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Author Topic: (solved) yes yet another hand held DMM thread. what one is better?  (Read 12443 times)

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Offline whitevampTopic starter

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(solved) yes yet another hand held DMM thread. what one is better?
« on: May 25, 2016, 05:37:50 pm »
ok I am in need of a new DMM and cant decide what one to get, they all seam not to live up to there safety rating.
But that ok it will live on my bench. and i will use my fluke 8502A ( the ohms card gave out and need I need to fix it.  |O ) for the dc and ac measurements, i need it for Resistance, diode, Continuity. once in while i probably would use it to check mains .. like maby once a year.
so the choices are.
UNI-T UT136Bhttp://www.uni-trend.com/productsdetail.aspx?ProductsID=118&ProductsCateId=219&CateId=219
Mastech MS8268http://www.p-mastech.com/product/detail/464
Extech MN36 http://www.extech.com/instruments/product.asp?catid=49&prodid=298
or squeeze blood out of the proverbial turnip and get  BK Precision 2407A http://www.bkprecision.com/products/multimeters/2407A-mini-pro-auto-ranging-digital-multimeter.html<-- the absolute most i could spend. this one is 35.00
or if there's any other ones that any one would recommend over these ones. max is the 35.00 us. but would prefer to stay at 25 or less.
« Last Edit: October 07, 2016, 06:34:28 pm by whitevamp »
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Offline nctnico

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Re: yes yet another hand held DMM thread. what one is better?
« Reply #1 on: May 25, 2016, 05:46:08 pm »
IMHO you shouldn't go for a cheap meter if you want to use it for measuring mains!
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Offline Wytnucls

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Re: yes yet another hand held DMM thread. what one is better?
« Reply #2 on: May 25, 2016, 05:51:53 pm »
While none of them are particularly exciting, my choice would be the Extech MN36.
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Offline whitevampTopic starter

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Re: yes yet another hand held DMM thread. what one is better?
« Reply #3 on: May 25, 2016, 05:59:37 pm »
Quote from: nctnico on May 25, 2016, 05:46:08 pm
IMHO you shouldn't go for a cheap meter if you want to use it for measuring mains!
yeah I know i have already had one let go of the magic smoke from checking mains.
but I only have 35 at the max i can spend.  :'(
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Offline nctnico

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Re: yes yet another hand held DMM thread. what one is better?
« Reply #4 on: May 25, 2016, 07:29:51 pm »
How about trying to get a used Fluke, Agilent or Tektonix DMM? It will probably have some scuff marks but as long as the casing is intact that shouldn't be a problem.
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Offline whitevampTopic starter

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Re: yes yet another hand held DMM thread. what one is better?
« Reply #5 on: May 25, 2016, 08:44:23 pm »
Quote from: nctnico on May 25, 2016, 07:29:51 pm
How about trying to get a used Fluke, Agilent or Tektonix DMM? It will probably have some scuff marks but as long as the casing is intact that shouldn't be a problem.
have thought about this, but all the ones on ebay that i have bid on i get out bid in the last 1 min of auction.
and the ones i have seen with buy it now are doa, etc, or way more then what i can afford.
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Online tautech

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Re: yes yet another hand held DMM thread. what one is better?
« Reply #6 on: May 25, 2016, 08:51:23 pm »
Other than the good advice from Wytnucls who prepared https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/multimeter-spreadsheet/

You could look at Joes thread where he looks at many low priced DMM's and a Fluke 101 might be a good choice for you.  :-\
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/hear-kitty-kitty-kitty-nope-not-that-kind-of-cat/

I know it's a big thread but well worth some study if you have some time.
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Offline bitwelder

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Re: yes yet another hand held DMM thread. what one is better?
« Reply #7 on: May 26, 2016, 05:10:50 am »
Quote from: whitevamp on May 25, 2016, 05:37:50 pm
once in while i probably would use it to check mains .. like maby once a year.
Can you explain what's this need to *yearly* check the mains?
It doesn't seem you want to monitor mains anomalies (as it would need a dedicated instrument permanently connected to the mains).
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Offline julian1

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Re: yes yet another hand held DMM thread. what one is better?
« Reply #8 on: May 26, 2016, 07:49:46 am »
I have an "inexpensive", made in China, Fluke 15B+ .

After opening it up, it was reassuring to see it using the same make and spec Bussman HRC fuses as the Fluke 87V.

