Best Electricians Multimeter Shootout and Extech EX355 Review - audio corrected:)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 มิ.ย. 2023
- In this video 'Best Electricians Multimeter Shootout and Extech EX355 Review', I'll show a number of multimeters that might be great multimeter for an Electrician. I will go thru the features that I think makes a great Electrican's multimeter and go over each meter to get to the Extech EX355 to show why I think it might be the winner. #ExtechEX355 #FLUKE117 #FLIRDM92 #Brymen #bestmultimeter
Links to multimeters in this video:
Extech EX355 comes with leads, and temp probe: amzn.to/3ptCm4F
Ideal 61-486 comes with bag, leads, temp probe and magnetic holder: amzn.to/42Yreug
testo 760-2 comes with silicone leads, and temp probe: amzn.to/443jGYQ
Klein MM700 comes with leads, temp probe, alligator clips, and bag: amzn.to/44i6O0E
FLIR DM93 comes with leads, magnetic holder, and temp probe: amzn.to/42ZEij0
Greenlee DM860A: comes with leads, temp probe, and bag: amzn.to/3CJ3aB9
Greenlee DM830A comes with leads, temp probe, and bag: amzn.to/3qYdYJ4
Brymen BM786 comes with leads and temp probe: amzn.to/3NLqZi1
Amprobe AM570 comes with leads, 2 temp probes, and bag: amzn.to/44j5HgW
Voltcraft VC850 comes with probes (can not find the VC870 in this video): ebay.us/wB5U7w
Hioki 4252: amzn.to/42WG707
Link to lower cost PicoScope: amzn.to/3mVFTaT
Link to Class D Amplifier (ICEpower 125ASX2): amzn.to/3LHSbxa
Link to Uni-T spectrum analyzer: amzn.to/3V3yJOs
instruments.uni-trend.com/US-...
_________________________________________________________________________________________
You can support this channel with this link to Patreon - I really do appreciate your support? This support helps me purchase the equipment I use for testing a reviews.
Patreon.com/KissAnalog
Or you can support this channel with a one time donation on PayPal at: KissAnalog@gmail.com
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Link to low cost Power Cable with 10AWG shielded cable: amzn.to/377C8qU
Audiophile Power Cable Rant: • Audiophile Power Cable...
Link to T-Shirts and more: www.redbubble.com/people/kissa...
Please use links that cost nothing extra but will help support the channel:
TPA3255 Power Amplifier board: amzn.to/3LgRZTl
GW Instek 4 channel MDO Oscilloscope: amzn.to/3rvY7PK
MicSig Oscilloscope: amzn.to/3B4DcXe
MicSig Differential Scope Probe: amzn.to/3HvRG4A
Pico Oscilloscope: amzn.to/35UytvC
IR Thermal Camera: amzn.to/3J92LJu
Silicone Blue work mat: amzn.to/37a9txL
Kaiweets Store (using this link will help support this channel): kaiweets.com/collections/hot-...
Other videos that might be of interest:
EEVblog Comments on Fluke Rant: • Capacitor Types in SPI...
Fluke Rant - Are they over priced? • Fluke Rant - are they ...
Fluke Rant - Better Test Leads Please; • Fluke Rant - Better Te...
Fluke TPAK Hanging meter Kit $42 or $10; magnetic hanger comparison: • Fluke TPAK Hanging met...
EEVblog is Santa Claus - Thanks Dave!!: • EEVblog is Santa Claus...
EEVblog comments;) Fluke Rant - are they Over Priced?: • EEVblog comments;) Fl...
The Iconic Fluke 87V: • The Iconic FLUKE 87 wi...
Fluke 27 Exposed and giveaway: • Fluke 27 Exposed and G...
Please support this channel that will not cost anything extra by using my link to Borbede BD-99, this meter is around $47 which is low cost for a high count meter with high accuracy:
amzn.to/3DRgUbZ
Links to support this channel that cost nothing extra;)
Fluke 87V link: amzn.to/3l4QUCq
Hioki 4256 multimeter: amzn.to/3idmexS
Hioki 4282 multimeter (my favorite meter): amzn.to/3xjwGYN
Testo 760-2 Multimeter (on Sale): amzn.to/38PQE4H
Amazon Commercial 90DM610 Multimeter: amzn.to/2XOO4pf
Redfish Clamp-on Power meter: redfishinstruments.com/produc...
