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| Poll: Handheld meters with minimally-annoying auto power off (APO) |
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| Anthocyanina:
--- Quote from: bdunham7 on March 30, 2023, 07:55:14 pm ---I don't know if your analysis is really correct here--none of the meters will actually go back to exactly what they were doing in all cases AFAIK. On the Fluke 187/189, for example, it will go back to the first function of the dial setting that it is at, but if you have selected another function or manual range, it will forget that. Try it--set the meter to the VDC dial setting and then use the blue button to select AC+DC, then let it power off. When it comes back on, it will be back to plain VDC. Even if some other meters manage to get past that test, what happens if you had it in a manual range or were using REL or MIN-MAX? I'm betting at the very least it will lose the old REL and MIN-MAX values and it certainly won't have updated during its off time. I don't personally see much difference in annoyance levels since if I'm observing a reading over time or looking at MIN-MAX, just having the meter power off at all is more annoyance than I care to deal with. The only meter I use alonside bench meters for long-term observation is the Fluke 27, since it just stays on virtually forever, doesn't tip over and won't mind too much if I spill coffee on it. --- End quote --- fluke 117 also does this, can be brought back to life with a button, but will only go to the primary function of the position the knob is at |
| mwb1100:
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Brymen BM235. Best APO behavior ever: APO kicks in after 30 minutes of inactivity. Many meters consider "activity" (for APO purposes) to be button presses or selector rotation. However, the BM235 will reset the inactivity timer for any of these: 1) Rotary switch or push button operations 2) Significant measuring readings of above 8.5% of ranges 3) Non-OL readings for Resistance, Continuity or Diode function 4) Non-zero readings for Hz function 5) Electric field signal present for EF function 6) Significant movement indication as in Phase Rotation functions Meaning that it more or less won't APO if you are actually using the meter. The readings don't even have to change - they just need to be something significant. If it does APO, there's no beep (why would you need to be notified? you weren't using it anyway), and it can be turned on by pressing the SELECT button. Oh, it will disable APO if you're using the MIN/MAX recording. I think most (all?) meters turn off APO if you're doing any kind of recording. It has a decently long backlight, too (10 minutes). Backlights that turn off after only 15 seconds are just plain stupid. Even turning off after 30 seconds is irritating. Let *me* worry about the battery I'm using up with the backlight. |
| Fungus:
--- Quote from: bdunham7 on March 30, 2023, 07:55:14 pm ---I don't know if your analysis is really correct here--none of the meters will actually go back to exactly what they were doing in all cases AFAIK. On the Fluke 187/189, for example, it will go back to the first function of the dial setting that it is at, but if you have selected another function or manual range, it will forget that. Try it --- End quote --- Some very good points. I'll try it. The Brymen will obviously remember the function setting - it remembers it when you turn the dial or even power it off. --- Quote from: mwb1100 on March 30, 2023, 11:41:55 pm ---I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Brymen BM235. Best APO behavior ever Many meters consider "activity" (for APO purposes) to be button presses or selector rotation. However, the BM235 will reset the inactivity timer for any of these: 1) Rotary switch or push button operations 2) Significant measuring readings of above 8.5% of ranges 3) Non-OL readings for Resistance, Continuity or Diode function ...snip --- End quote --- Brymen calls it Intelligent Power Off ("IPO"). My BM857 does it, too. (despite not being one of the curvy "modern" ones that people seem to be obsessed with) |
| BillyO:
All 4.5 digit meters. Brymen BM786 - shuts off (after a long time) without a beep. Comes back where it left off pushing the select button (did not try others) Kaiweets HT118E (I think it to be the best meter for it's price) - shuts off with beep, no warning beep (but I did step out of the room for a minute). Comes back on to default function by pushing any button. Surpeer AV4 (don't judge) - Shuts off beep, has warning beep about 1 minute before shut off beep. Comes back on to default function by pushing the "PEAK" button. |
| Fungus:
--- Quote from: Fungus on March 31, 2023, 12:37:03 am ---Some very good points. I'll try it. --- End quote --- Yep, you're right. My Brymen keeps the function setting correctly but loses any 'Rel' values, etc. The Fluke 187 powers back on when I press a button but it's in the default function for the dial position. eg. If it powered off in continuity it will power back on in Ohms. That would be annoying if I was looking at AC+DC or something like that. I'll demote it. --- Quote from: bdunham7 on March 30, 2023, 07:55:14 pm ---I'm betting at the very least it will lose the old REL and MIN-MAX values and it certainly won't have updated during its off time. --- End quote --- Yep, those values are lost. You'd have to temporarily disable APO if you were doing that sort of measurement. It only takes a couple of seconds to do though so I don't think it's a biggie unless the battery is about to die. |
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