Now that's how multimeter reviews should be done! Amazing in-depth view of this expensive beasty - you not only have the tools but also the knowledge on how to do this thoroughly and exhaustively. So far it goes to show that you don't always get what you pay for.
Have just used the last two hours watching your videos, this is simply a goldmine!! Just have to subscribe, there are no way I want to miss anything you make in the future!! :-)
Looks like it's time to put on the popcorn! This is more entertaining than the late late show ! Keep up the great work Joe...oh yea...I'm scratching Gossen off my Xmas list :)
You never know, it may turn out to be one of the most robust meters I have ever tested. Of course, it could fail one hit with the grill starter. I guess the plan now is to start with the grill starter and just make sure it's better than many UNI-Ts I have looked at.
Hey Jim after watched arround 10 video's. I had first the uni-t181 but sended it back. Then A Owon 35 Bluetooth cheap but welling it know because I bought a like New Metrawatt extra.. And I ralley hope I can download some of that software you showed us. Is that a possibility?
I understand there is a person on EEVBLOG who is putting together some software to talk with several meters. I've never looked into it and use LabView for pretty much everything. You may want to check it out.
I think the currentcomparisons in this video are not quite representing. The GMC uses 2 penlites, so 3v and the other one in the comparison uses a 9v block. The thing that should be compared is the power or energy used over time (Wh), With a lower voltage, the used current is automatically going to be higher for a set power requirement. That said the GMC still doesnt score very energy efficient, even to that CEM multimeter (you say that meter has an RF link; is that bluetooth RF or proprietary? Bluetooth isnt the most energy efficient rf system to begin with)
Its too bad Gossen didn't design this using something like the esp8266 which could be programed to go into sleep mode, wake up, send a reading and go back into sleep mode. I guess this was too much complexity to implement. WiFi interfacing would be a much better option, IMHO.
I have not. The only thing I have seen was that one person who contacted them and claimed they had added a shield. I have not confirmed this. If they have and they wanted me to repeat my tests, I would be more than willing to have another look. Hopefully, this time they will have done their homework.
@@juergenscholl2843 You could send them a letter and see of they respond. I've never tried to contact them again as they just kick me back to the worthless US distributor that was lying to Gossen about what I was asking. I won't waste anymore time with them.
@@joesmith-je3tq Though I am German I do live in Mexico.....Nevertheless I will write them a letter and see what/if they'll answer and let you know. Stay safe.
It's a pity that Gossen don't appear to want to enter into a dialogue about the meter's performance, though not a great surprise. I wonder how the protection will fare. I can imagine the power consumption being a real faff out in the field.
Fluke 289/287 Bluetooth adapter uses 2xAAA batteries and has a battery life of 6 hours of continuous transmission. en-us.fluke.com/products/all-accessories/fluke-ir3000-fc-connector.html#techspecs KeySight U1282A Bluetooth adapter also uses two AAA batteries and its power consumption can reach maximum of 130 mVA. literature.cdn.keysight.com/litweb/pdf/5990-9531EN.pdf?id=2139075 These are high-end multimeters made by two major manufacturers with high power consumption when it comes to Bluetooth communications. Probably this is one of the reasons why Bluetooth adapters are not integrated into these multimeters.
Hmm a power hungry beast, i would have expected it to be better than most meters and a hell of a lot better than cheap ones. Perhaps you should have put a truck battery in the box with it ha ha :-D joking :-D. As i've said before, dave allways sucks up to the more expensive brands and gives no praise for the limited cheap meters, its black and white with dave. You do see some limited use in cheaper meters, and you improve them a hell of a lot :-D. Ive watched daves testing on meters, if say a vc99 reads quite accurate, he says nothing!!. Shame that he is so biased, i like the man but cant trust his judgement :-(.
They have that external power connector, which to me just screams like a bad idea but oh well. I am surprised they don't have a plug for it to keep the crap out when you are not using it. Nothing wrong with my low cost Mastech for what I use it for but don't think that I am not biased against UNI-T at this point. After running so many that have done so poorly, the data tends to do that. It doesn't effect the outcome of the tests in any way but it certainly effects my opinion of the brand. That said, I keep waiting for the UT181B model. If UNI-T just doesn't ruin the good parts of this meter and just improve the weak points, I am all in!
You do give a cheap meter a chance :-) I've been using cheap meters for 30+ years and it was good enough for the basic stuff i repaired, i'm thankfull there were cheaper ones, i could not afford much in my earlier years.
