Author Topic: T4D 26 - Amprobe AM160  (Read 31427 times)

retiredcaps

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T4D 26 - Amprobe AM160
« on: October 10, 2012, 02:43:31 AM »
It doesn't look like there are too many original manufacturers of the 500,000 count handheld multimeters because Amprobe AM160 = Brymen BM859 = Extech MM570A = Greenlee DM860.

Need proof?  See for yourself.  The Brymen BM857 (500,000 count) was on ebay for $89 just a while ago (auction ended - 1 sold out of 3). 

From (pics taken below)

http://brymen.com/product-html/cata850a/BM850a_Catalog.pdf

http://content.amprobe.com/manuals/AM140160_umeng0000.pdf

http://www.extech.com/instruments/resources/manuals/MM560A-MM570A_UM.pdf

http://www.wattmaster.com.au/downloads/P2042_1.pdf

What is surprising is that the company that owns Fluke also owns Amprobe which compete against Extech and Greenlee.

Note 3 out of the 4 pictures all show 5.00059 DC V.  In addition, 500,000 count mode is 1.25 per second update.  In 50,000 count mode, it is 5 times per second.

Martin, if I were you, I would save your money and not buy the Amprobe AM160.  I don't know what you are going to learn since it is essentially the same as your Brymen TBM867.  If the Amprobe AM160 were Amprobe in house technology, then that would be different.
« Last Edit: October 10, 2012, 02:51:22 AM by retiredcaps »

MJLorton

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Re: T4D 26 - Amprobe AM160
« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2012, 03:18:42 AM »
Thanks for all the info, you are spot on.

I did note the refresh times so took that into account when I placed the order. I was keen to have the Brymen in the BM850 form factor as the BM867 is quite bulky; in that regard the Amprobe works for me. I'm also aware of the Danaher, Fluke and Amprobe relationship....there's some method in my madness here....

Thanks again for the alert and information, in this case I'm still after this particular meter.

Cheers,
Martin.
Play, discover, learn and enjoy! (and don't be scared to make mistakes along the way!)

retiredcaps

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Re: T4D 26 - Amprobe AM160
« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2012, 03:26:30 AM »
Then get some USA friend to buy this ($90 + 12 shipping)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/120997150181

and have your wife carry it back for you.  It is red just like the Amprobe, but cheaper.

MJLorton

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Re: T4D 26 - Amprobe AM160
« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2012, 03:34:18 AM »
Then get some USA friend to buy this ($90 + 12 shipping)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/120997150181

and have your wife carry it back for you.  It is red just like the Amprobe, but cheaper.
LOL...great find and value...but the Amprobe has already shipped to a USA address.

I will consult you for the next one. Actually, tell me....if you had to pick any multimeter out there....what would it be?

Play, discover, learn and enjoy! (and don't be scared to make mistakes along the way!)

retiredcaps

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Re: T4D 26 - Amprobe AM160
« Reply #4 on: October 10, 2012, 03:36:27 AM »
I would consider getting one, but I can't currently justify > $100 just for a multimeter with 500,000 count.  I don't need to know that my nimh Sanyo eneloops charged to 1.50000!!

Regardless, I look forward to any multimeter review by you. 

PS. There are pictures of the internals by the ebay seller over at

http://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/new-true-rms-cat-iv-precision-multimeter-500-000-count/

I even gave you a mention in post #12!!  ;)

retiredcaps

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Re: T4D 26 - Amprobe AM160
« Reply #5 on: October 10, 2012, 03:40:27 AM »
Actually, tell me....if you had to pick any multimeter out there....what would it be?
Hmm, the pressure to follow up on the TekPower 4000Z !!  ;)

I'll have to think about it for a while. I'm assuming you are asking about a 500,000 count multimeter?  Or just any multimeter?  Any price constraints or ballpark $$$?

MJLorton

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Re: T4D 26 - Amprobe AM160
« Reply #6 on: October 10, 2012, 04:31:02 AM »
Again...thanks for the mention and support on eevblog....always appreciated.

I appreciate you are price conscious...but if you personally could choose any meter at any price out there.....what would it be?
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jwrelectro

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Re: T4D 26 - Amprobe AM160
« Reply #7 on: October 10, 2012, 11:11:44 AM »
I hope to do a review on the Amprobe AM-140-A.  I have had it for about a week and also got the logging software for it.   John

Kiriakos GR

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Re: T4D 26 - Amprobe AM160
« Reply #8 on: October 10, 2012, 04:52:20 PM »
What is surprising is that the company that owns Fluke also owns Amprobe which compete against Extech and Greenlee.
 

Extech and Greenlee are also Brymen customers.
Extech gets the most from CEM,

Those latest series of Brymen multimeters are more than worthy when they sold at their true price as Brymen.

The next Hot product after the BM869  is their fresh clamp meters which haves 5 times per second sampling, plus one package of features for advanced measurements. 
http://www.ittsb.eu/forum/index.php?topic=210.0      ;)
« Last Edit: October 10, 2012, 05:02:23 PM by Kiriakos GR »

retiredcaps

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Re: T4D 26 - Amprobe AM160
« Reply #9 on: October 10, 2012, 09:24:50 PM »
I appreciate you are price conscious.
I prefer thinking of myself as value conscious.

