Review: £10 multimeters - Now includes the new RS-14!

[Nick]

Great write-up.

Banggood AN8008 = GBP 13.17, AN8002 = GBP 13.09 at the moment.

Delivery to Dubai = GBP 0.55

Nuts

[Mark Hennessy]

I've ordered an 8008 as well now Mark. I've a few meters that were £20 jobbies in their day but are well past their sell by date. I also have a Fluke 10 which is very basic indeed so the two new meters will be used regularly.
Again thanks for the great write ups and all the links to the sale of these meters

Excellent - if only I was on commission!

The AN8008 does have a couple of quirks, but it's a very usable meter. Between the two, you've got just about every low-energy measurement covered, and obviously, you've still got your Fluke for the more scary stuff (it might be old, but it's a good one!).

[Nick]

As sacrificial meters, they're damn good. Even as non-sacrificial, they're excellent value.

Having said that, I'l leave them first in line. For the accurate stuff it's still the Keithley 2015THD (thanks, Jeffrey!)

[Crackle]

I have succumbed and purchased a AN8008 model now as my multimeter has just broken one of its leads inside the probe.
It is a shame that that these cant be dismantled.

Can anyone recommend a half decent set of meter probes, capable of also taking crock clips.

Thanks
Mike

[ppppenguin]

As sacrificial meters, they're damn good. Even as non-sacrificial, they're excellent value.

Having said that, I'l leave them first in line. For the accurate stuff it's still the Keithley 2015THD (thanks, Jeffrey!)

Not quite sure why I'm being thanked here.

[Mark Hennessy]

I think he means Jeremy. Remember how impressed he was by his Keithley when we had that gathering at Jeremy's place? IIRC, he joined the 2015 gang shortly afterwards (better late than never )

Sorry Nick - I'm talking about you as if you're not here

They are nice meters - though the "THD" part of it is a bit pointless for serious or semi-serious audio, so the 2000 model is a good alternative. They are often sold off cheap after spending years bolted into ATE racks, driven via their IEEE interface. Apart from leaking caps - which can wreck the PCB - the main problem with them is dimming VFD displays. I only use mine occasionally, but when you need a 1,000,000-count meter, they're great. For day-to-day stuff, hand-held meters are much more convenient.

[Mark Hennessy]

Can anyone recommend a half decent set of meter probes, capable of also taking crock clips.

Hi Mike,

I usually recommend Fluke probes, but these are very expensive from the usual channels, so I wait patiently and snap them up on eBay when they appear. If you see a set for less than a tenner, go for it. In fact, these are a good deal, being the more "premium" leads that are included in the more upmarket Flukes: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fluke-TL71-10A...2621158452 - those are from a UK seller, but if you don't mind chancing your luck, these look promising for just over a fiver delivered from China: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fluke-TL71-10A...2361778216 - if genuine, that's quite a bargain (I might get a set myself to find out).

Regarding the croc clips, these should fit those probes: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FLUKE-CROCODIL...2054951991 - but I generally don't use those because I've made up a load of 4mm plug to croc-clip leads - can't have enough of those!

Alternatively, Pomona make probes that are just as good because they are owned by Fluke and make leads for them. With Pomona branding, they are considerably cheaper than Fluke.

There is a lead set made by HP Agilent Keysight which is good value for money at around £20, which includes quite a lot of accessories. I'm trying to remember who first mentioned that - it might have been Jeremy (Pamphonica). Perhaps this is the one? http://uk.farnell.com/keysight-technolog...dp/1440379

Obviously, these options are quite pricey compared to the meter itself, but are a good investment, especially if doing higher voltage stuff.

[Crackle]

Thanks Mark I will have a look at those.

Mike

[Mark Hennessy]

I've ordered a set of the £5 ones from China. I'll compare them carefully to the ones I already have, but if they're genuine (or as good as the genuine ones), then that's a bargain

[Craig]

Look forward to hearing what they are like, Mark.

Incidentally I have had absolutely genuine Fluke probes go open circuit because of a wire break. Just the once. But it is the sort of thing that sticks in your mind.