Customer Reviews

Palm-Size Handheld Digital Multimeter - DT830B

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(18)

 

 

This is not a Fluke nor is it even a Radio Shack, but the price is right and as an occasional household tool the DT830 works well enough. However If you are an electronic hobbyist this meter will probably not meet your needs. The Ohm-meter function works poorly in it's lower ranges and the diode check has no feedback tone. I could go on about its crude finish, but it's still a bargain if you need something cheap and expendable.

I used this multimeter a few times in a 6 month period. It was not very precise but ok for hobby use.
However it was not measuring anything properly after 6 months.
Save yourself some time and money and invest in a more reliable multimeter even if you have to spend a bit more.

A good multimeter. It works perfectly fine as a multimeter itself. I bought it just for household usage, such as checking batteries, electric wires, outlets, and so forth, and it is fuctioning for that purpose. I don't expect more than that from this cheap one. If your expectation is about those ranges, get this one. I researched multimeters a little bit and it was the cheapest I found in July 2008, only when delivery is free.

This is junk. At first the display missing digit. Then I can't read it. Now the red plug to the test socket breaks. I think you better buy a more expensive meter.

Yes, I know it's very cheap but I've gotten much better results from other sub $10 multimeters - including the $4.99 "Trisonic" I found at the dollar store.

First, right out of the box the display is incomplete as some digits are missing segments. Looking inside once sees the display panel is coupled to the main circuit board by a commonly used conducting strip. The circuit board and display are sandwiched together, held only at the far ends by screws. If you push down on the middle of the strip the display works properly. There is a plastic post on the back lid which is supposed to do that same pushing when the case is closed, but it doesn't push quite enough. So I placed 3 layers of electrical tape on the circuit board where this post makes contact, and now the display is readable when you close the cover.

I only bought this meter to have an extra "sanity check" in another location to double check unprotected lithium-ion cells for over-discharge prior to placing them on the charger (discharged below 2.75 volts or so they can explode when recharged). My first measurement was a pair of 10440 (AAA-sized) unprotected cells - and I turned white when the meter said ~1.15V on both of them. Close call? No. I took the cells with me to a location where I had a "known good" meter and (sigh) they read 3.98V. That's more like it. Now ... after that try-out, how can I ever trust this thing for anything that matters?

This is possibly the cheapest, most basic digital multimeter you can buy. It is also probably the least accurate, least precise multimeter instrument you can buy too. Its target is the hobbyist/DIY market, so don't think about doing anything professional with it. Thing is though, consider what your minimal outlay of cash gets you:

- A light, portable multimeter. Fits in your pocket, or your toolbox. Very handy. Uses 9V battery. Even has decent-ish test leads.
- Compared to an analog multimeter, this device is superior. 1 mega-ohm input impedance. Even tests transistors. In resistance mode, can be used for testing continuity (although it doesn't beep). Keep your brain engaged when using it, and it will last a good long time and give you the answers you need and not explode.
- 2% accuracy (mind you, this is only considered valid for a year) gives you fairly close results.
- For most basic digital/embedded work, this meter is more than adequate. Is the line high/1? Is the line low/0? Is the line in-between? For questions like that, this meter does the trick.

In short, it does work and can be used to solve a lot of hobbyist/DIY problems when circuit troubleshooting. For me, at least (budding embedded hobbyist), it answers 90% of all my questions that I typically need when working on circuits, usually continuity. While I've wanted to get another (far nicer) multimeter, I find this does what I need so I keep putting off getting a better one until it dies.

There's more to this than meets the eye. Don't rule it out just because it's cheap. You may find that it's all you actually need in a multimeter.

Palm Size Digital Multimeter Tool, DT830B

They say you get what you pay for! Well, after taking the back off of this unit, I was surprised to find it reasonably well constructed on the inside. Solder connections are good and internal components seem well laid out.

My only complaints are as follows: cheap 9v. battery included, and, unlike the manual says, there is no audible ohms check.

Hey, for 6 bucks, how could you go wrong for a throw in your toolbox meter?

This tool is low cost and yet very satisfactory. Surprise, it uses two AA cells instead of the more common 9V battery. And the first set is included. The only thing I dislike is the color; but, I'll get used to it.

As others have said, good for the price but keep your expectations reasonable. I carry it in our racing trailer so I won't be upset if it gets lost or broken, but didn't realize that to change the batteries you need to have a mini Philips screwdriver (jeweler size, which I didn't have). So waited till I got home and then broke one of the cheap Chinese screws trying to get it out. But still works OK with one less screw holding it in....

By buying this rubbish you're simply sending a message to whatever manufacturer in China is pumping these things out by the millions, that we're all so stupid that we'll buy anything they make if it's cheap enough.

These multi meters are sold under a myriad of brand names, and in several cases, from yellow, black, grey and red, with or with out a fancy rubber condom, for prices starting at a few dollars, up to $30 or $40. Yet they all have exactly the same circuit board. They are cheaply made junk, and verge on being dangerous.

They can be identified by the range scale, the three probe ports on the right side, and the hFE socket on the left. Regardless of brand or case colour, it's the same meter. The same rubbish circuit board, the same inaccurate dangerous junk. They are usually labeled 830B, which helps identify them.

You're measuring electricity, your life is worth more than this.