Kaiweets: kaiweets.com?sca_ref=1269738.glN6S8aePH
TDA8954 Class D amplifier: amzn.to/2LBqvxF
100Picoscope 4444 (differential scope kit): amzn.to/2V4sRK0
GW Instek MDO-2204EX (has Generator, Power Supply, and Multimeter):amzn.to/3xmCQYa
Micsig Differential Probe: amzn.to/3oUDtVu
Micsig Current Probe: amzn.to/3nRso6v
Hantek Current Probe (low cost): amzn.to/3qrbVHH
PinTek Differential Probe: amzn.to/39SWqlt
Uni-T 2-Channel ARB Generator: amzn.to/3iibBs5 - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
Thankyou Sir for all the time you took . Very informative
So nice of you - I appreciate you!
Hi Eddie, thank you so much for the informative video. 😀
Thank you for your support!
Awesome shootout👍!
Thank you!
A high end meter review is something I'd look forward to!
OK thanks!!
Great review! I took a chance with the Extech EX355, thinking it was a decent multimeter. I ended up getting a second EX355. The price point
Thank you!! They really are impressive - especially at the cost!
Great topic. Fluke pricing is out of control.
IMHO - I totally agree;)
Awesome stuff.
I just picked up a couple good ones by BSide and Neoteck.
Both of em have the reversed LCD display with the always on backlight.
I'm really impressed with the ZT-M1 because it was less than 25 bucks and it does everything.
I also picked up a UT60S because it has a beep on the diode mode and it was only 40 bucks.
I'm a fan of the reversed backlit LCD screens. They rock IMO.
Out of the list you provided here, I think I would go with Brymen and Greenlee just because they are sexy beasts.
If you have a meter that you would like to have a reversed LCD Screen, just peel off the old polarising tape on the LCD, buy a piece of adhesive polarising filter tape and rotate it in front of your LCD until you see the reversed LCD effect, then mark it's orientation before cutting to size and remove the backing to the adhesive before pressing down first from the centre to the outside to eliminate any possible air bubbles. Works a treat and makes your meter unique if the model isn't normally sold with a reverse LCD readout option.
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for your feedback!!
Great review, thanks so much for it! I’m thinking in buying the Brymen BM786, but I can get the BM789 cheaper and it seems to have better specs. Would you recommend any of them for audio projects?
Great question! I like both meters as they are both awesome and great for audio! The BM789 is a fantastic meter for audio as it also has the dB function But they both have wide bandwidth and AC+DC measurements. What country are you in? I'm just wondering the price in different countries?
For professional use, I would rank cost very low. Metrics I would rank high, reliability. Nothing worse than a tool that doesn't do it's job every time, year in and out. Cheap materials don't make for reliable switches. I don't want a meter with an intermittent function switch in the field. Next metric, robustness. Both mechanical and electrical. I used a CEM (OEM for many Extech products) for several years. The plastics were so bad after 7 years or so, I pitched the meter. The Voltcraft you show I believe is made by UNI-T. Perhaps one of the least electrically robust brands I have looked at.
Most of the meters I have looked at with lowZ will places two PTCs in series to get a constantish current. You can check the cold resistance of that 121GW as I think it has that feature.
I would imagine most large companies supply the tools to their employees. I'm not sure how it would go over if you show up on a job site with your cheap UNI-T. Worse with UNI-T, it's a bit of a crap shoot as to what you get. Seems you just have to open them up and have a look.
So your "best" meter is the Fluke 17B+?
@@tooby98765 You would need to define "best". If you're asking which meters I use, that's pretty clear from my own videos.
Thanks Joe for your feedback! That’s why I ranked 3rd party certification as number one. Manufacturers have to have a level of safety and quality control to hold a certification. Also I pointed out to look for the drop test that even Fluke doesn’t do for a number of their meters. Also the IP rating is huge. Id put that Amazon meter up against about any meter.
