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From: john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com>
Newsgroups: sci.electronics.design
Subject: Re: Extech EX410A DVM Don't Buy
Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2024 17:23:46 -0700
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On Sun, 6 Oct 2024 01:43:44 +0200, Klaus Vestergaard Kragelund
<klauskvik@hotmail.com> wrote:

>On 06-10-2024 00:15, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
>> On Sat, 05 Oct 2024 07:52:25 -0700, john larkin <JL@gct.com> wrote:
>> 
>>> On Fri, 04 Oct 2024 16:07:24 -0700, Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@cruzio.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> On Thu, 03 Oct 2024 14:46:46 -0700, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com>
>>>> 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:
>> <https://meters.uni-trend.com/download/ut210e-user-manual/?wpdmdl=7228>
>> 
>> - 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:
>> <https://github.com/bdlow/UT210E?tab=readme-ov-file#modify-the-auto-off-and-backlight-times>
>> 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:
>> <https://www.flir.com/about/about-flir/about-extech/>
>> "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"
>> <https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2008/02/07/1049954/0/en/FLIR-Systems-Reports-Record-Fourth-Quarter-and-Full-Year-2007-Financial-Results.html>
>> "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.