Vici VC99+ CHEAP-O Multimeter Review & Teardown!
Vložit
- čas přidán 9. 07. 2024
- THE Vici VC99+ has a long history in the CHEAP-O Multimeter arena...has it improved with age? You bet! A solid 3.5 Stars!
Don't miss the live Xmas Chat Giveaway coming December 25, 12 Noon Eastern -GMT -0500
Get the Vici VC99 Here:rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53...
Need a cheap set of great leads, try these!
rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53...
The ABSOLUTE BEST Test Lead Kit for the Money!
rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53...
Cheap Multimeter Kit that's fun to build! Get it here:
rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53...
You can also support this Channel directly: paypal.me/DWalker11 - Věda a technologie
Wow, what a blast from the past!! A pair of VC99's were the first meters I ever bought as a student before I was sure I wanted to become an EE. They are horrible meters by the standards of what one can get today for a similar price, but I was rather fond of them back in the day and they served their purpose very well indeed!
Tip #1 - These things can be very easily modded to add bluetooth using a HC-05 module and small P-channel transistor (I think I used a 2N3906) to give readings to any PC continously when you press and hold the REL button.
Super easy mod, with plenty of space inside the case to tuck away the bluetooth module.
Tip #2 - The fuse holders on these meters are exactly the right size for BS1362 fuses which have a very high rupture capacity and are extremely cheap and widely available (in the UK at least). Both the 1A and 10A variants fit perfectly.
Tip #3 - The ADC on these meters is much faster to settle on readings with some extra capacitance on the main power rail inside the meter to reduce the ripple. Nearly doubled the speed at which it settles with just an extra 10uF.
Hi SD!! Great info..thanks for sharing ! Indeed , not great specs by todays CHEAP-O standard but I can't help but like this ol' friend! A decent catch for 25$ ..with those mods you pointed out looks like it can become even better..
Keep On Testing!
I am looking for an auto range multitester that is equipped with protection from 220 volt voltage so as to avoid damage when measuring 220 volt voltage but the selector position is wrong. whether this multimeter is equipped with such protection
I always think it's a good idea to see multiple reviews of the same product. It allows one to see the overall quality control of a company, the steps taken to correct issues, and the different interest of each reviewer. It is amazing that this product has last the test of time; apparently, there are those that think it's a good meter or else it would have died out a long time ago. I guess it depends on the needs of the individual. Anyway, thank you for your review.
SPOT ON! It's difficult to gauge a product based on 1 review but as you say over time, these reviews can give a good general impression of the instrument. The VC99 has definitely stood the test of time and it looks like it might just be around for another 10 years based on its popularity!
Great review, thank you. Mine had the complete set set of screws. Lucky me.
Thx Graham 👍
The current fuses are hard to replace, I took the switch off by mistake whilst trying to replace fuses but thanks to your close up of the switch I got it back together.
Good stuff 👍
I have used this VC99 for several years and I quite like it. The only thing that I've had problems with is the transistor socket. Sometimes it does not make a good connection with the transistor and have to wriggle the transistor until you get a reading.
Quite the eye-opener when you opened it up.
Yes indeed!
I love this flukei looking multimeter. First sight ❤️
Me too!
yes, it still a sexy looking meter for today. great review Darren. i think it would be better to bring Mr.Fluke more often in voltage testing just like in this review Darren, as many people use it as barometer of accuracy. 😃
Darren, any plan to get your hands on the new version of this Vici VC99, that has backlight, NCV, true RMS, and few other improvements too, including continuity. sounds promising.. 😁
I just placed an order! Thx for the heads up..!
@@KeepOnTesting wow, that was fast. my pleasure, keep on testing! 😃
Is the bargraph of the Vici VC99 faster than the bargraph of the Habotest HT118A? Thanks for another review.
I will definitely test and let you know...
Wow, the Vici VC99 bargraph was about 30% faster than the Habotest...I wasn't expecting that!
@@KeepOnTesting Thanks for your work.
For meters lacking shielding, couldn't we just add some metal tape to the inside of the back cover?
Sorry, missed your comment. Definitely, any shielded tape should work wonders on improving the EF in this multimeter..just a shame vendors cheap out on a .02 Cent fix.
Just a thought, quite a paradox it comes with a bar graph but no back light, while theres no rule that it should I would think on a meter they thought enough to equip with a bar graph a back light would be a reasonable inclusion one would expect.