I would recommend the meter, but the fuses alone probably cost $25.
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Offline joeqsmith

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Re: yes yet another hand held DMM thread. what one is better?
« Reply #9 on: May 26, 2016, 11:49:02 am »
Quote from: julian1 on May 26, 2016, 07:49:46 am
I have an "inexpensive", made in China, Fluke 15B+ .
Looks like about an $80 meter on eBay.

No need to measure current?  Save up another $15 and get the Fluke 101.  :-+  About $50 with shipping.  May be cheaper now. 

Quote from: whitevamp on May 25, 2016, 05:59:37 pm
yeah I know i have already had one let go of the magic smoke from checking mains.
What brand and model?  What were you doing at the time?   
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Offline TheRadioGeek

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Re: yes yet another hand held DMM thread. what one is better?
« Reply #10 on: May 26, 2016, 02:35:27 pm »
I have a Sinometer VC97 that I got from Amazon for $36.00. I like it  a lot and I think it's a good meter for around the house and the workbench.
I did a you tube review of it if you want to see it. 

Good luck.

Theradiogeek
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Offline whitevampTopic starter

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Re: yes yet another hand held DMM thread. what one is better?
« Reply #11 on: May 26, 2016, 04:16:09 pm »
Quote from: bitwelder on May 26, 2016, 05:10:50 am
Quote from: whitevamp on May 25, 2016, 05:37:50 pm
once in while i probably would use it to check mains .. like maby once a year.
Can you explain what's this need to *yearly* check the mains?
It doesn't seem you want to monitor mains anomalies (as it would need a dedicated instrument permanently connected to the mains).
if i need to check them IE: change a plugin out, or run a new line. not a typical thing i would do.
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Offline whitevampTopic starter

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Re: yes yet another hand held DMM thread. what one is better?
« Reply #12 on: May 26, 2016, 04:22:09 pm »
Quote from: whitevamp on May 25, 2016, 05:59:37 pm
yeah I know i have already had one let go of the magic smoke from checking mains.
What brand and model?  What were you doing at the time?
[/quote]
lol umm this was about 20+ yrs ago and it is umm i think an off branded elenco. ( i still use it but not for mains. ) it lifted up the copper trace off the pcb.
and if i remember right i was checking a 110 line.
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Offline whitevampTopic starter

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Re: yes yet another hand held DMM thread. what one is better?
« Reply #13 on: May 26, 2016, 04:55:13 pm »
thank you all for the input on this question i had.
I have decided to try and save up some $$$ and get like a fluke 118+ or keep an eye out on ebay, for a handheld or a bench meter. ( might take me 4 months, or more. ) and live with the out of tolerance meter that i have been using. ( yes the one that magic smoke escaped from. ) ~10% out.
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Offline kasone

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Re: yes yet another hand held DMM thread. what one is better?
« Reply #14 on: May 26, 2016, 06:49:35 pm »
I was going to buy a Fluke 101, but I found a new in the package Fluke 110 on the online auction site. I was the only bidder and paid $34.00 plus shipping. The differences over the Fluke 101 that I have noticed are: 1. Has a bar graph, 2. has max and min function, 3. Does not have frequency.

There are presently a Fluke 110 and a 110Plus on the online auction site with a starting bid of 99 cents.

I am happy with my purchase.

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Offline Fungus

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Re: yes yet another hand held DMM thread. what one is better?
« Reply #15 on: May 26, 2016, 08:25:32 pm »
Quote from: whitevamp on May 25, 2016, 05:37:50 pm
ok I am in need of a new DMM and cant decide what one to get, they all seam not to live up to there safety rating.
But that ok it will live on my bench. and i will use my fluke 8502A ( the ohms card gave out and need I need to fix it.  |O ) for the dc and ac measurements, i need it for Resistance, diode, Continuity.

If you don't need current then the absolute safest meter (by a huge margin) is the Fluke 101. You can get them for about $42, shipping included.

Quote from: whitevamp on May 25, 2016, 05:37:50 pm
once in while i probably would use it to check mains .. like maby once a year.

Or....if it's really just once a year then get something cheap and take your chances. Triple check it's in the AC mode. Don't hold the meter in your hand, hold just the probes.

(hold both probes in the same hand if possible.

Remember to never do it alone (so the other person can call an ambulance).

Wear safety goggles, big gloves, rubber boots, a thick woolen coat... put a mattress on the floor behind you. Remember to record it all on youtube so we can laugh.

