Who knew mastercraft had a blazing fast meter? Its like the perfect tool for resistors. Unfortunately resistors rarely fail 😕 lol. Nice to see this review, even nicer to find out you are Canadian as well. Greeting from Orillia Ontario 🇨🇦
Nice review. This "smart" meter is better than I would have expected. I'm realizing now that I do switch modes quite a bit while working on something. For general automotive use, it would be quite convenient (except for the short probe leads.)
Appreciate your review of the so called smart meters; But for me, I'll stick to the Simpson 260 analog and the Fluke digital. Much more functions, safer and just feels right. (yeah, I'm old school, and actually like VTVMs as the best meters overall.)
I have one of these, but it's powered by 2 LR44 batteries and is much more substantial than the one you tested. Mine was significantly more expensive but the quality is much higher too. I can manually change the functions on mine. I used it a lot to check for continuity on house AC circuits. I have old wiring in my house.
With it being advertised as measuring up to 500v, I wonder what Category rating (if any) this meter has (especially with those scary test probes). As a 40+ year HVAC/R service tech, I recommend nothing less than Category III for working voltages over 24.
Leave it to Canadian Tire to take what would otherwise be a great little meter and render it almost useless because of the ridiculously short leads. As you said it would have cost them basically nothing to add another foot or so of length
the probe “lip” also tends to increase creepage distance. If you look at a high voltage probe, the “lip” is a large diameter disc. Yes, a tear-down would be interesting....special/custom ic? multi-function microcontroller?
Just got one on sale (again? still?) at CTC. Very convenient little unit for those quick measurements! But now I am curious about what kind of circuitry is used to enable the auto function / auto ranging capability. Is it done with just hardware or is there some kind of microprocessor/software thing going on here? Would make an interesting sequel.
Impressive; I did not expect the meter to auto range as fast. Still, I would consider this safe on low voltage devices since there did not appear to have any form of protection unless it is somehow built into the smart meter.
It's got a micro relay inside so I guess that's a pretty good protection, plus the input impedance is high (it can measure 10MOhm) so theoretically maximum power dissipated in the input section is probably P= E^2/R or approximately 0.036W under 600V DC if we assume an input impedance of 10MOhm. There is about 1/2" or air space between the leads on the PCB which is made of standard fiberglass composite of about 1.5mm or so thick. I wouldn't worry as long as the test leads are clean ;-)
That meter is rated to 500V! I would not trust it over 50V. It is faster than I would have thought but I personally don't like the "Auto" functionality. I guess it works for the budget minded backyard car mechanic in need of basic voltage and continuity checks. Small and easy to use. I would like to see the other side, it would be interesting to see the input protection, if there is any!
Hi Eric, I will get to the other side quite soon. I'm going to remove the probes and install something a little better. I will do a video of the process.
That's not really it's purpose. I think I it's for simpler measurements when this is all you have available. I'll find out, now that I bought a new one (January 2018). BTW, the same Mastercraft number is for a newer model, which has a few differences from this older model. Check it out, I'll be posting my own review sometime soon.
If you go to Canadian Tire, the same product number is a newer model, which looks like a bit of a redesign. This may be a review of a discontinued item, which is probably not available. I suggest you review the updated model, or at least append this video with the changes.
I see that you see things similar to me in that respect. I think that autoranging is good, but that is the extent of it. If I am checking DC and there is a possibility that the meter might be looking at something else.
easy to use. in all keyboards usualy cames with a legs in the bottom side to put the inclination to make a use confortable. the old tester have a leg too. in nowdays this legs are useless in testers. but if this leg could be placed with a rotation of 90° and with a hole on it, to insert your thump through it. to hold in your hands at the same time the tester and the probé leads. like an artist hold with only one hand a piece of wood with an oil paint of colours. in this way you can read the display at the same time that touching with the probé leads. (not all the places are a desk) in this way, the hold buttom could be used to read the max peak forma example. it's only an idea.
While I noticed that the wires were quite thin, you touched both fingers to both wires of your AC source BEFORE telling us that it was low voltage. Are you TRYING to give us a heart attack?? Lol. I was expecting a zap followed by a string of bad words! 😉😜
Hi Not that is a huge issue,but what does it do on reverse polarity on DC.My meter gives a - sign on reverse polarity I myself wouldn't use this meter but in a pinch could be handy Also I really enjoy your vids Thanks
I've got mine apart...because it seems to be out of cal (showing 8.87 [should be 8.67] )...and the ohms readings seem a bit high...all comparisons against a couple of better meters. It did seem to be more accurate and repeatable before (When I opened it up recently...the batteries were leaking) I cleaned it up; but now it seems to be out of cal...and a bit glitchy. Any suggestions?
