'Smart' multimeters

[mr.lemons]

Anyone using a 'smart' multimeter?

They look interesting. Not sure if they are just a toy or whether more multimeters will start to look like this. Seems to be just cheapos at the moment.

'Auto' mode that automatically switches between Volts, Ohms and continuity depending on what you are testing. (Very sceptical about this).

Going off the dates on youtube video reviews, smart multimeters have been around for about a year, so I'm a bit late to notice them.

Example = ANENG 620a. Aneng is a popular name for budget meters.

 

[rlitman]

I remember first seeing that concept in a screenless (it used bluetooth to your smart device) pencil probe device. The reviews of the one I saw were abysmal, but the idea has potential. I just wouldn't trust it yet.

 

[seagullplayer]

I don't even like auto ranging.

 

[dscheidt]

I don't even like auto ranging.

I love the idea of auto ranging. The implementations of auto ranging universally ****.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Guy i worked for had a Mac-branded meter that was supposed to be like that.

Useless *************.

88v for me.

 

[Bubba Fett]

Not sure I would trust them. The only auto-ranging meter brand I would trust is Fluke. I certainly would never trust one for high voltage applications.

 

[DeeKay]

I would maybe get one for poking around on a breadboard like that just for shits and grins, but not for anything beyond that. I know it says 600v CATIII but I wouldn't trust it in my hand.

 

[MANelson85]

How would the meter know what I'm trying to measure?

 

[2ndGearRubber]

How would the meter know what I'm trying to measure?

This was my question.

One could get in trouble if your meter just randomly decided to measure amps and ran whatever voltage your where reading straight to ground. The meter would have the potential to be a dead short at any time, albeit with a fuse. Seems like a good way to go through a lot of fuses.

 

[rlitman]

This was my question.

One could get in trouble if your meter just randomly decided to measure amps and ran whatever voltage your where reading straight to ground. The meter would have the potential to be a dead short at any time, albeit with a fuse. Seems like a good way to go through a lot of fuses.

The ammeter function works of different connections, just like all typical multimeters.

 

[CoogarXR]

I have a whole drawer full of different meters. I do have one of those chinese "device testers". You turn it on, there's no settings, and you just connect it to things and it tells you what it sees. Capacitor (capacitance and ESR), resistor, transistor, etc. It's pretty accurate for what it is. But that's about the only "smart" tester I have.

 

[bonneyman]

About the only feature I like in the new digital multimeters is the non-contact voltage (NCV) sensors. Really like that idea. For everything else an old Simpson 260 and an Amprobe "beetle meter" are just fine.

Although truth be told I'm eyeing up this cheapo Chinese multimeter...just because.

Digital Multimeter Pen Type

4 Digit/6000 count Pen style, True RMS digital multimeter with Auto/Manual Ranging, Flashlight & Auto Off 8 function, Backlit, .7 height LCD display. Includes: 5ft. Ground test lead, safety aligator clip, instructions & Protective pouch. Fuse Overload protection. CE listed; IEC 1010 Cat-III-600V...

www.mpja.com

 

[Two Speed]

Anyone using a 'smart' multimeter?

They look interesting. Not sure if they are just a toy or whether more multimeters will start to look like this. Seems to be just cheapos at the moment.

'Auto' mode that automatically switches between Volts, Ohms and continuity depending on what you are testing. (Very sceptical about this).

Going off the dates on youtube video reviews, smart multimeters have been around for about a year, so I'm a bit late to notice them.

Example = ANENG 620a. Aneng is a popular name for budget meters.

I'm sure it has its place. Not sure what that place would be except as a casual hobbyist meter. If you are doing serious troubleshooting you need something that will measure what you need measured. Low resitance & continuity would be an example. For my flukes, generally anything under 30 ohm will show continuity. How will this smart meter know if I want continuity, or low resistance?
I think lead placement is terrible on this , how are you supposed to prop up your meter, or working in an industrial cabinet and you prop it up on a protruding bolt or screw that happens to fit into one of the test lead holes? That could get interesting.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I bought this OTC off AMAZON. I wanted the min-max feature. I have an older FLUKE.

 

[Walkers]

I can’t wait for the full auto meters that have sensors in your contact lens. Just look at a wire and it reads out the voltage, amps, hertz, etc.