What do you think of that? I would recommend this one as I had one at the time I worked in Uni. Very good stuff though it might appear as quite costly. As for Chinese products. I had the same feelings being astonished incredibly low prices (load cells, sensors, controllers, converters etc etc), but all what I got from China worked smoothly.

Thanks for your reply, but that is serious overkill for what I am looking for. Tektronics also offers a unit quite similar to the Fluke 192, but again, overkill for my application. I only need one input, and I am looking for a low frequency device- 100 kHz or less. I never do high frequency stuff, and I have a Link Instruments unit that plugs in to my laptop for harmonic analysis, if I ever need to look at the higher harmonics.

It seems instrument manufacturers are in bed with camera manufacturers- more pixels=better, higher bandwidth=better. Not always.

From past experience, I would expect Tektronics to be better at surviving the environment that I work in (although it's been a while since I've had a Tek scope- and I used to believe Fluke was the top manufacturer of meters back then as well).

If you are looking for a single unit to cover both bases, may I say that this may "double" your possible problems.

If the multimeter goes out, both it and the scope go for repair together....and vice vesa of course.

Why not look for single units that can be replaced seperately if need be? ebay is a good source of cheap secondhand scopes.....and meters. You can have spares sitting around! I recently paid less than $50 for a good dual beam scope.....

Also, pack them in boxes with foam inside to reduce the effects of vibration....

I agree with you point about the case of losing two instruments at once, but a major issue I face is the fact that I currently carry 80 lbs of tools and instruments to a job site, typically located in an area requiring multiple modes of transportation after the flight in. Anything I can do to reduce the volume and weight of equipment is an advantage. I also frequently carry a 100 Mhz scope that plugs in to my laptop, Since this is not CAT III rated, I also have to carry a differential probe, which requires another wall wart, or excess weight in additional batteries. Most often, a full-blown oscilloscope is overkill. What I really miss from my Fluke 192 is the "trend plot"- a quick graphical depiction of what is going on in a circuit. In most applications, I am trouble-shooting, and serious problems generally require transporting the equipment under test to civilization, a situation preferably avoided. I work with everything from mV DC (i.e., using a clamp adapter to measure current) to 480 V AC.

As to backup, a cheap enough unit (say, less than $500) would allow me to maintain a backup- small enough and light weight enough, I could carry two and still decrease my travel weight...

I understand you're anti Fluke but look at the low spec 123 scopemeter. 20Mhz is still more than you need but it is rugged and I have traipsed mine around europe with no problems. I use a hard case just like a camera case. I have a LEM current vclamp adaptor which means i can read both V & I from the same source which i have found invaluable for diagnostics, sometimes finding faults before they actually become problems.

regards

Chas

Were it not for the Fluke name, the 123 would be at the top of the list. My suite of test equipment once was almost exclusively Fluke, but I have had so many failures and such bad customer service from Fluke, that I can no longer consider them a reliable product. I may be forced to change my mind, if I can't find something else.

I know that there are brands of test equipment available in Europe that are not commonly known in this part of the world. Any other recommendations?

Not sure if this is practical in your situation.

Have you considered a USB scope connected to your laptop:-

http://www.picotech.com/oscilloscope-specifications.html

Hi Randall,

do you have a picoscope and what is your opinion of it? I have seen them in in RS etc. and wondered how appropriate they would be for the workshop.

Chas

capblanc-

Check out also the Link Instruments system. I use this quite a bit. Not a high speed scope, but perfect for my lab work, and easy enough to get the data out of the proprietary software and into other software that gives me better analysis capabilities...

Sorry for late reply, and, sorry no I haven't got one, but, I think if I was going to try something like this I would try pico first.

Randall-

Thanks for the response. I already use a Link Instruments scope connected to my laptop (or my desktop back in the lab). The problems with this is that it is not rated for CATIII, and I must carry a differential probe with me; and the number of power connections I need (laptop, scope, differential probe, coffee maker, etc.) in an area challenged for electrical connections (and of questionable electrical quality). A single handheld device for quick analysis (no in depth studies requiring NIST certifications, etc.) would really simplify life, and decrease my traveling weight (imagine hiking through tropical rain forest with 80 lbs of tools and instruments on your back- not that I carry all of that weight, but I do have some sympathy for the Indians I hire...).

