Need buyer's advice: Uni-T UT70B

[birrbert]

Dear Forum!

I would like to ask your advice about this digital multimeter, the Uni-T UT70B. I've been looking for a while now for a well priced multimeter that would suit my needs and I just got an offer to buy this one for ~65 USD. It's new and it comes with all accessories including the software.

I saw that there are a few videos on YouTube about this model which I'm going to watch, but in the meantime I'd like to ask for your opinion. Do you think it's worth to buy? Are there any very annoying issues with it? Are there possibly better choices in this price range?

I welcome everybody's advice who used this multimeter or heard something about it.

Thanks!

[iloveelectronics]

It's only a 4000 count meter. I may be biased (because I have some for sale) but I fail to see how it's a better deal than the UT 61E. The temperature measurement and backlight are the main missing features on the 61E in comparison to the 70B.

[HVAC Guy]

What will you use the meter for? It would make a difference if you are going to use it on the job or just occasionally.

[Kiriakos GR]

suit my needs

With out further explanations about this, it is like asking us to read your future. 

[birrbert]

There's no need to predict the future, really. I can explain what would my needs be, but "without further explanations about this": hobby. HVAC Guy, thanks for the question; I will use it occasionally (e.g. around the house, measuring batteries, logging voltage and current in small DIY projects, etc).

This would be my first more advanced multimeter, sort of said, so I thought I'll ask if somebody actually used it and has a few thoughts about it. So what I'd like to know if it's worth buying or it's better if I save my money and buy a better/more expensive instrument? 

If nobody used it, then I might give it a go and then figure out if it lacks any functionality or if it has any annoying problems. Then I'll be able to choose my next multimeter better.

PS: the videos on YouTube didn't help... most of them are in a foreign language and the ones in English are just short presentations.

Edit: so the main question from me is whether somebody actually try/use this multimeter or found a review that I could read or watch?

[FOX]

I don't now this meter but UNI-T should be fairly reasonable brand.
But if you can afford it i would recommend a meter in the 100$ class, something from Extech , BKPrecision, Amprobe etc.
The Specs for the UT70-B are not that great, even at this price point one could expect 0.5% basic accuracy rather than the 0.8% the UT70-B has.


If you haven't already seen it, i recommend these Videos:
http://youtu.be/gh1n_ELmpFI "short" byers guide for Multimeters by Dave Jones.
http://youtu.be/n3WGaiYF2sk 100$ class Multimeter shootout part 1
http://youtu.be/ZoeUgMFLyAw 50$ class Multimeter shootout.

[birrbert]

Thanks for the links FOX! I'll check them tonight, hoping that they'll help me in taking a decision.

iloveelectronics, 4000 count means that it can display values with three decimal places up to 4 Volts and from there upwards it will drop a decimal place and continue with only two?

[iloveelectronics]

iloveelectronics, 4000 count means that it can display values with three decimal places up to 4 Volts and from there upwards it will drop a decimal place and continue with only two?

That is correct. UT-61E in comparison is a 22000-count meter which costs less. Apart from the lack of a backlight and auto-power-off, the 61E beats the 70B pretty much in every other aspect. The 70B is also a lot bulkier while the 61E is a very nice compact size that fits nicely even in my very small hand. Again, my opinion could be biased as I have 61E's for sale on eBay

[Mr Eastwood]

Hi,  I've always had a multimeter since I was 15,  and the UT70B was my 3rd multimeter; I've found the UT70B great for my hobby stuff!     One thing you might want to bear in mind is sometimes you can get a better second-hand meter for the same price of a new one.

I would do a review of mine on uTube for you if it wasn't for the fact I'm far too ugly to be on camera! ;-)

[birrbert]

jucole, you're funny.
If you really have the time though, you could make a review in writing, spice it with some photos and post it on this forum. I'm sure many would appreciate it. By the way, thanks for tip about second hand multimeters.

iloveelectronics, someone on YouTube is showing that the UT61E can actually be modified to have backlight. In fact the chip supports min/max and auto power off too, it just needs some hacking. Nice!

[Kiriakos GR]

In fact the chip supports min/max and auto power off too, it just needs some hacking. Nice!

This is a nice way to void your warranty too.

[iloveelectronics]

In fact the chip supports min/max and auto power off too, it just needs some hacking. Nice!

This is a nice way to void your warranty too.

There's warranty only if you buy from your local authorized distributor. If you buy online, more likely than not the warranty is void in your country anyway.

[Mr Eastwood]

The UT61E according to the specs has a back-light http://www.uni-trend.com/UT61E.html  but in the user manual for the UT61 series states the back-light is only available for the A,B,C,D ranges.  TUT! TUT!

The UT61E has the ability to measure Duty cycle (good feature in my book!) the UT70B doesn't! UT61E doesn't do temperature, the UT70B does;  lots of pro and cons for both models.

Why they are still bundling COM port cables for logging etc is beyond me! do they know it's nearly 2013 not 1993! ;-)

Ebay is a great source for top-notch gear at affordable prices, the other year I bought a new boxed  Iso-tech IDM 305
http://uk.rs-online.com/mobile/p/digital-multimeters/6974020/ for £80 and recently bagged another one as "used" condition for £50.  Since owning and using the 305 I would never go back to lower priced meters.

[Kiriakos GR]

In fact the chip supports min/max and auto power off too, it just needs some hacking. Nice!

This is a nice way to void your warranty too.

There's warranty only if you buy from your local authorized distributor. If you buy online, more likely than not the warranty is void in your country anyway.

This is just your own estimation, every serious seller on Ebay offers one warranty plan.

[Kiriakos GR]

Why they are still bundling COM port cables for logging etc is beyond me! do they know it's nearly 2013 not 1993! ;-)

The IC in those USB/COM adapters it is protected by patents, and holds special programing which is included in the software drivers of its manufacturer.
This IC has an specific cost, which some one has to pay.
Just a COM port cable in our days translates that the manufacturer are cutting corners in the wrong way.