The Voltcraft is actually a Conrad made meter that you can see under the safety certificate that they received.
I’ve opened all these meters and as you can see from the Extech in this video - they are made very well. Actually the ideal, FLIR, and Hioki are amazing.
I didn’t show a cheep UNI-T meter here. I actually was going to get one until I saw one of your videos;) I’d show up to any job site with any one of the meters here and I’d love someone to challenge me. It would give me the chance to show them how much I know about my equipment and how I can show them how to take safe quality measurements.
Cool comparison of extech great meter
Thanks so much!
Thar extech reminds me a lot of the UNI-T UT139 series. The plastic housing looks almos the same, and as for the probes, I think that they’re definetly made by UNI-T. Great videos by the way!
Thanks for the info! It is hard to say who private labels for who;)
The Amazon Commercial meter is a CEM 9560 without temp and CEM 9561 with temp. Great meters for working outdoors. For $40 bucks it was a heck of a deal. But my favorite is the EEVblog.
Thanks Rick! I wonder if CEM didn’t offer it under their name for the first year it came out for Amazon? I also really like the EEVblog!
The yellow Ideal meter with the AC+DC option is being sold in the Netherlands under the Niaff Smitt brand as the NI98 III
Thanks for that feedback! I did not know about Niaff Smitt, but it looks like an interesting brand. Are they considered a good company? Do you know about them?
@@KissAnalog It's considered a good brand here and has a good reputation. I think its best compared to Amprobe/Beha-Amprobe for that matter. The name Niaf Smitt and its measuring instruments are part of a company called Mors Smitt who do much more than just this kind of equipment. In their turn, Mors Smitt is owned by the Wabtec Corporation.
Great video! I have a fluke meter and I find that when I place the caps on the test leads, push them down, and then twist to the right, that secures the cap on the test lead. When taking the cap off, turn it to the left to unscrew and then lift off.
Thanks! I have a 2 new sets and neither of mine do that. I looked under a magnification glass to see if there were any features that would make that happen - and the set that comes with their meters - has a ridges in the cap and indents on the leads to allow the cap to snap on. The set that I have from Pomona (who is owned by Danaher - the same company that owns Fluke) it has two indent rings - one above the other - and the cap has 2 ridges (like the Fluke - at 2 levels - the ones on opposite sides are at the same level but different than the other 2 - if that makes sense). The Pomona caps stay on more rigidly - but still can pop off fairly easily.
You got it
The Greenlee meter is a rebadged Brymen BM867 or a Bm869 and would love to see a review on that
And the voltcraft looks like some variant of an old Uni-t 61E. Not sure whether this would be custom variant only sold by voltcraft...
That Greenlee is a rebaged BM829s, not a BM867s/BM869s 😉
It's basically a lower spec/lower resolution BM869s.
The Voltcraft is indeed made by Uni-T, but a bespoke design. Voltcraft has/had multiple bespoke models made by Uni-T. Even one with an OLED display.
Thanks for the great feedback!!! Great meters!!
LoZ is very important for my work. I have my old school Ideal brand solenoid voltage tester which has been around since World War 2. I’ve had mine for 30+ years. Input impedance is around 3.8k ohms. My newer LoZ meter is the Fluke 116 which has an input impedance of 3.5k ohms. Both do a great job.
Thanks for your great feedback. It is funny how people don't really know Ideal brand and how long it has been around:)
@@KissAnalog Indeed, Ideal was a big name at one time!
Awesome
yeah a full review of the Briman Meter from Dave EEV Blog! it has Bluetooth not sure if it can measure power .... If so I would do a 230 v adapter for it
Thank you! I did do a review on both EEVblog meters awhile ago, but I probably should do a follow up:) Here's the link: th-cam.com/video/YHuy2PYNq68/w-d-xo.html
I have the EX355. It was on sale for about 60 bucks. It hasn't ever been used at my job. More of a spur of the moment purchase. It seems like a well-built meter. Right now I'm using a full set of Klein meters and I really think they are of good quality. I have their 700 meter, 600 insulation tester and 600 clamp meter. All 3 have been working great for me. All 3 together only cost about 320 bucks. You can't get an 87 series for that amount.