That first 139C would have had to have been a superstar to survive as it came to the party late. At least with the second one, we got to see what level it was damaged it. The 139C has better connectors as well than most UNI-T's I have looked at. Back when I ran these, I only had the little do nothing grill starter to simulate an weak ESD event. With so many of the UNI-Ts I looked at being damaged by that, I wonder how the 139C would handle the new gun. I wonder how it would handle that half cycle simulator. The fact that it did get damaged with the new generator, means it could have been ran.
From the videos I saw, Dave does endorse Gossen. He has the same meter and could easily repeat some of my tests if there was a concern about how I conducted them.
joe smith well, that’s why I say my faith is broken. How can I trust his reviews when he clearly supports a meter like this one? Being an helpless newbie I trusted him. Oh well he’s still entertaining and somewhat educational, but still! Thanks for your thorough review though!
There are a few videos where I transient test it. I also tested a HIOKI that used GDTs as well. Both of these held up well. I've seen meters with MOVs and GDTs do poorly as well. Parts don't make good designers. They still have to do their jobs.
I purchased eight cells in 2014 to use with my camera from a local store. They get a fair amount of use and I've had no problems to speak of. Guessing you have not had the same experience.
Now that's how multimeter reviews should be done! Amazing in-depth view of this expensive beasty - you not only have the tools but also the knowledge on how to do this thoroughly and exhaustively.
So far it goes to show that you don't always get what you pay for.
Have just used the last two hours watching your videos, this is simply a goldmine!!
Just have to subscribe, there are no way I want to miss anything you make in the future!! :-)
Thanks. I'm glad you are enjoying them.
I think I will stick with my Brymen!!!!!
Looks like it's time to put on the popcorn! This is more entertaining than the late late show ! Keep up the great work Joe...oh yea...I'm scratching Gossen off my Xmas list :)
You never know, it may turn out to be one of the most robust meters I have ever tested. Of course, it could fail one hit with the grill starter. I guess the plan now is to start with the grill starter and just make sure it's better than many UNI-Ts I have looked at.
ROGER THAT!!!
Let the drumroll begin ....
...so you found the only Metrawatt with a design issue congrats, what does it tell about the rest of their offerings?
Hey Jim after watched arround 10 video's. I had first the uni-t181 but sended it back. Then A Owon 35 Bluetooth cheap but welling it know because I bought a like New Metrawatt extra.. And I ralley hope I can download some of that software you showed us. Is that a possibility?
I understand there is a person on EEVBLOG who is putting together some software to talk with several meters. I've never looked into it and use LabView for pretty much everything. You may want to check it out.
@@joesmith-je3tq thank you that's great. great reviews best online, thx again.
Cool
jurdging from the eevblog video fragments, wee all know what comes next :P
"Take it apaaaht!"
I think the currentcomparisons in this video are not quite representing. The GMC uses 2 penlites, so 3v and the other one in the comparison uses a 9v block. The thing that should be compared is the power or energy used over time (Wh), With a lower voltage, the used current is automatically going to be higher for a set power requirement. That said the GMC still doesnt score very energy efficient, even to that CEM multimeter (you say that meter has an RF link; is that bluetooth RF or proprietary? Bluetooth isnt the most energy efficient rf system to begin with)
Watch this and then let em know if you have questions: czcams.com/video/Mkec-Eyhg7c/video.html
This video was the first part where I went into a little more detail. czcams.com/video/f1UtLpSZ2W0/video.html
Its too bad Gossen didn't design this using something like the esp8266 which could be programed to go into sleep mode, wake up, send a reading and go back into sleep mode. I guess this was too much complexity to implement. WiFi interfacing would be a much better option, IMHO.
Bluetooth is much more battery efficient (if done properly). Although WIFI is often more convenient as it is almost everywhere.
I too would rather see WiFi over USB and Bluetooth.
Did you ever get a reply by Gossen? Thank you for your time and work.
I have not. The only thing I have seen was that one person who contacted them and claimed they had added a shield. I have not confirmed this. If they have and they wanted me to repeat my tests, I would be more than willing to have another look. Hopefully, this time they will have done their homework.
@@joesmith-je3tq Thank you for the quick reply. This is REALLY bad from this company.
@@juergenscholl2843 You could send them a letter and see of they respond. I've never tried to contact them again as they just kick me back to the worthless US distributor that was lying to Gossen about what I was asking. I won't waste anymore time with them.
