (the 18S), but Eur200 for a used one and was how much new?
If we switch to Eur 500 meters there are more examples that shine.

[Wytnucls]

Yes, like this mint 20,000 count Fluke from Gazelle:

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/(fs-belgium)-fluke-8060a-dmm-100-ok/

[winfreak]

Guys, my limit is the 100€ mark. I won't go higher than that, I can't go higher than that (to be more exact) because I'm just a student and don't have so much money lol.
EDIT: I really don't like the concept of the Fluke you've posted. Also, probes don't seem to come with it.



And again, is that massive resolution really key? Where do I need more than 6000 counts?

[Wytnucls]

Voltcraft VC870 40,000 count:

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Digital-Multimeter-VC870-CAT-IV-600-V-40000-Counts-Auto-Range-True-RMS-Messung-/301243833492?pt=Mess_Pr%C3%BCftechnik&hash=item4623881c94

http://www.ebay.de/itm/TRMS-Digital-Multimeter-m-Messleitungen-VC800-Serie-124609-UZ-30D-/251513237392?pt=Mess_Pr%C3%BCftechnik&hash=item3a8f5b6f90

[winfreak]

> Has only CE sign
> You have no idea how it looks from the inside (other than if you have it)
> It looks like a rebranded UNI-T - It's a Voltcraft, Conrad's own brand...

"And again, is that massive resolution really key? Where do I need more than 6000 counts?"

[mtdoc]

It seems that for some, higher resolution size "counts" for bragging rights. For others size doesn't matter...

Realistically, for many tasks I think very high counts can be more of a hindrance than a help, just distracting one from the task at hand. In this way I think it's nice that some meters, like the Fluke 87V, force you to push and hold a button to get the higher counts.

[Wytnucls]

Where do you need more than 2,000 counts? Why do people buy the Brymen 869 with a 500,000 count?
If you're all set for the Brymen 257, go for it.
I'm just showing you that many meters are available, for about the same price, with vastly superior features.
In the end, buy what you're happy with.
You did ask for advice, take it or leave it.

(UNI-T makes some meters for Conrad, to Conrad's specifications. They also make a few low cost meters for Fluke in China).


 

[Wh1sper]

Apparently you can do a lot with a cheap "SInometer":

Whow!
Thank You for this!
I took a look at the story behind.
Hats off! for the engineering idea to build a wave file for steering x/Y axis! Genius!
When I have time, I think this would be a huge adventure to play with.

 

[winfreak]

Quote from: Wytnucls on Today at 20:19:09

Where do you need more than 2,000 counts? Why do people buy the Brymen 869 with a 500,000 count?
If you're all set for the Brymen 257, go for it.
I'm just showing you that many meters are available, for about the same price, with vastly superior features.
In the end, buy what you're happy with.
You did ask for advice, take it or leave it.

(UNI-T makes some meters for Conrad, to Conrad's specifications. They also make a few low cost meters for Fluke in China).

First of all, the Brymen has a 6,000 count, not 2,000. But the question I asked was: Where do I need it? As you can read from the title, I am quite a beginner and have not so much clue about what's going on, so I asked in this forum. Now, just because the Brymen is *currently* my favorite doesn't mean that can't change, although it's the "benchmark" now. And yeah, why DO people buy 500,000 count meters, I'd really like to know, that's why I asked =)! What is it good for? What are the advantages?

And well, what, to you, is superior? The Gossen Metrawatt one is really nice and will probably outperform the Brymen with ease, but it isn't really affordable (or only if you are lucky, which I try to be in my eBay sessions, looking for that meter), the Voltcraft is (probably) a UNI-T clone and no one has experience with it. Other than a higher count size, I heaven't found any superior things about it!

I thank you for all your effort in showing me better meters, but please tell me briefly: why? (other than those buzz words like "it outperforms this or that", I'd like to know the reasons behind!)