That EX355 is a beast, but so to is the Klein meters!!! The 87 does not warrant the price IMHO - especially when you can get 3 or 4 meters with lunch with Klein or Extech;)
Some of the Extech's are built by CEM. I have 2 Extech clamp meters and 3 other Extech's including the EX530, they are all great meters. The clamps I bought in a consignment of 'non working' Extech gear - 2 clamps, an air quality meter, a USB shipping data logger (monitors harsh treatment, knocks etc for shipping fragile items to give data on an items temperature, if it was safely treated inside a shipping container such as a car for example), 2 damp and wood moisture meters and a thermometer. All items work very well in fact, absolute bargain for £65 for the lot.
The clamp meters measure AC and DC Amps to 800A and are fully featured with great ranges all through the dial.
Never tried a Klein but I hear they are fantastic quality, from the US shipping into UK is crazy, something like £40-£50 for a small item such as a meter and they are not available in retail environments here. You put the import duties on top of that and you are paying 3X the initial cost of the item. Been after a set of Klein screwdrivers as I prefer clear yellow acetate handles but shipping trebles the price or more which is unacceptable. Both governments need to sort this out as it is crazy.
Thanks for this great feedback! I have the Amazon Commercial meters that are made by CEM. There is no direct copy by CEM so they must have made them special for Amazon - but are truly top notch. Amazing deal, but it must have been a one time buy from Amazon sadly as I can't really find them in the US anymore. I shipped some equipment to Canada - and it too was crazy expensive!
Can you make review of Tektronix TX3?
Yes I sure can. I love that meter! Thanks for asking!
I think the Brymen BM235 would also be an excellent electricians multimeter.
It has lowz, vfd mode temp measurement and even a catIV rating. Very high quality and sub $100 ex tax including silicone leads and carry bag.
Of course pretty much everything has been said about this meter by Dave Jones and Joe Smith and a bunch of other youtubers.
The only feature which would also be handy is a good autohold, but that is usually only seen on higher end meters, like the bm786 in this test.
Great feedback! Thank you! Brymen would be much bigger in the states - but I think they must have signed an agreement with Greenlee which not a lot of people know about. Dave's EEVblog meter is an amazing meter - but just a bit more money than the BM235;)
@@KissAnalog I think both Welectron (germany) and TME (poland) ship to the US. Welectron is cheaper I believe. (I believe $110 incl shipping, silicone leads and carry case for the bm235),
Greenlee is a bit like Fluke europe....same product but outrageous price. Recently Fluke prices went up here in europe: a Fluke 115 is now €200 ex sales tax (about 20%) and a Fluke 117 is now €280,- ex tax! (cheapest street prices I could find). Compare that to the Brymen BM869s: €173 ex tax. And the 87V: €503,- ex tax on sale. (otherwise, cheapest price is €530 ex tax). €503 is almost $550US...
On the other hand, the limited availability, and absent marketing of Brymen might be a blessing. Obviously it saves some costs (although I still don't think the amount brands like Fluke and Keysight charge), and it gives people who dig a little further and are willing to to shop outside the big electronics suppliers a very good deal (usually consumers, self employed customers, but never corporate).
I'd rather have to do some extra work and get a great deal than knock on the door of the first big international electronics distributor and pay about 300% more for a meter that has way less functionality, less resolution, less accuracy, lower safety rating etc etc. (I'm comparing the BM869S here to the 87V)
I think Extech EX355 and Brymen BM235 are the same multimeters anyway.
Hello, I have had a uni-t ut58c (manual range) since 2015 and it has worked very well, but with use and several falls its display is already damaged, and I think that at any moment it will fail completely, I have tried several cheap multimeters from other brands and the uni-t brand as well.
but I have not found one with the following characteristics (the ut58c has them)
-super fast continuity test speed.
-loud and clear continuity sound (I'm a little deaf already)
-rapid acquisition of voltage measurement
-screen with big numbers
something good that is also desirable
-firm stand (I can manipulate it with one hand)
- the screen is not as affected by light reflections.
