UNI-T UT81B Scopemeter Review
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- čas přidán 8. 07. 2024
- Buyers guide and review of the UNI-T UT81B Scopemeter.
Buy the UT81B here: astore.amazon.com/m0711-20/det...
Other oscilloscopes: astore.amazon.com/m0711-20?_en...
The UT81B is a multimeter / oscilloscope hybrid (scopemeter) that could be very useful to an electronics hobbyist / enthusiast.
Details:
Basic Functions Range Best Accuracy
DC Voltage 400mV/4V/40V/400V/1000V (0.8%+8)
AC Voltage 4V/40V/400V/750V (1%+15)
DC Current 400mA /4000mA/40mA/400mA/4A/10A (1%+8)
AC Current 400mA/4000mA/40mA/400mA/4A/10A (1.5%+8)
Resistance 400W/ 4kW/40kW/400kW/4MW/ 40MW (1%+5)
Capacitance 40nF /400nF/4mF/40mF/100mF (3%+8)
Frequency 10Hz~10MHz (0.1%+3)
Vertical Accuracy (5%+1)
Input Sensitivity 20mV/div-500V/div (1-2-5)
Horizontal Accuracy (0.01%+1)
Timebase Range 100ns/div-5s/div (1-2-5)
Bandwidth 8MHz
Display Resolution 160X160
Real-Time Sample Rate 40MSa/s
Duty Cycle 0.1%~99.9%
Special Functions
Diode
Continuity Buzzer
Display 160x160 Monochrome
Trigger Types Free Run / Normal / Single Shot
Memory 10 screens and setups
Contrast and Bright Setup
Input Impedance For DCVoltage Measurement
Around 10MW
Sleep Mode
Low Battery Display
Display Backlight
USB
Max.Display 3999
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
Power 1.5V Battery (R6) x 6
LCD Size 60 x 60mm
Product Color Red and Grey
Product Net Weight 498g
Product Size 200 x100 x 48mm
Standard Accessories
Test Lead , Battery, English Manual ,Alligator Clip、
USB Interface Cable, Software, Power Adapter
Optional Accessories* Scope Probe, BNC Probe - Věda a technologie
I want to thank you Martin.
For doing these types of reviews and being so in depth. In searching for a good beginner multimeter (I am a EE major just starting out) I of course loved looking through video reviews and comparisons of popular models, and you went super in depth on many of the models and took a long look at the one I really wanted to consider, the UT61.
So I definitely found value in your videos, and enjoyed all aspects of the videos, the teardown, the testing, the consideration to detail, the consideration of taking into account forum comments BEFORE doing the review... Very thorough.
Muchas gracias.
Yes. I agree. Martin has a natural talent for explaining complex electrical concepts & theories that even a layman with a basic knowledge of electronics can understand. On top of that he constructs sample circuitry to provide a practical visual demonstration of these concepts. He's far better than any EE lab instructor I had in college. The best part of all is that he describes generic & inexpensive electronic equipment that's very affordable for the amateur electronic hobbyist. Sixteen thumbs up for all of you videos. Thanks !!!!
For all those who have this scopemeter, there is a feature not mentioned in the manual. If you want the meter to power-up in scope mode or multimeter mode, depending on your preference, you can press the SET button and adjust either the backlight level or contrast and press ENTER to memorize it. Whatever mode the scopemeter was in at that moment will be now the default power-on mode.
Thank you thank you thank you! I've had this unit for years, and use it for Voltage 99% of the time. It drove me nuts I had to press mode every powerup! Thanks for this tip!
@@scottwallace1689
You're welcome!
Thanks for the feedback. I have not done a review on the DSO Quad but I will add it to my list to consider for a future review. Cheers, Martin.
Good point....I actually wanted to open it up for this video.....but I could not figure out how to do it without possibly damaging it.....I'll have a closer look and see if I can do it for another video. Thanks for watching and posting.
Thanks for your support. I've never had a Fluke 97 in my hands so can't say much about it but I will be keen to hear what you think about it.
Thanks Paul, glad it was of help. Cheers, Martin.
Thanks for the feedback. This is a great little scope for viewing signals but to capture, view and diagnose I would say it is very limited.
Excellent review. One of the best reviews I have ever seen. Thanks!
