Buy brymen789 as this is newer model that bm869s and have autohold function, lower burden voltage and costs about 200 euros new.
Other safe and precision dmm is used fluke 189 but on ebay is 300euros + vat as it is shipped from non eu country.
Fluke 189 have some flaws as it is old device from 2000, it have big super cap that needs to be replaced, battery socket are corroded and it is refrubrished so who knows what in service guy have changed.
Other that that it is excellent device.
If you want new and high quality dmm buy japan stuff for example hioki dmm that is around 400Euros + vat.
Other safe and precision dmm is used fluke 189 but on ebay is 300euros + vat as it is shipped from non eu country.
Fluke 189 have some flaws as it is old device from 2000, it have big super cap that needs to be replaced, battery socket are corroded and it is refrubrished so who knows what in service guy have changed.
Other that that it is excellent device.
If you want new and high quality dmm buy japan stuff for example hioki dmm that is around 400Euros + vat.
nice, thanks. Not having a need for it for professional purposes and I wanted to avoid having to go to a professional friend every time to ask him to measure something for me, I wanted to get one without big demands. I have already purchased a very good LCR, I took it to make a two-way crossover 🙂 for the Morel tw and Vifa mw of my car.
By my experience, I'd say no... Try ti find a 2nd hand Fluke, like I did... You will NEVER regret it !
But it's me, OK ? 🙂 😉
T
Hehe, fluke costs money and best multimeter that fluke make is fluke 189 made in 2000 year, it is precision and high quality device, but fluke costs money around 300e + vat and used.
I think middle class dmm for around 120-150euro is what he wants 🙂 and you cant get used fluke for this.
I think middle class dmm for around 120-150euro is what he wants 🙂 and you cant get used fluke for this.
I bought UNI-T 61D several years ago and are very happy with it, Decent multimeter for reasonable amount of money.
https://meters.uni-trend.com/product/ut61-series/
https://meters.uni-trend.com/product/ut61-series/
I have last piece UT61E+ for sale i send PM to the author of thread, for such money and middle class DMM it is excellent device.
Get a OWON HDS2xx Series DMM/Scope.
In real life, the only down side for me is the rather short run time (2 18650 cells, USB-C charging) and the delayed response in continuity testing. Other than that, it is extremely good value.
In real life, the only down side for me is the rather short run time (2 18650 cells, USB-C charging) and the delayed response in continuity testing. Other than that, it is extremely good value.
In real life having two devices is not good idea, why?
If one breaks other device build in device is useless, for example if you damage dmm you will damage scope as well, and you then need to buy separate device.
Second bad idea is that device that have two devices in one have lower specs as separate devices and price is higher.
As other members suggest, buy a uni-t ut61 model (newer or older) and you are ready to go fine mesurements.
If you need scope buy a bench size not handheld as bench size have best specs.
Handheld have 5Msamples per seconds bench scopes have 1,25Gsamples per seconds.
If one breaks other device build in device is useless, for example if you damage dmm you will damage scope as well, and you then need to buy separate device.
Second bad idea is that device that have two devices in one have lower specs as separate devices and price is higher.
As other members suggest, buy a uni-t ut61 model (newer or older) and you are ready to go fine mesurements.
If you need scope buy a bench size not handheld as bench size have best specs.
Handheld have 5Msamples per seconds bench scopes have 1,25Gsamples per seconds.
oh my... The best instrument is the one that I have by hand (unless you are in production / QA / QM / certification, ...).
But I understand, there are always these guys that insist on Fluke. 30yrs back, I had teachers telling us DMMs will never replace analog MMs.
But I understand, there are always these guys that insist on Fluke. 30yrs back, I had teachers telling us DMMs will never replace analog MMs.
Used fluke are overpriced.
In 80 and 90 fluke make high precision multimeters and chinese multimeters can't make so precision so fluke in these years are best.
Now for homelab measurements to 60VAC/DC chinese multimeters offer high precision in uV and uA range as V and V. And chinese dmm are better that fluke when we see 0,05% or better precision.
When comes to electricity when working with 230VAC and up to 1kV flukes are best for saftey as they have better input protection and chinese dmm sucks and will explode.
So eather fluke or uni-t it depends on user case, choose what you will use.
In 80 and 90 fluke make high precision multimeters and chinese multimeters can't make so precision so fluke in these years are best.
Now for homelab measurements to 60VAC/DC chinese multimeters offer high precision in uV and uA range as V and V. And chinese dmm are better that fluke when we see 0,05% or better precision.
When comes to electricity when working with 230VAC and up to 1kV flukes are best for saftey as they have better input protection and chinese dmm sucks and will explode.
So eather fluke or uni-t it depends on user case, choose what you will use.
