SANWA-AMERICA.COM has given us a special coupon code: SANWALOVE Good for 15% OFF any order at checkout. Also comes with a FREE Sanwa-America Tool Bag. They ship incredibly fast and have some of the best SANWA pricing I've ever seen. If youre in the market for a new SANWA, be sure to check them out!
QUESTION - There's 20 times more magnets floating around my shop today than when I first practiced electronics in the 60's. That said, is there any Mu-metal shield around the coil Darren? For a meter so thin, I'd expect it from Sanwa, but it would be the most expensive part inside..
Great question Cliff..yes an MU shielding layer envelopes the coil housing. I'll post a pic on the website. www.keepontesting.com/post/sanwa-ap33 So many magnets so little time eh 😅👍
Thank you, Darren Walker, for your wonderful review and for providing such a comprehensive explanation of our products. We truly appreciate your support!
This type of meter uses batteries only for ohms, so don't worry about threaded inserts (5 years between changes). No need for input protection either, since there are no MOS devices inside and the movement uses bypass diodes to protect itself from seeing more than 2 diode drops.
I would not leave a standard battery in a multimeter for 5 years due to corrosion.🐌 Maybe a lithium primary would be safe. Self tapping screws can crack the posts, when overtightened or when the unit is dropped. 😜I would expect a 5 star meter would use threaded inserts for case assembly and durable serviceable access points. 👍
On Amazon the Sanwa YX360TRF is worth the extra 9 bucks (at $79 😱) if you REALLY need a bigger display on something that can measure a voltage for say a hundred years without chewing into any of the battery life.
Never saw an analog meter so thin! As my eyes age I appreciate the ease of reading. Sanwa really knows how to make an appealing meter! 😊 ❤Seems like they had room to add a continuity beeper, oh well😢
It's such a great little test instrument..rock solid too. Totally agree about the missing audible continuity, that would have made it next level for me! 😅 Another SANWA homerun.
Compromising on little bit of lead length they can be re-routed to a better preferred side. Just need a zip tie and some colour matching putty. Also no shielding, could be added. 😊
It is that time of the year again. Sanwa time! Shame about the lack of a threaded insert. They seemed to also have designed a place to put a loop on for a magnetic strap or something. You missed that!
That´s a multimeter from an ancient era, long ago. The only possible reason to buy this could be: Pure nostalgia. In pretty much every aspect is a simple 830-style DMM at least on par, if not even superior, but very much cheaper. What do we get for around 50,-€? A DMM with a rubber bumper around the case, not protecting the display, nor the rotary switch, nor the zero-adjust-knob. The input protection only sufficient to protect the inbuild ammeter, not to protect the user. Very restricted ranges for measurements. A very low impedance, therefor building a voltage divider with the part under test, which is altering the readings. A tolerance of up to 25 Volts. No continuity test, no diode testing. No magnetic shielding (important for this magnetic driven needle ammeters). At least nothing was visible in the teardown. (And we all know: Shielding is somehow "your thing"!) Or around 10 "830"-style DMMs... alternative: Less DMMs which are a little more expensive then the 830´s, but far more advanced. Examples: Listed in the video description above... What´s left over to say about this Sanwa: Nice, pretty expensive battery tester with a nostalgic touch for sentimental enthusiasts, using a technology that´s developed in the late 19th century. It will be surely sold like sliced, warm bread. Any other thoughts?
All valid points but it's now residing in my portable Grab n go right beside my 830! It's still robust even without a full boot and there's still benefits to an analog even in the digital age. Besides being more responsive to changing values, it also fares better in the presence of a radio-frequency field. Normally, this has minimal effect on the analog meter unlike its digital brethren. Plus..it looks dang cool 😎 👍
This terrible thing seems like a device to fool customers at a hardware store. They are not even try to scale the resistance scale linear. Some analogue meters implement this. In my childhood, a meter like this was the very first meter, this was more than 40 years in the past.
