I know these aren't considered to be the greatest meters around, but its been a workhorse for a couple years at least. Now, the mA/uA setting is giving really low, erroneous readings. I have to use the Amp jack and setting to read proper milli values. For example, a 300mA reading comes up correct with the Amp jack, but using mA/uA it's some ridiculous number around 2-3mA. Anybody have any ideas why? Is it possible a near low battery condition could do this even if the low battery indicator doesn't show? I need to pick up some new AA's.
Thanks

 

These are toys. Try new batteries. If that does not work, buy another toy, while you at it, upgrade to E version.

 

The true value of digital electronics. How much time do you want to spend, to save $40?

 

I get it, I get it. Sometimes you pay for what you can afford at the time and work with. Was curious if anyone else found this issue. Everything else works fine on the meter. Checking the battery possibility next... Any suggestions on under $50 meters that are decent?

 

It depends, I use a VC-99 for bench. But wouldn't use it at construction sites or production floors.

 

It depends, I use a VC-99 for bench. But wouldn't use it at construction sites or production floors.

I'm just doing at home stuff at the moment. Do you or anyone have opinions on the Aneng meters now popping up all over?
That VC-99 came up at one seller when I searched. Dx.com...

 

These are toys. Try new batteries. If that does not work, buy another toy, while you at it, upgrade to E version.

I might move on from my "toy".

 

No I haven't. But if it will meet your purpose, that's a great price for the features. And it is tiny.

I haven't really looked at new meter equipment.

 

I'm just doing at home stuff at the moment. Do you or anyone have opinions on the Aneng meters now popping up all over?
That VC-99 came up at one seller when I searched. Dx.com...

Aneng are also toys. They are cheap so they make for very nice toys.

If you want cheap, you want:
- Chinese Flukes
- Bryman
- 100 series Flukes
- Amprobe sells rebranded stuff like Uni-T and Bryman

 

I like my $20 Thsinde 18B+
Here's the review - https://testmeterpro.com/thsinde-multimeter/ It does what it says... not a bad build on it also. I bought it as a hey it's only $20 and I can use it somewhere... surprisingly impressed.

 

Aneng are also toys. They are cheap so they make for very nice toys.

If you want cheap, you want:
- Chinese Flukes
- Bryman
- 100 series Flukes
- Amprobe sells rebranded stuff like Uni-T and Bryman

Yeah, I'm leaning toward the Fluke 100 series.

 

I like my $20 Thsinde 18B+
Here's the review - https://testmeterpro.com/thsinde-multimeter/ It does what it says... not a bad build on it also. I bought it as a hey it's only $20 and I can use it somewhere... surprisingly impressed.

Thanks...You have to admit though, for that price my first reaction is pretty skeptical! Might be a question of longevity. How do they pull it off? I mean you say it's a decent build, and I can see it's ok most likely - from photos.

 

Thanks...You have to admit though, for that price my first reaction is pretty skeptical! Might be a question of longevity. How do they pull it off? I mean you say it's a decent build, and I can see it's ok most likely - from photos.

Seriously it was an accident that I ordered this. I ordered something else but got tired of waiting for China and found a quiky to finish a project on amazon. So far I’ve dropped it a few times on concrete is about all the abuse it’s had. I figured if nothing else it would just be good for continuity and diode check. I’ve had it about a year now. I would not use one at work or trust the CAT III rating in it. For the low voltage stuff I do it’s as accurate as my Fluke just better range. If it last another 2 years I’ll just replace it

 

I would not use one at work or trust the CAT III rating in it

I definitely agree with that. I don't work in the industry anymore (that may change). I really enjoy experimenting, learning and tinkering. Lower voltages mostly. Unless my brothers come around.

 

Looks like 139C has issues and fairly recently :

As far as low voltage stuff, just buy some toys, 15 USD Anengs are not bad, large bright screens. Uni-T 61s have had quality control issues in the past so I just ignore Uni-T products as a general rule, no matter how nice looking and feature attractive they are.

Not to sound like total snob. I also have two toys. They are Tacklife branded clamps, they were on some kind of special so each was something like 8 USD:
- CM02A
- CM01A
If you are going to spend real money (more than 20 USD), then I don't recommend them. 10 USD each is what they are worth.

 

Look if you need high voltage, needs to be calibrated and certified Fluke. I wouldn’t even mess with the Chinese version. Get the real McCoy

 

Did you try to clean the PCB around the mA/µA input? I wonder if something is at play there. I would also clean the fuse holder and the fuse itself to see if some bad contact is influencing your measurements.

The UT139C is a reasonably well built meter - well above the dirt cheap alternatives (Aneng, Bside, Richmeters, etc.) and well worth the 15 minutes to disassemble and clean it (if that is the actual problem).

As shteii01 mentioned, if you are willing to get a higher priced meter I would certainly consider Brymen - their build quality is top notch and they have a great balance of features, price and quality. Depending on where you live, there are OEMs that sell Brymen rebrands (Greenlee in the USA, for example) - that or you buy direct from an European distributor.

The BM857/859 and BM867/869 are their higher count meters (50000) and the latter two are rated CAT IV 1kV. I have a BM857 and it is a war tank.

 

At the pricing for Brymen why not just get a Fluke 116?

 

At the pricing for Brymen why not just get a Fluke 116?

That depends on what you do, but the 116 is a very basic electricians meter with only µA current measurements and 0.5% basic accuracy in DC. I found the 116 at $150~$160 in the US, which is almost the same price of a BM867, which has gobs of other features and is higher rated than the 116.

 

The Brymen got a good review... they verified the CAT rating:
https://testmeterpro.com/best-multimeters/

With a Fluke you get waterproof, shockproof and gasproof and lifetime warranty. So go for the 87V.