Path: ...!2.eu.feeder.erje.net!feeder.erje.net!eternal-september.org!feeder3.eternal-september.org!news.eternal-september.org!.POSTED!not-for-mail From: john larkin Newsgroups: sci.electronics.design Subject: Re: Extech EX410A DVM Don't Buy Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2024 17:23:46 -0700 Organization: A noiseless patient Spider Lines: 112 Message-ID: References: <814ufjd9lg7p2mago36u2fk6njs0gtafq8@4ax.com> <7so0gjtispsfqvv9klhq9vlsgfpqd1vs2m@4ax.com> <18k2gj5m5rjfnc1iabbtclnvdntpsfgtm2@4ax.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Injection-Date: Fri, 18 Oct 2024 02:22:34 +0200 (CEST) Injection-Info: dont-email.me; posting-host="13307d2269846c29e1f83785c6071616"; logging-data="3120120"; mail-complaints-to="abuse@eternal-september.org"; posting-account="U2FsdGVkX18j+vhyU9u3uLNQwTspCT7C" User-Agent: ForteAgent/8.00.32.1272 Cancel-Lock: sha1:kXZjHeq4h2w/sg0JBcJ0PYmhK7I= Bytes: 6273 On Sun, 6 Oct 2024 01:43:44 +0200, Klaus Vestergaard Kragelund wrote: >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/ > > What does that cost? I got a similar Flir unit (a freebie!) but it's mostly useless. The post on the stand limits how big a board you can image, and it doesn't have an adjustable focus. The Uni-T 260B handheld thermal imager, with the close-up lens, is great. I got their 139C dvm too, and it's fine. It reads about 0.2% low. When it times out, push some button and it wakes up. I blew the current fuse on the Extech, couldn't figure out how to replace it, so I threw it away.