Path: ...!news.mixmin.net!eternal-september.org!feeder3.eternal-september.org!news.eternal-september.org!.POSTED!not-for-mail From: Klaus Vestergaard Kragelund Newsgroups: sci.electronics.design Subject: Re: Extech EX410A DVM Don't Buy Date: Sun, 6 Oct 2024 01:43:44 +0200 Organization: A noiseless patient Spider Lines: 96 Message-ID: References: <814ufjd9lg7p2mago36u2fk6njs0gtafq8@4ax.com> <7so0gjtispsfqvv9klhq9vlsgfpqd1vs2m@4ax.com> <18k2gj5m5rjfnc1iabbtclnvdntpsfgtm2@4ax.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Injection-Date: Sun, 06 Oct 2024 01:43:43 +0200 (CEST) Injection-Info: dont-email.me; posting-host="a04448e00f3e40001c4580860f10afc2"; logging-data="994331"; mail-complaints-to="abuse@eternal-september.org"; posting-account="U2FsdGVkX195mjvmzr8thFjMLZAy0LJj6ewSx92D5pM=" User-Agent: Mozilla Thunderbird Cancel-Lock: sha1:Aa4BFeVSsJunvjonLD/6uaMjiTk= Content-Language: en-US In-Reply-To: Bytes: 5644 On 06-10-2024 00:15, Jeff Liebermann wrote: > On Sat, 05 Oct 2024 07:52:25 -0700, john larkin wrote: > >> On Fri, 04 Oct 2024 16:07:24 -0700, Jeff Liebermann >> wrote: >> >>> On Thu, 03 Oct 2024 14:46:46 -0700, john larkin >>> wrote: >>> >>>> Extech EX410A DVM Don't Buy >>>> >>>> The auto power off is incredibly stupid. I'm going to throw mine away >>>> and get something usable. >>> >>> What don't you like about the auto power off feature in the EX410A? > >> It shuts off in the middle of a measurement, and you have to rotate >> the very klunky range knob all the way back to OFF and then all the >> way back to where it was. >> >> It's OK for one-time measurements I guess, but terrible for bench >> experiments. > > I agree. That's a serious problem. > > Some of the Extech meters have a way to disable auto power off. It's > usually disarmed by holding down one of the buttons while turning on > the meter. I couldn't find anything like that for the EX410A. I'll > look again when I'm more awake. > > However, my Uni-T UT-210E does have a way to disable auto power off. > From the user docs at: > > > - Automatic power-off: when measuring, if the rotary button has not > pulled out in 15 minutes, the instrument will automatically power off > to save energy. In automatic power-off mode, turn rotary button to OFF > and restart the machine, or click any key to wake the instrument. > > - Turn off automatic power-off function: press and hold SELECT key, > then power-on start, you will heard 5 buzzing which means automatic > power-off function is cancelled. Turn off and restart the machine, > automatic power-off function will be recovered. > > - The buzzer will send out 5 warnings 1 minute before automatic power > off. A long buzz will be heard before power off When automatic power > off function is canceled, you will hear 5 continuous warnings in every > 15 minutes. > > I just tested it and found that it works as described. Maybe a meter > made by Uni-T might be less stupid. The manual doesn't mention that > every time you turn the meter off, auto power off is re-enabled. You > need to remember to hold down the SELECT button every time you turn it > on. For bench use, I don't see this as much of a problem. For my > use, which involves turning it on/off many times, it's still a > problem. > > I mentioned that the UT-210E is hackable. See: > > The programming looks easy, but providing the adapter needed to > program the DM24C02A EEPROM seems rather messy. For an 8 pin SOIC > package, I would desolder the device and do the editing in an external > programmer. Whether this is worthy of the time and effort involved is > your decision. > >> Extech was planning to introduce some thermal imagers, so FLIR bought >> them to stop it. That's all FLIR really cares about. > > I didn't know that. FLIR bought Extech in Oct, 2007. After 17 years > and once FLIR owns the IP (intellectual property), I would have > expected FLIR to sell off Extech in parts and pieces: > > "In 2007, Extech was acquired by Teledyne FLIR, a global leader in > innovative infrared thermal imaging solutions." > Well maybe. FLIR did sell off Extech Data System, which made portable > printers in 2009. Looks to me that FLIR had too much cash on hand and > needed to buy something quickly: > "FLIR Systems Reports Record Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2007 > Financial Results" > > "Cash provided by operations during the quarter was a record $55 > million. Cash used during the quarter included $40 million for the > acquisition of Extech Instruments..." > $50 million cash for Extech seems to me to have been a bargain > purchase. > For IR measurements for handheld, I use Seek Thermal: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GX8XTG5/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1 And for table top: https://www.dyt-ir.com/dytspectrumowl-ca-60-rd-grade-thermal-analyzer-with-macro-lens-product/