New EEVBlog-Branded Multimeter Coming?

[EEVblog]

What I am wondering about, is that the felt majority of posts is about the ohm autoranging speed and other cosmetic deficiencies.

Autoranging speed is not a cosmetic problem (for those who actually use the meter). Same for beeper, etc, these are significant usability flaws. At least for me. I think most people underrate comfort and productivity of tools. I'm glad you consider this a "minor annoyance". But there are other opinions on this.

Alright, we get it. 
No need to post on this subject any more until Dave officially says "fixed/not fixable". 

And when I know, everyone will know.
It almost certainly can be improved.

[joeqsmith]

Loosy goosy range switch:
https://youtu.be/7E2Pjcogrho?t=5m28s
And that was April 2017, kinda disappointing it didn't 'get worked on'. 

It did.
That video is from April 2016, not 2017, see the date code on the back, that video wasn't released until much later. It was the first prototype that used a PIC24 processor. It was not the final range switch.
We have had no problems with the range switch since then. I'm surprised to hear about any issues to do with the range switch.

At the risk of being censored,  we did discuss problems with the switch.  I wonder with it now being intermittent if they did not reduce the spring pressure.   

[EEVblog]

It did.
That video is from April 2016, not 2017, see the date code on the back, that video wasn't released until much later. It was the first prototype that used a PIC24 processor. It was not the final range switch.
We have had no problems with the range switch since then. I'm surprised to hear about any issues to do with the range switch.

From the video it is hard to compare.  But here is a video of my range switch dancing:

Confirmed on the two remaining units we have here. This is not right, pre-production units have never done this.
This is the last problem we would have expected.
It has been reported as the highest priority, but it's now the weekend so I don't expect an immediate response.
In any case it will take them some time to investigate I'm sure.

[EEVblog]

At the risk of being censored,  we did discuss problems with the switch.  I wonder with it now being intermittent if they did not reduce the spring pressure.

Joe, I am not censoring anyone. I didn't want people constantly discussing stuff in the thread that is only for reporting and confirming issues.
Having an "issues" thread that's a 30 page long discussion kinda make it hard to find the issues for all involved...
I hope you can understand that.

And yes we improved the switch wear issue after you reported it, but the pre-production units that came after that were fine, and we have never had this "wobble" or intermittent contact issue. Not even the first "wobbly" prototype back in April 2016 had intermittent contacts. This seems to be a new issue.

[joeqsmith]

At the risk of being censored,  we did discuss problems with the switch.  I wonder with it now being intermittent if they did not reduce the spring pressure.

Joe, I am not censoring anyone. I didn't want people constantly discussing stuff in the thread that is only for reporting and confirming issues.
Having an "issues" thread that's a 30 page long discussion kinda make it hard to find the issues for all involved...
I hope you can understand that.

And yes we improved the switch wear issue after you reported it, but the pre-production units that came after that were fine, and we have never had this "wobble" or intermittent contact issue. Not even the first "wobbly" prototype back in April 2016 had intermittent contacts. This seems to be a new issue.

I assume you pulled my post when you bold texted me.  Maybe you have a different definition of censorship.  Really no matter.   I certainly understand that it is your site and you are free to do as you wish with it.   

On the switch,  I just wanted to be clear that your comment

"We have had no problems with the range switch since then.

  was not entirely true.  I will say that I never saw the wobble on the prototype.  If people watch the video where I had repaired it, I ran it outside the case.  The rotating spring contact holder what held in place by its locking barbs where it fits through the board.   Even then I don't think it was intermittent.    This is why I wonder if they had loosened the tension maybe to help reduce the wear.  If so, maybe they went too far with it.  Hard to say but it would be easy enough to compare them at some point.    With you unboxing a fair number of them to test, I would think if there was a major problem you would have come across it. 

Also, just an FYI, with as many meters as I have looked at, I have ran into problem with switches not working right from the factory.  One was a CEM.  I showed some pictures of it where one of the wiper contacts was lower than all the rest.  The plastic that it fits over was a bit wider for some reason spreading out the spring causing it to ride a little low.  A razor blade solved that one.   People seem to expect a lower level of quality from CEM.   They are a bit of a hit an miss company from what I see and it explains why they get a bad reputation.   