My suggestion is risky so take it for what it is if you don't mind destroying it in the process: cleaning it with brake cleaner, but ONLY THE PCB as it'll definitely damage the LCD and the LCD connection strip.
How would it perform if you tried to measure a resistor in a powered circuit? Would it give the voltage over the resistor, or try to measure resistance instead?
This applies to the updated model, manual says +-0.8% to +-2% depending on scale + 5 to 10 least significant digits. Out of the box it is comparable to other sub-100$ meters. The fact three different meters read the same should be a good indicator of accuracy. The question is, how accurate will it be in a year from now if it still works...
Thanks for this review again, great demo! Do you know who manufactures this meter? I'm looking on the web for this meter but its now $69.99, that is way too much for this little meter! Do you know of any meter that is as fast as this little meter? Also, if you find a great price again, let me know!
Thanks for the review! I just picked one up for $24.00 CDN and was debating about opening it up or returning it. I am terrible with multi-meters and wanted something close to idiot proof:-). I buy a fair number of Canadian Tire Mastercraft products, but almost always when on sale, the quality is good enough for my occasional amateur use. It looks like they have taken your idea to add two rings to the probes to keep fingers from slipping into danger. I think I will still look for a couple of small o rings to serve to keep my fingers slipping too far. Perhaps if I watch more of these videos I will figure out how to use my more professional one properly, if I haven't ruined it already.
Pretty neat device (sans these "probes"), especially considering the fact that for 20 bucks you can usually get nothing more than Yet Another ICL7106 rip-off Chinese multimeter with transistor "tester", manual ranging and unfused "20A" current range. For people that have to measure a battery or something from time to time it's more than they will ever need:)
Well you actually can ,just put a low value resistor(SHUNT) where you would normally put a current meter and measure the voltage drop across it.but i don't think that this meter can measure milivolts.
It's a 10 MOhm so it's quite sensitive, it can measure all the way down to 1mV so 1mA over a 1 Ohm resistor would drop the voltage 1mV. But it's a klutz.
Actually, I did buy it (9 months later) because they improved it in alot of ways. The same Canadian Tire product number (or SKU) is the same, but it's for a newer version, which looks like an improved redesign. I've only had it a few hours at this point, but it looks like it has fixed two of the things Mr. Carlson didn't like; it now has longer test leads, and now it measures capacitance.
Disagree, flexible, useful test leads cost next to nothing, they could have easily installed proper test leads for the price. Most of the expense in devices like that is buried in the R&D for the circuit board. If you're handy with a soldering iron and have steady hands you can solder some better ones in. BIG improvement!
Who knew mastercraft had a blazing fast meter?
Its like the perfect tool for resistors. Unfortunately resistors rarely fail 😕 lol.
Nice to see this review, even nicer to find out you are Canadian as well. Greeting from Orillia Ontario 🇨🇦
Greeting Luc!
Nice review. This "smart" meter is better than I would have expected. I'm realizing now that I do switch modes quite a bit while working on something. For general automotive use, it would be quite convenient (except for the short probe leads.)
Appreciate your review of the so called smart meters; But for me, I'll stick to the Simpson 260 analog and the Fluke digital. Much more functions, safer and just feels right. (yeah, I'm old school, and actually like VTVMs as the best meters overall.)
I have one of these, but it's powered by 2 LR44 batteries and is much more substantial than the one you tested. Mine was significantly more expensive but the quality is much higher too. I can manually change the functions on mine. I used it a lot to check for continuity on house AC circuits. I have old wiring in my house.
Just picked up this meter, thanks for the review on how it works, it was extremely helpful!
Glad you enjoyed!
The newer model is a highly underrated product. I wish someone would do an online review of it.
Thanks Paul. I have a cheap little meter in my car toolbox for emergencies. It has capacitance also. I think I paid $10US for it.
Robert Calk Jr. No Problem! I think this one was $15 on sale.