My pleasure, thanks for that feedback. Cheers, Martin.
Thanks for the feedback, my pleasure!
I have not managed to come across any similar scope like this at this price point. I will continue to look and review if I find one.
Thanks for the feedback.
Cheers, Martin.
Thanks for the feedback!
My pleasure....thanks for the feedback!
My pleasure, thanks for the feedback.
thank you for the review. i received this meter as a 5 year gift for working as a Best Buy Mobile Installer. it will work perfect for what i do.
Nice review. I've been looking to buy a simple scope, as a beginner. This review was perfect. thank you.
I have not used the software myself but this does generally not help if this is to be used as a portable unit. It does not have any memory depth to capture a signal....what you have on the screen is it....and it can only save what is on the screen. I will be doing further videos on this and other scopes to highlight the pros and cons.
Let me know what kind of automotive signals you would plan to test and I might be able to provide better input. Cheers, Martin.
This is my very first comment on CZcams (after years of watching), with lot of thanks for this review!
Many thanks for the feedback.
Yes, it can, I used it that way in later videos on mains voltage...just need to take care when working on mains.
Thanks for the feedback.
Great, thanks for the feedback.
Thanks for your feedback.
Thanks for the feedback and comments.
I'm about to post a follow-up video with a teardown and comparing measurement of higher frequency signals against other scopes....that might give a better idea of how well it would work on a valve amps...in particular I'll try show how well it can or can't take measurements.
Hi Amine, thanks for the feedback. I can't give you the battery life in hours as I have not used it much to time it. I can say that it's consumption is quite high compared to a normal multimeter but it does have an external power supply which is great. Cheers, Martin.
Thanks for your overview of this meter. I repair laptops at my shop and sometimes we look for certain signals from chips during the repair process. Fluke would be great (expensive) however for what I'm using it for, this will work just fine.
how can I use one of these devices to determine if the signal its pure sine wave or modified sine wave from an dc to ac inverter? thx
Thanks for the review! 🙂
Ok....not something I would have considered but let me give it a bash. Thanks for watching and posting.
I have one of it from 2012. Works just fine.
Very interesting and informative. Thank you. I would like to see a review on the utd1025cl. I am about to order one and I wanted to get your view on that thank you
Thanks...and again...valuable feedback on the power consumption....I was judging it against multimeter power consumption which is certainly not fair.
Unfortunately no charging circuit....a pity.
Absolutamente fantástico espero um dia poder compra um parabéns ótimo vídeo
I would think that it should certainly do a good job there especially due to it's portability. I would check the specs against the measurements you intend to take to ensure it has the capability. Cheers, Martin.
hi I work on old pinball machines with TTL chips and 6800 and 6502 cpu chips will this work on them to check the clock, reset and gates
Nice review Martin, I have been considering this unit to learn more about scopes before spending a large amount of money for a full featured scope. May go for it after this ewveiw.
I have one on the way to replace a damaged TPI440 1 MHz scopemeter that I really enjoyed. Still works but someone borrowed it and now the mA setting is toast. Not a great loss in it self but kind of don't trust it anymore. Mine was a rebranded one to BluePoint (Snap-on) with some automotive specific features I don't even use and spent way too much on. This review convinced me to get one and several features are much better than mine. I really look forward to getting it. Shipped today. Between You (Martin) and Dave Jones I have learned a lot. Already got my UT61E to replace a BluePoint branded TPI153 as well that someone killed it mA circuit as well. Was my UTI school meter. Bummer. They were only a decade old.
great video, I want to see if the output of a power inverter if its modified or pure sine wave, what do I need to buy? what is the name of that process or feature?
Yup, saw the one in the middle and I guess they have put the other two behind the rubber "feet" as they are not visible. I'll check today.
Thank you, more in 2016 it is still good to buy it or there are new models better?
Thanks for that Martin, I have one on its way to me.
I think it's a great for testing your projects or debugging them quick without tons of test test equipment on your bench.
Use your scope and fluke for for the more serious measurements.
As always enjoyed your video.
roy douce My pleasure Roy, thanks for the post.
Very good review ! Thanks ! :)
Any good for observing sine waves in car audio amplifiers to prevent distortion and clipping?
Nice review!