I would like to know which would be the best option for up to about 200usd, the precision and resolution or display counts, as well as its cat certifications are not so important, since I only use it for repairs of electronic equipment (notebook mostly)
Thanks for asking. This meter, the Amprobe AM570 is owned by the same company that owns Fluke and they started around the same time. amzn.to/3S7SpQ8
As a jobbing industrial sparks I can tell you most don't use DMM's; they use a two-probe tester like a Fluke T90 or equivalent, and an installation tester. For those that do use a DMM, as Joe Smith says, cost is largely irrelevant; you want something reliable and durable. Mine is the somewhat cliché Fluke 87V. I can't agree that the Fluke 289 is an electrician's meter, mine stays at home at my bench. It's really an electronics meter.
EDIT: Also having the NCV feature is a pointless gimmick, if you've got a trunking full of conductors and you need to find one conductor in a hundred, you need the small size of a volt-stick.
Thanks so much for your feedback!! Great to hear from an actual pro in the field!
The Fluke leads are indeed poor. However irrational, I like the way the 87 and 325 feel, so I bought them at a big discount and budgeted for a set of Probemaster leads (after one of your reviews of course).
Thanks for your great feedback! You would love the Hioki I’ll bet;)
I would like to see some testing and reviews for radioactivity meters.
Wow - thanks - maybe I should have one to be sure that I don't have any radio active devices in my house;)
The FNIRSI is really good and in a nice professional case. Most of the Geiger counters for less than $100 are fitted in very cheap nasty plastic cases, that thin white brittle type of plastic.
@@KissAnalog
You probably do.
Natural granite bench tops, smoke alarms, bananas, old glow in the dark radium watches, newer tritium watches, thorium arc welding rods and more.
@@manuelhung7571
That Fnirsi looks good but it's not. You won't pick up alpha radiation at all.
There's better out there.
Yes - it would be interesting to stroll around the house:) I'll take a look to see what I can find.
With solar being a big thing many arrays are running at over 720vdc. Get the 1000V meter or you may get hurt thinking a line is dead.
Thank you! That is true - and I have a review that I will post very soon of a meter specifically designed for solar work.
My Triplett 60 is rated for use in a methane/air atmosphere. Betcha none of those meters have that! However, I doubt that I'll never have need for that feature...."Come all yah young fellas, so young and so fine, seek not your fortune in the dark, dreary mine..."
LOL, you are so right! I gave away the Fluke 27 that I had that was rated for this. It was so huge;)
@@KissAnalog Oh Eddie, You just hating on Fluke, Bro 😯 😎 😂
I use fieldpiece only.
have 3 of them
Great option!!! Thank you!!
The Voltcraft meter is most likely made by Uni-T. This one looks like a somewhat altered UT-71E.
Thanks for your feedback - I've heard from others that this might be the case; however, this Voltcraft is actually made by Conrad who is listed on the CE test certificate.
@@KissAnalog That's Interesting. I do know that quite some Voltcraft measuring instruments find their origins at Uni-T. For instance the VC-330 ac/dc clamp meter is exactly the same as the Uni-T UT210E apart from the color scheme. However they also get their stuff from other companies, for instance Owon. Their Voltcraft VC-7055BT is cleary from Owon, just with a different color scheme as well.
I want to know more about your redfish clamp
Ok thank you!
No clamp meters? I think of the Klein CL700 or CL800 as the ultimate electrician's meter. Capacitance, NCV, LoZ, temperature, amp clamp, and probe holder on the end so you can work it with just two hands while you're not at a bench.
Thanks so much! I should have said best meter that is not a clamp meter. I do like the Klein meter as the best meter for an electrician!!! I need to do a video on this. I have one in the wrapper still;)
My experience with multimeters of different brands is fairly limited. I own an old Uni-t 61D, the brymen 789, multiple 170 series flukes and a 87V. Surely I came across other DMMs like Gossen Metrawatt, but didn't use them extensively. Also, I mainly do electronics and on occasion a tiny bit of CAT I/II electrician stuff. With that in mind my take is this: Compared to the other meters the uni-t feels like what it is: a relatively cheap DMM. I neither like it nor use it (at all).
