DMM Owon B41T+



Own has a couple of multimeters in this “41” series with some differences. The “B” models has Bluetooth, the “T” models has true RMS and the “+” model has memory for offline logging. I look at the model with Bluetooth, true RMS and offline logging.




The meter arrived in a brown cardboard box with a minimum of text on it.



Inside was a pouch with everything in it.



The box/pouch included the meter, probes, alligator clips, a thermocoupler, transistor tester adapter, pouch, quick guide, specifications, QR code for link to app.





Probes are marked 1000V 10A and the tip cover is marked CAT III, without the cover there is a CAT II marking.
The tip cover is screw on/off, the alligator clips are also screw on/off.



The plugs are fully shroud, but a bit on the short side.



The transistor tester, thermocoupler, capacitor adapter. This way the transistor tester is safe, but only thermocoupler and capacitor adapter is used on this meter.




A cheap thermocoupler with banana plugs.










I do not like the plastic for the battery lid, I have the feeling that it is a hard plastic that easily breaks.



Display



The above picture shows all the segments on the display.



Normal DC voltage with voltage and bargraph.



Functions



Buttons:

• Select: Select between DC and AC and modes in the ohm position.
  
• Range: Switch to manual range and select range, hold down to activate automatic ranging again.
  
• Hz/Duty: Select frequency and duty cycle in V and A modes.
  
• Max/min: Capture maximum and minimum values, press to display one or the other, hold down to exit mode.
  
• : Press to freeze/unfreeze current reading, hold down to turn on background light,
  
• : Press to use relative mode (REL), hold down to enable/disable Bluetooth.
  

• Off: Meter is turned off.
  
• V: Measure DC and AC voltage, DC includes a mV range, in AC it is possible to select frequency.
  
• mV: Millivolt range, has two mV ranges for both DC and AC, in AC it is possible to select frequency.
  
• : Resistance, continuity and diode
  
• Hz%: Frequency, this support up to 60MHz.
  
• : Capacitance
  
• Temp: Temperature.
  
• uA: The uA range.
  
• mA: The mA range.
  
• A: The A range.
  

• A: High current, maximum current is 20A
  
• mAuA: The lower current ranges and input for thermocoupler
  
• CON: The common terminal for all ranges.
  
• xxx: All other ranges.
  

• Volt and frequency
  
  
  
  • Frequency input can handle a DC offset of +/-1.2V with 0.2Vrms input, but needs a few seconds to adjust.
    
  • At 100mVrms frequency input range is from 2.1Hz to 800kHz
    
  • At 1Vrms frequency input range is from 2.1Hz to 62MHz
    
  • At 100mVrms AC input frequency range is from 2.1Hz to 150kHz
    
  • Duty cycle works from 5% to 95% at 100kHz with 1Vpp, precision is within 6.0 (Due to the offset adjustment the readout takes some seconds to be stable)
    
  • Duty cycle works from 5% to 95% at 100kHz with 2Vpp, precision is within 4.0 (Due to the offset adjustment the readout takes some seconds to be stable).
    
  • 1 VAC is 5% up at 110kHz (RMS will not work at the frequency).
    
  • Max/min needs about 330ms to capture a voltage.
    
  • Input impedance is 10-11Mohm on DC and AC
    
  • mV has 10Mohm input impedance up to about 3V, then it drops to 200kOhm at 5 Volt and 2kOhm at 20 volt.
    
  • There is an audible warning when voltage is too high on any V range, but not on mV range.
    
  • Frequency input is 10Mohm up to 1 volt then it drops to 1kohm at 5 volt
    
  • Rated overload protection on V is 1000VDC / 750VAC
    
  • Rated overload protection on mV and Hz is 250VDC or equivalent AC
    
  
  
• Current
  
  
  
  • Meter has audible alarm with too high current in uA, mA and A range
    
  • Overload protection in uA and mA: 1A/250V 5×20mm glass fuse
    
  • Overload protection in A: 20A/250V 5×20mm ceramic fuse
    
  • Measuring above 10A must only be performed for a short time.
    
  
  
• Ohm, continuity, diode and capacitance
  
  
  
  • Ohm needs about 1.0s to measure 100ohm
    
  • Ohm is -0.39V open and -0.34mA shorted
    
  • Continuity is very fast (3ms).
    
  • Continuity beeps when resistance is below 30ohm
    
  • Continuity is -3.13V open and -1.8mA shorted
    
  • Diode range uses 2.8V, max. display is 1.9V at 0.64mA, max. current is 1.9mA shorted
    
  • 10uF takes about 0.8 second to measure.
    
  • 70000uF takes about 13 seconds to measure.
    
  • Rated overload protection is 250VDC or equivalent AC
    
  
  
• Miscellaneous
  
  
  
  • Current consumption of meter is 3.5mA in Hz, 4.3mA in DC 5.4mA AC (16mA with backlight, 13.3mA with Bluetooth and 24mA with both).
    
  • Meter works down to 1.5V where it turns off, battery symbol show at 2.3V.
    
  • The meter reading is stable within a few count (About 10) down to the meter turns off.
    
  • Backlight fades with voltage and is very dim at 2.5V
    
  • Bluetooth works down to 1.6V
    
  • Bluetooth disconnects fast when outside range.
    
  • Local logging is done on the Bluetooth transceiver, this means it must be controlled from a phone.
    
  • The meter usual needs two updates before reading is correct.
    
  • Viewing angle is limited both from the top and the bottom.
    
  • Display updates around 2 times/sec.
    
  • Bargraph updates 30 times/sec
    
  • Backlight will turn off in 57 seconds
    
  • Will automatic turn power off in about 30 minutes
    
  • Standard probes cannot be fully inserted into sockets on meter, but make connection, banana plugs can be fully inserted.
    
  • Weight is 335g without accessories, but with batteries.
    
  • Size is 185 × 88 × 45mm.
    
  
  
• Probes
  
  
  
  • Probe resistance 31mOhm for one.
    
  • Probe wire is soft and 87cm long.
    
  
  

I wouldn't normally post this here, but this is budget light forum, and this seems like a good budget alternative to the Fisher Bullet - so if you're a pen nut like me, give it a quick read!

The Product

Spoiler

Physical Dimensions

Build

The pen is made up of two pieces - the grip, and the cap.

The cap is a simple injection molded tube, closed on one end. The brand is molded into the side, but it doesn't stick out very far and isn't noticeable at first glance. There are some small marks from the injection process - but again, you have to be looking to find them.

The grip has two o-rings at the top to lock the cap in place either closed, or open as a full length pen. There's a black cap on this end that doesn't seem to be removable. When the cap is installed it can move a tiny bit if pressure is applied, and this seems to vary a bit across the 3 pens I have. Could be due to variance in the O-rings or the bodies themselves. If you wanted to further customize your pen, I'm sure you could find other colors of these O-rings to add your own flair.

The cartridge is friction fit into the grip, and can be replaced with a pair of pliers. There's no play or wiggle at all here.

Ergonomics and Retention

Writing and Refills

Notebook

Summary

Pros:

Cons:

Notes and Links

DMM Brymen BM829s

This is the fairly advanced Brymen meter with good precision and PC connection (Must be bought separately).


The meter arrived in a cardboard box that is used for a couple of models, on the back is a table comparing them. This meter is the most fully featured, except it is missing off-line logging.

The box included the meter, two probes, a thermocoupler (Meter supports two) and the manual (It can also be downloaded).


Probes are branded with B.T.C. and has removable tip covers.



The probe-tip has different configuration, one is rated for up to CAT IV 1000V like the meter.

The plug is fully shrouded and standard probe plug size.


A standard thermocoupler with a standard dual banana connector.

The meter is heavy and the tilting bale can hold it while the range switch is used or the buttons is pressed.

The PC connection is here with an optical link.

The tilting bale can be moved a bit and then be used to hang the meter on.









The rubber sleeve must be removed to replace the battery. There is a rubber seal around the battery cover.
Display

The above picture shows all the segments on the display, not all are used.
There are two 4 digit display and a bargraph. In most modes the readings goes up to 6300, but a few support 9999.

Normal AC voltage with voltage, frequency and bargraph.

In DC volt it is possible to show both AC and DC volt, but the bargraph disappears.

There is no diode symbol, instead the small display is used to write diode.

The NCV or Electric field mode, it can show from 1 to 5 bars
Dual and single display functions (After / is small display):
VAC: VAC/Hz, dBm/Hz, Hz/VAC
VDC: VDC, VDC/VAC, DC+AC/VAC
mVDC: mVDC, mVDC/mVAC, mVDC+mVAC/mVAC, Hz, Duty Cycle
mVAC: mVAC/Hz, dBm/Hz, Hz/mVAC
Temp: T1, T2, T1/T2, T1-T2/T2 (Use RANGE to select)
uA, mA, A: ADC, ADC/AAC, ADC+AAC/AAC, AAC/Hz
Functions

Buttons (Range selection and a few other are remembered):

• Select (Yellow): Select between the different modes on each position of the range switch, hold down to activate background light. Meter will remember the selection and use it next time the range is selected.
  
• Range: Switch to manual range and select range, hold down to activate automatic ranging again. In dB mode this button will select reference impedance from 20 different values, in temperature mode it will select different combinations of thermocouplers.
  
• : Shows values relative to current value.
  
• Hold: Freeze the display, press again to release. Hold down to select NCV or electric field mode, the range switch is ignored.
  
• Crest: Peak mode, will record and show fast min/max. Use button to change between min/max/max-min. Hold down to end mode.
  
• Rec: Minimum/maximum mode, will record min/max values. Use button to change between actual/max/min/max-min/average. Hold down to end mode.
  

• Auto: Meter will automatic select between ohm, continuity, VAC, VDC with LowZ on voltage ranges.
  
• Off: Meter is turned off.
  
• VAC: Measure AC voltage, frequency and dB
  
• VDC: Measure DC voltage, AC voltage and AC+DC voltage.
  
• mVDC: Millivolt range, measure DC voltage, AC voltage, AC+DC voltage, frequency and duty cycle.
  
• mVAC: Millivolt range, measure AC voltage, frequency and dB
  
• : Resistance and continuity, the nS makes it possible to measure very huge resistance
• T1 T2: Measure temperature with one or two thermocouplers, can also show difference between them.
  
• : Capacitance and diode range.
  values.
  
• A mA: This is either mA or A depending on where the probe is connected. It will measure DCA, ACA, ACA+DCA, frequency
  
• uA: The uA range. It will measure DCA, ACA, ACA+DCA and frequency.
  

• A: High current, maximum current is 10A, also ground for second thermocoupler.
  
• mAuA: The lower current ranges and + input for the second thermocoupler.
  
• CON: The common terminal for all ranges.
  
• xxx: All other ranges.
  