Just a question, if you're gonna measure a +-500v signal, you just put the scope in voltage and measure? No need to configure it first for high voltage?
what is the vertical sensitivity of this for ac volts? Would I need a x10 probe for amp gains, or can this read we'll in to 30+ ac volts waveform?
What to do when display goes off after about 10min ? In that moment data gathered to computer by usb stop to be gathered. I have to start manualy make off/on of multimeter and then connect usb.
My Pleasure, thanks for watching.
I use it for troubleshooting sensors on our PLC controlled panel saws in our woodworking plant. It's not able to give me as much info as a full function scope, but I can keep it in my toolbox and don't have to drag a more expensive scope out into the plant.
I would personally say that the clarity of the display is not the best....but you can see it OK in bright sunlight.
Excellent review
Good video! Thank You!
Can you make a test demo looking for clipping in signal from a source? Like from a car stereo to a amp, og home pre amplifier to an amplifier?
Is this scope good for working audio stereo recievers like a marantz surround sound receiver .
Hello! Great review!
Do I need this thing for a kind of a hobby analog synth. building? Or I can buy a cheap low quality portable oscilloscope? I don't have a multimeter either... So it's a clear field for me yet.
thx for review !
nice review, thanks.
just bought one for my 10yo son's arduino projects, and i also use it as multimeter. as an obsolete EE graduate myself, i thought oscilloscopes are bulky and expensive. this one is adequate for homebrew MCU based projects. the price is so affordable that the deficiencies are acceptable to me.
Thanks for this well detailed video, caould you please tell us what should be batteyr lifetime, especially with the always ON backlightening. Cheers, Amine.
hello sir... thnks for your review... can i use this meter to set the gains of my car amplifier... thnks on advance
can I use this to work on smps power supplies?
Can you do X Y mode for checking caps, transitors .diodes /
Thanks again for the prompt reply, something else, how do you judge the viewing of the LCD in daytime light, is it so clear ? Cheers.
Does this scope meter do loggings? The result tabulated on the PC?
I like your information and watch your video s.
Good question...let me test and feedback.
Question; Hz range, does it work only with oscilloscope probe ? I bought 16MHz UT81C version, just testing that everything works.
Ive tested with signal generator android app with grabber probes always 0 Hz, only in V and A ranges I get phone maximum of 22 kHz.
Can this scope meter be used to show the waveforms with mains voltage and in power supplies? I know a normal bench scope can't be used to measure any circuits that use chassis earth, so I'm hoping a battery powered scope meter like this would be fine. Thanks.
Hi, great review. Thanks very much! I'd like to get one of these portable scopes and I'm eyeing up some from china, but I'm woried about getting a fake - the prices seem a bit too good to be true. Is it possible to verify with UNI-T that it's genuine? Maybe a serial number on the warranty card or something?
Hello there. Your review absolutely fits with my experience with UT81C. I use it to observe digital signals around my Ardiuno projects and it serves me pretty well. I decided to buy this one because of its low cost and sufficient accuracy. As you say - it is by no means an industrial-class-leading tool like Fluke, but for hobbyists and enthusiasts its not that bad... :-)
+ Peter You're right though fluke cheapened the burning hands price we get men too have to shoot from place to place poor property üretmemiş.karşılaştır when making right açılkl up well, but at a too low compared to phytate with fluke you look at it by, I think there will be no problem if you drive down the price fluke
Do you have any updates on this scope-meter? I'm looking for a DMM for hobby work on Arduino and maybe simple stuff around the house so your comment caught my eye. Not sure if there are better options available now, as this review is quite old. Any advantage of the C over the B model?
As far as I know, it is only a matter of wider bandwidth and nothing more. I don`t know if there are any internal differences between B and C, maybe it is only a matter of software change (it is fairly common nowadays).
In terms of general use multimeter for beginners working on circuits with low voltages it is hard to find anything better at this price point. In terms of oscilosope I strongly recommend buying Rigol DS1054Z (which is dirty cheap, unlockable and super useful when working on buses and moving beyond Arduino).
Thank you. That's great.
Hello,
I want buy a handheld oscilloscope but i am undecided between UT181A and UT81C. Can you help me with the biggest diference and if the UT181A (data logger) can work with oscilloscope?
Very thanks
I've mentioned on a previous video problems with poor contact on leads. Have you tried cleaning the tips with say, acetone or IPA and doing the continuity test again?
