Searching for a basic multimeter with max hold, dutycycle etc.

[Robomeds]

Not long ago I posted a teardown of my BK 5390 meter.  That meter was sold in Europe as a Metrix MX56 or such meter.  It was part of a family of meters and was sold under several names.  It's a VERY good meter and through ebay I got mine for ~$30.  It does have the peak hold and duty cycle measurements.  I'm not suggesting you can hop on ebay and find one without trouble (unlike a Fluke 87) but if you do find one it's a great meter and seems to go for very little. 

[Wytnucls]

A lot of online sellers list it as obsolete and unavailable, though.
I found a company in France which advertises the meter on their site, but there is no price mentioned. I suspect it will be on the high side, but it is probably worth asking for a quote if you're interested.
http://www.motralec.com/telecharger/Metrix_MX_56_55_54_53.pdf
http://www.motralec.com/appareil_de_mesure_metrix_mx56.html

[Zbig]

Without hijacking this thread too much, I can say yes they are a serious company. The make very good meters, and they are the OEM for some Amprobe, Extech, and other brands. Some of their meters are also rebranded as Greenlee, some MiniPa in Brazil etc....

You can complete confidence in their meters. I have had some email conversations with Brymen and have mentioned that their site is causing them to lose sales but they seem rather unconcerned.

I don't have any reason not to trust you, guys. Actually the BM257 seems very reasonable. Maybe I'll supplement my "temporary" UT33A/UT33C combo with this one.

[danb35]

A couple of reviews of the Brymens:
Dave's:
Martin's: (this is on the BM251, which is missing a few features compared to the 257 but shares very similar construction).

Dave's review is a quick look at three different Brymen meters rather than an in-depth review of any of them, but still gives a pretty good overview of the line.  He seems to like the 257.

[johnk]

I think I will save up for the Brymen B257. Thanks for all your help!

[Sigmoid]

I was considering the Brymens, but in the end I just decided to buy a guaranteed, "like new" used Fluke 87-V from Amazon. It cost $260 with the E2 kit of leads and connectors.

I found that I'm dead in the water with only 1 multimeter, and since one I have is a "cheapie" (a BK Precision - awesome meter btw, but no peak hold), I wanted to go with a recognized, reliable piece of equipment.

[Wytnucls]

Well, we went from 60$ to 135$, so there is no limit on price anymore.
At 130$, the UT-71C would be far more useful on the electronic bench than the Brymen. 40,000 count, triple display, AC+DC, internal and PC data-logging, just to mention a few advantages. Of course, if input protection is the main concern, the Brymen wins.
Although, it looks like the Batronix version has upgraded protection with 1000V HRC fuses, according to the listing.

http://www.batronix.com/shop/multimeter/multimeter-ut71c.html
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Uni-T-UT71C-Intelligent-Digital-Multimeter-USB-2-PC-/320622461673?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aa69682e9

[Lightages]

Don't forget the horrible burden voltage on the UT71C, the slow update rate, and the painfully slow continuity tester. It does have PC logging included in the price, True RMS +DC, internal data logging 100 points, will light up and test LEDs, and measures down to 1pF on capacitance.

The Brymen BM257 is faster and MUCH better protected on the inputs and is also much better built over all. It also has an "Auto Check" setting for automatic detection of voltage or resistance and an electric field detection function for checking for live wires without touching them.  If you are tempted to use the meter on anything else other than just electronics then the Brymen is much safer.

So I agree, the UT-71C is a better multimeter for the bench for electronics if you can live its failings.

[johnk]

Why has the choice to be so difficult?
Since I'm thinking of spending a little more I also watched the 100$ shootout and liked the Uei DM391, although it has no true rms (I can get it at the American Amazon for about 90$, witch is pretty good I think). But do I need true rms? I could live with it if the measurement of a 1kHz squarewave would have a precision of +-10%, I just need to know frequencys roughly to know if the code does what I try to program.
Also I'm quite confused about duty cycle. Is it accurate at squarewaves (PWMs) even though the multimeter doesn't support true rms?

I'm sorry my decision takes so long, but there are just to many multimeters on the market

[Wytnucls]

Most lowly non-true RMS DMMs can measure a square wave frequency and duty cycle accurately; so should the DM391.

[Wytnucls]

Don't forget the horrible burden voltage on the UT71C, the slow update rate, and the painfully slow continuity tester.

The burden voltage is not so bad actually. Probably average in that price range. It starts at 5.2mV/mA on the mA range with a 3V supply and drops to 3mV/mA at 5V. About 1/2 the burden voltage of the UT61E. The update rate is more than adequate on the 4,000 count selection. Continuity is slow, but latched.
Have you measured the burden voltage on the Brymen?

[Lightages]

If you are willing to spend $90, you might also consider the Amprobe AM-270:
http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/amprobe/multimeters/am-270.htm
It is missing duty cycle but otherwise is very full featured and very well built. It has True RMS.