So jeffrowland what is your opinion about multimeters and what you decide to buy?
Share your opinions with us so we can discuss what is good or not.
Share your opinions with us so we can discuss what is good or not.
This morning I had one of the Beta 1760 in my hands lent by a friend and I was able to check the bias on my amp (topic open) and this one is pretty solid. I think we need someone at home, even just to check the batteries 🙂
I'll see what to do calmly in the next few days.
thankyou all
I'll see what to do calmly in the next few days.
thankyou all
All I know is Fluke's are built for professional use, you pay a premium for that build quality, but can expect it to last heavy daily use. If you don't demand that, plenty of excellent meters out there that are substantially cheaper.
I'd suggest getting a second very cheap small meter for those occasions where you need to measure two things at once, or for portability, or for when you forget to move the leads back to voltage and blow the current fuse(!). Never leave a multimeter in current configuration, you will blow that fuse next time you use it!!
I'd suggest getting a second very cheap small meter for those occasions where you need to measure two things at once, or for portability, or for when you forget to move the leads back to voltage and blow the current fuse(!). Never leave a multimeter in current configuration, you will blow that fuse next time you use it!!
Brymen multimeters are really good value for money, they work well the safety ratings are real, not like other manufacturers that claim CAT3 1000V but have 5X20mm glass fuses! I have a BM257 at home that have been exellent, at work I am responsible for some lab purchases and I bought a number of BM785 that also have been excellent no complaints. Fluke prices have increased to a level that is unjustifiable, especially in Europe. Many Fluke models have few features for the price, Fluke 77 is over 600€ now! It´s a very basic multimeter, ancient model by now. Fluke meters are really high quality and reliable I am not disputing that but they are not magic.
You should definitely consider Brymen. I have had a Brymen 869s for a few years and love it. Highly accurate, rugged and feature rich. I also have a Fluke 87V and a 289 which is a fantastic tool but the hands down bang for the buck is the Brymen.
Best bang for the buck? I own three of the better Flukes and two Brymens. Nine out of ten times I pick up the 869s Brymen.
I have a Brymen 257. It's a great meter for electrical work. The safety ratings are real. Only issues I can think of are the display, which is on par with your average DMM, which is to say pretty crappy. It has a backlight, but you have to turn it on, and then it turns itself off at just the instant you need it. And the backstand is pretty flimsy.
I would not recommend the 257 for electronics work. It doesn't measure inductance. Capacitance range tops out at (I think) 1000uF, and measurements get dreadfully slow as you get up in the range, which makes it pretty much useless for capacitance measurements.
To be fair, it is not designed for electronics work. It will measure your regular motor / HVAC caps just fine.
If you're in the US, you buy Brymen through TME which ships from Poland. I had a good experience buying from them and I would recommend them.
Fluke is kind of a cult.
Which DMMs do you guys use that you find great for electronics?
I would not recommend the 257 for electronics work. It doesn't measure inductance. Capacitance range tops out at (I think) 1000uF, and measurements get dreadfully slow as you get up in the range, which makes it pretty much useless for capacitance measurements.
To be fair, it is not designed for electronics work. It will measure your regular motor / HVAC caps just fine.
If you're in the US, you buy Brymen through TME which ships from Poland. I had a good experience buying from them and I would recommend them.
Fluke is kind of a cult.
Which DMMs do you guys use that you find great for electronics?
Sanwa Japan, Hung Chang, Korea are all good.
Question is what will you do with it?
For most work, a $5-10 meter is adequate, and within 0.1V of Fluke...so you have to need all that accuracy to pay a lot more.
I use Chinese 830 model meters, and also Sanwa 360 clones.
Fluke is really not for DIY.
So first decide use, then buy it, and now small scope / meter / multi function bare unit starts at just $25, with a tiny phone type display. It is enough to verify capacitors also.
Are you doing work where scope or 0.01V resolution is needed?
Bench or portable?
Do you use it more than 1 hour daily?
Does the accuracy of the meter affect any work like calibration, or it is for fault finding?
Then decide whether investment in expensive equipment is justified.
Question is what will you do with it?
For most work, a $5-10 meter is adequate, and within 0.1V of Fluke...so you have to need all that accuracy to pay a lot more.
I use Chinese 830 model meters, and also Sanwa 360 clones.
Fluke is really not for DIY.
So first decide use, then buy it, and now small scope / meter / multi function bare unit starts at just $25, with a tiny phone type display. It is enough to verify capacitors also.
Are you doing work where scope or 0.01V resolution is needed?
Bench or portable?
Do you use it more than 1 hour daily?
Does the accuracy of the meter affect any work like calibration, or it is for fault finding?
Then decide whether investment in expensive equipment is justified.