• Volt and frequency
  
  
  
  • Frequency input (mVDC) has a trigger point around 1.2V
    
  • At 1Vrms frequency input (mVDC) range is from 2Hz to 180kHz
    
  • At 5Vrms frequency input (mVDC) range is from 2Hz to 3.3MHz
    
  • Frequency input (mVAC) requires a zero crossing
    
  • At 100mVrms input on mVAC range, frequency range is from 2Hz to 65kHz
    
  • Frequency input (VAC) do not require a zero crossing, it is AC coupled.
    
  • At 1Vrms input on VAC range, frequency range is from 2Hz to 29kHz
    
  • Duty cycle works from 5% to 99% at 100kHz with 4Vpp, precision is within 3.5
    
  • Duty cycle works from 1% to 99% at 10kHz with 4Vpp, precision is within 0.4
    
  • 1 VAC is 5% down at 7kHz (RMS will not work at the frequency).
    
  • 0.5 VAC in mVAC is 5% up at 16kHz (RMS will not work at the frequency).
    
  • Auto range works when doing min/max, peak and relative.
    
  • Auto input has just below 1V out to detect a resistor, it will switch to VDC at 1.2VDC input or VAC at 0.6VAC input.
    
  • Max/min (Rec) needs about 570ms to capture a voltage, it may use multiple captures to get the final value.
    
  • Peak (Creast) needs about 0.7ms to capture a DC voltage, it may use multiple captures to get the final value.
    
  • Input impedance is 10-11Mohm on DC
    
  • VAC input has a capacitor and is 10Mohm after that.
    
  • mV DC/AC has 10Mohm input impedance up to about 3.5V, then it drops to 20kohm at 10 volt and 4kOhm at 35 volt.
    
  • Frequency input is similar to mV
    
  • Rated overload protection on V ranges is 1050VDC/VAC and 12kV transient.
    
  • Rated overload protection is 600VDC/VAC and 12kV transient in mV range.
    
  
  
• Current
  
  
  
  • Overload protection in uA and mA: 0.44A/1000V 10×38mm fuse
    
  • Overload protection in A: 11A/1000V 10×38mm fuse
    
  • There is an audible warning and display shows “InEr” when using non current ranges with a probe in mAuA or A input.
    
  
  
• Ohm, continuity, diode and capacitance
  
  
  
  • Ohm needs about 1.9s to measure 100ohm
    
  • Ohm is 1.0V open and 0.17mA shorted
    
  • Continuity is very fast (Below 5ms).
    
  • Continuity beeps when resistance is below 220ohm
    
  • Continuity is 1.2V open and 0.17mA shorted
    
  • Conductivity (nS) is 1.2V open and 0.3uA shorted
    
  • In conductivity it is best to keep some distance to the meter.
    
  • Diode range uses 3.1V, max. display is 2.000V at 0.14mA, max. current is 0.38mA shorted
    
  • 10uF takes about 2.8 seconds to measure.
    
  • 11000uF takes about 9.5 seconds to measure, it shows a wrong value first.
    
  • Rated overload protection is 600VDC/VAC and 12kV transient.
    
  
  
• Miscellaneous
  
  
  
  • Current consumption of meter is 4mA-5mA (35mA with backlight)
    
  • Meter works down to 4.0V where it says “InEr”, battery symbol show at 6.7V.
    
  • The meter reading is stable down to 5.6V, then it will show too high value (It was 36% to high at 4V).
    
  • Backlight is stable until meter reports “InEr”.
    
  • The meter sometimes need a couple of updates before the reading is fully correct.
    
  • Viewing angle is good
    
  • Display updates around 5 times/sec.
    
  • Bargraph updates 60 times/sec
    
  • Backlight will turn off in 30 seconds
    
  • Will automatic turn power off in about 30 minutes without any warning.
    
  • Standard probes fits perfectly into sockets on meter.
    
  • Weight is 630g without accessories, with sleeve and battery.
    
  • Size is 208 × 102 × 64mm.
    
  
  
• Probes
  
  
  
  • Probe resistance 30mOhm for one.
    
  • Probe wire is soft and 100cm long.
    
  
  

Equipment Logic Analyzer 8 channels 24MHz

Official specifications:

• Voltage Range: 0V~5.5V
  
• 24MHz 8 Channel.
  
• Logic samples each channel at up to 24M times per second.
  
• Logic has 8 inputs — it can monitor 8 different digital signals at once.
  
• Fine workmanship and good performance.
  
• Easy to use.
  
• Long service life.
  

Astrolux TP-01 Review

I got a cool pen!

For starters: It's a pen. It writes, in ink. The cartridge itself isn't anything to write home about, but that's not why we're here. It is replaceable with a common cartridge size, if that's your thing. I'm eyeing one with purple ink, myself.

The pen claims to be machined in raw titanium. I don't have the equipment to actually test that, but I'm at least sure it's not aluminum. It's also not steel, although I was surprised to find the pen somewhat weakly attracted to a magnet. I set about disassembling it (all the tools were included), and found that the ink cartridge has a steel sleeve. Without that (or the spring), the entirety of the pen body was not attracted to a magnet. I don't have any reason to think it's not titanium, and it has the right feel.

The overall feel of the pen is raw. When I'm holding it or writing with it (or fidgeting with the bolt-action mechanism), it feels like raw machined metal. This is not a finished feel, this is not a smooth or refined feeling for a pen. But it is kind of cool. It's nice that the clip is removable, and that they supply all the tools to disassemble the pen, as well as a spare of each of three screws (two for the clip, and one for the end of the pen which retains the ink cartridge) and even an extra spring. It can be fully dis- and re-assembled with ease. The only trick is to re-insert the "bolt" from the bolt-action with the shallow cutout facing away from the pen tip.

Let me be serious for a moment. You don't need this pen. I don't need this pen. It doesn't offer any real advantage over other available pens, and it even lacks some of the common additional features of tacticool pens (like a window-breaking point, because a pen needs that?). But it's cool, and it's made of nerd-metal. I will admit that it's likely to make me replace ink cartridges rather than entire pens, and I'll use it more than my other pens because it's cool. So maybe it has a tiny net impact on my plastic use/waste. And maybe the mechanism will be more reliable than other clicky pens I own. But I'll be honest, I can only remember buying one pack of pens in the last ten years, and that was nominally for use at university. My pens before that were provided by parents, and my pens after that have mostly been the left-behind pens of retail customers at a previous place of employment. I still have several Pilot G2s from that...

This pen writes worse than my Pilot G2s or my Uni-Ball Jetstreams. Although it bleeds less than either and can't be smudged like the G2, it's just an average ballpoint cartridge. It's also a bit short; it looks worse than it is, but it's around a half-inch shorter than most of my other pens sitting at my desk. 

Disclaimer: I don't do any affiliate stuff. I didn't receive any compensation for this review; I bought the pen because I wanted it. I will admit, I didn't pay full price, M4d M4x helped me out a bit.

DMM Aneng V7

This is a cheap DMM with all common function. It is both manual and auto ranging.


The box for the meter is designed for both the V7 and V8 meter.

Inside the box is a pouch with everything in it, except the manual.

The package included the DMM, a pair of standard probes, the universal probes, a thermocoupler and a manual in addition to the pouch.



The probes are unbranded and has removable tip covers and is rated for CAT II 1000V and CAT IV 600V

The plug is shrouded.


The thermocoupler is designed for insertion into stuff and is with banana plugs.



The universal probes can be assembled to many different configuration, they are not high quality, but very useful.

When using the tilting bale it is possible to turn the switch, but not use the buttons with one hand.









Display

All the segments on the display.

Typical screen during usage, show the range.

In auto mode it will show “Auto” until voltage or resistance is detected.

Holding down the NCV button will show EF (Electric field) on the display and change to bars when a actual field is detected. The led below the display will flash red and the buzzer will also sound.

Between the buttons is a led, it can show red, green and “yellow”, it is used for NCV, continuity and battery test.
Functions

Buttons:

• Rel: Shows values relative to current value, will also select manual range. Press again to disable.
  
• NCV: When held down the meter is in NCV mode, will override any selected range.
  
• Select (Yellow): Select the ranges printed with yellow (Hz/duty-cycle, DC/AC, frequency in 750VAC, frequency for frequency out) mode and between °C/°F
  : Turns the flashlight on.
  
• Max/min: Starts recording maximum and minimum value, press to select between max/min, hold down to disable
  
• Hold (Blue): Freezes the display reading, hold down for backlight to turn on.
  

• Off: Meter is turned off
  
• Auto: Meter is in automatic mode, it can measure volt and resistance and will automatic select range.
  
• 5 x VDC: The different volt DC ranges from 600mV to 1000V.
  
• 5 x VAC: The different volt AC ranges from 600mV to 750V.
  
• 6 x A: The different current ranges, use SELECT to change between AC and DC.
  
• : 12V Battery test
  
• : 9V Battery test
  
• : 1.5V Battery test
  
• : Frequency output from 50Hz to 5000Hz, use SELECT to step the frequency.
  
• Temp: Temperature with a thermocoupler, use SELECT for °C/°F
  
• Hz %: Frequency and duty-cycle.
  
• : Continuity and diode mode, there is no selection, it is a single mode that do both and for a combined mode it works fairly well.
  
• 6 x ohm: The manual resistance ranges, the 600ohm range is only present here, AUTO will not use it.
  
• : Capacity
  

• 20A: High current, it can only withstand 10+ ampere for a short time (Fuse is 10A).
  
• mAuA: The lower current ranges, the selector switch will change between two different shunts (Fuse is 600mA).
  
• CON: The common terminal for all ranges.
  
• xxx: All other ranges.
  

• Volt and frequency
  
  
  
  • At 1Vrms input frequency input range is from 0.7Hz to 5MHz
    
  • Frequency input can handle a DC offset from -2.2V to 2.2V with 1Vrms input.
    
  • Duty cycle works from 1% to above 90% at 100kHz with 2Vpp, precision is within 2.0
    
  • Duty cycle works from 1% to above 99% at 100kHz with 4Vpp, precision is within 0.1
    
  • 1 VAC is 5% down at 2.1kHz (RMS will not work at the frequency), AUTO and manual is similar.
    
  • Max/min needs less than 150ms to capture a voltage, but need many pulses for it.
    
  • Input impedance is between 0.8 and 0.9Mohm on DC and AC
    
  • Input impedance is 10Mohm in mV ranges, up to about 2V, then it drops to 2kOhm.
    
  • AUTO needs about 0.85V DC or 0.8V AC to select range, it beeps when below 50ohm, lowest ohm range is 6kOhm.
    
  • In AUTO mode the input voltage must be below 500V, above it will show OL and beep.
    
