Author Topic: Which Bench multimeter to choose?  (Read 7658 times)

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Offline BeBuLamar

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Re: Which Bench multimeter to choose?
« Reply #25 on: December 17, 2022, 06:01:44 pm »
I use my handheld DMM sideway. It would fit on the shelf. I would not buy a bench meter due to shelf space. Sure I would buy bench meter for the accuracy but then they are more than $500.
How about never needing to change the batteries and it never shuts off automatically? For me these two features alone are reason enough to get a bench DMM  ;D

Battery on a lot of DMM last a long time. I doesn't bother me to change it. (of course you can run it on AC with some source of adapter). Many meters can be set so that it doesn't turn itself off.
 

Offline nctnico

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Re: Which Bench multimeter to choose?
« Reply #26 on: December 17, 2022, 06:03:15 pm »
That will be different if you have a DMM switched on all day, every day. It will deplete a battery pretty quick.
There are small lies, big lies and then there is what is on the screen of your oscilloscope.
 

Offline BeBuLamar

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Re: Which Bench multimeter to choose?
« Reply #27 on: December 17, 2022, 06:03:54 pm »
Can't see the Fluke 8050A making much sense unless you're just nostalgic.  It's not auto-ranging and uses flaky push button switches for everything instead of soft keys.
Hmm, I have both a 8010 and an 8050A and the push buttons on neither are flaky.  Also, auto-ranging has it's down sides not the least being the time it takes when doing repetitive measurements.  Generally you know pretty well what range you should be on before taking a measurement.

All that aside, should we then just assume the 1.5763V my 8050A reads on a battery is to be treated as rubbish compared to the 1.57627V my SDM3055 reads because one has soft buttons and the other does not? :-DD

Good to know.

I said I wouldn't want to buy a bench meter for shelf space but I bought an 8050A for $20. It works great for me. Manual ranging is fine I have no problem with that.
 

Offline BillyO

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Re: Which Bench multimeter to choose?
« Reply #28 on: December 17, 2022, 07:49:02 pm »
I said I wouldn't want to buy a bench meter for shelf space but I bought an 8050A for $20. It works great for me. Manual ranging is fine I have no problem with that.
Compared to bench meters of today, they are pretty compact and are just about the best bargain in a highly reliable and accurate 4.5 digit meter.  Mine cost $35 so you got a fantastic deal.  I see people on eBay paying over $100 for them and asking over $200 for them too.

I wonder who would pay over $200 when you can buy then for less than half that?  It seems a lot of eBay sellers do not do their homework.
Bill  (Currently a Siglent fanboy)
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Offline AVGresponding

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Re: Which Bench multimeter to choose?
« Reply #29 on: December 17, 2022, 08:30:57 pm »
TE prices can be so volatile, I saw a Tek 224 make £450 the other day, loads of bidders. Madness!
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Online J-R

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Re: Which Bench multimeter to choose?
« Reply #30 on: December 17, 2022, 10:22:36 pm »
The switch contacts are a known issue. I picked up 6 faulty bench meters in the last year or so that used switches and every single one required work in that area, while the 5 with soft-keys had zero issues in that area.

I did fix two 8050A units and kept the nicer one for myself, also got the touch & hold probe for it.  So I'm not saying it's junk, but it's a bit questionable to suggest that as a solution for the OP who asked for something under $500, not under $100.

The autorange & display speed of some of the VFD bench meters like the 8840A/8842A is unparalleled in my opinion.  M-Ohm to Ohm in a blink...  VFD is also far better for visibility than LCD, which can be a challenge due to viewing angles and lighting.

So if you want to be nostalgic or make the claim that "it can be done" then that is fine, but for daily tasks a large/bright/visible display, autoranging and softkeys are all good features that boost ease of use and productivity. There is a reason these vary drastically in price points...
 

Offline bdunham7

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Re: Which Bench multimeter to choose?
« Reply #31 on: December 17, 2022, 10:47:14 pm »
VFD bench meters like the 8840A/8842A...
... There is a reason these vary drastically in price points...

I agree, the 8050A and its lesser cousins are something cute you buy for $5 and fix up for fun, but the displays and switches that need physical force make them less desirable to use.  I've sold nice 8840A/8842A units with good displays or LED conversions for $250-400, so I can't imagine paying $200 for an 8050A. 