[Wytnucls]

As a beginner with limited funds, I would say buy the cheapest meter you can find and play with low power circuits for a while, until you know what you need.
You may decide by then, that an oscilloscope is a more pressing requirement than a fancy multimeter.

[winfreak]

As a beginner with limited funds, I would say buy the cheapest meter you can find and play with low power circuits for a while, until you know what you need.
You may decide by then, that an oscilloscope is a more pressing requirement than a fancy multimeter.

I already bought an oscilloscope, Voltcraft 6100 (2CH, 100MHz), which is plenty enough for what I need. I already know the basics, but I want to advance now =)

[Bored@Work]

I thank you for all your effort in showing me better meters, but please tell me briefly: why? (other than those buzz words like "it outperforms this or that", I'd like to know the reasons behind!)

In the end you have to answer that for yourself. It is your money, you have to make the decision, and you have to live with the consequences of your decision. It is part of growing up.

You give the impression that you want to get your decision handed to you on a silver plate. That won't happen. You will have to learn by yourself what is a good multimeter for you, what the specs mean and what you need for your tasks. As a student, what about a trip to your university's library and getting a textbook about the principles of measuring electrical quantities? We are just a bunch or random dudes on the Internet, throwing suggestions and opinions of what we like around. We won't fix your problem, whatever it is, and we won't have to live with the result of your decision.

By the way, it also doesn't help that you are giving mixed messages. On one hand you want to get the most for your money. On the other hand you question better specifications over worse ones.

[winfreak]

I thank you for all your effort in showing me better meters, but please tell me briefly: why? (other than those buzz words like "it outperforms this or that", I'd like to know the reasons behind!)

In the end you have to answer that for yourself. It is your money, you have to make the decision, and you have to live with the consequences of your decision. It is part of growing up.
This forum if really nice and I love what I've read so far, so I hope I stepped on nobodys toe, if so, I'm sorry :/

You give the impression that you want to get your decision handed to you on a silver plate. That won't happen. You will have to learn by yourself what is a good multimeter for you, what the specs mean and what you need for your tasks. As a student, what about a trip to your university's library and getting a textbook about the principles of measuring electrical quantities? We are just a bunch or random dudes on the Internet, throwing suggestions and opinions of what we like around. We won't fix your problem, whatever it is, and we won't have to live with the result of your decision.

By the way, it also doesn't help that you are giving mixed messages. On one hand you want to get the most for your money. On the other hand you question better specifications over worse ones.

To the first part: You are actually right that I should do some research myself (which I am in the process right now, the forum is just a side-car kinda thing), but with the second part you are wrong. I don't question better specs, but if the multimeter is a good quality and SAFE one. If you never had it (or it's double the price I wanted to spend) it doesn't really match.
 
I wanted to hear your opinions on meters you actually owned and saw with your own eyes, not something one can research easily on the net - this was the whole purpose of the thread. Some people here told me the UT61E was great and they used it: OK, granted, I will take it into consideration, then again, others told me the Brymen was king of the hill and safer than the UT61E, which is why I would probably consider it OVER the other one. But what Wytnucls is doing is, he searches on eBay by spec and then just posts them here without having ever had that specific meter (at least that's how it sounds). We want to discuss about stuff, that's why we are on a forum, right? Just posting links isn't going to help, it isn't really what I wanted, I just wanted a nice discussion of meters you knew that were in that price range and in spec.

To clarify myself: I know I have to do the research on my own and buy it on my own, but I just wanted to have a nice discussion of what *could* be a good choice and what is definitely not.

Now, I hope I could bring the point across (which is quite hard for me, I'm sorry ) but thanks *anyone* for trying to contribute to my infinitely lasting mission on finding good meters

[Wytnucls]

'Now, my main question is: What meter can you suggest that is like those 3 and is actually in spec but in a price range that doesn't go well beyond 100€?
'

You didn't ask for advice from owners only.

