EEVblog #91 - $50 Multimeter Shootout - Extech EX330, Amprobe AM220, Elenco, Vichy VC99, GS Pro-50

Dave compares five $50 Multimeters to see if they are any good, and how they compare.

Download the comparison sheet:
http://www.eevblog.com/files/EEVblog_50_Dollar_Multimeter_Shootout.pdf

Thanks to Evan from Tequipment.net

The Extech EX330:
http://www.tequipment.net/ExtechEX330.asp

The Amprobe AM220:
http://www.tequipment.net/AmprobeAM-220.asp

The Elenco M-2625:
http://www.tequipment.net/ElencoM-2625.html
(Also Jaycar Digitech QM1535)

The Global Specialties Pro-50:
http://www.tequipment.net/GlobalSpecialtiesPRO50.html

The Vichy VC99
http://www.dealexcel.com/old/vc99-3-6-7auto-range-digital-multimeter-with-ana...
(Also on Ebay)

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• multimeter
• review
• teardown
• shootout
• extech
• ex330
• amprobe
• am220
• elenco
• jaycar
• digitech
• vichy
• vc99
• global
• specialties
• voltage
• current
• resistance
• diode
• digital
• frequency
• capacitance
• measurement

[DanFrederiksen]

pretty thorough review and I agree with most of the conclusions but one main thing I think you get wrong Dave is the Vichy. where it really counts, the measurement accuracy, it does really well yet you dismiss it totally.

seems it's better than the extech for accuracy.

[EEVblog]

@DanFrederiksen Because it's just one sample point, with no time or temp drift thrown in. So it means nothing really...

[jjlwis]

dave any chance on a review of a Extech EX430?

I might want a true RMS meter as a back up for my Fluke...

great shootout!

[EEVblog]

@jjlwis Not really, sorry. I have done the EX505

[Ibringthetruth1]

This guys reviews are biased to physical build. who cares.

Whats the best multimeter damn it.

[EEVblog]

@Ibringthetruth1 I think my reviews are balanced. The best one is the one that won. There is a very good reason why physical build and design quality is important. If you don't know why, then you will eventually learn. If you simply don't care, then so be it, your choice.

[EEVblog]

@MyRedneckLife Fine if you like a manual range meter without a cap test function. I don't like manual range meters, I find them annoying for most general uses.

[dopplerable]

@dopplerable I found under another video about vc99 this comment:

"hello. Can you please try to measure frequency more than 20Mhz with this multimeter. I have same multimeter but it is not measuring more than 20Mhz. Description says upper limit is 60Mhz. Is it a fraud?"

So it is a shame that Dave did not test hFE and frequency in vc99, because actually people think that vc99 is good after seeing this test, despite Dave's opinion.

[dopplerable]

To all having Vichy VC99. Does hFE test work in yours? In mine it doesn't. There is always 0000 no matter what. I definitelly do the measurements correctly checking first in datasheet transistor specification (npn, pnp and where E,B,C are).

[sonicfuker]

Awesome Dave, you're too cool for helping us poor newbs out!

[Ibringthetruth1]

@dentalrepairs vichy has a youtube video. guy says it's ok. $30 bucks not bad.

[Ibringthetruth1]

@dentalrepairs

Get harbor freight version. I would never have bought extech. Check Amazon for mastech too.

[Ibringthetruth1]

@magnus264

harbor freight and amazon sell the same model. mastech or something. not bad. good reviews. $40

[magnus264]

@Ibringthetruth1

I do care. Thanks Dave!

[dentalrepairs]

Thanks for a great video, very helpful. Loved my Extech EX330.... till continuity stopped working. I'm getting a fluke 87v next. Pretty much done with cheap meters.

[ralphisok1]

We can play spin the bottle with an Amprobe or Extech, LOL

[ForViewingOnly]

I've also got a Precision Gold N56FU - I was worried about the last two letters in the model code, thinking the Chinese were having a joke on me, but it's a good meter. It's a Cat III, great selector switch & display really accurate on all ranges when compared to an expensive Fluke from work, has temperature thermocouple probes, Hz, hFE. I've had it 2 years and it has served me well. Best upgrade is a good set of gold plated probes IMHO. Uni-T also good budget brand.