Analog is definitely more responsive for one thing. If you're looking for small changes on a load the needle never lies. Because of its mechanical nature, the analog meter will display signal changes faster. Digital meters normally average the signals and have a sampling (reading) rate which is slow enough to miss a transient.
I have the SANWA YX360 and love it. Is it as capable as a DMM? Nope! But during my HS 3-year electronic program, we trained with ONLY analog meters, all I can say is that they're fun!!!
One thing ive noticed with Sanwa, the build quality is always there from the smallest to the largest, tho some might feel this ones a bit over priced considering its not digital and requires more focus to read on the fly & minimum input protection considering price, fluke 101 is similar or less money with killer input protection and easier to read digital display but less functionality.- but again nice overall Sanwa quality
If the analog meter has no dedicated diode mode you can use the resistance range instead. Set to lowest resistance range and Connect the diode in the forward-biased condition by connecting the positive terminal to anode and negative to the cathode. If the meter indicates a low resistance value, then it's a good diode. 👍
I want one of these. I don't need one (I have plenty of meters), but I don't have an analog meter. And as to the lack of brass inserts, the only time the battery is used is for the ohms mode, so a battery will likely last you years. And just don't blow the fuse. ;) I also noticed that it does not have the highest number of ranges, but I guess that it is a small unit with a small switch.
Nice meter. Unusual to see through hole, very pocketable, but I would worry about catching the ohms adjust knob on something if I carried it in a pocket.
Good point..I would still put the meter in a cloth pouch or similar if I was going to pocket transport too 👍 It's a very solid hefty meter just the same so I'm sure it can take some abuse.
I don't question the quality, but I baby my meters. I think we are both the kind of person who doesn't like to run around with a cellphone with a cracked screen.@@KeepOnTesting
@@ericbaker1200Yes Eric, absolutely correct. I'm almost absurdly careful with my test gear too. I can't stand a small chip on my phone let alone a cracked screen 😅👍
SANWAY'YA Hayranım sanwa gerçekten güzel ancak dijital multi metrelerini şeklini yani fiziki yapısını biraz daha büyük ve daha güzel şekilde yapmalarını şidetle tawsiye EDERİM
Sometimes simple is the way to go. It's hard not to enjoy a good analog meter, even if it can't offer as much functionality as its digital brother. And with Sanwa, we know it's good.👍
I was desperate to get a VOM like the Sanwa YX361TR which has a zero-centre +/- scale. That is very handy in applications where you have to balance circuit elements. It is $113US so attracts a lot of counterfeits. I bought one of the latter, a ' 'YX-360' from somewhere. When I opened it to put in a battery the screw post fell apart, and one of the ball bearings fell from the rotary switch. And the 'mirror' was painted on! So I got my $15(!) refund. So watch out for the Sanwa counterfeits. The authentic Sanwa's are worth what they cost. But I would rather get a genuine YX360TRF which only costs a little more than the AP33. (I wound up getting a Tekpower VOM which has that 'null' scale.)
Those fake SANWA meters are a real problem..do not buy a SANWA meter unless it's from an authorized SANWA dealer such as sanwa-america.com Pity you didn't get the YX361 it's a beautiful precision test instrument..
@splitprissm9339 The AP33 is a small pocket analog meter , whereas the Hioki 3030 is a full size Analog device. So might not be the most accurate , that being said I like the comparative idea in general and will consider it for a future segment.
@@KeepOnTesting "Full size" would be something like a Unigor 4p or AN/PSM6 for me :) BTW, some of the high end makers still have current models, but they are really expensive - eg Chauvin Arnoux and Gossen Metrawatt have current, professional grade analogs. Amused to see the MetraHit 2A, which is a decades old classic design still sold at around 500 bucks (the original can be found on the used market for 20 bucks-ish, though you might not always get lucky, the movements are not ultra robust and can have balance and hysteresis problems, and the range switches might need an overhaul).