Charlie

Hi Charlie,

I guess from your posts your dealing with remote gen systems? I looked at the Link site and see it is very similar to the Pico stuff but better when working on power supplies as they are catIII.

look at http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/102759.pdf It looks to be the right thing for you. Metrix is a very well reputed make. I've never owned one but I have seen them often in the engine rooms of the boats and they look sturdy.

Here are a bunch of cheaper units, not all are still available from farnell.

http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/39433.pdf

http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/68586.pdf

http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/48760.pdf

http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/77533.pdf

http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/level5/module.jsp?moduleId=en/510045.xml

Regards

Chas

Capblanc-

Excellent! I knew someone had to be making exactly what I was looking for.

Charlie

capblanc-

An update with regards to my issue. I really liked the Metrix 328x series as it was presented in the literature- it seems to offer all of the features I am looking for, plus some. However, at three times the cost of the Uni-T UT81B, I found it difficult to justify with my current financial situation. I had originally decided on the TPI 440 at roughly half the price of the Metrix unit, but the company was having trouble with sourcing a critical component and availability was delayed too long to suit my needs. I wound up deciding on the Uni-T UT81B (despite it's Chinese origins), which I am using/evaluating. First impressions are a bit disappointing. Battery hungry (but this can be overcome with the supplied AC power adapter- yet another wall wart to worry about. Also, note that my opinion is based on the batteries that came with the unit, which may be of questionable quality- I need to check this with some good quality batteries). The software is pretty much useless as provided, except as a means to get data out of the meter and into some serious software; but then, I found the software from Fluke for my old 89-IV pretty much useless for anything other than getting the data out of the meter and in to some decent software for further analysis or presentation (SciLab and Excel for the most part, although I am constantly looking at other data analysis software). What is seriously lacking with the UT81B is a real-time data logging functionality. I have other equipment (Amprobe DM-II Pro) for some of my data logging needs, but it is big and bulky and limited in flexibility (I understand that the newer versions of the Amprobe system offer better capabilities than what my unit offer, but I am not quite ready to upgrade that system!). I can use the UT81B and software provided with my laptop to get the trend plots I am looking for, but this is not real time, and a big hassle to set up (and more equipment to carry). The documentation for the meter and the software is very, very basic, but adequate, if you already know what you are doing. I have contacted Uni-T regarding the limitations of the software (their main page is in English, but some of the links are in Chinese), but have not yet received a response. What I would really like would be access to the communications protocol so that I could use the meter with, say, Excel (or qtDMM in Linux) to get the missing data logging functions I am looking for (still requiring a laptop, unfortunately).

I also don't know if the AC readings are true RMS or not. The specifications state "Displays effective value of sine wave (mean value response)", whatever that is meant to communicate. Unfortunately, the only equipment I have with which to compare it is sitting out in the middle of the jungle doing some recording for me at the moment.

Overall, I feel I got adequate value for my money, and the UT81B will meet my immediate needs. If it fails under my working conditions, the loss will not be so catastrophic as was the death of my old Fluke (unless it dies in the middle of a project, like my Fluke did!). I am thinking of acquiring the Metrix unit some time later this year, depending mostly on cash flow issues (I do not spend tomorrow's money today, so I have to plan my budget, and even though the Metrix unit is reasonably priced if it delivers what it promises, I am not in the position to take a chance right now).

Hope you find this information useful.

Charlie

Hi Charlie,

Thanks for the feedback.

I think their spec for "Displays effective value of sine wave (mean value response)", means true RMS as non TRMS units usually measure the peak and divide by 1.414, i.e. peak responding.

Regards

Chas

I have since checked the readings with my signal generator, which allows me to look at the values for triangle and square waves as well, and yes, it does appear to be "true" RMS...Now, to find a noisy signal to evaluate...

