Cheap enough I guess for some of the functionality you get. I suppose there is no technical support from BSIDE available for calibration of the temperature function and the NCV failure. What was the E1 contact pad with a slot in it at the top of the PCB? May be that was for the NCV probe and it wasn't installed? There were some isolation slots on the board, and there may have been a transistor clamp on the front side of the PCB for the input protection.
Nothing in the manual either regarding temperature calibration though I'm pretty sure it's a factory preset 😮 Yes my friend.looks like Bside forgot the NCV antenna...good grief! Good point about the transistor clamp but all in all a poor production unit...
Kudos to Bside for their effort to make a different kind of DMM and probes. I've never seen battery redundancy like that. I'm not sure how useful that is in a device unless it draws a lot of current requiring daily recharging. Too bad the IR thermometer wasn't more accurate. Thanks for reviewing! (btw, the South American country is "Colombia". I always have to double check myself. Even FIFA got it wrong during the world cup more than once).
Great point! Yes..thx for the Colombia mention.. 🇨🇴 ..hopefully my Colombian viewers won't boycott me. 😅 As for the dmm..it's troubling that an OEM would try and do something different but then fail to make it actually workable. Scary part is , they sent me the unit to review.. !! 😂
Good review Darren. BSIDE had some good ideas with this meter, but sadly it needs more work. Hopefully BSIDE is listening, and they can fix its shortcomings.
I don't think the flashlight is on the top, that should be the IR thermometer red laser diode. The flashlight appears to be at the typical phone position on the back. EDIT: you corrected yourself on teardown. No warning about emissions and eye safety where it should be. Disappointing current range and fuse accessibility. Slow resistance but impressive accuracy. Alkaline batteries leak - hate em! - why not NiMH or lithium primary support? I can make my own high voltage zener and LED tester using a modified joule thief circuit - goes to 80V, but it's nice to have one onboard. Not much of an upgrade beyond the S20 except bigger banana plugs? That meter seemed to work better overall.
You're right Paul..flashlight is located on the rear! Yes.. Fuse accessibility is absolutely ludicrous. The case housing will be destroyed by many when they go to change that dead mA FUSE.. it's scarier than a Starbucks in Seattle on a Saturday night..😅😅all in all a huge disappointment in the world of multimeters...shoulda, woulda, coulda!
This has to be the worst non-contact voltage, while at the same time the 15 volt diode mode is good; if the infrared was not 6 degrees off, and it didn't ship with a blown fuse and no input protection it would be interesting. It's confusing - good silicone probes, but the USB charge port needs a screwdriver to access? Every aspect of this multimeter makes very little sense; it has to be a prototype rushed to the shelves.
I totally agree 👍 there was so much to line but so much to hate..too bad BSIDE didn't work out the bugs before production! Btw..the case removal is one of the worst yet for a multimeter that requires a fuse replacement! ..
Yet Another smart meter that failed to graduate tech school.....First smart meter I was impressed enough with to actually buy was the KM601 from Kaiweets and I still like it far as smart meters go, seems the best of the smart meters overall so far - to me anyway.
Considering this meters forward thinking approach its really a shame they let it off the factory floor without any Q/A . Agreed, that Kaiweets is a very good Smart Multimeter 👌
Yes forward thinking for sure, but seems they always start by selling off the not quite ironed out prototypes before getting it right somewhere down the road lol
Have to say unfortunately the s30x newest version of this seems to have the same non-contact voltage issue; I was so confused thinking what the hell could I be doing wrong then I watched your video here and see that it's just a factory issue! I emailed the seller to see what they say.
@@KeepOnTesting Yes I really like it overall and the automatic function and seeing if I can figure out how to calibrate the thermometer. Seems like if they just ironed out these basic flaws it would be pretty acceptable. On AliExpress it was only $33 at least! I am curious what the seller says. It's pretty dangerous to sell it with such a failure for the NCV I will say....lol
@@KeepOnTesting they wanted to see a video of what was happening so I sent them one testing various live lines outlets and they said yes it's defective; they're sending me a new unit and I guess I get to keep this one as well. I have to say their support was very friendly and didn't make a big deal out of it and didn't argue with me. They did try to offer me an NCV pen separately just to make up for the future but I said I wanted what I ordered and I want it all in one since I already have separate pens. I'll let you know if the new one works!
Maybe the AAA batteries serve as the main powersource, the Li-Ion-Accu serves somehow like a BIOS- battery. To save the calibration data? Who knows... It would make more sense with data-aquisition, but it has none. Outstanding feature is the HV Diode testing mode anf very nice are the silicone test leads. Much more DMMs should have them both. Besides this, there is nothing special with this DMM. Some things are working even baddier then mediocre. The reason for the covered charging port could be: To prevent shorts to ground when using while charging (the same problem as with not isolated oscilloscopes), but there are better and more effective solutions possible. BTW: I´m curious. Now, after the repair of your LED test rig, tell us, please: What was the secret of the cursed yellow LED?
