Since I don’t use a multimeter that often, and don’t need high precision, I bought an ultra cheap multimeter (Sunwa DT830B
I’ve just bought it today, and I would usually write about it once I receive it, but there are already detailed reviews on the Internet which are rather positive, as well as users reviews. According to UT61E user’s manual, currents up to 5A can be measured continuously, and a neat feature is that you can also connect it to your (Windows) computer to gather data with the provided software (UT16E Interface program), or another free program called UltraDMM. The multimeter comes with test leads, RS232 cable for connection with a PC, an adapter to measure capacitors, and a CD with documentation and software. The adapter also have holes for transistor measurements, but it is not supported by UT16E model.
MJLorton’s review comprised of 4-part video review (almost 2-hours!) is the best, and most extensive review I’ve seen. The final conclusion is that this multimeter is very good for the price, and it mostly works as advertised. The display is sharp and crisp, even better than Fluke DMM is that respect, but there’s no backlight, and it does not refresh as fast (about twice per second) as better quality and more expensive multimeters such as the $400 Agilent U1272A. Accuracy is decent and within specs, but possibly not as good it could be (or calibration was off), measurements may overshoot for a short time while changing voltage, and there’s no auto-power off. Finally, the multimeter is rated CAT IV (600V), and CAT III (1000V), but after tearing down the tool, the reviewer had low confidence in these safety ratings, and only recommend to use it for electronics, and home appliances, but avoid high power measurement.
I’ve included the 4-part video review below.
Part1 – General impressions, basic functions such as DC voltage & current measurements, continuity, accuracy testing, etc…
Part2 – PC data logging software & UltraDMM application testing, mains measurement (230V/50Hz), etc…
Part3 – UT16E tear-down compared to Agilent U1272A, multimeter power consumption, and battery life estimation.
Part 4 – Torture test a low (8 C) and high (40+ C) temperatures, calibration with DMMCheck board.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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Typo: ebay and aliexpress links are a bit broken (there is a space before the link)
“no auto-power off”? What a pity. That way all my multimeters’ batteries are empty.
Does this model is compatible with sigrok? That would mean linux support.
There seems to be some support:
http://sigrok.org/wiki/UNI-T_UT61E
It has 22000 counts as the other UT61D has 6000.
@zoobab
Nice, that would even be better. I’ll give it a try once I receive the multimeter.
At $25, MS8268 is the best bang for the buck on planet earth for a full featured digital multimeter.
@jqp
I don’t think the MS8268 has serial output logging…
MS8268 has only 4000counts while UT61E has 22000count.
It means UT61E gives you 5~6 times better resolution.
Accuracy is also not comparable.
@zooba
No, it doesn’t but for the price, that is a feature I can easily live without.
@armer
Beyond 2 decimals, you’re kidding yourself with regard to accuracy.
Brymen offers good bang for bucks ratio too, like their BM869, not in same price range though.
@jqp, where can i buy MS8268 for $25? Is there any places with free shipping as well?
Thanks.
@fossxplorer
It’s on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Mastech-MS8268-Digital-Manual-Multimeter/dp/B0050LVFS0
Thx, but Amazon as a seller isn’t “flexible” like sellers on Ali with regard to free shipping and avoiding custom taxes to Norway 🙂 I found one with free shipping for $30 on Ali, which i think i will go for actually.
@cnxsoft
MS8268 is a True RMS meter as Uni-T UT61E ?
Damn, the multimeter has failed to pass the airline security check because of the battery, so DX has re-sent it via something called PostNL that probably goes through the Netherlands, so I won’t receive it until mid December…
The same thing happened to me (failed airline check), DX resent it also through the NL. This has added a delay of three weeks.
I’m trying to use the multimeter with sigrok, using the provided serial cable a Serial to USB adapter:
sudo lsusb -d 1a86:7523
Bus 003 Device 010: ID 1a86:7523 QinHeng Electronics HL-340 USB-Serial adapter
With the command line:
I’m guessing this might be due to my serial to USB adapter…
I’ve also tried with the serial driver instead:
I’m now following up with the specialists @ http://sourceforge.net/p/sigrok/mailman/message/33210745/