  
  
• Current
  
  
  
  • 20A range will give audible alarm at 10A and show OL above 20A
    
  • Overload protection in uA and mA: 0.6A/250V 5×20mm ceramic fuse
    
  • Overload protection in A: 20A/250V 6×30mm ceramic fuse
    
  
  
• Ohm, Continuity, diode and capacitance
  
  
  
  • Ohm needs about 0.6s to measure 100ohm (Manual range makes it very fast), using AUTO it is about 1.5s
    
  • Ohm is 1.0V open and 0.27mA shorted in 600ohm range
    
  • Ohm is 0.7V open and 1.6uA down to 0.5uA shorted in other ranges
    
  • Continuity is fast (About 20ms), AUTO is very slow (About 500ms).
    
  • Continuity beeps when resistance is below 50ohm, this is also when it switches from diode to continuity.
    
  • Continuity & diode is 3.9V open and 0.27mA shorted
    
  • Continuity & diode uses diode mode from 0.07V to 3.0V, current at 3V is 0.27mA
    
  • 10uF takes about 4 seconds to measure.
    
  • 11000uF takes about 11 seconds to measure.
    
  • No overload protection is rated, except for AUTO mode.
    
  
  
• Miscellaneous
  
  
  
  • 12V battery test uses a 100ohm resistor
    
  • 9V battery test uses a 910ohm resistor
    
  • 1.5V battery test uses a 180ohm resistor
    
  • Frequency output has the following frequencies: 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000Hz
    
  • Current consumption of meter is 1.2mA to 2.4mA, diode is 2.4mA, most ranges are around 1.6mA (Backlight add 3.2mA, flashlight 2.6mA, max total current is 8.2mA).
    
  • Meter works down to 2.1V where it shows OL, it turns off at 2V, battery symbol show at 2.9V.
    
  • Reading is stable down to 2.3V, then it will increase.
    
  • Backlight and flashlight is stable down to 3.1V where it will fade out at 2.6V
    
  • The meter usual need a couple of display update to reach the final value.
    
  • Viewing angle is good.
    
  • Display updates around 3 times/sec
    
  • Flashlight do not turn automatic off, but will turn off when the meter turns off.
    
  • Backlight will automatic turn off in about 120 seconds.
    
  • Will automatic turn power off in about 16 minutes.
    
  • Standard probes can nearly be pushed fully down.
    
  • Weight is 412g without accessories, but with rubber sleeve and batteries.
    
  • Size is 176 × 91 × 47mm with rubber sleeve.
    
  
  
• Probes
  
  
  
  • Standard probe resistance 40mOhm for one.
    
  • Standard probe wire is 79cm long.
    
  • Custom probe resistance is 56mOhm
    
  • Custom probe wire is 86cm long
    
  
  

DMM Aneng V8

This is a cheap DMM with all common function.


The box for the meter is designed for both the V7 and V8 meter.

Inside the box is a pouch with everything in it, except the manual.

The package included the DMM, a pair of standard probes, the universal probes, a thermocoupler and a manual in addition to the pouch.



The probes are unbranded, has removable tip covers and is rated for CAT II 1000V, to CAT IV 600V

The plug is shrouded.


The thermocoupler is designed for insertion into stuff and is with a dual banana plug connector.


The universal probes can be assembled to many different configuration, they are not high quality, but very useful.

When using the tilting bale it is possible to turn the switch, but not use the buttons with one hand.










Display

All the segments on the display. There is both bargraph and secondary display

Typical screen during usage with bargraph.

In AC modes the secondary display is used for frequency.

The NCV mode shows the usual EF (Electric field) on the display and change to bars when a actual field is detected. The led below the display will flash red and the buzzer will also sound.

In temperature mode it shows both Celsius and Fahrenheit at the same time.

Between the buttons is a led that will show red in continuity and NCV mode.
Secondary display functions, value after / is secondary value:
VAC: VAC/frequency, frequency/duty-cycle
Frequency: frequency/duty-cycle
Current: DCA, ACA/frequency, frequency/duty-cycle
Temperature: Celsius/Fahrenheit
Functions

Buttons:

• Range: Select and change manual range (Used in auto range position), hold down to return to auto range.
  
• V.F.C.: Apply a high pass filter to AC voltage, it will also lock the range to 750VAC.
  
• Select (Yellow): Select the ranges printed with yellow.
  
• Rel: Shows values relative to current value, will also select manual range. Press again to disable. Hold down for flashlight.
  
• Max/min: Starts recording maximum and minimum value, press to select between max/min, hold down to disable
  
• Hold (Blue): Freezes the display reading.
  

• Off: Meter is turned off
  
• NCV: Non Contact voltage or electric field detection.
  
• : Frequency output from 50Hz to 5000Hz, use SELECT to step the frequency.
  
• : 12V battery test
  
• : 9V battery test
  
• : 1.5V battery test.
  
• 6 x ohm: Manual ohm ranges.
  
• 3 x VAC: Manual VAC ranges
  
• 4 x VDC: Manual VDC ranges.
  
• °F °C: Temperature range.
  
• uA: Micro ampere DC and AC with frequency and duty cycle for AC
  
• mA: Milli ampere DC and AC with frequency and duty cycle for AC
  
• A: Ampere DC and AC with frequency and duty cycle for AC
  
• : Continuity
  
• : Diode
  
• : Capacitance
  
• : Resistance
  
• mVDC: Millivolt DC
  
• mVAC: Millivolt AC with frequency and duty cycle.
  
• VDC: Volt DC
  
• VAC: Volt AC with frequency and duty cycle.
  

• 20A: High current, it can only withstand 10+ ampere for a short time (Fuse is 10A).
  
• mAuA: The lower current ranges, the selector switch will change between two different shunts (Fuse is 600mA).
  
• COM: The common terminal for all ranges.
  
• xxx: All other ranges.
  

• Volt and frequency
  
  
  
  • At 100mVrms input frequency input range is from 1.1Hz to 6MHz
    
  • At 1Vrms input frequency on VAC range is from 1Hz to 40kHz
    
  • Frequency input requires a zero crossing on both logic and VAC input
    
  • Duty cycle works from 2% to above 99% at 100kHz with 1Vpp, precision is within 0.2
    
  • 1 VAC is 5% down at 1.9kHz (RMS will not work at the frequency), AUTO and manual is similar.
    
  • 7 VAC is 5% down at 500Hz with VFC (RMS will not work at the frequency), AUTO and manual is similar.
    
  • When using VFC the range is locked to 750VAC, it cannot be select in manual voltage ranges.
    
  • Max/min needs less than 200ms to capture a voltage, but need many pulses for it.
    
  • Input impedance is between 10 and 11Mohm on DC and AC
    
  • Input impedance is high on mVDC (AC is limited to 10Mohm) and will drop to a few kOhm above 2V.
    
  
  
• Current
  
  
  
  • 20A range will give audible alarm at 10A
    
  • Overload protection in uA and mA: 0.8A/250V 5×20mm ceramic fuse
    
  • Overload protection in A: 20A/250V 6×30mm ceramic fuse and 20A/250V fuse.
    
  
  
• Ohm, Continuity, diode and capacitance
  
  
  
  • Ohm needs about 1.8s to measure 100ohm in auto range and 0.7s in manual range
    
  • Ohm is 1.0V open and 0.38mA shorted
    
  • Continuity is quick (Below 30ms).
    
  • Continuity beeps when resistance is below 50ohm.
    
  • Continuity is 1.0V open and 0.38mA shorted
    
  • Diode range uses 3.2V, max. display is 3.000V at 0.12mA, max. current is 1.6mA shorted
    
  • 10uF takes about 5 seconds to measure.
    
  • 11000uF takes about 10 seconds to measure.
    
  • No overload protection is rated.
    
  
  
• Miscellaneous
  
  
  
  • 12V battery test uses a 1200ohm resistor
    
  • 9V battery test uses a 910ohm resistor
    
  • 1.5V battery test uses a 150ohm resistor
    
  • Frequency output has the following frequencies: 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000Hz
    
  • Current consumption of meter is 26mA (With backlight it is 29mA).
    
  • Meter works down to 2.4V where it turns off, battery symbol show at 2.9V.
    
  • Reading is stable within a few counts until it turns off.
    
  • Backlight fades slowly with falling voltage, display is nearly unreadable at 2.5V
    
  • The meter usual need a couple of display update to reach the final value.
    
  • Viewing angle is good, except from the top.
    
  • Display updates around 3 times/sec
    
  • Flashlight do not turn automatic off, but will turn off when the meter turns off.
    
  • Will automatic turn power off in about 15 minutes.
    
  • Standard probes can nearly be pushed fully down.
    
  • Weight is 416g without accessories, but with rubber sleeve and batteries.
    
  • Size is 176 × 91 × 47mm with rubber sleeve.
    
  
  
• Probes
  
  
  
  • Standard probe resistance 40mOhm for one.
    
  • Standard probe wire is 79cm long.
    
  • Custom probe resistance is 56mOhm
    
  • Custom probe wire is 86cm long
    
  
  

DMM BSide ADMS7

This meter is a very simple meter with most functions automatic. It has a very large and easily readable display.

I got it in a brown neutral cardboard box with some stickers on.

It included the DMM and a instruction sheet.



Probes are branded with BSide and has removable tip covers. There is a CATIII 1000V rating on the cover, but none on probe.






Display

The above picture shows all the segments on the display, not all are used.

Display when idle, it will show AUTO and some bars.

When measuring DC voltage or ohms it will show the value and the range.
The bargraph is scaled up to 6000, this is only valid in ohms, in volts it must be read as 600.0.

In AC mode the lower display will show frequency.

The V-Alert is the usual NCV and used the bargraph to show the electric field strength. There is only 3 steps with voltage, the above picture is the first step, it uses sound in addition to the display.

The live function will detect mains voltage with on one connection and then show LIVE, including sound.
Functions

Buttons:

• : A press on this button will turn the meter on or off. Both on and off only requires a short press.
  
• V-Alert/Live: This button will select the two detection function, it has some sort of history function and may start with either V-Alert or LIVE
  
• Hold: Freezes the display.
  
• : A short press will turn on the flashlight.
  

• Volt and frequency
  
  
  
  • Frequency counter do not require a zero crossing.
    
  • At 1Vrms input frequency range is from 36Hz to 550Hz
    
  • At 7Vrms input frequency range is from 36Hz to 1kHz
    
  • 7 VAC is 5% down at 1.2kHz (RMS will not work at this frequency).
    
  • A combined AC+DC voltage is listed as AC with the a total value, but not the RMS value.
    
  • Input impedance is 1Mohm on DC and AC
    
  • Meter will measure DC voltage above 0.3 volt for positive and 0.7V for negative.
    
  • Meter will measure AC voltage above 0.9 volt and be very confused below.
    
  • Rated overload protection is 600V DC or AC
    
  
  
• Current
  
  
  
  • The meter cannot measure current.
    
  
  
• Ohm, continuity, diode and capacitance
  
  
  
  • Ohm needs about 0.7s to measure 100ohm
    
  • Ohm/Continuity is -0.8V open with -2V spikes) and -0.03mA shorted
    
  • Continuity is slow (About 300ms).
    
