Fluke Digital Multimeter: Digital Multimeter ,Five-In-One W/Multi-Sensor Input,- Autoranging Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)As mentioned in the other two reviews, this unit appears identical to the Mastech 8229 5-in-1 DMM. Mine also was dark green in color, not the bright yellow shown in the picture. The probes were Mastech branded.

Delivery from Electronix Express was fast -- 3 days after placing my order.

The MS8229 is very easy to use. The illuminated probe sockets make it very easy to connect the probes correctly for the measurement of interest.

I compared the amp readings to an old analog meter and within the analog meter's stated accuracy, the two meters agree in their readings. I measured the current draw in a variety of devices and within the measured 0.2-2.5 amp range, the 8229 and the analog meter gave good agreement.

I also made some lux measurements, and the numbers seem to agree reasonably well with other lux values for some flashlights I tested.

Cons: Threaded probes would be nice so that one can attach alligator clips or other types of probe tips. However, the banana-plug style Mastech probes look pretty standard, so I'm sure I can find other probe tips and styles if I have to.

It would also be good if the DMM had a peak-hold feature (or at least I couldn't figure out how to engage such a feature if the MS8229 has it, and I didn't find it in the manual). It has a "Hold" function, but that just holds whatever reading is on the meter when you pressed the button.

When I took the various lux measurements, the light intensity fluctuated a lot depending on beam position relative to the sensor. Since I was interested in the max reading (the beam's hot spot intensity), it was somewhat inconvenient to have to keep one eye on the display while also trying to manually aim the flashlight at the sensor. Sure, if I had an optical bench setup, that might not be an issue, but I don't.

The stand seems a bit flimsy and can have some resistance when pulling it out. The required force seems to have lessened after working the hinges back-and-forth several times. To minimize any chance of breaking one of the stand's legs, I would suggest lifting the stand from the half-moon shaped cutout, and then lifting with your fingers at the hinges to pry up the stand the rest of the way. That should minimize any bending of the legs.

Postscript 1: Since first writing this review, I have noted three oddities with the DMM. 1) The lit input jacks for the probe leads stay lit even after inserting the probes correctly. The manual says that the lit jacks should go out once you plug in the leads. 2) The misconnection alarm buzzer never sounds. 3) The backlight is supposed to turn off after 10 sec, but it stays on. I actually like this last "feature", but that's not the way it is supposed to work according to the manual. I have contacted Electronix Express and await their reply.

Postscript 2: I spoke with Electronix Express tech support and the support person suggested that I obtain an RMA for a full refund (purchase price, shipping cost, and return shipping cost), and order a new unit separately (faster than an exchange through the RMA process). I downloaded their RMA request form and emailed it to Electronix Express. While waiting for the RMA number, tech support called back the next day to say they checked a couple of other MS8229 meters in their stock and they all had the same behavior that I noticed. Thus, it looks like there was an inline change in the MS8229's feature set. Electronix Express said I should keep my unit and they would cancel my order for the new one.

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Product Description:
2000 counts digital multimeter with multisensor input for temperature, humidity, lux, sound level measurements LED / Sound Warning when incorrect banana jacks are used relative to function switch setting (volt, amp, resistance) Data hold and LCD backlit Auto/manual ranging, auto power off Safety as per IEC1010-1 Cat. III 600V and Cat. 1000V