Few people would question the quality of Fluke or Gossen meters, no matter how old they are.
I do own a couple of Gossen meters, but they are priced well above your budget. As for Voltcraft, a quick trip to the nearest Conrad will confirm that they do sell safe and affordable meters with a reasonable built quality and good warranty.

[markce]

For a beginner, I think the price point (sub Eur 100) is good. There are a number
of good meters in this range. There is no best meter for everybody. The final
choice is a personal preference.
With a used multimeter, be carefull. Why is it sold? Options and repair can be very
expensive (Gossen, Fluke).
For a starter I would choose a new one, and opt for a better (used) one later.

[mtdoc]

Of course the real issue here is there are trade-offs that have to be made, the main one being quality of build/safety versus high counts and other features.

My approach to tools in general is to focus on quality - since I like to be able to depend on my tools and for them to last.

The UT61E gives high counts while sacrificing quality and safety.

Brymen in general provides excellent quality for the price.  The BM257 is at your price point -where I don't think it can be beat for value/quality/features. The only sacrifice is number of counts  which as discussed is rarely important (above a minimum).

Of course Fluke and Metrawatt have well deserved reputations for high quality - but you'll pay for it.

I agree that a new meter is the way to go - especially if buying your main multimeter at a price that is going to be maxing out your budget.  A meter that has problems or does not last long will leave you high and dry - why risk that?

FWIW - my advice is buy a new, high quality meter now. After you have your go to multimeter - if you need a second meter then it's ok to risk buying a cheapy (the UT 136 is a good choice).

Later  on if you find you want or need really high resolution - buy a used, high quality bench meter like a vintage HP, Fluke or Keithley. 

[Lightages]

Wytnucls has the best intentions to help. So does anyone who is responding here. The problem is that if you ask 10 people about which is the best of anything, you usually get at least 5 different answers. The majority, and I, all think that your best buy as a beginner is the BM257S if you can afford it. It will serve you well in safety, quality, accuracy and features.It has the possibility of buying the PC kit later. Is it cheap? No. Nothing of quality is cheap. Do you NEED 22,000 counts? NO. Will you want temperature, back light, proper input protection, fast reading updates, nicer test leads, 5ms peak measurement, low Z option, and non-contact voltage detector? At least 5 of the above will be on your wish list in the future.

Conclusion? Just buy the BM257S and be confident that you have purchased quality that won't let you down when you need it. The UT61E is not a bad buy either but the BM257S is so much more versatile and better built that you won't wish you had purchased the UT61E. You might feel that you should have purchased the BM257S instead though if you buy the UT61E.

Yes I had had both so my opinion isn't skewed by my pride of purchase. Are there other options? Yes, but in my opinion nothing that beats the BM257S for close to the same money.

[Wytnucls]

I was here to broaden his horizons, not to push a specific meter.
If, in the end, he is happy to pay 100 Euros for a cute 6,000 count meter, that's fine by me.

[Lightages]

Like I said, 5 different opinions. Yours is just as valid as mine.   

I guess it might appear that I am trying to push one specific meter but I was just afraid of causing analysis paralysis. If one of the Gossens you mentioned in good condition can be had for 100€ then that would be great buy.

[rolycat]

I was here to broaden his horizons, not to push a specific meter.
If, in the end, he is happy to pay 100 Euros for a cute 6,000 count meter, that's fine by me.

(Almost) in the immortal words of Douglas Adams:

He doesn't want to be interested. He doesn’t want to be stimulated or relaxed, or have his horizons broadened. He just wants to be rescued (from not being able to choose a multimeter).

[larsdenmark]

To the first part: You are actually right that I should do some research myself (which I am in the process right now, the forum is just a side-car kinda thing), but with the second part you are wrong. I don't question better specs, but if the multimeter is a good quality and SAFE one. If you never had it (or it's double the price I wanted to spend) it doesn't really match.