Somewhere the Vici doppelgänger exists...with 1 exception...it boasts a backlight that turns off but only with user intervention. Yes.. a Vici 99 with a fully functional backlight ....Rejoice Y'All! Phew..that was fun.. Ok...back to regular programming 😃👍
After all these years and revisions it shoulda had a backlight, shoulda had better continuity, better fuses, better capacitance function - for as long as this has been on the market it falls way short, fortunately its not too expensive but I dont know HOW they can compare it to a Fluke in anything but shape and look.
That meter was on my bucket list and I finally chose the Mastech MS8268 which looks very rugged. Can you tell me your opinion on Peakmeter, is it a good brand. I am interested in the Peakmeter PM18C.
I'll be reviewing the PEAKMETER PM18C in a few weeks...so if you can wait , I'll have the complete lowdown for you then!
@@KeepOnTesting Thanks and late wishes for a happy new year.
@@dthtr1 My pleasure! Happy New Year!
How much this multimeter in u,s and canada?because her in the Philippines is about 6 to 8 thousand pesos
About 35-45$US ...👍
@@KeepOnTesting u know i am a Filipino and i always watching ur video about digital and analog multimeter one of ur subscribers.in ur CZcams channel.
@@jamesprieto6439 Thx my friend! Keep On Testing! 😃👍
Good review Darren. It looks OK, but for the money I think there are better choices. I do see a lot of people using them on CZcams.
Thanks Pete..it really is a popular dmm but I agree it's a unique flavour!
it locks good but only look. the worst is slow meter. thx bro
Ok, so I have 30 bucks and I would like a meter with the same features as the VC 99. What should I try to get?
Sorry for the late response..UNI-T UT39E+ is a great multimeter, 20K Counts too!
@@KeepOnTesting Thanks, I will get that one then. Great information Thank you
@@chrish3720 👍
Hello Darren. Last week I told you about sending a Victor back because of bad jacks, Now I'm not sure was it a Vici or a Victor, sorry but grey matter is getting older. Both meters were put up very similar.
No worries Derek...😀👍
I bought one from Amazon in late 2019 but it was branded Proster, VC99 not Vici VC99. Apart from the name change, it's identical to the one in this video.
How do you like the multimeter? Yes, there seems to be a few variations on the name. Thx for the update.👍
@@KeepOnTesting Quite content with the multimeter. I agree with your review in that the continuity test is pretty slow. Can also take a (short) while to settle on a reading. Generally a very satisfactory meter for hobby electronics, and good value for money.
Forgot to say that I agree with other comment that they are very popular with youtubers.
Roger that.. definitely Vici has sold alot of these dmms over the years!
Well for $25 U.S. I kinda wanted to like this one, but today there are many better brand options in this price range, one being Uni-T. Even though this Vici VC99 has a bar graph & shows good accuracy, basic accuracy is a given in even most cheap meters these days. For a meter thats been around 10+ years the revisions and improvements its needed since day one have been molasses slow to come and important ones still arent here. The weak ass continuity and capacitance ranges should have been addressed long ago to compete in this price range where almost all have better performance, and why no back light still after 10 years-? The odd angle stand does nothing to help the lack of a back light situation. Minimal input protection is no surprise in this range and almost has to be expected, but it is good to see RF shielding for a change. Vici hasnt seriously updated this rig in a long time and I think its because the sales must be too low to support the cost-?-either that or its selling good enough in its market that they dont feel the need to update, who knows how the Asian marketers guage this sort of thing. Ive looked at reviews on this one a few times and theyre always left wanting, they also fail very easy under any kind of static spike should that be encountered, but so do many other cheap-o meters far as that goes, you only get so much for $25 U.S., IMO for this price take a look at Uni-T offerings among other brands. Come on Vici, a solid revision on this meter in the right areas such as continuity and capacitance for starters and a decent backlight would undoubtedly help boost your sales, come on Vici lets see what youve got-!!
Agreed about the continuity...you know it's a HUGE factor for me...I do love the sweet sound of a perfectly timed buzzer! Actually surprised tge speaker was so loud! For me, the backlight is a huge letdown, it would really help the display since the tilt stand is definitely on the unusual side.Lets hope they're listening....👍
For that price, I think I'll stick with the Morpilot 17b I got for like $25 on Amazon.
It's an interesting dmm. I hear you though, not the best bang for buck these days.
In this price range looks promising but it's soldering job is terrible, it looks frightening to use it as is....
I hear ya! Definitely needs the once over...QA isn't their strong suit, that's for sure.
Fluky looking multimeter
Its probably no "fluke" either 😃