EEVblog #1084 - Pocket Multimeter Shootout Part 2

Which meter *won't* survive testing?

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[pablocottens]

Do a quick autopsy on the aneng, just to see how bad things are in there, or if it's something that can be quickly fixed .. just for curiosity

[ElmerFuddGun]

So the lesson here is: _Perform all "safe" tests before the risky ones._ Leave the fault checking for last. 5:40 Trap for new players! ;-)

[ElmerFuddGun]

When the PM3 started flashing the battery icon that tells me it isn't really liking that overload condition. It "survived" that overload but I would suspect it may be getting damaged and would hesitate to trust any readings after an event like that. A longer exposure may show adverse results. 6:58

[LazerLord]

Bought the uni-t one. Figured I should get a small one to carry with me to check battery voltages of my drone. Also, you can never have too many multimeters! I'll use it for voltage if I need to measure power.

[andrewsrenson]

Had a real "el cheapo" multimeter for years, after this vid i bought the sanwa pm3...a sleek, brand new, white, japanese made lexus as far as i'm concerned
* good vid 👍

[DDB]

Hi Dave. Just letting you know if you go to the amazon.co.jp website and search for "sanwa pm3" and click on it, it has some images, one of which shows the rear of the packaging and it is in fact Made in China. Thought I'd mention just in case that matters to buyers.

[KillerSpud]

I've got a PM300. I bought it from Dave's shop when he sent out a discount to his patrons recently. It's pretty good, but I really don't like the probe storage on it. On the last video, even while he was bragging about how much he liked it, he had just kinda stuffed the wires in and they were hanging out the sides. There is no positive retention for them. I would much prefer something you just wrap the cords around (if it is done correctly with either exactly the wright length cable, or just a little long), or something like the PM3's Velcro strap. I think I'm going to look into a PM3 soon for something more like an 'every day carry' meter.

[gerryjamesedwards]

I didn't expect the Aneng to be the most accurate of that lot. Like you say: Sample size!

[EugeneKhutoryansky]

Perhaps one day, the multimeter function will be added to our phones.

[bluecurvedesign]

I've had the UniT 10 meter for a couple of years, it is suprisingly useful and has never let me down.

[leandrolaporta]

After watching this i purchased a sanwa PM3, very very nice meter, thank you for helping me to choose the right one for me :)

[WacKEDmaN]

thanks Dave, great info.. as usual!...the Aneng isnt dead it hasnt released the magic smoke yet! (needs its own vid!)

[wobblysauce]

Can you do a teardown on the Aneng to see what failed../fix it to work?

[Emerson]

I already bought 2 of the white Sanwa units as a result of the first review, thanks

[bernhardreinel]

DER EE has two pocket meters (DE-10 and DE-11) in their product range that look suspiciously similar to the SANWA PM3.

Also the "inspiration" for the AN8203, the Victor VC921, would have been an interesting contestant, even though i don't know if it's still produced. Almost same physical appearance, but different internals (DTM0660L based). There is also a ZOTEK VC921, which is just a rebadged AN8203, or vice versa. I believe Zotek Measurement Ltd. is the OEM for most Aneng branded meters.

[vgamesx]

Hey, the Aneng is actually pretty impres- Ded.

Oh, never mind then.

[victorreppeto]

I just purchased the aneng 8203. It says explicitly in the instructions not to test resistance on a live circuit. It is a $10 meter after all. I noticed you skipped duty cycle test. I am guessing that is because the 8203 is the only meter that has this function.

[jortz]

I think the aneng meter was bang on in every test.
They sure did a good job calibrating that thing.

[aaaatttt]

Go with the Amprobe DM78C. The uni-t I had 2 of and the dials failed. The Amprobe is still going 6 years later.

[dondarreb]

sanwa pm3 is distributed from china. In fact all consumer models from Sanwa are apparently or produced or at least assembled in China. Since your model is labeled "made in Japan" I assume it comes from the grey export source not passing official registration-control route.