I'll tell you what I did. I really want a Brymen 869 multimeter since it has very nice specs and is considered to be quite safe. On the other hand it costs 200€ so I really wanted something cheaper (for now). The Brymen 867 is only 130€ which is close to your (and mine) price range, but it doesn't do temperature, which I need.

The solution for me was to go for the UNI-T 61C, which has OK specs and OK safety (as long as you don't do any high power stuff ;-). It is only 50€.

Once I need to have two multimeters I get to buy something better than I already have (and one can only imagine what that will be in say 2 years time) and I don't have to use the new and better multimeter for temperature measurements (where the 61C is more than adequate and progress over the years expected to be minor).

The 61C is more than I need at the moment, but I only do low voltage, low power electronics.

[torr032]

I already bought an oscilloscope, Voltcraft 6100 (2CH, 100MHz), which is plenty enough for what I need. I already know the basics, but I want to advance now =)

What?

You firstly spent out a shit of money for a fairly priced oscilloscope (I am sure there are cheaper but better alternatives there).

Then you gripe you don't have money, not a €1 over 100€ and you wrote a mile long posts questioning why to own a multimeter that is over 6000 counts?

This is not a Brymen 257 edvertise, no way at all.......)))

[winfreak]

I already bought an oscilloscope, Voltcraft 6100 (2CH, 100MHz), which is plenty enough for what I need. I already know the basics, but I want to advance now =)

What?

You firstly spent out a shit of money for a fairly priced oscilloscope (I am sure there are cheaper but better alternatives there).

Then you gripe you don't have money, not a €1 over 100€ and you wrote a mile long posts questioning why to own a multimeter that is over 6000 counts?

This is not a Brymen 257 edvertise, no way at all.......)))

I don't get what you are trying to tell me. The scope was rather cheap, that's why I have it. I have NOWHERE mentioned that 100€ was my absolute limit, but if you compare 200€ and higher to 100€, you see that this goes in sort of the wrong direction.

[torr032]

Honestly I never met someone why firstly bought an oscilloscope and then wants to buy a multimeter to learn more.
You bought a scope without help, but for a dmm you asking for an advice?

[winfreak]

Quote from: torr032 on Today at 14:52:02

Honestly I never met someone why firstly bought an oscilloscope and then wants to buy a multimeter to learn more.
You bought a scope without help, but for a dmm you asking for an advice?

I know it sounds stupid but that's the way it is, obviously. Before I bought the scope, I had no idea about the EEVBlog forum, that's probably why I did it without asking.


EDIT: If I wouldn't have come here first, I probably would have bought the UT61E, blindly, sort off.

[torr032]

Well if you have a good scope and you want to learn more I presume you are an elektroniker. There is no way you will learn more with a Brymen257.

For elektronik, the bare minimum you will need is a UT61e, its possibilities are hard to beat. Deutschland GS version has an improved protection.

[Wytnucls]

I have NOWHERE mentioned that 100€ was my absolute limit, but if you compare 200€ and higher to 100€, you see that this goes in sort of the wrong direction.

You didn't read the posts very well. Nowhere did I recommend spending 200 Euros on a multimeter. I suggested you offer the Gossen seller 100 Euros, as that is the going rate for a Gossen 18S.

[winfreak]

I have NOWHERE mentioned that 100€ was my absolute limit, but if you compare 200€ and higher to 100€, you see that this goes in sort of the wrong direction.

You didn't read the posts very well. Nowhere did I recommend spending 200 Euros on a multimeter. I suggested you offer the Gossen seller 100 Euros, as that is the going rate for a Gossen 18S.

Which doesn't mean the seller will accept that. If he puts it in for 200€, I doubt he will accept a 100€ offer, but that's just my eBay experience. Might be that EEs are a little more generous

IF I had the chance to get such a Gossen meter, I would take it, of course.

[Wytnucls]

You don't know if you don't try. He couldn't sell it, so it will probably come up again.