Uni-T UT181A pictures

[MCCSolutions]

Na don't be confused by the Engrish lol, not my first buy from them. Basically she is telling me that when and if I order additional units the PPU will change. But typically they are very negotiable anyhow. Besides that if the issue were pushed I would probably still pay the extra $50 in light of the cost of a Fluke 289. I do have a Fluke 287 with the executive package which I will be comparing to the UNI-T. 

[iloveelectronics]

Did they tell you how they were going to ship the package? I have a feeling that they might just be taking their chance to try to ship it by ordinary air mail. If the post office (in China) detects the lithium batteries the package could be returned...

[MCCSolutions]

I honestly have yet to have any issues with Air Mail but they also ship DHL and express. I'm ok with any of the options really. If it gets bumped I usually have them send me a unit via DHL. The last shipment I got was full of Baofeng Radios with no issues. Also some of them will also take it upon themselves to ship the units and the batteries separately. I guess we shall see lol 

***EDIT:

Ok its all good I got up with them and its on its Way! If anyone else needs one let me know, for most of the products in China, Japan, and some in South Korea I can get them below retail. Im actually currently in South Korea although Im American. 

[federikk]

hello,
did you finally get the 181a?
can you write a short review for us?


thank you!
federico

[jarvis]

I've heard from my friend mentioned that UT181a use a external reference IC. It will be lower drift.

[iloveelectronics]

Hi Franky,

Thanks for the photos so far.

If that is a Cyrustek ES51997

http://www.cyrustek.com.tw/spec/ES51997.pdf

can you confirm if the display update is 2/seconds?

hmmm does that mean it will have same drift issues like UT61E ?
@ franky, do you have time to test further? :p

I just did a quick test with the little Chinese voltage reference device and compared the readings to when I first got the unit a few months back. The least significant digit (4th decimal place) has drifted up by 1-2 digit. The same voltages remain pretty much still spot on when measured by the Agilent 34461A. But sorry, I haven't got time to do a thorough review on this meter yet

[MCCSolutions]

hello,
did you finally get the 181a?
can you write a short review for us?


thank you!
federico

Been away for a while and had to change the shipping address so it went to my house in the states then forwarded to me so hopefully I get it this week!

[federikk]

thank you everyone, and waiting for you to get and review it

is there anybody than can tell us if the dmm is worth it's price?

[federikk]

is there anybody than can tell us if the dmm is worth it's price?

not yet?

[Twasnow]

hello,
did you finally get the 181a?
can you write a short review for us?


thank you!
federico

Been away for a while and had to change the shipping address so it went to my house in the states then forwarded to me so hopefully I get it this week!

so did you ever get this?? you are still the only person to have ordered it off of aliexpress from that seller... did it come with the US style wall plug?

[Twasnow]

well i was thinking this could be a real deal ... but USD250 ... 

many sellers are selling it some with very good ratings (some that also sell on Amazon actually)  the cheapest I can find it is about 270 including shipping.

but I want to know how usable it is. Do I buy this or a 179 for the same price with no data logging, or do I swing for 730 bucks (CND) for a 289....

[Lightages]

If you want data logging and don't want to pay $700, have a look at the Brymen BM525. 80,000 records at up to 20 records per second. Price? Around $250 shipped and another $50 for the PC cable.

[federikk]

up!
any review??

[MCCSolutions]

Ok guys im finally stateside, i was in korea, and my UNI-t was sent to my address here in the US  . Well anyhow i have been using it alot the last few months and here is my take:

Design: 9/10
Functionality: 8/10
Accuracy: 9/10
Battery: 0/10 
Charger: 0/10 
Price: 
Ruggedness: 8/10
LCD Cover/Glass: 7/10
LCD Display: 10/10 
Accessories: 5/10
Leads: 8/10
Software: 10/10 
USB Cable: 7/10
Thermal Connector: 4/10   

Ok so first off I mainly use this for computer and general electronics repair, so accuracy to the .0000 to me is meh

I like the software and love the lcd! The LCD Glass(Its Plastic) is not very good though, my daughter struck it a few times with a Phillips screwdriver when playing and I noticed it really pits, and scratches fairly easily.



My Setup:



LCD:



The battery situation: UGG  , it came with a EURO charger and the plug adapter thing that sucks, it would not charge at all, it just kept cutting on and off when the charger was plugged in, I even tried letting it set overnight. I also changed the charger power supply but same result. SO I used a Sony DSLR Charger and Sony 2200mah batteries to rig it up. And I charged the cell that came with it(Blue one pictured) up directly also and it was bad.... But the Battery charge indicator on the display is correct. Oh well

The old battery:




My set up:






The only other bad thing really is the crappy thermal couplers it came with and the adapter, the T2 doesn't even work, even if you physically switch them....






The software and the USB interface however I love, it really doesn't have a noticeable lag either. It makes for a very simple and easy to use logger and it really gives a professional look.... The cable its self is meh, the wire seems low quality and I dont think it will last over a year of steady use without shorting. I do however like the IF idea it uses, it adds to the ruggedness and waterproofing and you dont have to worry about bending or breaking a USB port... 






In summery I would recommend it, especially for the price even given the headache I went threw with the charging situation which im sure is just a flaw in the one I got. If you are in the service industry and you are not going to use advanced functions I would recommend spending the same price on this UNI-T vs getting a simple Fluke DMM for the same price because this will give you a much more professional look and make a better impression on your customers.

[Maxlor]

Sorry to hear about your charging troubles. Your cutting of the case though... 

Btw, if the charging circuitry is the same as on the UT171B, you can charge it with your bench power supply. Hook up GND to COM Jack, +10V to the mA Jack and set the current limit somewhere above 500mA.