  • Continuity beeps when resistance is below 30ohm
    
  • Rated overload protection is 600V DC or AC
    
  
  
• Miscellaneous
  
  
  
  • Current consumption of the meter is 2.3mA with backlight it is 32mA (14mA at 4V)
    
  • Current consumption when off is 0.026mA, this means the batteries will last about a year.
    
  • Meter works down to 2.4V where it shows random values, it turns off at about 1.8V, battery symbol show at 3.6V.
    
  • Meter readings are stable until 3.0V
    
  • Flashlight fades with voltage and is very dim at 2.5V
    
  • The meter may need one or two update to show the final value.
    
  • Viewing angle is good
    
  • Display updates around 2 times/sec
    
  • Flashlight turn off after about 30 seconds.
    
  • Will automatic turn power off in about 3 minutes.
    
  • Weight is 112g without accessories, but with batteries.
    
  • Size is 136.9 × 73 × 12.7mm.
    
  
  
• Probes
  
  
  
  • Probe wire is 58cm long.
    
  
  

USBEE AX PRO Logic Analyzer 8 channels 24MHz

Official specifications:

• 24MHz 8 Digital Channels and 2 Analog Channels.
  
• Digital Voltage Range: -1V ~ 6V
  
• Low level below 1.4V
  
• High level above 1.6V
  
• Analog Voltage Range: -10V ~ 10V
  
• Analog resolution 256 steps.
  

• USBEE software
  
• USBEE driver
  
• Keygen
  

Hello everyone,

Andy Ho, digital marketing manager of PerfectPrime, has given me the opportunity to testing one of their latest products, the IR0280 thermal imaging camera. As flashlights have not known to be THE typical scenario for using thermal imaging cameras yet, I want to bring this a bit closer to you. As usual in all of my reviews, I will be unbiased and honest with my observations and try to give you a differentiated assessment of what is good and what is worth to be improved. I did not receive any kind of compensation except for the IR0280 camera by providing this review.

About PerfectPrime

PerfectPrime is a rather young retailer of consumer electronics and was at least to me a rather unknown distributor of thermal imaging cameras. Most of the popular brands are FLIR, Fluke or Bosch with premium prices that can go way beyond $ 8.000,00. Since demands for affordable thermal imaging cameras have increased significantly over the past years, PerfectPrime has developed and introduced some interesting devices and has successfully become one of the leading players.

https://perfectprime.com/

What are thermal imaging cameras?

Thermal imaging cameras, also known as thermographic or infrared cameras, are devices that form a heat zone image by using infrared radiation, very similar to usual cameras that use visible light. While visible light is within a range of 400 – 700 nanometers, infrared cameras operate in wavelenghts of up to 14.000 nanometers.

Typical applications of thermal imaging cameras

• Home use (find heat spikes behind a wall due to overloaded electricity)
• Checking electrical elements for ceiling temperatures (e.g. on IT server banks) or faulty circuits
• Checking water leaks, missing insulation
• Checking window seals / thermal bridges and outlets
• Checking HVAC (heating, ventilation, air condition) leaks
• Industrial applications such as fire service, electrical maintenance
• Military and scientific areas

What good is a thermal imaging camera for flashlights?

Ever since I was interested into lighting technology in general and flashlights in particular, I always came across the challenges to manage and measure heat as a byproduct of high performance LEDs. Everyone who ever tried out an Emisar D4 knows very well how much heat can be generated within a blink of an eye. Being confronted with so much heat generated in a flashlight following crucial aspects need to be taken into consideration:

Thermal conductivity

With different materials you get different thermal conductivities. Copper has a great thermal conductivity but is known to be heavy and less sturdy while titanium has a poor thermal conductivity but is great in terms of weight and stability. That’s why it’s reasonable to use copper for the head section of flashlights (driver and LED MCPCB) whereas titanium and aluminum are a good choice for hosting the bezel, battery tube and tailcap as these are not subject to heat up this much.

Thermal dissipation

Once heat is generated it needs to be taken away as quickly as possible from its source. Aluminum is known to be a good trade off in terms of conductivity and weight. A good flashlight host will transfer the heat onto its entire host respectively its entire surface to achieve the best dissipation.

Monitor and control excess heat

With more and more high performance flashlights coming onto the market requirements for effective and efficient stepdown procedures become relevant. FET driven pocket rockets like Lumintop’s FW3A or Emisar’s D4 can heat up to way beyond 70°C within a few seconds making it necessary to trigger countermeasures within even less time. A good temperature regulation will ensure that both the driver and the flashlight host structure cannot heat up beyond its given threshold value, typically around 50° - 65°C.

So, with a thermal imaging camera in place I expect to visualize und understand:

- Effective thermal conductivity between the flashlight’s component.

- Heat being transferred and dissipated from the source

- Monitor and evaluate the actual surface temperature while operating the flashlight

Price/Performance classification of the IR280

The IR0280 is one of PerfectPrime’s latest cameras. However, it is not the top of their line as you can see on the spreadsheet above. While other camera’s like IR0018 or IR0019 offer a much higher resolution this one here features video recording, a wider temperature range and – most important – a very budget-friendly price for less than $ 200,00. Eventually, when buying a thermal imaging camera you always need to ask yourself three questions:

1. What is my budget?
2. What scenarios/applications am I going to use my camera for?
3. How often will I be using my camera?

My conclusion until here is:

As long as you don’t need thermal imaging cameras for your everyday profession where all your monthly income or even people’s lives may depend on you don’t need to invest into a $ 8.000 camera. Many home use tasks or semiprofessional tasks can be encountered with more budget-friendly devices The remaining question will be: Is the IR0280 good enough to fulfill personal requirements such as measuring and analyzing heat on flashlights? We will get to the answer later on.

Key specifications of the IR0280's hardware and software

Where to buy the IR0280?

The IR0280 camera can be ordered through different sales channels.

PerfectPrime:

https://perfectprime.com/collections/thermal-imaging-camera/products/ir0280

Amazon US:

https://www.amazon.com/PerfectPrime-Infrared-Thermal-Temperature-22-1832%C2%B0F/dp/B07RFS28ZH

Amazon DE:

https://www.amazon.de/PerfectPrime-Infrared-Thermal-Visible-Temperature/dp/B07RFS28ZH

Content of package and first impressions

The camera arrived in a black plastic bag without much of a protection except for some bubble wrap. Fortunately, it did not take any damages during transportation.

Inside the plastic envelope I found the IR0280 camera, a miniUSB cable, the (English only) manual and a card with some instructions how to register and download the manual.

The camera itself feels very light-weighted and handy. On the read side you see both the visual camera as well as the infrared camera. The surface of the housing is slightly roughened in some places and conveys a tactile feeling.

The left side shows a rubber boot and underneath the microSDHC slot with the inserted 16GB card as well as the miniUSB port to recharge the camera or connect it to a computer. On the bottom side you find a thread to mount the IR0280 onto a tripod.

Charging the IR0280

While charging the indicator is red. Once finished it turns green.

Functionalities and User Interface

Starting the device requires to press the power button for 2 seconds. After some seconds to boot up the OS you can start to measure. Rest assured, the device can be put into standby for immediate use if you want to avoid waiting for booting up once again.

The IR0280’s operating system is based upon Android. This key feature makes it more flexible in terms of future updates, easier in handling software maintenance and more advanced in coding a state of the art yet simple user interface. The menu screen uses symbols that are easy to understand without looking up their meaning in the manual. All menu items can be selected by using the four-direction buttons below the screen. Pulling the trigger (measure button) accesses the selected menu item and is also used to save changes made by the user.

Once everything is set up to your liking you can start to measure…

For demonstration purposes, we here have a typical IR image of a human hand, indicating the temperature of the marked spot. By touching the screen you can easily select and measure any spot you see on the screen. Apart from that information you will get the minimum and maximum temperature and the color palette indicated on the bottom. The top area indicates the current time as well as the set emissivity value.

Any click on the trigger / measure button will save an image to the SDHC card. Press & hold will record a video (MP4-format) as long as you keeping holding the button. You can select of three different views

The overlay function is quite interesting as it compensates the low resolution a bit and enriches the image with visual details for better orientation.

Moreover, you have a choice of two filters.

During my testing I found the Wide Gaussian filter most convenient as it reduces disturbing artifacts and smoothes out the low IR resolution. All my pictures and video footage were made with the Wide Gaussian filter.

There is also a zoom function available which I did not find necessary as details are not improving due to a lack of higher resolution.

If you always want to indicate the lowest and highest temperature spot you can activate the „Min/Max Crosshairs“.

For individual needs the IR0280 offers 8 different color palettes. For reference, I have taken 8 pictures of a well-heated Sofirn SD05:

Radiometric data

This feature is a big advantage to those who want to run deeper analyses of their recorded images/videos. Along with each recording the IR0280 saves meta data, e.g. the actual temperature of each pixel. These data can be processed by thermoanalytical software suites like COMSOL Multiphysics® or The Mathworks® MATLAB.

Testing the IR0280

Zotac ZBOX CI520 Silent PC

A silent PC is a very interesting item to use a thermal imaging camera with. As there are no active cooling components the PC needs to be cooled by passive means in terms of heat convection. As you can see on the picture above, the computer shows significantly more heat than its surrounding area. Details from about a foot / 30cm distance are sufficient enough to see hot spot areas in the center part as well as dissipated heat on the ac adaptor and the power cord behind the computer.

Miscellaneous

Taking pictures of farther heat sources reveals the camera's limitations. The resolution of 32x32 pixels is by far too low to indicate fine details or accurate readings. However, I am still impressed by the ability to safely locate heat sources from distances of up to 4-5m. With the overlay function in place missing details of the heat signature can be compensated by the visual image.

Sofirn SD05 diving flashlight (XHP50.2, 2.550lm)

Sofirn's brand new SD05 diving flashlight is advertised with a 3min timer-triggered stepdown and a thermal regulation that also reduces power/brightness when the driver's temperature reaches 55°C. I wanted to find out how hot the light will get with repetitive activation of the highest output mode and how the heat will distribute along the flashlight's host structure.

Conclusion:

The first video illustrates the heat generation via infrared spectrum. The second video uses the overlay function to show both visual and thermal images. The IR0280 is capable to visualize the heat generation starting in the flashlight's head and distributing all over the entire host structure. Details at close range are sufficient. I was not able to drive the heat beyond 53°C which is a good indicator that Sofirn's ATR technology works effectively.

Sofirn SP36S Flashlight (LH351D, 5.200lm)

Sofirn's SP36S is quite a powerhouse with its four LH351D 5.000K 90CRI LEDs and up to 5.200lm of luminus flux in total. Unlike the original SP36 there's no Andúril or NarsilM in place but a proprietary UI with Sofirn's ATR technology, triggered after 3min and/or 55°C temperature.