[EEVblog]

I assume you pulled my post when you bold texted me.  Maybe you have a different definition of censorship.  Really no matter.   I certainly understand that it is your site and you are free to do as you wish with it.   

I deleted a few non-relevant posts in the other thread trying to tidy it up, they contained nothing of importance.
I am NOT censoring anyone, say whatever you want in this thread or the main discussion thread, but PLEASE don't discuss things in the Issues thread, is that too much to ask?
I am trying to keep the Issues thread clean so that it contains a reasonably concise list of the issues and confirmations. UEi are reading this thread, I do not want them (and us) to have to look through a hundred page thread to reference the issues.

On the switch,  I just wanted to be clear that your comment

"We have had no problems with the range switch since then.

  was not entirely true.  I will say that I never saw the wobble on the prototype.  If people watch the video where I had repaired it, I ran it outside the case.  The rotating spring contact holder what held in place by its locking barbs where it fits through the board.   Even then I don't think it was intermittent.    This is why I wonder if they had loosened the tension maybe to help reduce the wear.  If so, maybe they went too far with it.  Hard to say but it would be easy enough to compare them at some point.    With you unboxing a fair number of them to test, I would think if there was a major problem you would have come across it. 

I'll repeat again, we had several more revisions after your unit, and none of them had any issues with the switch. This seems to be an entirely new issue in the production units.

[1anX]

Dave has confirmed the switch wobble is causing an issue, confirmed on the "Issues" thread.

I hope Dave will update us all on the switch and firmware solutions as soon as he has an idea, (discussed with UEi) the course of action to take.

I think an in-depth update via the EEV Blog channel would be much appreciated by all?

[Muttley Snickers]

Perhaps somebody should add a running list or index of confirmed concerns to the other 121GW thread so none get overlooked, they could also be indexed in order of priority in an effort to assist the UEI technicians.

[EEVblog]

Dave has confirmed the switch wobble is causing an issue, confirmed on the "Issues" thread.
I hope Dave will update us all on the switch and firmware solutions as soon as he has an idea, (discussed with UEi) the course of action to take.

Of course I will. When I know you'll know.
UEi don't speculate, so I have nothing to even speculatively tell you right now.

[joeqsmith]

I deleted a few non-relevant posts in the other thread trying to tidy it up, they contained nothing of importance.
I am NOT censoring anyone, say whatever you want in this thread or the main discussion thread, but PLEASE don't discuss things in the Issues thread, is that too much to ask?
I am trying to keep the Issues thread clean so that it contains a reasonably concise list of the issues and confirmations. UEi are reading this thread, I do not want them (and us) to have to look through a hundred page thread to reference the issues.

On the switch,  I just wanted to be clear that your comment

"We have had no problems with the range switch since then.

  was not entirely true.  I will say that I never saw the wobble on the prototype.  If people watch the video where I had repaired it, I ran it outside the case.  The rotating spring contact holder what held in place by its locking barbs where it fits through the board.   Even then I don't think it was intermittent.    This is why I wonder if they had loosened the tension maybe to help reduce the wear.  If so, maybe they went too far with it.  Hard to say but it would be easy enough to compare them at some point.    With you unboxing a fair number of them to test, I would think if there was a major problem you would have come across it. 

I'll repeat again, we had several more revisions after your unit, and none of them had any issues with the switch. This seems to be an entirely new issue in the production units.

"to delete (a word or passage of text) in one's capacity as a censor."   

I don't have anything further to add to the issues thread beyond what I have already posted.   

I have no problem with you making claims about revisions after the one I had looked at however, 

It was the first prototype that used a PIC24 processor. It was not the final range switch.  We have had no problems with the range switch since then. I'm surprised to hear about any issues to do with the range switch.

is not true.  The meter I have is certainly post PIC24 and there are problems with the switch design.  That's all I am saying.  I would have no way to know what changes they made after this revision or what testing they performed to validate it.  While I would like to assume they have done their due diligence, it does seem that there are still problems with it.   