UNI-T UT-81B Handhold ScopeMeter MultiMeters USB

Did you have any success in obtaining supporting information, and where can i obtain one other that ebay....Regards andy

Andy-

I received one response from the company regarding my request for technical information, which consisted simply of an inquiry as to where I am located. Obviously, they do not consider Panama a market worth supporting. I purchased the unit through a local company that does internet purchases, directly from the company in Hong Kong, not from e-bay. Since the local company did all the purchasing, I do not have any information as to web sites for purchasing, although I believe they just entered the "Uni-T UT-81B" in Google to get a list of companies offering the item. Hope this helps.

Charles,

Thank you I will make approaches. If I get anything useful will post back with details. Thanx again.

Andy

Hi...We exclusively use to use tektronics scopes, but they are overpriced. I recently bought a relatively new brand RIGOL. You might want to check out their range. Reasonable price and good reliability. You can even save screen caps onto a USB stick. Check it out.

Though I cannot recommend a single piece of equipment that will do what you want it to, why not get two devices (Multimeter and an O-scope). With vast experience of shipping electronic gear on board airplanes and submarines, I would go with a Pelican case. Though the initial cost outlay is higher than other manufactures, these cases will take what ever you dish out and still protect whats inside.

I have actually been traveling with two devices, since my Fluke 192 died an untimely death. One was a Fluke 89-IV and the other a Link Instruments Oscilloscope, which works beautifully, but requires a lap top, and is generally overkill for most of the measurements I make in the field. Now that my Fluke 89-IV has also died an untimely death, I am looking to simplify my suite of instruments. What I really miss in my current suite is the "trend plot", or what I call the paperless chart recorder for monitoring slowly varying signals over time. I really like the Metrix unit recommended above, but have decided to go with the Uni-T unit at 1/3 the price. Unfortunately, Uni-T on line documentation does not give me enough information to determine if I can leave the lap top at home or not...

The issue is not only airline travel- after I get off the airplane, I may have to take a boat ride, or ride a horse, or have a helper haul my 80 lbs. of gear through the bush. If I am lucky, there might be a fourwheeler or tractor that assists, but that is not always the case...

Oh, I forgot to mention. The Pelican cases are waterproof and shock resistant. Like I said, the one's I used were constantly loaded and unload on airplane and submarines. In one case (sorry for the pun), the well meaning sailor helping me get my stuff off the boat dropped it in the drink (the case contained a $10,000 computer system) which subsequently sank to a depth of 30 ft. Divers had to fish it out. When I opened the case, the computer was dry and suffered no damage. Worked perfectly.

I know this sounds like an advertisement for Pelican, but I was very impressed with their products. In matter of fact. I have one for my iPod for when I swim laps. They said it is rated down to 200 ft.

NukeGeek-

I, too, use Pelican cases. There are a couple of other brands out there that don't quite cut it, but try to do the same thing...

I just came across this thread and wanted to know how the Uni-T 81B worked out. I have a TPI440 but the bandwidth is too limited (1mHz) and the PC interface is optional. The built-in batteries have failed now too. But I do like the 'full auto' mode - too many controls on the big scope I use once a year! The Uni-t looks promising.

Thanks

Barry

The Uni-T was a waste of money. Software in Chinese, no support on the web site. Decent measurement tool, but over-priced without the computer interface.

If you are more interested in the Scope function, you might want to have a look at the Link Instruments device. I have been using an older version of their DSO for years, and am quite happy with it. But, it is not a DMM...

Thanks. The Links do look good. I do have enough DMMs, but a single device is handy.

What do you mean 'without software'? for the Uni-T? Looking at their web site, that 81 series is actually hidden, and the link to download their software for it is broken under the 81B version. I am downloading it under the 81A link which does work. I'll take a look at it. It doesn't look like a well-supported product!

Barry

I was never able to get the software to do what I wanted it to do, and there was no guidance on how to get where I wanted to be. Give me the protocol, and I wll figure out my own interface, but I could not even get that out of them. They never responded to any e-mail inquiries. I think their support structure got lost in the clouds...

I see this is an old thread, but maybe this will be interesting: I have made some Python scripts that allow one to interface with these UNI-T UT81B multimeters. I have only used them on Windows, but since they only need libUSB and pyUSB they should work all the same on Linux and Mac OS X.

Full details at http://hmijailblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/custom-software-for-interfacing-via-usb.html

Regards.