With it being advertised as measuring up to 500v, I wonder what Category rating (if any) this meter has (especially with those scary test probes). As a 40+ year HVAC/R service tech, I recommend nothing less than Category III for working voltages over 24.
Leave it to Canadian Tire to take what would otherwise be a great little meter and render it almost useless because of the ridiculously short leads. As you said it would have cost them basically nothing to add another foot or so of length
"I do like gadgets." ... Yes, yes you do!!
the probe “lip” also tends to increase creepage distance. If you look at a high voltage probe, the “lip” is a large diameter disc.
Yes, a tear-down would be interesting....special/custom ic? multi-function microcontroller?
Just got one on sale (again? still?) at CTC. Very convenient little unit for those quick measurements!
But now I am curious about what kind of circuitry is used to enable the auto function / auto ranging capability. Is it done with just hardware or is there some kind of microprocessor/software thing going on here? Would make an interesting sequel.
It's really smart meater. .I trust it. Thanks v much Sir.
Impressive; I did not expect the meter to auto range as fast. Still, I would consider this safe on low voltage devices since there did not appear to have any form of protection unless it is somehow built into the smart meter.
+John Cunningham
It's a neat glove box trinket.
It's got a micro relay inside so I guess that's a pretty good protection, plus the input impedance is high (it can measure 10MOhm) so theoretically maximum power dissipated in the input section is probably P= E^2/R or approximately 0.036W under 600V DC if we assume an input impedance of 10MOhm. There is about 1/2" or air space between the leads on the PCB which is made of standard fiberglass composite of about 1.5mm or so thick. I wouldn't worry as long as the test leads are clean ;-)
a handy small tool and fast to.
But the leads are stiff and short and like you say you must take care not to become a part of the circuit :-)
smbrob You bet, thanks for the comment!
Paul ! I promised my wife that fluke 289 will be my last one....
That meter is rated to 500V! I would not trust it over 50V. It is faster than I would have thought but I personally don't like the "Auto" functionality. I guess it works for the budget minded backyard car mechanic in need of basic voltage and continuity checks. Small and easy to use. I would like to see the other side, it would be interesting to see the input protection, if there is any!
Hi Eric, I will get to the other side quite soon. I'm going to remove the probes and install something a little better. I will do a video of the process.
That's not really it's purpose. I think I it's for simpler measurements when this is all you have available. I'll find out, now that I bought a new one (January 2018). BTW, the same Mastercraft number is for a newer model, which has a few differences from this older model. Check it out, I'll be posting my own review sometime soon.
If you go to Canadian Tire, the same product number is a newer model, which looks like a bit of a redesign. This may be a review of a discontinued item, which is probably not available. I suggest you review the updated model, or at least append this video with the changes.
I see that you see things similar to me in that respect. I think that autoranging is good, but that is the extent of it. If I am checking DC and there is a possibility that the meter might be looking at something else.
I think a meter like that can come in handy for portable use, but I wouldn't use it for HV. I have a quality meter that I trust for that.
easy to use. in all keyboards usualy cames with a legs in the bottom side to put the inclination to make a use confortable. the old tester have a leg too. in nowdays this legs are useless in testers. but if this leg could be placed with a rotation of 90° and with a hole on it, to insert your thump through it. to hold in your hands at the same time the tester and the probé leads. like an artist hold with only one hand a piece of wood with an oil paint of colours. in this way you can read the display at the same time that touching with the probé leads. (not all the places are a desk) in this way, the hold buttom could be used to read the max peak forma example. it's only an idea.
Great idea, attach a velcro loop to the back to attach to a finger or wrist (y)
They do make a version with C and diode check (available in the UK)
The Canadian Tire updated version adds capacitance frequency and proximity (live wire) detection, no diode check.
While I noticed that the wires were quite thin, you touched both fingers to both wires of your AC source BEFORE telling us that it was low voltage. Are you TRYING to give us a heart attack?? Lol. I was expecting a zap followed by a string of bad words! 😉😜
Hi
Not that is a huge issue,but what does it do on reverse polarity on DC.My meter gives a - sign on reverse polarity
I myself wouldn't use this meter but in a pinch could be handy
Also I really enjoy your vids
Thanks
I've got mine apart...because it seems to be out of cal (showing 8.87 [should be 8.67] )...and the ohms readings seem a bit high...all comparisons against a couple of better meters. It did seem to be more accurate and repeatable before (When I opened it up recently...the batteries were leaking) I cleaned it up; but now it seems to be out of cal...and a bit glitchy. Any suggestions?