Adjusting the needle to be exactly over the left hand end of the scale should be done before the right hand end. The use of a 1.5 Volt battery means it cannot test LEDs. When measuring voltage the 2k/V loading can introduce significant error. For example when switched to 10 Volt range the meter is a 20 kOhm resistor in parallel with the circuit. The AC voltage ranges are not true RMS. Only accurate for sine waves. Buyers are paying a high price for the Sanwa name, not the capability and performance.
Yes, most analog meters have a high input impedance compared to their digital brethren. Still, it doesn't mean they aren't capable. Lack of TrueRMS is not a big deal for home users. Buyers are getting an inexpensive high quality test instrument from a world leader in electronics test instruments. The AP33 is very well made 👌 Thx for watching
@@KeepOnTesting No, most analog meters have a LOW input impedance compared to digital ones. A mid range analogue meter is 20kOhm/Volt. That is ten times less load than this Sanwa.
@geoffmorrison3648 yep..That was my initial thought, dyslexia set in temporarily hehe. The input impedance of a digital meter is far higher than an analog-type circuit (analog meter). It may be 20 kΩ/V while, for the digital meter, it may be 20 MΩ/V, meaning less interference or effect on the tested circuit.
@@KeepOnTesting You still have not got that entirely correct. Unlike the impedance of an analog meter digital meters usually have the same (or almost same) impedance on all voltage ranges. Typically 10 MΩ. I have never seen a DMM spec include an Ω/V figure.
Nice little analogue meter but would you expect anything less with that pedigree? As for 3D printing I'm a huge enthusiast , I've been 3D printing for years, I would like to be better at CAD but I get by, I get a real thrill when I design and make a "thing" You go from having an idea to holding a real, solid object, still blows my mind.
Right ? This is from the breed of champions 🏆 Cool ..3D is sooo much fun. The quality of the printers nowadays is stellar. I'll be doing a few 3D segments for sure. I think the cross between electronics and mechanics is awesome 👌 Kind of like the AP33 😊
@@KeepOnTesting It's a fact (no matter your views on firmware etc.) Bambu Lab change the landscape in a very short space of time and the quality of printers just keeps getting better. (I do have a resin printer but I don't use it a great deal although it is useful for my other hobby, scale modeling)
SANWA-AMERICA.COM has given us a special coupon code: SANWALOVE
Good for 15% OFF any order at checkout. Also comes with a FREE Sanwa-America Tool Bag.
They ship incredibly fast and have some of the best SANWA pricing I've ever seen. If youre in the market for a new SANWA, be sure to check them out!
QUESTION - There's 20 times more magnets floating around my shop today than when I first practiced electronics in the 60's. That said, is there any Mu-metal shield around the coil Darren? For a meter so thin, I'd expect it from Sanwa, but it would be the most expensive part inside..
Great question Cliff..yes an MU shielding layer envelopes the coil housing.
I'll post a pic on the website.
www.keepontesting.com/post/sanwa-ap33
So many magnets so little time eh
😅👍
Thank you, Darren Walker, for your wonderful review and for providing such a comprehensive explanation of our products. We truly appreciate your support!
Thankyou SANWA for providing us with such exceptional test equipment the past 80+ years ! KeepOnTesting ❤
This type of meter uses batteries only for ohms, so don't worry about threaded inserts (5 years between changes). No need for input protection either, since there are no MOS devices inside and the movement uses bypass diodes to protect itself from seeing more than 2 diode drops.
Great 👉 point..I was thinking the same but still felt it would have been nice to see 👍
I would not leave a standard battery in a multimeter for 5 years due to corrosion.🐌 Maybe a lithium primary would be safe. Self tapping screws can crack the posts, when overtightened or when the unit is dropped. 😜I would expect a 5 star meter would use threaded inserts for case assembly and durable serviceable access points. 👍
@@pault6533 EverReady yes, Duracell NO. This is no 5-star meter, just a niche product making $$ for a 4-star brand name.
