Rigol DM858 Multimeter Review | Voltlog #485

The Rigol DM858 boasts a 7 inch touchscreen display, remote web control, and various measurement functions. However, is this fancy form factor worth it? This review explores the pros and cons, including a potentially troublesome auto-ranging bug. See how the DM858 compares to other options in this price range and whether it deserves a spot on your workbench! Stay tuned for a follow-up teardown video!

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→This video includes:
Introduction to the Rigol DM858 multimeter, highlighting its touchscreen and web control features.
Comparison of the DM858 to a traditional benchtop multimeter form factor.
Discussion of the DM858's specifications, including key features and limitations.
Demonstration of the user interface and various measurement functions.
Exploration of the data logging capabilities (or lack thereof).
Web view and control interface walkthrough.
Accuracy check of the DM858's measurements.
Mention of a potential auto-ranging bug.
Comparison to similar multimeters in the same price range.
Final thoughts and buying advice.

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→Timeline
00:05 Introduction
00:33 Specs
04:25 Unboxing
05:35 User Interface
08:16 FW Update
09:05 Functions
10:24 Bug
13:00 Functions
19:37 Accuracy
20:45 Web View
21:33 Final thoughts

[voltlog]

Rigol have responded saying that they have their development team working on a firmware update to solve the issues mentioned in the video as soon as possible. Once the new fw is available, I'll do a follow-up video.

[dwtees]

I just unboxed my DM858E. I bought it on Amazon. The first thing I tried was to attach my Tektronix PS503a to test this auto ranging "bug". I had no problem reading voltage from 0 to 38 volts. Evidentially Rigol fixed this auto ranging bug. Try updating your firmware again.

[IanScottJohnston]

The autoranging bug is a lack of proper, systematic testing at the lack of "what if" testing that I see many companies seem to forget about. Net result, robustness of software design is lacking. Hopefully they will fix a dangerous bug!

[Laptop-Repair]

Interesting episode. I would like to see multimeters more accessible to bread eaters such as Rigol dm858 Siglent sdm3055 UNI-T ut8805e and Hantek hdm3055 in one episode. Speed ​​tests in slow medium fast modes, diode test, accuracy at low resistance, measurement stability in measurements, accuracy at the end of the defect. All are 5.5 digits and do not exceed the price of €470.00 Excl. VAT

[FlyingShotsman]

That measurement display is awful. They're obviously trying to make it look like a fixed-display LCD or VFD, but the implementation looks very bad. Their use of a proportionally spaced font (impossible on a true fixed LCD or VFD) makes the digits jitter back and forth as the numbers change or when the minus sign comes and goes. At 14:10 the changing least significant digits made the whole measurement display jitter vertically by one or two pixels. They should change to solid digits, use a fixed-space font, right justify the measurement and fix the vertical jitter.

The bar graph and data logging issues point to a problem in Rigol's design center, and this is where the Chinese manufacturers really differ from western companies. Their product designers and engineers know how to make an instrument that takes measurements, but they don't really understand how it's used by customers. A bar graph on a voltmeter can be a useful tool, but only if it's implemented properly; otherwise it's just a bullet point in the sales brochure. Likewise, data logging is very useful but only if it records time-correlated information. Rigol's implementation is utterly useless.

Fortunately, the meter's problems could be fixed with firmware updates, but will Rigol actually do anything about them?

[Ojref]

I think the vesa mounts are awesome, certainly can free up a lot more space on the bench.

[neteaglek]

Thanks for this very interressing video. I'm waiting fot the teardown !

[glenslick]

If the DM858 multimeter doesn't have a setting option to swap that simulated VFD font with a normal solid font, the DM858 comes across as a gimmick product for customers who are more interested in form over function. That simulated VFD font adds no value, it only subtracts value.

[SKPang]

Don't like the digit font. Can you change it ?

[tablatronix]

Just bought one for my 0 depth workbench

[Blu]

That font, just... why?! I also love that the numbers are huge but those lines. Form factor is interesting but if I was in the market that would 100% put me off that model. They used a similar font on the DP900 series power supplies as well. Rigol stop trying to be fancy! Don't try to make this your "thing" like the goofy shaped buttons on some of your other gear.

[NiHaoMike]

The autoranging falsely indicating a very low voltage when there's a high voltage present is a recall worth bug. It looks like it may be the weirdness that happens with some opamps when the input voltage gets too close or beyond the supply rails, or it might be some arithmetic bug.

[IanScottJohnston]

I think I would have to try one of these out first to see if the form factor works for me…….am always open to something new.
For my YouTube videos it could work for text (font sucks though), not so easy to topple over, touchscreen, Webview DMM, no batteries....hmmm!

[Mrdibzahab]

What an ugly font. Why are there all those black stripes within the large yellow numbers? Can you select a solid font as well? The auto-center of the display is annoying when the voltage switches between + and -.

[ryebis]

I'd probably spend that money on a well maintained and serviced Agilent 34401a.

[I_love_our_planet]

I love this Formfactor, Space on my Deskt are limited and I hated that all Devices are so f**** deep.

When Rigol would also generate a power supply in this formfactor - I buy it.

[Uro]

I was going to get one of these for my bench to sit alongside my DHO914 on a vesa mount, however after watching a few reviews including this one, the broken autoranging from factory and the sub-par zero timestamp data-logging put me off, additionally the main metering font is horrible - keep it simple, it's a meter not a billboard, there are also some UI elements that are simply confusing to work with and as you showed unhelpful error messages.

Nobody is going to spend €340-440 on a DMM that has one of its main features completely broken from the factory, they have already put out firmware updates and have not fixed the autoranging which suggests to me that it is more likely to be a hardware bug than a software issue, i.e. unfixable.

They need to revise this model's many issues, fix all of the problems and produce a new model/series where everything works out of the box and provide a product option in black like the DHO900 series so those of us who own DHO900's could have a matching DMM.

[jimquinn]

at 19:40, on the right is a uamp current source. What is the make/model? Thanks! Great video.
A personally do like the device's form factor (foot print).

[mikopanjean]

Did you got the DMM for free to review it? if so you should say it up front in the video

[kuro]

I wish more multimeters had "fast" sampling. Some of the old HP ones could take 10k readings per second, which could be streamed over USB.