[MCCSolutions]

Sorry to hear about your charging troubles. Your cutting of the case though... 

Btw, if the charging circuitry is the same as on the UT171B, you can charge it with your bench power supply. Hook up GND to COM Jack, +10V to the mA Jack and set the current limit somewhere above 500mA.

Yea I had too cut the back stand because I wanted it to still close flush with the case lol, Could have done better but no biggie lol. As far as the case its self all I did was make a hole big enough for the +/- wires and I sealed it with hot glue, I also mounted the battery cradle with hot glue as well so it can all be removed if needed.

The thing is with the charger though their is a problem internally, because even with a good battery it would not charge threw the ports....

[Macbeth]

Yea I had too cut the back stand because I wanted it to still close flush with the case lol, Could have done better but no biggie lol. As far as the case its self all I did was make a hole big enough for the +/- wires and I sealed it with hot glue, I also mounted the battery cradle with hot glue as well so it can all be removed if needed.

The thing is with the charger though their is a problem internally, because even with a good battery it would not charge threw the ports....

You said it came with a Euro plug - does that mean it only had a 230VAC charger and you need a 110VAC in the USA? You mentioned you where in Korea which is 230VAC too.

As for looking more professional to customers with that Frankenstein meter vs a Fluke, hmm, yeah... Artisan you say? Comedian more like   

(and yes, when electricians come round to do stuff I am reassured when I see a well used Fluke in their toolkit. They look at me funny when I pass them a cuppa and bring up the subject of DMM's and Part P regs with them though  )

[bitwelder]

Sorry to hear about your charging troubles. Your cutting of the case though... 

...with the view of with the IP65 label 

[MCCSolutions]

You said it came with a Euro plug - does that mean it only had a 230VAC charger and you need a 110VAC in the USA? You mentioned you where in Korea which is 230VAC too.

As for looking more professional to customers with that Frankenstein meter vs a Fluke, hmm, yeah... Artisan you say? Comedian more like   

(and yes, when electricians come round to do stuff I am reassured when I see a well used Fluke in their toolkit. They look at me funny when I pass them a cuppa and bring up the subject of DMM's and Part P regs with them though  )

 

You sound like a noob so let me explain a few things..

A. Korea is 208v(3 Phase) not 230v, and the charger does 120v and I used a prong adapter first.

B. No one is looking at the back of the DMM.... 

C. 90% of people wouldnt know the differance between a UNI-T and a Fluke even when explained to them. 

D. The fact that you would need to call an electrician instead of fixing the issue yourself is a good indicator of your lack of knowledge. 

E. Artisan, Yes....

[Macbeth]

You sound like a noob so let me explain a few things..

A. Korea is 208v(3 Phase) not 230v, and the charger does 120v and I used a prong adapter first.

I could swear all the gear I've bought from Korea works on UK mains.. ah it's 220VAC single phase in South Korea.
I can only imagine you were in the North with a feeble 208V three phase needed to power a dim bulb, a heater bar, and kettle wired to each phase between blackouts

B. No one is looking at the back of the DMM.... 

Except for the hundreds of thousands that view this forum

C. 90% of people wouldnt know the differance between a UNI-T and a Fluke even when explained to them. 

I would imagine the people you want to look more professional to, the ones that matter that provide more contracts etc, little things like having a safe meter rated to work on equipment is a bonus.

D. The fact that you would need to call an electrician instead of fixing the issue yourself is a good indicator of your lack of knowledge. 

Not at all. I diagnose faults on mains all the time. Having a landlord who has to pay an electrician and pay for the replacement parts is not my problem. If I mess with certain items then I have to pay an electrician to inspect it and issue a certificate or else I get a big fine and/or imprisonment. The landlord can sue me as well. Hence why the "Part P" regulations are a big thorn in my side. Another "New Labour" legacy in the UK.

E. Artisan, Yes....

Oh, a board swapper. I see what you mean now.

[mos6502]

I have to pay an electrician to inspect it and issue a certificate or else I get a big fine and/or imprisonment

U WOT M8?

Are you serious?

OK, let's say you add an outlet in your living room. Your landlord comes by for "a cuppa" and sees it. He can call the police on you?

[Macbeth]

Are you serious?

OK, let's say you add an outlet in your living room. Your landlord comes by for "a cuppa" and sees it. He can call the police on you?

He could, but I really doubt they would bother unless there has been an actual injury or death caused by my installation.

More likely is he will call up council building control to come out and check the installation and charge £500+ then add VAT and pass the bill to me. If he was more reasonable he will get one of his own electricians to come and give it a once over and tick a box in a certificate, then give me a bill for £100+VAT. Without that cert he can't sell the property on, etc.

This was brought in with the connivance of the big building companies and the Labour government, on the basis that there were something like 3 recorded deaths in 20 years due to electrical wiring installations, and also how effective the FENSA scheme was in employing pointless shiny-arsed busy bodies for overseeing the glazing industry.

Yes, did you know that it is also illegal to replace a broken window pane yourself? You need an expert to putty it in you know. Someone with a certificate from the FENSA quango. Otherwise you can get a FENSA inspector from the local council to come and check your putty has cured and charge £100's for the privilege. And I thought the Window Tax was abolished in the middle ages?

This is what you get when you vote socialists into power. They have to create non-jobs for life for their mates, and they love their backhanders from large corporations too. 

[3nigm4]

Just for informations: today Amazon.it discount this meter for 215.19€ shipping included

[joeqsmith]

Still at $300 US.  I ran some tests on one a while back.  You may find them here:

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/hear-kitty-kitty-kitty-nope-not-that-kind-of-cat/825/

[3nigm4]

That's a good toy