Whenever I don't need the features of a "high-end" (resolution, bandwidth, functions etc.) meter I prefer using the 179 for its classic and intuitive design. The brymen 789 has almost the same form factor and all the features I want, except for a dual display. And importantly it does everything from electrician tasks to electronics stuff. But it certainly costs more than many other meters (not including the mentioned "overpriced" Flukes, obiously).
However, the number of features for each switch position make it a bit less convenient to use for the majority of cases where the 179' feature set suffices. I don't fully trust the brymen because on two or so occasions the switch behaved a bit odd, a bit similar to what Dave had shown in one of his trouble shooting videos. Nevertheless, if I had to pick one DMM it surely would be the Brymen 789. I guess the ideal meter for me would be a certain mix between the Fluke 179, 189, 289 and the Brymen 789...
This shows, that the number of features might not always be the determining factor for whether you like a meter, it ultimately comes down to usability in the context of a given task.
Thanks for all the great feedback!! I love my Hioki and Fluke 189, but I my least favorite meter is the Fluke 289! I don’t like the huge size of the 289 and the way it goes thru batteries. Also it has too many menus just to do a basic function.
@@KissAnalog Your Hioki is very impressive, great to see you are very happy with it, that encourages me to buy that model Hioki myself. Japanese electronics and engineering in general are certainly super well made in my view too.
I bought a Uni-T UT61e back with all the hype around 8 years ago and barely use it just as Sebastian is saying. It only comes out of the zip case to change the batteries every 2 years as I do with all my meters to guard against leakage. I always use April 1st in each year ending in an even number as my reminder not to be a fool and to change out the batteries. The 22,000 counts was the main draw for me towards the 'e' rather than the 'd' that Sebastian bought but the safety, confidence and build quality of all of the 60 series meters was sorely lacking, very thin plastic, very little in the way of input protection, 1 tiny PTC, diode clamping, a resistor and a pair of lacklustre glass fuses just to throw hot molten glass around the inside of the meter when it inevitably fails. I know it was aimed at bench electronics but static electricity can pop up anywhere and everywhere. The shielding is just folded silver paper, a Hershey Bar is better protected.
I did some homework after buying the 61e and decided on the much better made in every way Uni-T UT139b, very rugged meter, MOV's and PTC's together with a big input resistor, good selection of ranges too. I have used that meter a lot over the years along with the UT210e and also the 2 pole tester, the UT15c. Uni-T do know how to make good meters, they just choose to cut corners sometimes and save half a dollar mostly on the input protection. The 210e is well protected as is the 15c 2 pole tester, check out Joe Smith's teardown and test of the 15c, at the time, that tester was $18-$20, extremely good value for money and inputs well protected.
I have the 20,000 count UT71, rebadged as Tenma and the input protection is upgraded compared to the disastrous 71e, the 40,000 count meter that Dingo Dave reviewed with 2 crappy little glass fuses, mine has full size, Fluke style HRC fuses. If you buy a UNI-T (Das UNI-T) made for the German Market, they have better input protection using HRC fuse.
Thanks for the great feedback! You really provided a lot of good information! I think the Japanese products are top notch as well as the German made products.
Most electricians I know use that extech. The utility company uses fluke though. My bm869s is 500k count and rolls over at 5.9 I think. I don't use it much.
Thanks for the great feedback!
I work 99 percent residential, and small amont commercial cat 3 is dine for what I do, Iagree fluke is over priced the 117 and the 87v max are my primary meters, I have several of the older fluke t5 1000 ,they just sit on the shelf lately
Thanks for your great feedback. I have reviewed a number of meters now that are far better and better priced - especially compared to the 87V. Here's one that I think is fantastic: th-cam.com/video/mvySfmW3nZs/w-d-xo.html
IMO electricians meter should be a clamp meter, and you don't need microamps or 6000 counts.
My ideal meter would be a souped up version of UT210E, would be nice if it could measure power and cos(phi).