My suggestion is risky so take it for what it is if you don't mind destroying it in the process: cleaning it with brake cleaner, but ONLY THE PCB as it'll definitely damage the LCD and the LCD connection strip.
Can it measure ripple voltage on a DC power supply?
LOL! It's smart, but not that smart. If your looking to read DC and AC at the same time, this isn't your meter.
So it doesn't measure milliamps ?
Is there an equivalent, or a a way to get it online? I live in Europe, and Ebay didn't heard of it.
Very helpful...thanks
+Kevin McGinley No problem :^)
How would it perform if you tried to measure a resistor in a powered circuit? Would it give the voltage over the resistor, or try to measure resistance instead?
I can't answer you about the old model but the new model favors voltage over anything else. Only when there is no power does it switch to resistance
@@johnnyjimj that would be very logical
I would be interested in its inherent accuracy... perhaps in percent.
This applies to the updated model, manual says +-0.8% to +-2% depending on scale + 5 to 10 least significant digits. Out of the box it is comparable to other sub-100$ meters. The fact three different meters read the same should be a good indicator of accuracy. The question is, how accurate will it be in a year from now if it still works...
Thanks for this review again, great demo! Do you know who manufactures this meter? I'm looking on the web for this meter but its now $69.99, that is way too much for this little meter! Do you know of any meter that is as fast as this little meter? Also, if you find a great price again, let me know!
Circuit board on the updated version says all-sun, a chinese OEM meter manufacturer. Closest model that company sells in terms of function is EM51.
Nice meter
+wade hicks
It's kind of neat...... and it still works, so that's a good thing! :^)
Thanks for the review! I just picked one up for $24.00 CDN and was debating about opening it up or returning it. I am terrible with multi-meters and wanted something close to idiot proof:-). I buy a fair number of Canadian Tire Mastercraft products, but almost always when on sale, the quality is good enough for my occasional amateur use.
It looks like they have taken your idea to add two rings to the probes to keep fingers from slipping into danger. I think I will still look for a couple of small o rings to serve to keep my fingers slipping too far.
Perhaps if I watch more of these videos I will figure out how to use my more professional one properly, if I haven't ruined it already.
+Greg Panke
Thanks for your comment Greg!
does it test current
No
how to test capacitor with?
You can't. This does not have a capacitor test function.
Yes, the newer version, up to 100µF
Pretty neat device (sans these "probes"), especially considering the fact that for 20 bucks you can usually get nothing more than Yet Another ICL7106 rip-off Chinese multimeter with transistor "tester", manual ranging and unfused "20A" current range. For people that have to measure a battery or something from time to time it's more than they will ever need:)
+kroplaaaa
Thanks for your comment!
Does anyone know how to measure current with this multimeter?
+Chase Hart
It doesn't.
Thanks! I figured... gotta buy a new one I guess. Any suggestions for a student without many dollars?
Well you actually can ,just put a low value resistor(SHUNT) where you would normally put a current meter and measure the voltage drop across it.but i don't think that this meter can measure milivolts.
It's a 10 MOhm so it's quite sensitive, it can measure all the way down to 1mV so 1mA over a 1 Ohm resistor would drop the voltage 1mV. But it's a klutz.
From where can I buy it online thank you
Hi Joseph, This meter comes from a store called "Canadian Tire."
Thank you very much for the information I appriciate
Joseph
having a hard time testing my electric fence with this,.
I hope you're not serious. LOL!
Wary interesting meter, I can't seem to find it on sale, do anyone please here to get it?
I couldn't buy it, because it won't measure current.
Actually, I did buy it (9 months later) because they improved it in alot of ways. The same Canadian Tire product number (or SKU) is the same, but it's for a newer version, which looks like an improved redesign. I've only had it a few hours at this point, but it looks like it has fixed two of the things Mr. Carlson didn't like; it now has longer test leads, and now it measures capacitance.
lo $60 now :)
$70.00 now !!
its just a little to cheap another 20$ would do the trick
Disagree, flexible, useful test leads cost next to nothing, they could have easily installed proper test leads for the price. Most of the expense in devices like that is buried in the R&D for the circuit board. If you're handy with a soldering iron and have steady hands you can solder some better ones in. BIG improvement!