Conclusion:

The first video demonstrates how quickly the flashlight can get hot. You can see very clearly where the heat source is and how it distributes to the business end and later on back to the battery tube and the tailcap. The second video was shot in IR spectrum when I relaunched the turbo mode once again. It drove the SP36S up to about 57°C. At the end of the video you see that all the heat is evenly distributed along the entire host for optimal heat dissipation. The temperature decreases immediately as the flashlight is being shut down.

Sofirn SP70 flashlight (XHP70.2, 5.500lm)

Last but not least, Sofirn's SP70 is a big light with a long aluminum host structure. This example should visualize the heat transfer from its source even better. Sofirn's ATR is configured to 3min and/or 60°C stepdown.

Conclusion:

The SD05 and SP36S transfer their heat quickly onto the entire aluminum structure. The SP70 instead takes quite some time before heat gets down to the tail end of the host. This is of course due to the fact that heat rises upwards and that the major surface area for heat convection is located around the head structure with deep cooling fins and a wide bezel. The hottest area is around the side switch which is closest to the driver. To my surprise I was unable to trigger ATR since my SP70 did not heat up to 60°C, probably due to too much internal resistance or too weak batteries. Again, the IR0280 was able to visualize heat generation and indicate accurate readings of the surface temperature. However, the larger the object gets the more interested I am into a more detailed image with a higher resolution.

Bottom line and final verdict

Is the IR0280 good enough to fulfill personal requirements such as measuring and analyzing heat on flashlights?

Yes, in my humble opinion you get a good bang for the buck. At close ranges the camera is capable to effectively indicate issues in thermal conductivity, heat transfer and dissipation or issues with thermal thresholds of electrical components. Of course, higher resolution is very desirable and better looking on images or video footage. But as stated before this comes with a different price level and is necessary only if you really need more details or if you want to analyze remote objects.

WhatI like about the IR0280:

• Reasonable price/performance ratio with regard to competitive devices
• Cutting-edge user interface and firmware by using Android OS with the ability for software updates
• With Android in place and a touchscreen to use the camera’s UI is very easy to operate
• Wide options to customize image/video recording (color ranges, visual overlay function)
• A non-proprietary power source (18650 lithium-ion battery) is more environment-friendly for it effectively avoids planned obsolescence and is easier to replace if the battery becomes worn out.
• While some of the lower priced cameras use AAA or AA batteries, this one uses a powerful 18650 battery, providing longer runtimes and easier recharging.
• Capability to record video footage to visualize heat transfer and dissipation
• Capability to use both visual and IR spectrum (separate or overlay) for more detailed analyses, usually available on higher-end cameras (see FLIR’s MSX technology)
• Capability to adjust the emissivity coefficient for different types of surfaces to gain higher accuracy
• Wide measuring range (-30°C – 1.000°C / -22°F – 1832°F)
• Good tactile, light-weighted handling with grippy surface and tailstand capability incl. the option to mount the camera onto a tripod
• Capability to record and export radiometric raw data, normally to be found in high price cameras from Fluke or FLIR. These data can later be processed with professional thermoanalytic software suites.
• It comes with a replaceable 16GB microSD card.
• The manual is very easy to follow and understand.

What I would like to see improved:

(Actually, there is only little to gripe about this camera but I will list it anyway...)

• Press & Hold to take videos can be difficult for taking long-term videos as footage can become blurred when moving the camera. It would be a nice feature to have the option between “press & hold” and “hold 2s to start recording and click to stop recording”.
• The trigger switch is sometimes a bit less responsive, especially while recording you need to keep the trigger pulled with some force to avoid any recording interruptions
• Shipping envelopes could be padded or designed more sturdy in order to protect the device from damages during transportation
• miniUSB is fine but subject to wear with heavy usage – USB-C would be a nice improvement even though it may increase the total costs by $ 2-4 per device.
• A protective sleeve would suit nicely to cover the sensitive parts of the device.
• The camera’s thermal resolution is the only real weak point. 32x32 pixels will limit its applications to near-field scenarios (< 2m) as you may not see enough details in the distance. Furthermore, a higher resolution will also indicate more details on close-up pictures or video footages, e.g. heat spreading around a cold spot on an aluminum tube. However, the support of a second camera in the visible spectrum is a great add on and compensates the lack of a higher resolution a bit. Taking the IR0280’s price into consideration and comparing it with competitors in the same pricing range you get a lot.
• The manual does not feature the CSV export nor does it explain anything about radiometric data the camera is capable to record. Some supplemental information would be helpful.

I like to wind up my review by saying many thanks to Andy Ho for providing the IR0280 and to the entire BLF community for giving me the opportunity to present my impressions. Thank you for reading my review and sharing your thoughts.

Cheers,

Thomas

P.S.

If you are interested in buying thermal imaging cameras from PerfectPrime, please have a look onto Andy's thread and receive a 10% discount: http://budgetlightforum.com/node/67755

Roaring Fire Shoulder Bag

MSRP: $19

Manufacturer page: N/A

Store link: https://www.amazon.com/Roaring-Fire-Tactical-Shoulder-Crossbody/dp/B07SN...

I was sent this light to review free of charge but, as always, I've tried to be as unbiased as possible.

TL;DR

Laura, one of my old Olight contacts, sent me an email a while ago saying that she'd left her position at Olight to start her own outdoor company, Roaring Fire. This is obviously super cool, so I jumped at the opportunity to review one of their bags. I've never reviewed a backpack before, so bear with me. I know flashlight terminology, but I don't know the words for all things backpacks, so you'll see few mentions of "stuff" and "thingies".

Album link

Packaging

It just came in a plastic bag in a bubble envelope.

Build

First off, this is a $20 Chinese made backpack, not a Goruck or an Osprey or anything. You can't expect super high quality. There is some sloppy sewing, some so-so elastic, some non-YKK zippers, and lots of that one smell that Chinese made synthetic fabric based products always seem to have.

This shoulder bag is just that, a shoulder bag. It's small. Here it is compared to a 21L Goruck GR1.

According to the description, the bag is constructed out of 900D Oxford fabric (woven polyester), with a waterproof coating on the inside of it. This coating isn't flexible, and it shows signs of fatigue if you crumple it.

Here's a fabric comparison with my Goruck. I assume the webbing is nylon, but it's not specified.

Starting at the outer-most section of the bag, there are two rows of MOLLE webbing and a zipper pocket with a grommet at the bottom. I assume that's to allow water to drain, but I'm unsure.

After that, there's another zipper pocket, and inside that there's an elastic band with two sections, and a smaller interior pocket. Above this second zipper there's a velcro section (fuzzy) and a little bit of cord secured through four loops. What this cord is for, I also do not know.

Then comes the main pocket. Inside this are two sub-pockets. The sides of the bag are also covered in MOLLE. This is a great spot to add a water bottle holder. 

The top of the bag has a carry handle and a large flap with a very large plastic clip on it that attaches to the shoulder strap.

The back has breatheable netting/padding stuff that forms another pocket, which can be used to store the flap if you'd rather not use the strap. There are plastic D rings on the four corners of the back side of the bag.

Strap

The strap is made of two inch wide webbing with one of those sliding length adjustor things in the middle. One end has a large plastic clip (male), and the other end has a plastic lobster claw style clip. This can clip into any of the four D rings on the corners of the bag, though the bag is a lot easier to carry when it's clipped to one of the ones on the bottom.
It's a good strap, and I have no complaints about it. There isn't a padded section, but the strap is so wide that it doesn't need one.

Use

I got this bag right before a road trip, so I had plenty of opportunity to put it through its paces. Right after I got it, I loaded it with a 32 ounce water bottle and some other stuff and went on a long bike ride. The bag wasn't designed for this. Very often along the ride, the bag rotated from my back to hanging in front of me. This wasn't any fault of the bag, just that it only has one strap, and riding a bike means your torso is bent over.
Just for walking around though, it's great. It's light, it's small, and it has lots of pockets. I used it for carrying my portable charger, extra 18650s, cables, phone, seashells, a particularly interesting rock, park maps, and a water bottle. It fared well, without breaking in any way.
Here's what the bag looks like on my friend Nick.

Bottom line:
Pros

• Cheap
• Lots of pockets
• Versatile

Cons

• Construction isn't amazing
• Waterproofing seems fragile

Thanks for reading my review! If you have any questions about this bag, I'd be more than happy to answer them.

This will be a WIP over the next few day or 2

First expressions are good, a 5000k LHD351D with 90 CRI nice flood and good color, a 620nm red, and in my opinion the best part a LG 395nm led, I know 365 is considered better but for my application (Rock hunting) they’re pretty much equal. It runs off of a 26650 battery which comes included, the one included is 5000mah, 18650 or 21700. Micro usb rechargeable on the flashlight. It has an illuminated button which shows battery life green is good red is low blinking red is very low, and on the UV mode it turns blue. The beams definitely are more floody from the shallow reflector. It feels nice in the hand there is no knurling, but there are things to hold on to. It is shorter than my other lights but still feels good. It has a lanyard hole and come with one which can even fit my large hands nicely. The UI for what it has to to is pretty good. 1 click for white click to change modes, Eco, 5lm, Low, 120lm, Mid, 400lm, High/Turbo, 1200lm 5min + 600lm it has memory. 1 click and hold brings it to white on Eco then you can go through normally. 2 click for red, click to change modes Low, 5lm, Mid, 60 lm, High, 200lm. You can also double click in red and white for strobe modes, white has stobe, SOS, and beacon. Red has strobe and police, alternates red and white. 3 click for UV click to change modes, Low, 100mw, Mid, 2000mw. In UV you can double click to enter white memory. 4 clicks for lock out, will blink twice when you try to turn it on, 4 click again to get out. Long press off.

Yay now its picture time

here’s the imgur link

https://imgur.com/a/5ra6blc

Beam shots, ill do it in about 7 hours from posting

Anything I forgot or you want done to this post, ask in the comments.

DMM Keysight U1282A

Keysight is on of the very large test and measure manufacturers, with anything from simple DMM to highly advanced and expensive measure equipment. This meter is one of their most advanced DMM’s. This series has two meters: U1281A & U1282A, the 81 has less bandwidth and are missing some functions.
Contents
    Display
    Functions
    Input
    Measurements
    Configuration
    Software on PC (Handheld Meter Logger Software)
    Software on Android (Mobile Meter)
    Software on Android (Meter Logger)
    Tear down
    Conclusion
    Notes

This is one of my own meters, i.e. I bought it a couple of years ago to use it, not review it. This means I have no photos of box or accessories.
Before the review I updated the firmware to the latest version.

The meter is heavy and the tilting bale can hold it while the range switch is used or the buttons is pressed.

The PC connection is here with an optical link. The cable was included with the meter.









The two fuses.

The rubber seal must be pulled up to replace the batteries.
Display

The above picture shows all the segments on the display. There is two 5 digit displays and a bargraph. The number at the end of the bargraph shows the range.