@@joesmith-je3tq Though I am German I do live in Mexico.....Nevertheless I will write them a letter and see what/if they'll answer and let you know. Stay safe.
@@juergenscholl2843 You too. Hopefully they will respond.
It's a pity that Gossen don't appear to want to enter into a dialogue about the meter's performance, though not a great surprise. I wonder how the protection will fare. I can imagine the power consumption being a real faff out in the field.
After 10 days, I am a bit surprised that we heard nothing. I can only guess as to why they would choose this route.
Bought a Unit-P last week and now my nails are black
Fluke 289/287 Bluetooth adapter uses 2xAAA batteries and has a battery life of 6 hours of continuous transmission.
en-us.fluke.com/products/all-accessories/fluke-ir3000-fc-connector.html#techspecs
KeySight U1282A Bluetooth adapter also uses two AAA batteries and its power consumption can reach maximum of 130 mVA.
literature.cdn.keysight.com/litweb/pdf/5990-9531EN.pdf?id=2139075
These are high-end multimeters made by two major manufacturers with high power consumption when it comes to Bluetooth communications. Probably this is one of the reasons why Bluetooth adapters are not integrated into these multimeters.
I am pretty sure I saw where UNI-T offered one as well. I thought about getting it for the UT181A.
Hmm a power hungry beast, i would have expected it to be better than most meters and a hell of a lot better than cheap ones.
Perhaps you should have put a truck battery in the box with it ha ha :-D joking :-D.
As i've said before, dave allways sucks up to the more expensive brands and gives no praise for the limited cheap meters, its black and white with dave.
You do see some limited use in cheaper meters, and you improve them a hell of a lot :-D.
Ive watched daves testing on meters, if say a vc99 reads quite accurate, he says nothing!!.
Shame that he is so biased, i like the man but cant trust his judgement :-(.
They have that external power connector, which to me just screams like a bad idea but oh well. I am surprised they don't have a plug for it to keep the crap out when you are not using it.
Nothing wrong with my low cost Mastech for what I use it for but don't think that I am not biased against UNI-T at this point. After running so many that have done so poorly, the data tends to do that. It doesn't effect the outcome of the tests in any way but it certainly effects my opinion of the brand. That said, I keep waiting for the UT181B model. If UNI-T just doesn't ruin the good parts of this meter and just improve the weak points, I am all in!
There was one Uni-T that didn't do too bad - the UT139C.
You do give a cheap meter a chance :-)
I've been using cheap meters for 30+ years and it was good enough for the basic stuff i repaired, i'm thankfull there were cheaper ones, i could not afford much in my earlier years.
That first 139C would have had to have been a superstar to survive as it came to the party late. At least with the second one, we got to see what level it was damaged it. The 139C has better connectors as well than most UNI-T's I have looked at.
Back when I ran these, I only had the little do nothing grill starter to simulate an weak ESD event. With so many of the UNI-Ts I looked at being damaged by that, I wonder how the 139C would handle the new gun. I wonder how it would handle that half cycle simulator. The fact that it did get damaged with the new generator, means it could have been ran.
Well, I wouldn't say I give cheap meters and better chance than expensive ones. They all get treated basically the same.
my faith in Dave's reviews is broken now
From the videos I saw, Dave does endorse Gossen. He has the same meter and could easily repeat some of my tests if there was a concern about how I conducted them.
joe smith well, that’s why I say my faith is broken. How can I trust his reviews when he clearly supports a meter like this one? Being an helpless newbie I trusted him. Oh well he’s still entertaining and somewhat educational, but still!
Thanks for your thorough review though!
Wireless connections are bad choice consumtion uneffeciency and slow/delated reading .
There are times you don't want to run a cable. It's been handy having a meter with an RF link.
This meter uses a single 9V battery. Well but has a bug when ranging. czcams.com/video/Mkec-Eyhg7c/video.html
Yeh this is what it is. By the way i noticed that almost all dmm s use MOV i think this is not a good solution what do u think?
There are a few videos where I transient test it. I also tested a HIOKI that used GDTs as well. Both of these held up well. I've seen meters with MOVs and GDTs do poorly as well. Parts don't make good designers. They still have to do their jobs.
What about a jfet ?
Energizer rechargeables? ::cringe::
I purchased eight cells in 2014 to use with my camera from a local store. They get a fair amount of use and I've had no problems to speak of. Guessing you have not had the same experience.