So i had this b&q branded DMM for some years, and yesterday was doing some voltage/curren monitor callibration on quadcopter flight controller only to start suspecting its showing me porkies. I have other dedicated devices that show me 11.40v. while DMM telling me its 11.31, which is a big deal as callibration is to do with failsafe and it may be dangerous inflight.

Cant trust my DMM anymore.

So here's the question - what can i get for under £50 ?
At the moment i'm considering Uni-T UT61E (£35-40ish), but any other suggestions of up to £50 are appreciated.
Mainly deal with the likes of LiPo batteries, ESCs, AC brushless motors, etc. No mains or high voltages.

Considering i had a £10 2k cound DMM anything with 22k count (UT61E) is an immense upgrade.

Any thoughts on this ?

 

Have a look here Cpc Preston..UK

http://cpc.farnell.com/webapp/wcs/s...ltimeter&pageSize=25&showResults=true&aa=true

I have a Tenma Autoranging,

 

So i had this b&q branded DMM for some years, and yesterday was doing some voltage/curren monitor callibration on quadcopter flight controller only to start suspecting its showing me porkies. I have other dedicated devices that show me 11.40v. while DMM telling me its 11.31, which is a big deal as callibration is to do with failsafe and it may be dangerous inflight.

Cant trust my DMM anymore.

So here's the question - what can i get for under £50 ?
At the moment i'm considering Uni-T UT61E (£35-40ish), but any other suggestions of up to £50 are appreciated.
Mainly deal with the likes of LiPo batteries, ESCs, AC brushless motors, etc. No mains or high voltages.

Considering i had a £10 2k cound DMM anything with 22k count (UT61E) is an immense upgrade.

Any thoughts on this ?

Well, that is 0.8% error.

A modern (good) meter with a good reputation like a Fluke 87-5 will be 0.05% spec ($400 USD Range)

Something like a Klein (electricians) meter will be 0.2% ($125 USD Range) to 0.5% ($50 USD Range).

If 90 mV is a big deal to you, then you'll have to spend the big bucks. Also, you'll have to be aware of your surroundings to make sure any interference is considered. Also, you'll have to know exactly how your meter works (Fluke 87-5 will report ripple on top of a DC signal as AC and the RMS of the total as DCV.

 

I have other dedicated devices that show me 11.40v. while DMM telling me its 11.31, which is a big deal as callibration is to do with failsafe and it may be dangerous inflight.

Well.. what do you need? If .09V is a big deal.. Is .05V ok? or .01V?

 

Have a look here Cpc Preston..

http://cpc.farnell.com/webapp/wcs/s...ltimeter&pageSize=25&showResults=true&aa=true

I have a Tenma Autoranging,

It looks like he'll have to get into the £90 range to get 0.05% DCV.

 

Well, in UT-61E specs i get ±(0.1%+2) for DC. So far it looks like it checks out in benchmarks (yeah, youtube).

Specs here: http://www.uni-trend.com/productsdetail.aspx?ProductsID=605&ProductsCateId=743&CateId=743

As for my old dmm, i suspected shenanigans for some time before yesterday, as it would show milk fat content without even connecting it to any DC. Then it would go away. Then it would come back again... go figure...

As for UT61E, i can get it for ~£35 from china or for ~£45 from UK (ebay). Most proper "shops" sell it for well over that.
I'm just exploring my options here. I need leads to pursue something else if they exist. For now i'm set on UT61E, but maybe someone can persuade me otherwise ?

Cheers

 

Fluke make a range of meters specifically for the Chinese market and they are all below £100; there are some reviews on You Tube. I bought an 18B+ recently and it is err... built like a Fluke.

http://assets.fluke.com/manuals/151718__umeng0000.pdf

 

Nah, fluke is too fancy for me, just no need.

 

Nah, fluke is too fancy for me, just no need.

Not really, only a little above your price range....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-FLUKE...776628?hash=item4d52736774:g:~5gAAOSwiCRUfBXq

 

I bought one of these about a year ago. Very happy with it.

 

maybe one of the General Tools items
https://www.generaltools.com/digital-tools/electrical-test-meters/multimeters

 

Try RS components they do a range of RS Pro meters 3 year warranty on all even the £12 ones. £56 including UKAS calibration. I have one, think it was £12 and works great for what I need it for.

 

Well, pulled the trigger on UT61E. Looks like its great for someone who tinkers with electronics. Not so good with HE application (weak input protection).Not gonna poke about in anything 380v three phase No backlight is a bit of a bummer but can be modded in. I'll see what comes of it. Paid £42 delivered.