Let me explain, my current method of buying multimeters is not to pay more than 25% of the original MSRP.

For example, the local electronics store is extorting charging customers $514.99 CDN for a new Fluke 87V.  So $515 x 0.25 = 128.75.  If I can find a Fluke 87V for $128.75 or less, then I will buy it.

Since Flukes are popular in North America, there is a market for used Flukes.  With my above criteria, I have been able to purchase a few.  I use the same criteria when buying shares of durable sustainable companies (albeit at 50% of fair market value).

Sometimes I have been able to buy non Fluke brand new meters (like Ideal and Meterman) at 90% off their original price.

Let me think about this for a few days.

MJLorton

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Re: T4D 26 - Amprobe AM160
« Reply #10 on: October 11, 2012, 03:57:41 AM »
I love your approach! We just don't have the market here and shipping is often an issue so it's a challenge.....

The ease of buying electronics, shipping and the second hand market is something I certainly miss about the States.
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SeanB

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Re: T4D 26 - Amprobe AM160
« Reply #11 on: October 11, 2012, 03:31:57 PM »
Like the new lighting Martin, but now you will have to shave before the shows, and will have to go through the makeup drawer and get some beige blush face powder to cover up the shiny nose, Rudolph the red nosed reindeer you are not wanting to be. Now you are a full time TV star you will need makeup to look good.

I would also suggest you go down to Builders or your local timber supplier and buy a sheet or two of shutterply, and attach it to the wall by the door, so that you can more easily attach all the temp builds to the wall. Full sheets will be 1.22m wide by 2.44m high, easy to fit 2 in the area, and then you can use plain drywall screws ( buy the ones from Pelican MIS over any other, they are the best ones I have found, and under R50 per box of 1000 and include a driver bit as well. Strong enough to not need a starter hole, and will self drill into thin steel or aluminium as well ) to attach stuff. Use some M8 rawlbolts with large fender washers to hold the top of the boards to the wall, you only really need strength at the top, the bottom you can use a long screw and a plastic plug to hold. Sand lightly then varnish with clear matt varnish and you have a lovely wooden backboard. Keep some pine filler to fill screwholes as you remove stuff and it looks good for a long time.

Kiriakos GR

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Re: T4D 26 - Amprobe AM160
« Reply #12 on: October 11, 2012, 06:36:00 PM »

Since Flukes are popular in North America, there is a market for used Flukes. 

I agree, but at 2010 USPS tripled the shipping cost to Europe. 

I got my Fluke 87V and two Fluke bench-top, the third Fluke bench-top came from England.
And I did take advantage the season which the shipping cost was almost acceptable.
The point is that now-days, the used Fluke meters its not an interesting option for the Europeans.

About getting a item from eBay, I just set a price limit by the factor of how much, this thing worth to me.
And I do that because I never resale anything that I get from eBay.

 

MJLorton

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Re: T4D 26 - Amprobe AM160
« Reply #13 on: October 12, 2012, 03:16:12 AM »
Like the new lighting Martin, but now you will have to shave before the shows, and will have to go through the makeup drawer and get some beige blush face powder to cover up the shiny nose, Rudolph the red nosed reindeer you are not wanting to be. Now you are a full time TV star you will need makeup to look good.

I would also suggest you go down to Builders or your local timber supplier and buy a sheet or two of shutterply, and attach it to the wall by the door, so that you can more easily attach all the temp builds to the wall. Full sheets will be 1.22m wide by 2.44m high, easy to fit 2 in the area, and then you can use plain drywall screws ( buy the ones from Pelican MIS over any other, they are the best ones I have found, and under R50 per box of 1000 and include a driver bit as well. Strong enough to not need a starter hole, and will self drill into thin steel or aluminium as well ) to attach stuff. Use some M8 rawlbolts with large fender washers to hold the top of the boards to the wall, you only really need strength at the top, the bottom you can use a long screw and a plastic plug to hold. Sand lightly then varnish with clear matt varnish and you have a lovely wooden backboard. Keep some pine filler to fill screwholes as you remove stuff and it looks good for a long time.

LOL!!! Yes...what am I to do...I'll need a make-up artist if I'm going to look "pretty" for the camera....but I'll try remember to powder my nose! ;-)

The sheets on the wall are a great suggestion. I've done it for some of the other kit and in hindsight I should have done it for the light as well. Another future project...

Cheers good man,
Martin.
Play, discover, learn and enjoy! (and don't be scared to make mistakes along the way!)

retiredcaps

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Re: T4D 26 - Amprobe AM160
« Reply #14 on: October 13, 2012, 07:45:57 PM »
but if you personally could choose any meter at any price out there.....what would it be?
This one might be interesting.

The form factor of a Fluke 28 II, but with a Fluke 287 screen?  Add wireless to it.  I have no idea of the specs though.

Details coming on Oct 24?

http://www.element14.com/community/events/3479
« Last Edit: October 14, 2012, 08:06:53 PM by retiredcaps »