Another DMM thread..

[cs.dk]

Now i have spend some time with the BM869, and i'm very happy with it. I'm feeling getting alot bang for the buck, though the size surprised me, it's quite big.
A really cool feature i like, is the display settings in various modes are saved, and set as default when you power it up again.
Being able to measure on VFD's is also great - Tested yesterday, the inverter showed 30.00 Hz and 143,5 V in the display. The BM869 was fluctuating between 29.99-30.00 Hz, 143,7V - Really good!
Another non RMS-meter shows 293 Volts, how is that possible? The frequencycounter in that meter was way off to..

The continuity-tester is fast, but i would like that to be latched. It can scratch a little, but thats no problem so far.
One thing that drives me crazy - Why the heck is it impossible to turn the backlight on for more than ~15 seconds? Can I hold a button when powering up or something?

[Lightages]

The back light has no adjustment. That is one thing I hate on almost all handheld multimeters, their lack of time selection for the back light. I would like the have the option of a couple of different timeouts, and never timeout.

Part of the reason for the BM869 to be so big is the size of the fuses and the high voltage rating. It needs a lot more space for this.

[con-f-use]

The back light has no adjustment. That is one thing I hate on almost all handheld multimeters, their lack of time selection for the back light. I would like the have the option of a couple of different timeouts, and never timeout.

Agilent U1271/72/73 have that.

[jimjam]

Why do people recommend Agilent U127x rather than U125x which has more counts and precision?

[nanofrog]

Why do people recommend Agilent U127x rather than U125x which has more counts and precision?

Never understood this myself, particularly as the U125x is designed for electronics use, and the prices I've seen are so close.

Pricing outside of the US drastically different maybe? 

[jimjam]

I wonder if it's because 127x is a higher number than 125x and therefore is _perceived_ as being the more superior model?

[saturation]

I have both.  The 72a is better made all around, a tough meter, made for taking out doors.  The 125x has more accuracy and precision but its not built as tough as the 72a and is better indoors.  If you need more accuracy, you are better off buying a used bench meter than the 125x; if you can only afford one all purpose DMM, and do not do a lot of out door testing, the 5x is a choice.

However, IMHO for US buyers I'd rather get a used Fluke 87V and refurbish it [ ~$150 at eBay] and a used 6.5 digit bench meter [$50-$300, the HP 3456a without ammeter or 3457a for its ammeter ] if I needed a field meter and an accurate lab meter.

I wonder if it's because 127x is a higher number than 125x and therefore is _perceived_ as being the more superior model?