Thank you! I agree - I would want a clamp on meter as well - and here is a great one: th-cam.com/video/GasvW-W3vBw/w-d-xo.html
@@KissAnalog Nah, its huge, can't do DC current, not too sensitive, eats 9V batteries.
Metalica's James Hetfield is that you?
Yes - you found me;) LOL Thanks!
14:27 That long ugly white stripe seems that it doesn't belong there on the Amperol meter.
15:16 I have the Voltcraft 870 for 2,5 years now, and at that time i wanted a DMM that have high counts (60000) AND Lo-Z, and found out that at that time, not many meters had these 2 features combined in 1 DMM, even the most expensive Fluke doesn't have those 2 features combined.
The extra adapter for doing safe power/amperage measurings is also a very handy feature that not many meters have.
This Voltcraft has also HRC (High Rupturing Capacity) type fuses for both 400mA and 10A.
The Voltcraft is CAT III 1000V category and is available with or without calibration certificate here in Europe.
24:35 Regarding the Auto-Off function, and this is something not many people know, let say your DMM is in resistance measuring setting, and the Auto Off function kicks in, you can wake up the DMM by pressing one of the push buttons, so far nothing special, but here's the thing, when a DMM goes Auto-Off, and screen goes out and the rotating selector switch is not in the OFF position, the DMM is in standby mode, ready to be wake up by pressing one of the push buttons.
This standby mode consumes a low current draw, and will shorten your battery life span, especially when not used for a period of time.
So if you leave your bench, or put your DMM back in your toolbag, set your DMM to the OFF position, and the battery will thank you.
Thanks so much for the German feedback!! I love the Voltcraft. Please see my links;)
@@KissAnalog , the Voltcraft is the home brand of parts distributor Conrad here in Europe. Ps: here in Belgium, Duvel has a new version, called 6,66% , referring to the Alcohol content. The normal Duvel has 8,5% Alcohol. Grtz
Wow - thanks for that info!! I love the Duvel as it is - but I’m always interested in trying something new;)
Yeah, that white zoom stripe is kind of goofy? Good point! Good comment
The Fluke 117 is very weak physically. Mine has a very thin crack front to back on the top of the plastic case housing from a very slight drop, around 5ft. If you have one, don't drop test it.
Thanks for your feedback! I was actually surprised that they were not all drop tested. I think it is just the higher cost ones that are made in the states, but I'm not sure. I should do research and provide the status of which are drop rated.
@@KissAnalog Yes, I thought all meters by Fluke were made to the same physical standards at least, the drop test certainly. The 117's and most of the 100, the 114 model and higher models range of meters are marketed at electricians from what I have seen, the very people who would most likely be taking measurements up a ladder. I was just a few rungs up the ladder checking inside a conduit inspection coupling, the meter dropped on the bulkier part 1st - the top of the meter and a hairline crack in the case ensued. Very disappointed to say the least, these 117 meters are not cheap. It will now fail it's regular calibration here in the UK when it comes up due to safety issues surrounding possible arcing I imagine.
Such a shame because the 117 is a really nice meter other than its case weakness. I have dropped my Agilent U1232a from greater heights and it has survived undamaged. I will now get that recalibrated when my 117 runs out as I don't fancy paying another £250 for a new 117 that is intrinsically weak and thin across the top.
I have 3 US built Flukes - an 83iii, a 113 and a 27, all have survived many years of use outdoors and atop of ladders. Even my non-US built 101 seems very robust and I have seen these survive drop tests here on TH-cam very admirably.
Probably the best drop test I have watched was Dingo Dave from EEV Blog when he dropped a brand new Fluke 28 from the top of a dam onto concrete, some 100ft or so, the case was a little roughed up but functionality was preserved, that is one tough meter but too expensive for me to justify on everyday electrics, a little overkill for mostly AC Line measurements, some rough DC measurements, continuity, capacitors and diodes, etc. The 28's level of accuracy is just not needed as a spark.