On Amazon the Sanwa YX360TRF is worth the extra 9 bucks (at $79 😱) if you REALLY need a bigger display on something that can measure a voltage for say a hundred years without chewing into any of the battery life.
True enough! I think they're both great choices.. The AP33 for sheer portability and 360TRF a solid full sized meter that's a bench workhorse 😅👍
Never saw an analog meter so thin! As my eyes age I appreciate the ease of reading. Sanwa really knows how to make an appealing meter! 😊 ❤Seems like they had room to add a continuity beeper, oh well😢
It's such a great little test instrument..rock solid too. Totally agree about the missing audible continuity, that would have made it next level for me! 😅 Another SANWA homerun.
Good to see multimeter from Japan
Sanwa has stood the test of time!
Needle ..classic and simple 👍
100% 👍
Compromising on little bit of lead length they can be re-routed to a better preferred side. Just need a zip tie and some colour matching putty. Also no shielding, could be added. 😊
Straight up advice my friend..definitely prefer having leads on the bottom 😊
adding to my collection list!!!
Awesome 👌
It is that time of the year again. Sanwa time! Shame about the lack of a threaded insert. They seemed to also have designed a place to put a loop on for a magnetic strap or something. You missed that!
Yes! Good point about the strap hole/opening.
Cute multimeter that can come in handy. Accurate and dependable, exactly what is expected from it's brand.
Right on Eugene..it's solid too so extremely robust !
Nice tidy little package for the grab and go tool bag.
It sure is..it's now in mine!
Really cute old style multimeter. Simple but durable. Probably able to work for decades
I think so too!
I think so too!
That´s a multimeter from an ancient era, long ago. The only possible reason to buy this could be: Pure nostalgia. In pretty much every aspect is a simple 830-style DMM at least on par, if not even superior, but very much cheaper.
What do we get for around 50,-€?
A DMM with a rubber bumper around the case, not protecting the display, nor the rotary switch, nor the zero-adjust-knob. The input protection only sufficient to protect the inbuild ammeter, not to protect the user. Very restricted ranges for measurements. A very low impedance, therefor building a voltage divider with the part under test, which is altering the readings. A tolerance of up to 25 Volts. No continuity test, no diode testing. No magnetic shielding (important for this magnetic driven needle ammeters). At least nothing was visible in the teardown. (And we all know: Shielding is somehow "your thing"!)
Or around 10 "830"-style DMMs... alternative: Less DMMs which are a little more expensive then the 830´s, but far more advanced.
Examples: Listed in the video description above...
What´s left over to say about this Sanwa: Nice, pretty expensive battery tester with a nostalgic touch for sentimental enthusiasts, using a technology that´s developed in the late 19th century. It will be surely sold like sliced, warm bread. Any other thoughts?
All valid points but it's now residing in my portable Grab n go right beside my 830! It's still robust even without a full boot and there's still benefits to an analog even in the digital age. Besides being more responsive to changing values, it also fares better in the presence of a radio-frequency field. Normally, this has minimal effect on the analog meter unlike its digital brethren. Plus..it looks dang cool 😎 👍
This terrible thing seems like a device to fool customers at a hardware store. They are not even try to scale the resistance scale linear. Some analogue meters implement this. In my childhood, a meter like this was the very first meter, this was more than 40 years in the past.
Analog meters belong on the bench, away from the wear and tear of the job site. Any idea what an analog meter does that a DMM can’t do?
Analog is definitely more responsive for one thing. If you're looking for small changes on a load the needle never lies. Because of its mechanical nature, the analog meter will display signal changes faster. Digital meters normally average the signals and have a sampling (reading) rate which is slow enough to miss a transient.
I have the SANWA YX360 and love it. Is it as capable as a DMM? Nope! But during my HS 3-year electronic program, we trained with ONLY analog meters, all I can say is that they're fun!!!
