UT204 or MS2108

[Cpx]

Hi.
I carefully compared the manuals for these 2 clamp-meters.It seem Ut204 has better accuracy and higher overload voltage but ms2108 has better resolution, bigger display, backlight and additional functions.
I am unable to find a review of the latter anywhere on the web.
I am interested  in the stability at low currents(<1A and >100mA) and wire position errors in respect to UT204.

Thanks.

[iloveelectronics]

What is your budget? Have a look at this one if you want resolution down to 1mA: http://mjlorton.com/forum/index.php?topic=214.0

I have these in stock, haven't priced it exactly yet but it will be sub-$100.

I also happen to have one UT204 in stock in case you're interested

Cheers,
Franky

[Cpx]

My buget is 70-80 dollars maximum with shipping, and i also need true rms.
For me the 2 options above are the only ones viable so far, but i am still undecided which one to chose.I saw ut204 tested and its current accuracy is ok for me but i do not know how ms2108 is in this regard.

[LightAges]

I have a UT204A (not TRMS) and a MS2108 and I will be doing a comparison/review soon.

Some short notes:
The UT204 has TRMS but does not have capacitance nor temperature.  The UT204A does not have TRMS but has capacitance and temperature. You need to decide which is more important to you in a clamp meter.

The MS2108 has TRMS, no temperature, but has capacitance. The problem is that the capacitance is only good for 6.6 microfarad full scale on the lowest range with 0nly 0.1 microfarad resolution. In general its rated accuracy is worse than the UT204/A. The aim of the Mastech MS2108 is more at general electrical work. The build quality is just OK outside but inside it is not very good. It might take one or two drops but I am sure it will die an early death if not treated very kindly. It does have inrush measurement capability but this is limited to AC. You cannot REL out AC amps and although it should not need it, it does need it.

The UT204/A is built a bit better and has a capacitance range more suited to electronics and it actually defaults to DC when switching to voltage or amps measurement whilst the Mastech defaults to AC. You can REL out any measurement.

My final thoughts:

The Uni-T UT204A is better built than the Mastech MS2108 and would take a bit more beating. The build quality of the Uni-T is not that great but the Mastech makes me squirm. Get the Uni-T instead. Also consider whether you want TRMS or prefer to have temperature and capacitance instead as the UT204 does not have these whilst the UT204A does but does not have TRMS.

For me I have two meters to cover both realms now. What could I have purchased for around $110 to get everything both can do but in one meter?

[Cpx]

I do not need capacitance and temperature, i use other meters for that.I also do not need water resistance(i do not work outside)  but True Rms is a must..i need it to measure non sinusoidal mains current wave forms.
Please test accuracy between UT204A and MS2108 in 100mA and 1A interval for AC and DC including wire position change.
Thanks for helping me .

[LightAges]

If you are trying to decide ONLY between the UT204 and MS2108, without a doubt get the UT204. It has better accuracy and a better build. I sincerely doubt that you will have any luck measuring anything below 2 or 3 amps on the UT204. At that low level you are getting into possible 5%+ errors on the readings. You might want to look much higher in the price bracket to get clamp meter that will measure TRMS in the 100mv range, if they are even available.

[LightAges]

I found something that fits your needs, an Extech 380942. The unfortunate thing is it costs around $390 in the US. I have no idea if you can find one where you live.

[Cpx]

In Wytnucls review and teardown i can see a video with UT204 accuracy at 400mA and for me is ok.The question is if ms2108 has similar results. . If i had 400$ this thread would have not existed .
Link:
http://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/uni-t-ut204-clamp-meter-review-and-tear-down/

[dr_p]

I have a Mastech MS2108 and it behaves similar to the Uni-T in the clip. On DC current it jumps back and forward a couple of counts.
I compared DC current readings with 3 other meters, in the range of 100mA to 2A. I also tried different positions for the wire - center, side, diagonally, looped 2, 3, 10, 20 times etc. It was never off by more than 10%, usually 5%. I'm happy with the meter, considering the very low currents measured that it was not designed to handle accurately . The datasheet states the error is basically 100mA + 3% of reading (below 60A). If you zero it properly (on the spot of the measurement), it's rather accurate.
Zeroing the meter (REL) is a must on these low currents, as standby readings of 0.5A or more are common.

[LightAges]

You cannot zero the MS2108 on AC. You are stuck with whatever offset it thinks it has. Mine varies anywhere from reading 9ma to 100 ma when there is nothing in the jaws on AC. To try and count on an MS2108 in AC mode for readings less than 500ma would be silly. That is why I say the UT204 is probably better in that you can zero out the AC current reading.

IMHO, both of the Uni-T and Mastech meters are useable as rough idea tools for anything below 2 amps. If you want any useful measurement at 100ma AND with TRMS then you need to spend the big bucks. The UT204 is probably the closest you will get otherwise.

[dr_p]

Yes, yes, I'm not arguing with you, I was referring to DC only. I haven't even tried AC current measurements.

[Cpx]

I wonder if that offset is adjustable or not from inside....In my opinion it shouldn't be any on AC