Selecting a Better Multimeter Pt 2.: Volts, Amps, True-RMS, Continuity

What you should know (and your multimter should have) in voltage & current-measurement, RMS vs. RMS AC+DC and continuity test.
And again some special features of the 121GW and the MM570A.
121GW firmware version in this video: V1.57

Video links:

[GRBtutorials]

Interesting. So many interesting features missing from even the best multimeters out there, many of which are actually implementable in software. That’s why I decided to make my own multimeter! And I’m thinking of making it the first handheld dual channel multimeter (which was in the original plans for the EEVBlog multimeter but didn’t go through). Yeah, this sounds ambitious, but it’s a long term project, and I don’t expect to get a fully functional prototype until at least 3 years from now (and that’s probably an underestimate).

[chrisblank]

I never trusted that beeper. you are absolutely correct. when you're testing continuity, example on a line cord, even if the copper inside was already eaten by corrosion and the resistance rose up to 30 ohms, that darn beeper will beep like hell and you'll assume that it's good continuity just because it beeped.

[basosergiou]

Didn't the LCD backlight on Dave's meter flash with the continuity checks? I thought that was a feature of his meter

Yeah, flashing LED is always my wish. Even with soldering stations, it's a habit (with modern ones at least it seems) to have a loud beep to signal the desired temperature is reached. All of these features to signal some condition we want (let it be continuity test, or the soldering iron) is nice feedback, HOWEVER my major problem as a hobby user, that I usually have time for my hobby at the night when the rest of the family tries to sleep, and they can be quite angry that I beep all the times with different equipments. The singal itself is useful that I am noticed about some action happened, just I would prefer a visible one more at least SOMETIMES. The display itself cannot be watched/checked all the time when I focus on a board or such, but a bright LED can be noticed even without directly have a look on it. OK, I know, my wish on this can be a quite marginal and rare one, I have to admit ...

[mtkoslowski]

@ Roger : *If you put your name and reputation to a mid-range multimeter it would be very successful, more so than Dave Jones has done.*

[emmettturner]

I wouldn’t say the 121GW was born out of Dave Jones’ (EEVBlog’s) past experience when it’s actually a rebranded Brymen BM235. ;)