That's awesome 👌 Analog is such a great way to learn electronics! Kudos my friend. YX360=Classic!
One thing ive noticed with Sanwa, the build quality is always there from the smallest to the largest, tho some might feel this ones a bit over priced considering its not digital and requires more focus to read on the fly & minimum input protection considering price, fluke 101 is similar or less money with killer input protection and easier to read digital display but less functionality.- but again nice overall Sanwa quality
I think the AP33 price is very reasonable considering the cost and mechanics involved. The 101 is no slouch but it's apples to oranges really.
Never use analog multimeter how can you measure diode with it too?
If the analog meter has no dedicated diode mode you can use the resistance range instead. Set to lowest resistance range and Connect the diode in the forward-biased condition by connecting the positive terminal to anode and negative to the cathode.
If the meter indicates a low resistance value, then it's a good diode. 👍
@@KeepOnTesting ok thank you
Very nice. I want one.
You're not alone 😊👍
I might buy these for compact electrical task
Great multimeter and solidly built! I'm sure they will do a great job.
@@KeepOnTesting yeah and sanwa use thru hole components is a plus
@@KeepOnTesting i just got it and it's good the display is so clean, and it's compact. i like this more than the yx360 version
@@intelcorei0364Excellent!! Glad you like it as much as I do..the display is stellar, and it's a tough meter too. 👍
I want one of these. I don't need one (I have plenty of meters), but I don't have an analog meter.
And as to the lack of brass inserts, the only time the battery is used is for the ohms mode, so a battery will likely last you years. And just don't blow the fuse. ;)
I also noticed that it does not have the highest number of ranges, but I guess that it is a small unit with a small switch.
Its minimalist as far as the ranges go..I think that's why it's so appealing 😅
Nice meter. Unusual to see through hole, very pocketable, but I would worry about catching the ohms adjust knob on something if I carried it in a pocket.
Good point..I would still put the meter in a cloth pouch or similar if I was going to pocket transport too 👍 It's a very solid hefty meter just the same so I'm sure it can take some abuse.
I don't question the quality, but I baby my meters. I think we are both the kind of person who doesn't like to run around with a cellphone with a cracked screen.@@KeepOnTesting
@@ericbaker1200Yes Eric, absolutely correct. I'm almost absurdly careful with my test gear too. I can't stand a small chip on my phone let alone a cracked screen 😅👍
SANWAY'YA Hayranım sanwa gerçekten güzel ancak dijital multi metrelerini şeklini yani fiziki yapısını biraz daha büyük ve daha güzel şekilde yapmalarını şidetle tawsiye EDERİM
I actually love the SANWA look..it's resolute but attractive without being overly placated with useless features. Thanks for watching my friend ❤️
@@KeepOnTesting ❤
Sometimes simple is the way to go. It's hard not to enjoy a good analog meter, even if it can't offer as much functionality as its digital brother. And with Sanwa, we know it's good.👍
Couldn't agree more! Always nice to have one handy.
Good old analog meters are cool
That needle is addictive 😅👍
Nice
SANWA is hard to beat !
Nice review 😊
Glad you liked it
Nice multimeter.
I was desperate to get a VOM like the Sanwa YX361TR which has a zero-centre +/- scale. That is very handy in applications where you have to balance circuit elements. It is $113US so attracts a lot of counterfeits. I bought one of the latter, a '
'YX-360' from somewhere. When I opened it to put in a battery the screw post fell apart, and one of the ball bearings fell from the rotary switch. And the 'mirror' was painted on! So I got my $15(!) refund. So watch out for the Sanwa counterfeits. The authentic Sanwa's are worth what they cost. But I would rather get a genuine YX360TRF which only costs a little more than the AP33. (I wound up getting a Tekpower VOM which has that 'null' scale.)
Those fake SANWA meters are a real problem..do not buy a SANWA meter unless it's from an authorized SANWA dealer such as sanwa-america.com
Pity you didn't get the YX361 it's a beautiful precision test instrument..