[EEVblog]

"to delete (a word or passage of text) in one's capacity as a censor."   

Please get over it.

It was the first prototype that used a PIC24 processor. It was not the final range switch.  We have had no problems with the range switch since then. I'm surprised to hear about any issues to do with the range switch.

is not true.  The meter I have is certainly post PIC24 and there are problems with the switch design.  That's all I am saying.  I would have no way to know what changes they made after this revision or what testing they performed to validate it.  While I would like to assume they have done their due diligence, it does seem that there are still problems with it.

How can you state this is not true? you have no knowledge of this.
You have not seen the several revisions of meter after your unit.
I'm telling you that there was nothing wrong with these meters in regards to wobble intermittent contact, and you even admitted yourself that your unit had no such issues. The issue you had with the switch had nothing to do with the "wobble" or intermittent contact.
I'll state again for the last time, this is a new issue that has only appeared on the production units.

[joeqsmith]

"to delete (a word or passage of text) in one's capacity as a censor."   

Please get over it.

It was the first prototype that used a PIC24 processor. It was not the final range switch.  We have had no problems with the range switch since then. I'm surprised to hear about any issues to do with the range switch.

is not true.  The meter I have is certainly post PIC24 and there are problems with the switch design.  That's all I am saying.  I would have no way to know what changes they made after this revision or what testing they performed to validate it.  While I would like to assume they have done their due diligence, it does seem that there are still problems with it.

How can you state this is not true? you have no knowledge of this.
You have not seen the several revisions of meter after your unit.
I'm telling you that there was nothing wrong with these meters in regards to wobble intermittent contact, and you even admitted yourself that your unit had no such issues. The issue you had with the switch had nothing to do with the "wobble" or intermittent contact.
I'll state again for the last time, this is a new issue that has only appeared on the production units.

No problems means no problems.   I can believe there were no wobble or intermittent contact problems but there were certainly other problems relating to the switch after the PIC24.

[1anX]

It doesn't matter to me about what the details were of the past prototypes!

I'm concerned about the current production models and what I'm going to receive come March 2018. Its not so much about the existence of the problems encountered with the production model, but about how it will be fixed.

There are two items of concern and they are the current meters now delivered may have a hardware issue and how will this be addressed?

The Kickstarter way of buying a new meter is certainly a new experience for me, as it is without certainty or guarantee. I would not have engaged in the campaign if not for finding Dave and his blog to be 100% genuine. I'm certain the existing owners will be looked after and the next batch of meters will be fixed before being shipped.

Dave we need you to communicate a reassurance that hardware and firmware will be fixed. We are all reasonable people and understand this may take some time. Give us one of your EEVBlogs on how the Kickstarter project meters have some issues and whats needed to fix them. Give us some of your trademark sarcasm and humour and include us, (the backers) in how you progress from here. 

[EEVblog]

Dave we need you to communicate a reassurance that hardware and firmware will be fixed.

Hardware and firmware will be fixed, that is my intention.
But obviously this it outside of my personal physical control though, I am reliant upon the manufacturer to investigate and fix the issues.

[dcac]

Dave we need you to communicate a reassurance that hardware and firmware will be fixed.

Hardware and firmware will be fixed, that is my intention.
But obviously this it outside of my personal physical control though, I am reliant upon the manufacturer to investigate and fix the issues.

Sometimes when you found, or been made aware of, issues in DMMs you have done your own investigation video i.e. EEVblog #987 U1282A and EMC. From what I can tell that video is informative and factual and most likely helped the manufacture Keysight in their investigation.

And the 121GW is after all a production model now so it deserves to be scrutinized, especially with problems like the wobbly selector switch that was already thought (supposed) to have been fixed. Seems appropriate to make a video about it - taking that switch assembly apart. 

[joeqsmith]

And the 121GW is after all a production model now so it deserves to be scrutinized, especially with problems like the wobbly selector switch that was already thought (supposed) to have been fixed. Seems appropriate to make a video about it - taking that switch assembly apart.

Agree.  While finding unbiased information may be hard to come by, at least we are starting to see some of the problems.