One meter I never see get any love is the 8800A.  It's not TRMS (which is OK IMO) but 5.5 digits, 50ppm basic DC accuracy, 1200V, auto range, 4-wire ohms and nice red LED display all in a compact case about the same size as an 8050A.
A 3.5 digit 4.5 digit 5 digit 5.5 digit 6.5 digit 7.5 digit DMM is good enough for most people.
 
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Offline BillyO

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Re: Which Bench multimeter to choose?
« Reply #32 on: December 17, 2022, 11:08:59 pm »
If you look back, my recommendation was an SDM3055.  I just threw in the 8050A after the horse had left.  It wan't a serious suggestion.  However, I do like mine and use it all the time.  I do a lot of vintage computer fooling around and I like to use vintage equipment to work on them.
Bill  (Currently a Siglent fanboy)
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Offline Traceless

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Re: Which Bench multimeter to choose?
« Reply #33 on: December 17, 2022, 11:27:53 pm »
Is it possible to get one for around 500 dollar or less?

I want a minimum 10.000 count meter with good accuracy and big screen.

The SDM3055/SDM3045 that have been recommended before are probably very good choices. I don't own a Siglent DMM myself but have read watched a lot of positive reviews/experience reports.

Alternatively you could look at an Owon XDM3051 (comparison between the Owon XDM3051 and the Agilent 34461A by Jerry Walker is linked below). The Owon meters have some minor quirks (e.g. obnoxiously loud buzzer, the meter doesn't memorize trigger speed settings after poweroff, the ACV measurement is a bit sluggish at least on the lower end versions the higher end ones like the 3051 seem to be a bit faster.). On the positive side the Owon meters are surprisingly well made. The build quality is nice, for instance the mechanical power button on the Owon feels than the one used by Keysight in my opinion.

If you are adventurous you could try out the Hantek HDM 3055/3065, which is a pretty new Keysight knock-off. There is not yet much info/experience reports available around this meters. SDG Electronics took a look (see second video below). Based on his observations I think the Hantek delivers relatively good bang for the buck. The problem with those meters is, nobody knows how they will perform in terms of long-term stability/realiability.


 

Online J-R

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Re: Which Bench multimeter to choose?
« Reply #34 on: December 17, 2022, 11:41:27 pm »
Fair enough the 8050A was an off-hand comment, but people come along later and read these threads looking for on-topic info.  The 8050A is a bit out there!

I will clarify that the Keithley 2015THD (and similar units) display is perhaps a little on the small side, compared to the 34401A and 884xA.

Another interesting candidate might be the 34450A, although not sure how the OLED display holds up.
 

Offline BillyO

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Re: Which Bench multimeter to choose?
« Reply #35 on: December 18, 2022, 12:16:21 am »
The 8050A is a bit out there!
In this case yes.

Consider this,  I bought mine in 8+ condition for $35 CDN (about $25 US) and it needed nothing.  It was even within spec.  Would you be more liekly to reccomend such an 8050A to soemone looking for a $25US meter or something like this: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B08L84J9V4/ref  ?
« Last Edit: December 18, 2022, 12:29:27 am by BillyO »
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Offline nightfire

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Re: Which Bench multimeter to choose?
« Reply #36 on: December 18, 2022, 12:28:20 am »


Btw... in my opinion, Fluke is overprised for personal use.
At least with Fluke handhelds, they are designed for rough environments, so the private user will not use all features that have to be paid for. For a private workbench there are agreeably solutions available with better bang for buck.
But in the used segment some old Fluke bench DMMs can still shine, if used correctly- I have a 45 and a 8600a on my bench, and they behave nicely. But you have to look at them closely before buying, because replacements of the display are hard to get. Depending on the requirements, a Fluke 45 still is able to deliver serious performance, when it comes to basic measurements. For the more fancy stuff, modern handhelds are better equipped, and cheaper.

Regarding power consumption: Some handhelds have the possibility to get external power to save batteries- even my old Fluke 8020A had such a connector on the side ;-)
 

Offline alm

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Re: Which Bench multimeter to choose?
« Reply #37 on: December 18, 2022, 01:12:01 am »
Regarding power consumption: Some handhelds have the possibility to get external power to save batteries- even my old Fluke 8020A had such a connector on the side ;-)
Making it safe while it's sitting 1000V above ground, and not degrade common mode rejection, is what makes this tricky to do well, and is why you rarely see it on good quality modern meters. The Fluke ScopeMeters are a counter example, but at a much higher price than even many bench meters.