Standard turnon display shows the meters model number and the firmware version.

Normal display with the measurement, unit, bargraph and temperature (The secondary display will show meter temperature when nothing else is selected).

A secondary measurement is selected.

NCV (Non contact voltage) or Vsense in Keysight terminology, the range button will select between “Hi” or “Lo”.

Square wave out, both frequency and duty cycle can be adjusted.

One item in configuration menu, all items is identified with a name written in the display.
Dual and single display functions (After / is small display):
mV+VAC: VAC/temp, VAC/Hz, dBm/VAC, dBV/VAC,
mV+VDC: VDC/temp, VDC/Hz, dBm/VDC, dBV/VDC
mV+VDC-AC mode: VAC/temp, VAC/freq, dBm/VAC, dBV/VAC, VAC/VDC
mV+VDC-AC+DC mode: VAC+VDC/temp, VAC+VDC/freq, dBm/VAC+VDC, dBV/VAC+VDC, VAC+VDC/VAC, VAC+VDC/VDC
uAmA DC: A/temp, A/freq, %4-20/A, %0-20/A
uAmA AC: A/temp, A/freq, A/ADC
uAmA AC+DC: A/temp, A/freq, A/AAC, A/ADC
A: A/temp, A/freq
A AC: A/temp, A/freq, A/ADC
A AC+DC: A/temp, A/freq, A/AAC, A/ADC
Frequency: freq/main, pulse-time/main, duty-cycle/main (Main will be V/A AC/DC/AC+DC depending on rotary switch and selection)
Freq out: duty-cycle/freq
Functions

Buttons:

• MaxMin: Select max/min function, pressing again will select between max/min/avg/actual, hold down to exit. If held down initially peak is selected, press to select between max/min.
  
• Null: Store current value and show new values relative to this, pressing NULL while active will show the saved reference. Double press to cancel, hold down to activate NCV (Range switch is ignored).
  
• Range:
  
  
  • Select manual range, hold down to exit
    
  • In ohm this will also select conductivity (nS) mode.
    
  • In continuity it is possible to change range and thereby threshold
    
  • In MHz frequency counter mode it will enable MHz mode that has higher upper frequency.
    
  • In temperature mode it will switch actual temperature compensation on/off.
    
  
  
• Hz: Show frequency, duty-cycle or pulse-time on the large digit, the old value will often move to secondary display
  
• : Turn backlight on, hold down to change dual display mode. When showing duty-cycle or pulse time it will change polarity.
  
• Shift (Orange): Select the ranges marked with orange on the rotary switch. Hold down to review saved values. In frequency output it will change between duty-cycle and time mode.
  
• Hold: Hold and save the value, press again to start auto-hold for next stable value. Hold down to save a value or start logging (This depends on configuration).
  

• Null: Digit increase
  
• Dual: Digit decrease
  
• Hz: Save change
  
• ESC: Abandon change or exit configuration.
  
• Hold: Next/previous menu item or digit left/right.
  

• Off: Meter is turned off.
  
• VAC: Measure VAC, use SHIFT to enable low pass filter and DUAL to show dB
  
• mVAC: Measure mVAC, use SHIFT to enable low pass filter and DUAL to show dB
  
• VDC: Measure VDC, VAC voltage and VAC+VDC voltage, use SHIFT to select.
  
• mVDC: Measure mVDC, mVAC voltage and mVAC+mVDC voltage, use SHIFT to select.
  
• : Resistance and continuity, use RANGE to select nS
  
• : Diode and frequency, use RANGE to enable high frequencies.
  
• : Capacitance and temperature.
  
• uA mA: Low current, this meter will automatic switch from uA to mA, use SHIFT to select AC/AC+DC
  
• A: High current, use SHIFT to select AC/AC+DC
  
• : Frequency out mode.
  

• A: High current, maximum current is 10A.
  
• mAuA: The lower current ranges and frequency output
  
• Rmt: Remove control with special probe, can be used to trigger HOLD and save or any other of the 7 buttons.
  
• COM: The common terminal for all ranges.
  
• xxx: All other ranges.
  

• Volt and frequency
  
  
  
  • Frequency input will trigger from -1.1V to 2.4V offset with 0.1Vrms input.
    
  • At 0.1Vrms frequency input range is from 0.4Hz to 800kHz
    
  • At 1Vrms frequency input range is from 0.4Hz to 1.8MHz
    
  • At 1Vrms frequency input range with MHz setting can reach 36MHz but shows to high above that.
    
  • According to the manual the frequency input is for signals below 1.8Vp, use voltage input for larger signals.
    
  • VDC input has a trigger point around 0.2V for frequency input.
    
  • VAC input ignores any DC offset for frequency input.
    
  • At 1Vrms input on VAC range, frequency range is from 0.4Hz to 650kHz
    
  • Duty cycle works from 10% to 90% at 10kHz with 1Vpp, precision is within 3.0 (Higher voltage do not help)
    
  • 1 VAC is 5% up at 70kHz (RMS will not work at the frequency).
    
  • 1 VAC with LPF (VFD) is 5% down at 500Hz.
    
  • Auto range works when doing min/max, but makes it very slow.
    
  • Auto range works in relative mode.
    
  • Max/min needs about 1900ms to capture a voltage and 400ms if manual range is selected.
    
  • Peak needs about 0.25ms to capture a voltage, it uses manual range.
    
  • Input impedance is 10Mohm on DC
    
  • Both AC inputs has a capacitor
    
  • Auto ranging is rather slow on this meter.
    
  • mV DC has 10Mohm or high input impedance depending on configuration to about 2V, then it drops to a few kOhm.
    
  • Rated overload protection is 1000Vrms, on mV it must be limited to 0.3A
    
  
  
• Current
  
  
  
  • Overload protection in uA and mA: 0.44A/1000V 10×38mm fuse
    
  • The meter will auto range between uA and mA
    
  • Overload protection in A: 11A/1000V 10×38mm fuse
    
  • DCuA & mA can show percent of 0-20mA or 4-20mA range.
    
  • There is an audible warning and display shows “Lead” when using non current ranges without a probe (This warning is time limited).
    
  • There is an audible warning and display shows “uAErr” when using non current ranges with a probe in mAuA input (Buzzer is time limited).
    
  • There is an audible warning and display shows “A-Err” when using non current ranges with a probe in mAuA input (Buzzer is time limited).
    
  
  
• Ohm, continuity, diode and capacitance
  
  
  
  • Ohm needs about 3.2s to measure 100ohm
    
  • Ohm is 1.1V open and 0.99mA shorted
    
  • Conductivity (nS) is 1.1V open and 0.2uA shorted
    
  • In conductivity it is best to keep some distance to the meter, especially when measuring Gigaohm.
    
  • Continuity is very fast (Below 10ms).
    
  • Continuity beeps when resistance is below 16ohm (3ohm in 60ohm range and 80ohm in 6kohm range).
    
  • Continuity is 2.2V open and 0.99mA shorted
    
  • Continuity allows range shift, this will change the threshold between 5ohm and 100kOhm.
    
  • Diode range uses 3.3V, max. display is 3.1V at 0.1mA, max. current is 1.5mA shorted
    
  • 10uF takes about 6.5 seconds to measure.
    
  • 11000uF takes about 50 seconds to measure.
    
  • Rated overload protection is 1000Vrms limited to 0.3A
    
  
  
• Miscellaneous
  
  
  
  • Current consumption of meter is 2.5mA in DC, 5.3mA in AC and 11.3mA when high frequency counter is activated (42mA with backlight in AC)
    
  • Meter works down to 3.9V where it turns off, battery symbol starts flashing at 4.3V.
    
  • The meter reading is stable until it turns off.
    
  • Backlight fades with voltage, but is still usable when meter turns off
    
  • The meter usual need a couple of updates before the reading is fully correct.
    
  • The meter is very slow (Up to a few seconds) to change range.
    
  • Viewing angle is good
    
  • Display updates around 5 times/sec.
    
  • In high speed mode the display will update around 50 times/sec and the resolution is reduced to 6000 count.
    
  • Bargraph updates 40 times/sec
    
  • Backlight and automatic power can be configured.
    
  • Standard probes fits perfectly into sockets on meter.
    
  • To update software in the meter you must download and install a software updater program for this meter.
    
  • Weight is 703g without accessories, but with batteries.
    
  • Size is 220 × 101 × 58mm.
    
  
  
• Probes
  
  
  
  
  

• AutoHold: Number of counts the reading must go outside to rearm autohold and restart smooth.
  
• Time: Enable/disable smooth mode and smooth mode time.
  
• Auto power off time: How many minutes before meter powers off, auto power off can also be disabled.
  
• Backlight time: How many seconds before backlight turns off, auto off can also be disabled.
  
• Logging type: Select between manual, auto or interval logging.
  
• Time: Sample interval when logging.
  
• dBm reference: Can be set from 1ohm to 9999ohm
  
• Thermocouple type: Either K or J
  
• Temperature unit: Either Celsius or Fahrenheit.
  
• Beep frequency: Select between some frequencies or off.
  
• Startup sound: Select between beep, melody or off.
  
• Alert: Define if warning uses beeper and/or led or nothing
  
• Battery type: Select between primary (Alkaline) or secondary (NiMH) for more precise battery meter.
  
• Factory default: Reset to factory default.
  
• Remote button: Define function for remote button, can be mapped to any of the 7 buttons.
  
• Resolution: Select between 60000 or 6000 count display
  
• Update speed: 5 or 40 updated each second, the fast speed means 6000 count display.
  
• Input impedance: Select 10Mohm or high for mV ranges.
  
• LPF: Select default with or without LPF, this also supports LPF on DC.
  

• Software is free to download and listed as free software on Keysight.
  
• In addition to the software there is also installed License manager, License service and Agilent Host Processor Platform.
  
• Report generator in software is fairly limited, it only accepts 200 samples.
  
• It is only possible to generate a word or PDF report if Word or a PDF viewer is installed.
  
• The software ignores the secondary display and value.
  
• On my laptop the window is covering the laptops battery indicator.
  

• This software can be downloaded from Google Play store.
  
• With a U1117A/U1177A Bluetooth adapter it is possible to connect to a phone.
  
• Keysight do not support their mobile software “Keysight Mobile Meter” anymore
  
• App has copyright 2015 and is version 2.2.0
  

• This software can be downloaded from keysight.com and must be manually installed on the phone (I could not find it on Google play).
  
• With a U1117A/U1177A Bluetooth adapter it is possible to connect to a phone.
  
• App has copyright 2017 and is version 3.1
  
• With the U1117A I got about 5 meter indoor range through a thick wall, no other Bluetooth meter has done that.
  
• It recovered easy from breaks in communication.
  