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Offline joeqsmith

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Re: yes yet another hand held DMM thread. what one is better?
« Reply #16 on: May 27, 2016, 12:56:25 am »
Looks like they discontinued the 110.    Actually every Fluke I tested including the 101, 107, 115 and 17B+ did very well except for the 87V which fell way short.   To date, the meter I pushed the hardest was 5Ky's Fluke 107.   I am not sure if the the 101 could handle that same level or not.   Certainly in the sub $50 range, I have yet to see a meter as robust as the 101! 

Quote from: kasone on May 26, 2016, 06:49:35 pm
I was going to buy a Fluke 101, but I found a new in the package Fluke 110 on the online auction site. I was the only bidder and paid $34.00 plus shipping. The differences over the Fluke 101 that I have noticed are: 1. Has a bar graph, 2. has max and min function, 3. Does not have frequency.

There are presently a Fluke 110 and a 110Plus on the online auction site with a starting bid of 99 cents.

I am happy with my purchase.

Quote from: Fungus on May 26, 2016, 08:25:32 pm
If you don't need current then the absolute safest meter (by a huge margin) is the Fluke 101. You can get them for about $42, shipping included.

Or....if it's really just once a year then get something cheap and take your chances. Triple check it's in the AC mode. Don't hold the meter in your hand, hold just the probes.

(hold both probes in the same hand if possible.

Remember to never do it alone (so the other person can call an ambulance).

Wear safety goggles, big gloves, rubber boots, a thick woolen coat... put a mattress on the floor behind you. Remember to record it all on youtube so we can laugh.
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Offline EEVblog

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Re: yes yet another hand held DMM thread. what one is better?
« Reply #17 on: May 27, 2016, 01:17:57 am »
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Offline evava

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Re: yes yet another hand held DMM thread. what one is better?
« Reply #18 on: May 27, 2016, 10:49:59 am »
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Offline joeqsmith

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Re: yes yet another hand held DMM thread. what one is better?
« Reply #19 on: May 27, 2016, 11:46:26 am »
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Offline mos6502

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Re: yes yet another hand held DMM thread. what one is better?
« Reply #20 on: May 27, 2016, 02:02:16 pm »
Quote from: evava on May 27, 2016, 10:49:59 am
Oh, Fluke77 - unfused 10A terminal?  :-[

(sorry, If I missed something)


That's got to be some kind of rare special version. I have a 77 and it's definitely fused. Looks like this:

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Offline kasone

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Re: yes yet another hand held DMM thread. what one is better?
« Reply #21 on: May 27, 2016, 04:09:19 pm »
Here is a Fluke 112   http://www.ebay.com/itm/152104475441?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

The 112 has the current measurement capability.

Same seller also has a Fluke 110. Both presently have a 99 cent bid on them.

One other feature of my 110, It is a true RMS meter.

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Offline mzacharias

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Re: yes yet another hand held DMM thread. what one is better?
« Reply #22 on: May 27, 2016, 07:30:47 pm »
The earliest  version of the 77 was unfused on the 10A input.

Somewhere while still in "Series I" production, the fuse and holder were added.

I wince a bit whenever I see an unfused on on eBay.
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Offline Fungus

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Re: yes yet another hand held DMM thread. what one is better?
« Reply #23 on: May 27, 2016, 07:45:24 pm »
I really love that Fluke 37.

Wonder how ridiculous the postage to Spain is...

Edit: The seller replied "$56"  :(

For $35 I'd buy it right now. For $35+$56 plus a probable $30 hit on import duty ... I dunno.

Edit 2: There's a guy on eBay France selling them for 20 Euros + 15 for postage!

Will I, won't I...?

« Last Edit: May 27, 2016, 09:25:54 pm by Fungus »
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Offline Fungus

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Re: yes yet another hand held DMM thread. what one is better?
« Reply #24 on: May 28, 2016, 10:19:49 am »
Quote from: Fungus on May 27, 2016, 07:45:24 pm
I really love that Fluke 37.

Edit: There's a guy on eBay France selling them for 20 Euros + 15 for postage!

Will I, won't I...?

I did.  :-DMM

I was reading the manuals and it looks like it's a Fluke 27 in a benchtop format, complete with carrying handle and compartment for storing the leads, etc.

3200 count, 0.1% accuracy, 1000 hour battery life, chunky... What's not to like for 35 bucks? Can't wait to take it along to Arduino club.

(let's hope the fuses are intact...  :-\ )

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