Offline Mortymore

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Re: Which Bench multimeter to choose?
« Reply #38 on: December 18, 2022, 01:15:06 am »
That will be different if you have a DMM switched on all day, every day. It will deplete a battery pretty quick.

That, and on the other extreme, a handheld multimeter left forgotten for some time with batteries fitted, may have them leaking inside.

I adopted a method of placing a sticker on the meters (and other stuff battery powered) with expiration date of the batteries, so I have a clue it they are expected to be good without open the device, but even that didn't kept me away from surprises with some Duracel, leaking years before the date printed on them.
 
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Offline nightfire

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Re: Which Bench multimeter to choose?
« Reply #39 on: December 18, 2022, 06:39:11 am »
Did you calculate the standby/leakage-power of the device into the lifespan?
 

Offline nctnico

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Re: Which Bench multimeter to choose?
« Reply #40 on: December 18, 2022, 08:33:53 am »
That will be different if you have a DMM switched on all day, every day. It will deplete a battery pretty quick.

That, and on the other extreme, a handheld multimeter left forgotten for some time with batteries fitted, may have them leaking inside.

I adopted a method of placing a sticker on the meters (and other stuff battery powered) with expiration date of the batteries, so I have a clue it they are expected to be good without open the device, but even that didn't kept me away from surprises with some Duracel, leaking years before the date printed on them.
Batteries have gotten a lot worse over the years. Just recently I took an AAA battery out of an old kitchen timer. That battery (Panasonic IIRC; or at least 'made in Japan') had been in there for at least 20 years and did not leak.
« Last Edit: December 18, 2022, 08:36:13 am by nctnico »
There are small lies, big lies and then there is what is on the screen of your oscilloscope.
 

Offline AVGresponding

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Re: Which Bench multimeter to choose?
« Reply #41 on: December 18, 2022, 10:53:10 am »


Btw... in my opinion, Fluke is overprised for personal use.
At least with Fluke handhelds, they are designed for rough environments, so the private user will not use all features that have to be paid for. For a private workbench there are agreeably solutions available with better bang for buck.
But in the used segment some old Fluke bench DMMs can still shine, if used correctly- I have a 45 and a 8600a on my bench, and they behave nicely. But you have to look at them closely before buying, because replacements of the display are hard to get. Depending on the requirements, a Fluke 45 still is able to deliver serious performance, when it comes to basic measurements. For the more fancy stuff, modern handhelds are better equipped, and cheaper.

Regarding power consumption: Some handhelds have the possibility to get external power to save batteries- even my old Fluke 8020A had such a connector on the side ;-)

I've a couple of Fluke 8300A's, one with the Ohms/AC option, and they both agree to within a count or two of my recently calibrated 8840A. I also have a Fluke 8000A, and it's absolutely terrible!   :-DD
nuqDaq yuch Dapol?
Addiction count: Agilent-AVO-BlackStar-Brymen-Chauvin Arnoux-Fluke-GenRad-Hameg-HP-Keithley-IsoTech-Mastech-Megger-Metrix-Micronta-Racal-RFL-Siglent-Solartron-Tektronix-Thurlby-Time Electronics-TTi-UniT
 

Offline BillyO

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Re: Which Bench multimeter to choose?
« Reply #42 on: December 18, 2022, 03:06:34 pm »
I also have a Fluke 8000A, and it's absolutely terrible!   :-DD[/color][/font][/b]
There was a fluke 8000A on my bench for my first ET job back in 1974.  That brings back memories.
Bill  (Currently a Siglent fanboy)
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Offline Sherlock Holmes

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Re: Witch Bench multimeter to choose?
« Reply #43 on: December 18, 2022, 03:22:04 pm »
The Siglent SDM3055 would give you 240,000 counts for your $500.  It has a decent reputation and I am very happy with the one I have.

Also, the screen looks pretty big to me.

Yes I agree, I bought two (yes a bit of a luxury, but I can measure voltage and current simultaneously when I might need to).

Its a superb instrument for the price.
“When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.” ~ Arthur Conan Doyle, The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes
 


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