Multimeter guide

This guide is a simple (but long) guide for many details on multimeters, it do not tell how to make measurements, but explains about the different function on the multimeter. This guide has lot of pictures, each showing a small part of a multimeter to illustrate the functions and differences between meters. Most of the article is about measurement function, but at the end I will also look at a few physical aspects on the meter.
This guide can be very useful to make a list of functions you want in your next multimeter.
Contents
    Minimum, maximum and average of a value
    Peak or fast minimum, maximum
    Freezing the display
    Manual selecting range
    Selecting function
    Background light and flashlight
    Frequency and duty cycle
    Relative measurements
    Auto power off, can it be disabled?
    Dual or triple display
    Bargraph, sometimes a fast estimate of value
    Voltage measurement
    Current measurement
    Ohm, continuity, diode and capacity measurement
    Temperature measurement
    Non contact voltage or electric field detection
    Low-Z, getting rid of ghost voltages
    Low pass filter for variable frequency drives
    Turning the meter on or off
    Input terminals
    Tilting bale or kickstand
    Batteries and fuses
    Probe holders, need an extra hand
    Hanger

Minimum, maximum and average of a value

Many multimeters have a function to record minimum and maximum value, it is fairly slow (0.1 to 1 second), this is necessary to work for AC and not record random noise pulses. This function will usual work on most ranges on the multimeter, except capacity.
Depending on meter is may be possible to show actual value while recording minimum and maximum. Some of the better meters will also calculate a average while recording minimum and maximum. Meters with dual or triple display may use the extra display(s) for some of this.
To activate the function press the button, more presses on the button will change between minimum/maximum/average/actual depending on the meter. To end recording hold down the button. This function will nearly always disable auto ranging, i.e. remember to manually select the correct range before starting min/max collection.
Most brands agree on calling this function something with min/max or max/min, but Brymen desided to call it REC
As long as MAXMINAVG is displayed, the display will show the actual value. When only one of the indicators is displayed, it is that value.
Other meters do also use that notation.
This meter is using the secondary display to show minimum and maximum values.
Peak or fast minimum, maximum

This function can record fast transient, like current while a capacitor charges up (If it is supported in current ranges). It often need around 1ms (0.001s) pulse to record, but it varies with meter. This is fast enough to record maximum and minimum in a mains power sinewave. The function may only be supported in AC modes, but that is no problem because it usual records both maximum and minimum (I have seen exceptions to this). This function will nearly always disable auto ranging, i.e. remember to manually select the correct range.
This function can not replace a min/max, the fast capture means it is much more susceptible to noise and transients.
A PEAK label is added to the display when recording peak values.
This meter do not have a special peak indicator but uses the Hold indicator together with min/max.
Here a P is added before the min/max labels and the value is shown on the secondary display.
Brymen uses CREST instead of peak and add a C to min/max.
Freezing the display

This function freezes the the display, this can be used to move the meter to a better place for reading the value or writing the value down. Just about any meter has this not very useful function.
One press will freeze the display, next press will resume updating again.

Some meters has a auto-hold or touch-hold or something like that, it will freeze the display when measuring a stable value. This makes it possible to concentrate on the probe and when the meter beeps, remove the probes and read the meter. No button presses is required when doing this.
Usual one of these 3 indicators are used to show that the display is frozen.
Manual selecting range

On many auto-ranging multimeters it is also possible to manually select range, sometimes it is even required for a specific ranges (Like mV AC).
MIN/MAX, PEAK and REL will usual select manual ranging, but not on all multimeters. When canceling the function the meter will usual return to automatic ranging again.
Press the button once to lock the current range, press again to step through the different ranges, actual range can usual be seen on the point. Hold the button down to get back to auto-ranging.
This is sometimes used with varing values to avoid the meter changes range all the time. If a lot of resistors or capacitors with about same value has to be checked, manually selecting range will make the meter faster.
Usual there is a AUTO text somewhere on the display when using automatic ranging.
The MANUAL text is not always used.
Selecting function


On most multimeters there are more than one function for each rotary switch position, this button is used to select between them or at least some of them.
The color coding of the button often match the some color coding for the markings around the rotary switch.
Hz and duty cycle is sometimes select with this button sometimes with a Hz button.
In this document I will call the button SELECT.
When the blue switch is pressed the blue function is selected.
Here it is yellow and there are arrows to help with the sequence.
Not everybody believes in arrows. This meters starts in AC mode, the = is orange, i.e. SEL must be pressed to select it.
Here it is not possible to see what initial selection is.
Here it is not even possible to see what the SELECT button do (Southwire had to be different).
Each press will move to the next function for that rotary switch position, usual moving the rotary switch or turning the meter off will reset to the initial function again (Brymen and a few other remembers last selection).
Background light and flashlight

Many multimeters have a light that can illuminate the display, sadly it is often implemented in a way that makes it very awkward to use. On many of the cheaper multimeter it is only on for 15 seconds, then it turns off automatically and it requires a few seconds to turn it on. A few meters uses a light sensor to turn the background light on when it is dark.
The first light button requires a single press to turn the light on, the two next must be held down.
The background light on this multimeter works different: usual the background will turn on due to a light sensor near the display, i.e. when it is dark around the display the background light turns on. The button disables this function and the background light will stay off, until the meter has been turned off.

Some lights has a build in flashlight, that may be able to illuminate the place you are measuring (May require an extra person to hold the meter). This flashlight either has its own button or it turns on together with the backlight.


Flashlight placement is either top or back of the multimeter.
Frequency and duty cycle

The SELECT button may select this, but often an extra button is used for selecing frequency and duty cycle measurements.
It varies where this button can be used, but it is in one or more of these ranges:

• V AC – This is nearly always supported.
  
• V DC
  
• mV AC – If the meter is missing a Hz mode, this is usual the range with support for the highest frequencies.
  
• mV DC
  
• Hz – In the Hz mode it is often the Hz button that select duty cycle, not the SELECT button.
  
• uA AC
  
• uA DC
  
• mA AC
  
• mA DC
  
• A AC
  
• A DC

• V DC – DC voltage up to maximum voltage supported by the meter, that is usual from 600V to 1000V
  
• V AC – AC voltage up to maximum voltage supported by the meter, that is usual from 600V to 1000V. This may be lower than DC voltage, due to peak voltage being 1.4 times higher than display reading.
  
• V AC VFD/LowZ – AC voltage with some special function activated, see below.
  
• mV DC – DC voltage below 1 volt, sometimes this is a separate range, sometimes it is part of the V DC range.
  
• mV AC – AC voltage below 1 volt, sometimes this is a separate range, sometimes it is part of the V DC range. When part of V AC it may require manual range selection to select it.
  

• AC+DC – Combined rms voltage for AC and DC
  
• Frequency – Frequency and duty cycle
  
• Low pass filter (LPF) – Low pass filter, used on variable frequency drives (VFD’s) to remove high frequencies.
  
• Temperature – A thermocoupler is very low voltage and the selection may be placed on the mV DC range.
  

• Ohm – Measuring resistance, lowest range may have a resolution from 1ohm down to 0.001ohm (1mOhm), depending on meter, highest range usual goes into the Megaohm, sometimes up to more than 50Mohm. A few meters support up to Gohm, but that is usual measured as ns (nano siemens: 1000000000/ohm).
  
• Continuity – Audible resistance check, this range uses one of the low ohm ranges (Not always the lowest and test current/voltage may be slightly different) and will sound a buzzer when the resistance is low (Often below 50ohm, but varies with meter and may even be selectable). In addition to the buzzer some meters may also flash a light when continuity is detected.
  This is useful to trace wires, because you do not have to check the display, but can use the sound and a good continuity mode is very fast. This means you can pull the probe across a couple of connection and the beep will sound when you hit one with a matching connection.
  
• Diode – Test forward voltage of a diode, some meters uses up to 3 volt and can test white leds, others only use 1 volt and cannot test any leds only regular diodes. If working with white leds a meter that can show 3V in diode mode is very useful.
  
• Capacity – Measure capacitors, but the low and high end varies significantly depending on meter.
  

• ohm
  The nS is a special ohm mode that measures 1000000000/ohm and can be used for very high resistance.
  
• Continuity
  
• Diode
  It looks like somebody forgot the diode symbol for the second one.
  
• Capacity
  It will be nano (n), micro (u) and sometimes milli (m) farad that is shown as unit.
  

DMM Mustool MDS8207

This is the latest incarnation (2019) of the Mustool DMM that can also show waveforms.




I got the meter in a cardboard box with specifications on it.

It included the DMM, a pair of probes, a thermocoupler, a bag and a manual.


The probes include tip protectors, but they protect the full top and are not for CATIII rating.

The plug is fully shrouded, but is slightly smaller than standard probe plug size.


The thermocoupler is with a standard 19mm plug.

The bag with the thermocoupler did also include some specifications for it:

• Type: K
  
• Range: -50°C to 204°C
  
• Below 400°C it is +/2.5°C or 0/-0.75%    How can accuracy be rated to 400°C when probe is rated for 204°C?
  
• Suitable for air or gas not liquid
  

• F1..F4: Functions depends on actual mode.
  
• R: In DMM mode it is range select and in OSC mode it is auto setup.
  
• S: It is hold in both DMM and OSC mode. When reading is frozen hold it down to enter database.
  

• Off: Meter is off.
  
• V: This is VDC/VAC/mVDC/mVAC/Hz/Duty-cycle, F3/SEL is used to select between DC/AC/Hz/Duty-cycle
  
• : ohm, diode, continuity and capacity, use F3/SEL to select.
  
• °C: Temperature with thermocoupler, use F1 & F2 to select between Celsius and Fahrenheit.
  
• mA: Milliampere range for AC and DC, use F3/SEL to select
  
• A: Ampere range for AC and DC, use F3/SEL to select
  
• : Oscilloscope mode with AC input
  
• : Oscilloscope mode with DC input
  
• Off: Meter is off.
  

• OSC: Oscilloscope mode
  
• 10A: High current (This can also be used a COM for OSC mode).
  
• xxx: All other ranges.
  
• COM: The common terminal for most ranges, large capacitor is excluded from this.
  

• Volt and frequency (DMM mode)
  
  
  
  • At 1Vrms frequency input range is from 10Hz to 30kHz
    
  • At 7Vrms frequency input range is from 0.8Hz to 150kHz
    
  • Frequency counter requires a zero crossing.
    
  • Duty cycle works from 20% to 80% at 10kHz with 4Vpp, precision is within 13
    
  • Duty cycle works from 5% to 95% at 1kHz with 4Vpp, precision is within 1
    
  • 1 VAC is 5% down at 2.1kHz
    
  • Min/max needs about 0.5s to capture a value, but it may requires many pulses (0.7s is much better).
    
  • Input impedance is 10-11Mohm on DC, AC.
    
  • Maximum voltage is 1000VDC and 750VAC
    
  
  
• Oscilloscope mode
  
  
  
  • Input impedance is around 10Mohm
    
  • AC mode has a capacitor in series with the input.
    