2kOhm/V on a Class 5 meter movement. That is ... a bit low end.
Honestly it's one of the best made analog meters I've seen ..but I understand where you're coming from. 👍
@@KeepOnTesting Would be interesting how you'd compare the build quality to the Hioki 3030, which I believe you also reviewed?
@splitprissm9339 The AP33 is a small pocket analog meter , whereas the Hioki 3030 is a full size Analog device. So might not be the most accurate , that being said I like the comparative idea in general and will consider it for a future segment.
@@KeepOnTesting "Full size" would be something like a Unigor 4p or AN/PSM6 for me :) BTW, some of the high end makers still have current models, but they are really expensive - eg Chauvin Arnoux and Gossen Metrawatt have current, professional grade analogs. Amused to see the MetraHit 2A, which is a decades old classic design still sold at around 500 bucks (the original can be found on the used market for 20 bucks-ish, though you might not always get lucky, the movements are not ultra robust and can have balance and hysteresis problems, and the range switches might need an overhaul).
If I win a sanwa beauty, I will give away 3 of 3d printed stands. For join my giveaway, reply and like this comment.
Great stuff my friend! 👍
Adjusting the needle to be exactly over the left hand end of the scale should be done before the right hand end.
The use of a 1.5 Volt battery means it cannot test LEDs.
When measuring voltage the 2k/V loading can introduce significant error. For example when switched to 10 Volt range the meter is a 20 kOhm resistor in parallel with the circuit.
The AC voltage ranges are not true RMS. Only accurate for sine waves.
Buyers are paying a high price for the Sanwa name, not the capability and performance.
Yes, most analog meters have a high input impedance compared to their digital brethren. Still, it doesn't mean they aren't capable. Lack of TrueRMS is not a big deal for home users. Buyers are getting an inexpensive high quality test instrument from a world leader in electronics test instruments. The AP33 is very well made 👌 Thx for watching
@@KeepOnTesting No, most analog meters have a LOW input impedance compared to digital ones. A mid range analogue meter is 20kOhm/Volt. That is ten times less load than this Sanwa.
@geoffmorrison3648 yep..That was my initial thought, dyslexia set in temporarily hehe. The input impedance of a digital meter is far higher than an analog-type circuit (analog meter). It may be 20 kΩ/V while, for the digital meter, it may be 20 MΩ/V, meaning less interference or effect on the tested circuit.
@@KeepOnTesting You still have not got that entirely correct. Unlike the impedance of an analog meter digital meters usually have the same (or almost same) impedance on all voltage ranges. Typically 10 MΩ. I have never seen a DMM spec include an Ω/V figure.
@geoffmorrison3648 Disagree here Geoff. Anyways I'm not going to start a long debate over semantics. Thanks for your input as always.👍
Nice little analogue meter but would you expect anything less with that pedigree? As for 3D printing I'm a huge enthusiast , I've been 3D printing for years, I would like to be better at CAD but I get by, I get a real thrill when I design and make a "thing" You go from having an idea to holding a real, solid object, still blows my mind.
Right ? This is from the breed of champions 🏆
Cool ..3D is sooo much fun. The quality of the printers nowadays is stellar. I'll be doing a few 3D segments for sure. I think the cross between electronics and mechanics is awesome 👌 Kind of like the AP33 😊
@@KeepOnTesting It's a fact (no matter your views on firmware etc.) Bambu Lab change the landscape in a very short space of time and the quality of printers just keeps getting better. (I do have a resin printer but I don't use it a great deal although it is useful for my other hobby, scale modeling)
Wholeheartedly agree Shaun.
My Bambu A1 Mini is incredibly powerful despite its diminutive footprint!
Another analog multimeter without continuity, so sad (
Audible continuity would have been nice, agreed. 👍
sanwa quality
Right on Paul 👍
😊 👍