Hi, very nice review. do you know any dealer which sells spare parts for that scopemeter? I have one of those and main board got burn. Thanks in advance for your help
Would you say that it is good enough to use the oscilloscope for measuring a valve amp?
Thanks for interesting video
Have you tested UTD1025CL model ?
If you were to buy another entry level scope as this one, can you suggest a couple others maybe a step up that address some of the faults that this one has?
Thanks for sharing. "D"
Hi there, just wondering if you reckon this would be a decent beginner handheld scope for automotive purposes, such as testing hall effect sensors/inductive sensors, pulse width for injectors, etc?
Hey no prob. Would you say that the oscilloscope will be good enough to measure a valve amp?
do you recommend it to be used in the automotive world
How does this compare to the UNI-T UTD1025CL?
hello martin,
What do you think about fluke 97 scopemeter, i just got one from germany, i was used for 330$, i will be glad to hear what you think about fluke 97.
Love your solar power things....
Excellent ! Thanks :)
Congratulations on your reviews, I am a fan of your videos, and your knowledge in the field. Sorry for my English. Let me ask you a simple question on each unit-81b. This stumento, represents the TRUE RMS AC Voltage, in either multimeter or oscilloscope mode only ? You do not have this feature. I can not find anywhere this specification. Thanks for your reply, if any. Keep it up, however, you are a great. You are very good.
Bought mine in 2008, and it came without a pen, but with a much more useful BNC probe.
If anyone has this scope-meter, I would strongly advise on getting a screen protector for the display, as the plastic is very easy to scratch. I used a protective shield sold for a tablet, and cut it down to size. Otherwise, I'm very satisfied with it. I just wish the battery indicator would work better at showing the real amount of power left in the batteries. But hey, it's 10X less expensive than a Fluke!
can it do oscilloscope in current testing? or only voltage
Which scope leads do you recommend?
So, I lost my CD and the software was available, but UNI-T deleted their backup folder.
Can someone help me get a copy of the UT-81B Software?
Thanks!
I mainly repair audio amplifiers and I think this would have been fine for my use. But I decided to go the other route and bought an analogue meter.
i´m netx to buy one of this....good revew thnks
I like it.many thank´s.
I'm not sure how you can verify it...but I would always purchase from a verified seller with a 99.5% rating or higher on eBay and that should help.
Nice review of the UT81B. I have one question about the BNC probe. I have a HP-3060 probe which refers DC bandwith 60MHz in x10 and 6MHz in x1. The meter works directly with x1 or x10? Is there any setting to change this?
by the way it is really a battery drainer, like a old game boy , better use two sets of rechargeable batteries
Very nice review sir Martin :-)... Anyway, I have one question as I am planning to buy this portable oscilloscope,can it really measure AC signal e.g AC Mains Power Supply?Because i'm planning to used it to check the waveform of an Inverter,UPS etc. I read the manual of this meter and the coupling is DC only,it doesn't have AC coupling.Please before i buy,kindly make a follow up video or make an assurance if it can really use to measure AC signal?Thank you so much sir Martin :).Please notify me.
Can you do FFT with this?
This is a good review but wonder if you could help me I'm looking at buying Hantek dso1060 60Mhz scope meter and I wonder if you have a review on how accurate the scope and dmm side works
God I hope I caught you before you bought the hantek. To the point I bought the 1060 tried it for 3 weeks and returned it. The 1060 version along with the 8060 are both garbage, insufficient sample rate and memory depth. The1060 is not a 60mhz band DSO. I tested the damn thing and got heavy aliasing at 12mhz and -3db at 20mhz. All the electronics I work on are in the 18mhz to 40mhz band so you can see why it went back.
Hello, great review :D
A read a review about this unit and they talked about a problem:
"The worst thing on the meter so far for me is, that it is leaking 50Hz (European 230V/50Hz mains) from the AC/DC adaptor up to 1-2Vef. That's really terrible. I have to find some solution for that."
Hi what internal capatity have your UNI-T UT81B ? I mean what is show when You select capatite measure without wires. ?
mine shows between 2.31 and 2.34 nanofarad (without the probes). BTW, the capacity metering range is from 0 to 100 microfarad .
How much is it ?
Thanks
Resister?