  • -3dB is around 25mHz
    
  
  
• Current
  
  
  
  • mA protected by 0.5A/250V probably a PTC
    
  • A is protected a 10A/250V SMD fuse
    
  
  
• Ohm, Continuity, diode and capacitance
  
  
  
  • Ohm needs about 3s to measure 100ohm
    
  • Ohm is 1.0 open and -0.5mA shorted
    
  • Continuity is 1.0V open and 0.5mA shorted
    
  • Continuity is very fast (Less than 5ms).
    
  • Continuity beeps when resistance is below 50ohm.
    
  • Diode range uses 3.2V, max. display is 3.000V at 0.18mA, max. current is 2.2mA shorted
    
  • 10uF takes about 4 seconds to measure.
    
  • 70000uF takes about 8 seconds to measure.
    
  • Ohm and capacity input is rated for 250VDC/AC overload.
    
  
  
• Miscellaneous
  
  
  
  • Current consumption of meter is 145mA (OSC at 5V/DIV or above is 175mA).
    
  • Meter works down to 3.5V where it will turn off, battery symbol shows empty at 3.5V
    
  • Display backlight fades slightly with falling battery voltage.
    
  • Meter reading is stable with falling battery voltage.
    
  • The meter often needs a couple of updates to show correct value.
    
  • Viewing angle is good
    
  • Display updates slightly below 2 times/sec
    
  • Will automatic turn power off in about 14 minutes.
    
  • Standard probes cannot be fully seated
    
  • Weight is 281g without accessories, but with batteries.
    
  • Size is 160 × 82.5 × 37mm.
    
  
  
• Probes
  
  
  
  • Probe resistance 95mOhm for one.
    
  • Probe wire is soft and 82cm long.
    
  
  

DlyFull B2 Universal LCD Battery Tester

This tester has slots and places for many common battery sizes, but it do not support LiIon batteries.

The tester arrived in a cardboard box with supported battery types listed.

The box included the tester, a battery and a instruction sheet.




A single AA battery is used to power the tester.

The display is a couple of bars with markings on the tester what the number bars means:
1-5: Poor, 6-10: Weak, 10-18: Good

Measurements

• Power consumption when testing is 27mA
  
• Power consumption when display goes automatic off is 27mA
  
• Power consumption when off is 80uA
  
• Will automatic turn display off after 60 seconds.
  
• Turns off when internal battery voltage is below 0.7V, reading is stable until then.
  

DMM Mustool X3

A clamp meter from Mustool that can only measure AC current.

I got the meter in a generic clamp meter brown cardboard box with very little information on.

Inside the box was a pouch with everything in it, except the manual that did not fit in the pouch.

It included the DMM, a pair of probes, a thermocoupler and a manual.



The probes are unbranded and marked for 1000V CATIII, but they do not have the partial tip cover.

The shrouded plug is the slightly short variety.




Flashlight is at the bottom of the meter, not the best position for a clamp meter.




There is access to the electronic inside the battery box, but it do not look like calibration terminals (Maybe on another model).
Display

The above picture shows all the segments on the display, not all are used.

Typical display during usage, it will show the number and what measurement is selected.

Meter is in auto mode, where it will automatic change to current, voltage or ohm.

In NCV mode it shows bars depending on field strength, but it is not very sensitive, a live mains wire (230VAC) touching the clamp only got me one bar.
Functions

The list of functions do fully not match the sequence they are selected in.
Buttons:

: Change mode: Auto/VDC/VAC/Continuity/Diode/Capacity/Celsius/Fahrenheit, hold down to turn on off.
: Turn flashlight on/off.

• NCV: Hold down to activate non contact voltage detection
  
• HOLD: Press to freeze display, hold down to turn background light on.
  

• COM: The common terminal
  
• xxx: The positive terminal.
  

• Volt and frequency
  
  
  
  • 1 VAC is 5% down at 2.1kHz (RMS will not work at the frequency).
    
  • Input impedance is 820kOhm on DC and AC
    
  • Initial range selection is a auto mode with ohm, continuity, volt DC/AC and ampere AC.
    
  • Auto will show VAC from about 0.47V and VDC from about 0.45V
    
  • Overload protection 700VDC or 500VAC peak
    
  
  
• Current
  
  
  
  • Ampere range will kick in when measuring above 0.10A (Display shows 0.15A, but will drop)
    
  • Clamp can handle about ø27mm
    
  
  
• Ohm, Continuity, diode and capacitance
  
  
  
  • Ohm needs about 1s to measure 100ohm (This is very fast for an auto ranging meter)
    
  • Ohm is 0.4V open and 0.15mA shorted
    
  • Continuity in auto mode is very slow (About 1.2s).
    
  • Continuity in continuity mode is very fast (About 10ms).
    
  • Continuity beeps when resistance is below 50ohm (Both modes).
    
  • Continuity is 0.6V open and 0.33mA shorted
    
  • Diode range uses 3.2V, max. display is 3.000V at 0.07mA, max. current is 1.0mA shorted
    
  • 10uF takes about 6.5 seconds to measure.
    
  • 11000uF takes about 13 seconds to measure.
    
  • 70000uF takes about 15 seconds to measure.
    
  • Overload protection 700VDC or 500VAC peak
    
  
  
• Miscellaneous
  
  
  
  • Current consumption of meter is from 1.5mA to 3.5mA in continuity (11mA with backlight, 11mA with flashlight and 16mA with both).
    
  • Meter works down to 2.2V where it turns off, battery symbol shows at 2.4V.
    
  • Reading is stable until meter turns off
    
  • Backlight fades with voltage and works down to where meter turns off.
    
  • Flashlight fades with voltage and works down to where meter turns off.
    
  • The meter usual need a couple of display update to reach the final value.
    
  • Viewing angle is good.
    
  • Display updates around 3 times/sec
    
  • Backlight will automatic turn off in about 15 seconds.
    
  • Flashlight will not automatic turn off, but turns off with the meter.
    
  • Will automatic turn power off in about 15 minutes.
    
  • Standard probes cannot be pushed fully down.
    
  • Weight is 194g without accessories, but with batteries.
    
  • Size is 179 × 67 × 33mm
    
  
  
• Probes
  
  
  
  • Probe resistance 48mOhm for one.
    
  • Probe wire is fairly soft and 74cm long.
    
  
  

Hantek CC-65 Current Clamp

This is a high sensitivity current clamp with a BNC connector for use with both multimeters and oscilloscopes.
Specifications:

• DC current (low range): 1.5%+5mA 10mA to 20A
  
• DC current (high range): 2%+20mA 100mA to 40A
  
• DC current (high range): 4%+300mA 40mA to 65A
  
• AC current (low range): 2%+30mA 100mA to 10A 40Hz ~ 2kHz
  
• AC current (low range): 4%+30mA 100mA to 10A 2kHz ~ 10kHz
  
• AC current (low range): 6%+30mA 100mA to 10A 10kHz ~ 20kHz
  
• AC current (high range): 2%+30mA 100mA to 40A 40Hz ~ 1kHz
  
• AC current (high range): 4%+30mA 100mA to 40A 1kHz ~ 2kHz
  
• AC current (high range): 6%+30mA 100mA to 40A 3kHz ~ 5kHz
  
• AC current (high range): 8%+300mA 40A to 65A 40Hz ~ 20kHz
  
• Load resistance 10kOhm typical.
  

• Power consumption is 10mA in both low and high range.
  
• Low battery turns on at 6.8V, this gives an estimated runtime of 50 hours.
  
• 1V output can be maintained down to 6V battery voltage in both low and high range.
  

Clamp meter UNI-T UT258A

This is a clamp only meter, i.e. not really a DMM (Digital Multi Meter).


The meter arrived in a cardboard box.

It included the meter, a pouch, a CD, a USB/Serial cable and a manual in Chinese (A English version can be downloaded from UNI-T).







Display

The above picture shows all the segments on the display. It looks to be a standard DMM display, but this meter only uses part of it.

Typical display during usage, it will show the number and what measurement is selected.

Saving a value when pressing HOLD.
Functions

Buttons:

• Off/DC/AC: Slide the switch to desired mode.
  
• HOLD: Use short press will freeze the display and save the current value. A longer press will switch to readout mode.
  

• Zero: Turn the know to zero the current display, it is best done in DC mode.
  

• Current
  
  
  
  • The meter crashed a few times and had to be power cycled.
    
  • Both DC and AC will react on DC current, but the AC ranges show about 25% too high in one current direction.
    
  • Zero setting is common for AC and DC, but it is easier to adjust on DC due to the sign.
    
  • Clamp is rated for maximum 60A
    
  
  
• Miscellaneous
  
  
  
  • Current consumption of meter is 12.3mA
    
  • Meter works down to 3.4V where it turns off, battery symbol show at 7.4V.
    
  • Meter has a small deviation below 3.6V.
    
  • Saved values are cleared when power is turned off.
    
  • Viewing angle is good, except from top.
    
  • Display updates around 3 times/sec
    
  • Will automatic turn power off in about 5 minutes.
    
  • Weight is 219g, with batteries.
    
  • Size is 216 × 65 × 35mm
    
  
  

NITECORE NSH10 - Multiuse Titanium Snap Hook

NSH10 was sent to me directly by Nitecore for the review.
For technical details: https://flashlight.nitecore.com/product/nsh10
For the purchase: https://www.nitecorestore.com/NITECORE-NSH10-Titanium-Multi-Tool-Carabiner-p/acc-nite-nsh10.htm

How many times would we need a small sturdy and light carabiner to attach to the jeans buckle or to a backpack to have keys or other items quickly available?
The NITECORE NSH10 titanium carabiner is a light and elegant multipurpose edc carabiner. It has a precision workmanship and an elegant design with angular lines and a smooth, sandblasted fine finish, which allows a good grip.

Nitecore NSH10 is light, weighs only 7.5 grams, and is made from a single piece of titanium alloy resistant to corrosion, wear and long life.

Nitecore NSH10 has a 45 degree spring lock that is easy to handle.

Nitecore NSH10 it is easy to carry it always with you, hooked to a belt or bag loop, like a light and resistant key organizer.

Multi-tool functionality:

The NSH10 has two compartments, which can be accessed via a single latch that allows you to organize the key ring.

Two accessory functions have been added to the Nitecore NSH10 carabiner, a bottle opener and a flathead screwdriver.
These two functions are very useful and can be used on many occasions.

We see the NSH10 close to other EDCs:

CONCLUSIONS:

The Nitecore NSH10 carabiner is a light and useful multipurpose to always carry with you. You can easily and securely attach bunches of keys or other small objects. Excellent construction and the material with which it is made. Useful the bottle opener and the flat tip to be used as a screwdriver. In conclusion it is an object that I will always carry with me considering the small size and weight and the great utility it can have.