My pride of the fleet is my Brymen 525s (Bullet Proof for high energy spikes) for tinkering with electronics on my home bench and my trusty old 83iii which has served me well all these years. I use the Brymen on my cars mostly when dealing with the high amperages available at the battery, enough energy to melt a frozen 🦬 buffalo 😂.
Really enjoying your channel after only recently discovering your content, you feature some great equipment and your presentation style is very good and nicely paced.
I have watched Dingo Dave (EEV Blob) for many a year on and off - but mostly off, his whining voice - up and down the scales worse than a cat being fed backwards through a mangle is an acquired taste 😂. He goes through around 10 octaves in just one sentence. He must have a big d'ck, can't see why else his wife would marry him ! 😂
I was watching a video of Dave's in a taxi a few years back and the taxi driver asked me to turn it off as it was hurting his ears, absolutely true story.
Been a BigClive fan for the longest time, he makes very good videos at a relaxing steady pace quite similar to yours.
Thanks for the great content and the insight into new meters on the block, much appreciated.
Thanks for your fantastic feedback! I agree, you would think meters advertised for the electrician would have the drop test and even an IP rating would be awesome! My thought is that so many will buy their brand without considering anyone else - so why not have them made overseas - and skip the extra testing. When I open meters like the Ideal, Brymen, Hioki, and the like - I am so impressed with what I see. There is no reason for a DMM to cost more than an oscilloscope.
LOL my wife says the same thing about Dave's voice. I can't watch him without headphones or she gives me the evil eye;) I also like BigClive - he is funny and a smart guy;)
My 117 fell out of an airplane and survived dude, whatcha talkin’ bout?! 😯 🤣
@@georgedavall9449 😂😂.
>>> FLUKE 117
LOL - U funny guy;)
@@KissAnalog Who? Moi? 😆
A lot of these meters are very inexpensive, and therefore cannot compete with Fluke. Fluke for the win on high prices! 😯 🤣 Buy once cry once
LOL - guess we have to look at a Gossen;)
no switching power supplies at all, been a good time, time to unsub, thanks!
Sorry to see you go. But I think you mean high frequency power supplies vs the old low frequency power supplies with the heavy transformers and large caps.
Well - the world will be all switching power supplies and Amplifiers will be mostly Class D soon so you will be one of the few that don't understand them. Will be happy to see you come back.
LOL… note that the EX355 is 6000 count and has Temp / the EX350 is 4000 count and no Temp !!! Just found out because I was going to buy the 355 for $90 on Amazon but I don’t need Temp so got the 350 on sale for $61 - and lo behold it is 4000 counts 🤷🏻
Yes the EX355 is the better meter for sure. Amazon has a great return policy. Have you seen this meter? Tis is an amazing price that won't last long. amzn.to/3KeIu7V
I have a cheap ($50) meter I bought from Jaycar and a Fluke 115, both CAT III 600V. I was testing the output of a Chinese inverter at one stage, expecting spikes and other abnormalities as they cut corners with inverter design. My Jaycar meter's screen gave weird results as soon as I connected it. After that, it became a paperweight. Pretty disappointing as I had that meter for 15 years and it had some great features (display seemed to be a clone of a Fluke 87, but 3.5 digit). The measurement was no problem for my Fluke however. I can throw whatever I like at it and it just works. 240V AC accidentally on the resistance range, no problems, it auto-switches. I think it's guaranteed to stay within spec for its lifetime also. If you're serious about electrical or electronics work and can afford/want to buy the best, buy Fluke. I don't think anything else compares with quality (of design and firmware e.g. measurement speed) and robustness. BUT, I agree about the Fluke leads! Fortunately I had an older pair on hand which were more flexible. See eevBLAB 91 and EEVblog 1447 for further Fluke to other brand comparisons.
Thanks for your great feedback! The Extech or Klein would do just as good as a job - if not better than the 115 IMHO. The meters in this review that have the filter that cost less than the 115 would be fantastic!
BTW, the 115 calibration is not guaranteed for the lifetime of the meter - unless that is 1 year. Although I think most meters will stay close to their specs for many years. There are so many meters - like the ones in this review that are better than the Jaycar that cost less than the 115 that will do an even better job - IMHO;)