12-07-2017, 09:51 PM
The Aneng AN8002 (aka Zotek ZT102). About £12 delivered.
This meter is tiny. Honestly, it's hard to describe it. Physically, it feels very solid indeed as the case is quite thick. But, it is hard plastic. The pictures led me to think that there was a holster, but no; it's solid plastic. It bounces well, being quite light, so the lack of a holster or other padding probably isn't a big problem, but a rubber holder would make it less slippery on the bench. There is the usual tilting stand, and on a carpet tile, you can operate the range switch with one hand if you use a spare finger to steady the meter. The range switch is quite stiff, but positive in its action. The two buttons are a rubber membrane type, and feel nice.
Going around the range switch (options available by pressing Yellow in brackets):
V (AC, Hz, duty cycle, and back to DC)
mV (AC and DC)
Ohms (continuity, diode test, capacitance, and back to resistance)
Hz (% and Hz)
A (AC and DC)
mA (AC and DC)
Temp (C or F)
The blue button is Hold (why bother?), or a long-press switches on the backlight. At least the behaviour is sensible (the long press doesn't engage Hold in the process, unlike the RS14).
Being a small meter, the mA socket is shared with Volts, Ohms, etc. The 10A range has its own socket.
The best available resolution is 10uV, 10uA, 0.1 ohm, 1pF and 1 degree. When it comes to frequency, it's 0.001Hz. Astonishing, it had no problems going to 80MHz (yes, mega-Hz). Joe's video (linked above) suggests it'll go higher, but beyond that frequency the 17dBm (~1.6V) from my RF generator isn't enough. When I get the time, I'll properly characterise the sensitivity vs frequency, but suffice to say at 100kHz, it needs -20dBm (~20mV). In the video linked above, Joe Smith found it works up to 200MHz, though no level was given. Pretty good, really.
The meter comes with a storage bag and a set of probes (as usual, removable caps which change the CAT rating). The probes aren't terrible - better than the Bside ones, but not exactly Fluke. I've used them with no problems though. The meter is available with more accessories - see later - but that does bump the price up somewhat. The sockets aren't great - the same style as the Bside - but they take "proper" probes fairly comfortably (they'll stick up about 6mm, but make reliable contact).
Inside, it's striking just how little is in there. They use MELF resistors for the main divider and shunt, there isn't much in the way of protection beyond a PTC for the resistance current source, but Joe Smith found that the meter was quite robust for its class (it passed tests the Fluke 87V didn't, if I've understood correctly). Note the fuses, which are 10mm long. I'm not sure how easy these will be to source - apparently you can get wire-ended fuses in that size, so you buy these and snip the wires off. At least they're ceramic, but they're certainly not HRC types!
Note the 8-pin EEPROM next to the COB. And the switch (SW3 RANGE). Yes, it does change the range. It's a shame it's not on the front panel. Operationally, this is really the only criticism - it's not often you need to switch to manual ranging, but when you do, you do.
The electrolytic is a Rubycon. No expense spared! Or it's fake - who knows
There's nothing on the front of the PCB beyond the display and the switch tracks (looks like gold plating). You can see the OEM model number (ZT102) on the silk screen, along with some iffy hand soldering. Not visible in the image is a small amount of grease for the switch contacts.
In short, I've been using this meter for a couple of months now, and I really like it - I love the sheer amount of functionality in such a tiny instrument. I especially like the large LCD with its excellent viewing angles (it only starts to dim when viewed at 90 degrees, but on the bench or leaning on its stand, it's perfect). At this price, I've no hesitation at all in recommending it.
Be careful when buying as some sellers also offer the AN8001 (no temperature) or the AN8004 (no temperature and only 2000-count, despite costing more than the AN8002). Check the drop-down menu before clicking "Buy it now"!
More to follow...
This meter is tiny. Honestly, it's hard to describe it. Physically, it feels very solid indeed as the case is quite thick. But, it is hard plastic. The pictures led me to think that there was a holster, but no; it's solid plastic. It bounces well, being quite light, so the lack of a holster or other padding probably isn't a big problem, but a rubber holder would make it less slippery on the bench. There is the usual tilting stand, and on a carpet tile, you can operate the range switch with one hand if you use a spare finger to steady the meter. The range switch is quite stiff, but positive in its action. The two buttons are a rubber membrane type, and feel nice.
Going around the range switch (options available by pressing Yellow in brackets):
V (AC, Hz, duty cycle, and back to DC)
mV (AC and DC)
Ohms (continuity, diode test, capacitance, and back to resistance)
Hz (% and Hz)
A (AC and DC)
mA (AC and DC)
Temp (C or F)
The blue button is Hold (why bother?), or a long-press switches on the backlight. At least the behaviour is sensible (the long press doesn't engage Hold in the process, unlike the RS14).
Being a small meter, the mA socket is shared with Volts, Ohms, etc. The 10A range has its own socket.
The best available resolution is 10uV, 10uA, 0.1 ohm, 1pF and 1 degree. When it comes to frequency, it's 0.001Hz. Astonishing, it had no problems going to 80MHz (yes, mega-Hz). Joe's video (linked above) suggests it'll go higher, but beyond that frequency the 17dBm (~1.6V) from my RF generator isn't enough. When I get the time, I'll properly characterise the sensitivity vs frequency, but suffice to say at 100kHz, it needs -20dBm (~20mV). In the video linked above, Joe Smith found it works up to 200MHz, though no level was given. Pretty good, really.
The meter comes with a storage bag and a set of probes (as usual, removable caps which change the CAT rating). The probes aren't terrible - better than the Bside ones, but not exactly Fluke. I've used them with no problems though. The meter is available with more accessories - see later - but that does bump the price up somewhat. The sockets aren't great - the same style as the Bside - but they take "proper" probes fairly comfortably (they'll stick up about 6mm, but make reliable contact).
Inside, it's striking just how little is in there. They use MELF resistors for the main divider and shunt, there isn't much in the way of protection beyond a PTC for the resistance current source, but Joe Smith found that the meter was quite robust for its class (it passed tests the Fluke 87V didn't, if I've understood correctly). Note the fuses, which are 10mm long. I'm not sure how easy these will be to source - apparently you can get wire-ended fuses in that size, so you buy these and snip the wires off. At least they're ceramic, but they're certainly not HRC types!
Note the 8-pin EEPROM next to the COB. And the switch (SW3 RANGE). Yes, it does change the range. It's a shame it's not on the front panel. Operationally, this is really the only criticism - it's not often you need to switch to manual ranging, but when you do, you do.
The electrolytic is a Rubycon. No expense spared! Or it's fake - who knows
There's nothing on the front of the PCB beyond the display and the switch tracks (looks like gold plating). You can see the OEM model number (ZT102) on the silk screen, along with some iffy hand soldering. Not visible in the image is a small amount of grease for the switch contacts.
In short, I've been using this meter for a couple of months now, and I really like it - I love the sheer amount of functionality in such a tiny instrument. I especially like the large LCD with its excellent viewing angles (it only starts to dim when viewed at 90 degrees, but on the bench or leaning on its stand, it's perfect). At this price, I've no hesitation at all in recommending it.
Be careful when buying as some sellers also offer the AN8001 (no temperature) or the AN8004 (no temperature and only 2000-count, despite costing more than the AN8002). Check the drop-down menu before clicking "Buy it now"!
More to follow...
