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So this is how it starts...

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J-R:
Buyers typically fit into a few obvious categories, such as "cheap, cheap, cheap", "bargain hunters" and "money is no object".

I think buying "cheap" is a major problem in our current disposable society, so I frown upon that path.

Personally, I am pretty solid in the "bargain hunters" category, which suits me well.  I like having quality stuff but don't want to pay for it, so I typically buy used or "broken" or smokin' deals on new.

"Money is no object" appears fine if you have the cash to burn, but it almost always leads to eccentric results where you focus too much of your buying power in one area.


The DE-5000 is really the lowest you should go if shopping for a new LCR meter.  Trying to reach $50 instead of $100 is just not worth it.  If you're really that poor or tight, then just use your scope and function generator to calculate your inductors and capacitors!
Best place to buy is eBay, as there are a lot of sellers from Japan offering a wide variety of optional accessories.


Also in my opinion, a leading cause of TEA is not spending the money when you should, so you buy something that is just good enough but then the shortcomings become evident, so you have to buy something better.  Now you have two!  Just buy the better gear the first time.


The low-hanging-fruit really strikes me as that old handheld DMM, so I still vote for trying to get something modern.  The BM869s is great, but a close second in this case could be the BM829s if you're not a volt nut and want to save $60.
dBm specs:
"At 600 Ohms, -11.76dBm to 54.25d8m,
Accuracy: ± 0.25dB + 2d (@40Hz - 20kHz)
Input Impedance: 10M Ohms, 50pF nominal
Selectable reference impedance of 4, 8, 16, 32, 50, 75, 93, 110, 125, 135, 150, 200, 250, 300, 500, 600, 800, 900, 1000, 1200 Ohms"

$147.98 (USD) delivered:
https://www.welectron.com/Brymen-BM829s-Multimeter_1

Calaverasgrande:
I have been educated by the harsh whims of reality to the "buy once cry once" school of thought.
Every time I think I can get away with a budget option I get bitten for it.
ESPECIALLY with tools.
The Keithley was the result of lusting after their more modern DMMs which are always out of my reach.
The 175a is still not a 2000 series but it at least had me feeling like I'm moving in the right direction with dB mode and more precision.
But it does seem to fall short in a few areas.

J-R:
Hmm, to be honest I don't see the point in lusting after the Keithley 2000, as that pricey relic is better suited for hopelessly lost TEA members where specific features like the option slot may arouse them!  For everyone else, it can be clunky as a daily-use bench DMM and it's missing useful features like capacitance and reliability (leaky caps can be a problem).

If funds are really that tight, then maybe keep the 175A for now and fill in the gaps with the DE-5000.  Even if you eventually buy a modern bench DMM with all the bells and whistles, you'll still need an LCR meter.

Personally I am not a Siglent fan, but but perhaps contemplate the SDM3045X.  $399 new.  I do see that the manual states the reference resistance range for dBm is 50-8000 Ohms.  The K2000 is 1-9999 Ohms, but otherwise from a usability standpoint the SDM3045X is going to be a dream to use on a daily basis compared to the K2000 (or similar).

mojoe:
Don't stop with a few DMM's. You need one of these: https://www.sanwa-america.com/products/em7000-analog-multimeter-high-sensitivity-for-measurement-of-lower-capacitance

I've been wanting one for quite a while and recently bought one. I won't use it often, but there are times when an analog meter is needed. I can't use those bar graphs on some DMM's. You need a sync'ed stroboscope to follow it.

And if you work on old tube gear, you may need a traditional low impedance analog meter (like a Simpson). Some of the measurements will be off with a high impedance meter.

tautech:
Or an AVO……but how many are enough ?

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