For under $60, the choices are still the UT61E or the Digitek DT-2843R

If you want to spend the $ then the Brymen BM-257 or the UT71C. My PERSONAL preference goes to the Brymen.

[Lightages]

Don't forget the horrible burden voltage on the UT71C, the slow update rate, and the painfully slow continuity tester.

The burden voltage is not so bad actually. Probably average in that price range. It starts at 5.2mV/mA on the mA range with a 3V supply and drops to 3mV/mA at 5V. About 1/2 the burden voltage of the UT61E. The update rate is more than adequate on the 4,000 count selection. Continuity is slow, but latched.
Have you measured the burden voltage on the Brymen?

I have not measured the burden voltage, just the resistance of the input while in current modes:

BM257
uA        102 ohms
mA        1.9 ohms

UT71E
uA         499 ohms
mA          5.3 ohms

Yes the UT71X series is not as bad as the UT61E, but still not as good as the Brymens.

The continuity test speed is really slow, too slow to be useful in many applications. Yes, in 4000 count mode the update rate is very good.

[alm]

People don't like the 87-V for its features (features almost seem inversely proportional to quality in some price brackets), but for its overall quality without major flaws (as long as you keep cellphones away from the older models ) and reputation. Given the long life and the number of users it's unlikely that there are many undiscovered flaws in that meter, unlike a more obscure meter which is rarely discussed. This makes it a very safe choice. I've usually been disappointed when I chose a lesser known model with better specs on paper over the more mainstream model.

The Fluke 87-V is also available in most parts of the world (eg. Europe), unlike Sanwa.

[Sigmoid]

People don't like the 87-V for its features (features almost seem inversely proportional to quality in some price brackets), but for its overall quality without major flaws (as long as you keep cellphones away from the older models ) and reputation. Given the long life and the number of users it's unlikely that there are many undiscovered flaws in that meter, unlike a more obscure meter which is rarely discussed. This makes it a very safe choice. I've usually been disappointed when I chose a lesser known model with better specs on paper over the more mainstream model.

The Fluke 87-V is also available in most parts of the world (eg. Europe), unlike Sanwa.

Yep. It has what I need. I think I'll later get a used bench meter to get the extra fine resolution, when I can get my hands on one cheap, but for now, confidence and maintainability is most important.

[dr_p]

for 50$+36$ shiping to EU=86$ I would consider this ex-demo IP67 meter that looks to be an Extech EX50x rebrand:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MutiMeter-Autoranging-Meter-/151119323220?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item232f69e054


I also like the color better

[Lightages]

That meter appears o to be made by CEM, which is the OEM for many their brands including Extech EX series. The EX series from Extech have been reported to have many quality control problems. I would avoid them.

[Robomeds]

If you are willing to spend $90, you might also consider the Amprobe AM-270:
http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/amprobe/multimeters/am-270.htm
It is missing duty cycle but otherwise is very full featured and very well built. It has True RMS.

For under $60, the choices are still the UT61E or the Digitek DT-2843R

If you want to spend the $ then the Brymen BM-257 or the UT71C. My PERSONAL preference goes to the Brymen.

The Amprobe is a Bryman with a different box.  Probably a BM810a or similar. 

[Robomeds]

for 50$+36$ shiping to EU=86$ I would consider this ex-demo IP67 meter that looks to be an Extech EX50x rebrand:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MutiMeter-Autoranging-Meter-/151119323220?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item232f69e054


I also like the color better

As was just stated that's a new version of the CEM meter.  Sears Craftsman versions can be found for ~$40 or so on ebay. 

[ModemHead]

As was just stated that's a new version of the CEM meter.  Sears Craftsman versions can be found for ~$40 or so on ebay.

I don't know whether this is typical of all CEM meters or not, but a Craftsman EX505-equivalent that I recently took apart was not exactly a model of manufacturing precision.

[Wytnucls]

CEM quality control standards are pretty low (Some would say non-existent). The meter enclosures are usually well made and rugged, but the PCBs often have bodge wires snaking across traces and some hurried hand-soldering.
They have made an effort recently in respect of input protection. Most of their meters are now equipped with proper HRC fuses of required ratings and a few are GS listed.

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

[Lightages]

If you are willing to spend $90, you might also consider the Amprobe AM-270:
http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/amprobe/multimeters/am-270.htm
It is missing duty cycle but otherwise is very full featured and very well built. It has True RMS.

The Amprobe is a Bryman with a different box.  Probably a BM810a or similar.

Actually the Amprobe AM-270 is the Brymen BM815A in a different housing. It costs more than the AM-270.

[Robomeds]

As was just stated that's a new version of the CEM meter.  Sears Craftsman versions can be found for ~$40 or so on ebay.

I don't know whether this is typical of all CEM meters or not, but a Craftsman EX505-equivalent that I recently took apart was not exactly a model of manufacturing precision.

Dave found some issues with the first Extech (CEM) used in his $100 shoot out.  I don't think it's just Sears.