The AAA are stated in the manual as a backup to the primary built-in Li-ion Its still a little bizaare but definitely a forward thinking approach 👍 Agreed..The high v led mode is probably the best part of this dmm. .. That Led tester still remains a bit of a mystery ..I desoldered the yellow culprit and it worked as should. Put it back and worked normally for awhile..😅. End of day I removed again and decided to replace it. 😊
Oh man, I was waiting to see how you were going to remove that boot.🙂 Unless it's really stretchy, it doesn't seem like an easy job. Having had some experience with S11, I wasn't expecting much from this one. These smart BSIDEs still feel too quirky for me. But thanks for reviewing them for us. And congrats on 13k subs. Let's hope for 15k by the end of the year. 👍👍
D'oh! Sorry 😞 😔 I should have shown that green removal technique! My bad. Surprisingly was easier than I was expecting. BSIDE did good with the form/fit here..now if only replacing the mA fuse went so smoothly!! A quirky dmm sums it up nicely 👌 Thx for the 13k kudos..I never would have thought ! 😉thumbs-up
@@numerical_error Roger that ! Works like a charm too..Bside needs to replace those glass fuses with resettable polyfuses otherwise fuse replacement will be a disaster ..
Guessing the high diode test will test zener diodes up to a point.
Absolutely! It's one of the few satisfying features of this rather unsatisfying dmm 😊
Cheap enough I guess for some of the functionality you get. I suppose there is no technical support from BSIDE available for calibration of the temperature function and the NCV failure. What was the E1 contact pad with a slot in it at the top of the PCB? May be that was for the NCV probe and it wasn't installed? There were some isolation slots on the board, and there may have been a transistor clamp on the front side of the PCB for the input protection.
Nothing in the manual either regarding temperature calibration though I'm pretty sure it's a factory preset 😮 Yes my friend.looks like Bside forgot the NCV antenna...good grief! Good point about the transistor clamp but all in all a poor production unit...
The high-voltage diode mode can be used for Zener diodes as well.
Great point !
@@KeepOnTesting Look thoroughly at the diode symbol in this mode, it has two small segments on it.
Kudos to Bside for their effort to make a different kind of DMM and probes. I've never seen battery redundancy like that. I'm not sure how useful that is in a device unless it draws a lot of current requiring daily recharging. Too bad the IR thermometer wasn't more accurate. Thanks for reviewing! (btw, the South American country is "Colombia". I always have to double check myself. Even FIFA got it wrong during the world cup more than once).
Great point! Yes..thx for the Colombia mention.. 🇨🇴 ..hopefully my Colombian viewers won't boycott me. 😅 As for the dmm..it's troubling that an OEM would try and do something different but then fail to make it actually workable. Scary part is , they sent me the unit to review.. !! 😂
Wow beautiful in green 💚
Definitely has a Xmas vibe going on 😃
NCV will work once you fully charge the unit
Oops, they forgot to solder in the NCV antenna. It definitely should go to the E1 connector at the top edge.
I scoured the pcb in hopes of finding something.. but yes, this was another oversight from BSIDE...Yikes!
@@KeepOnTesting Try soldering a piece of thick copper wire or tape to that connector.
Good review Darren. BSIDE had some good ideas with this meter, but sadly it needs more work. Hopefully BSIDE is listening, and they can fix its shortcomings.
I don't think the flashlight is on the top, that should be the IR thermometer red laser diode. The flashlight appears to be at the typical phone position on the back.
EDIT: you corrected yourself on teardown.
No warning about emissions and eye safety where it should be.
Disappointing current range and fuse accessibility.
Slow resistance but impressive accuracy.
Alkaline batteries leak - hate em! - why not NiMH or lithium primary support?
I can make my own high voltage zener and LED tester using a modified joule thief circuit - goes to 80V, but it's nice to have one onboard.
Not much of an upgrade beyond the S20 except bigger banana plugs? That meter seemed to work better overall.
You're right Paul..flashlight is located on the rear! Yes.. Fuse accessibility is absolutely ludicrous. The case housing will be destroyed by many when they go to change that dead mA FUSE.. it's scarier than a Starbucks in Seattle on a Saturday night..😅😅all in all a huge disappointment in the world of multimeters...shoulda, woulda, coulda!
Does Bside S30 take regular multi tester test leads? Thanks
Yes..
@@KeepOnTesting Is this reliable meter? Is it still holding up? thanks
Yes, so far it's been problem free 👍
It has some cool features but I agree, not ready for prime time. Great review Darren.
Thx my friend..yes sadly this multimeter was rushed out the door..
This has to be the worst non-contact voltage, while at the same time the 15 volt diode mode is good; if the infrared was not 6 degrees off, and it didn't ship with a blown fuse and no input protection it would be interesting. It's confusing - good silicone probes, but the USB charge port needs a screwdriver to access? Every aspect of this multimeter makes very little sense; it has to be a prototype rushed to the shelves.
I totally agree 👍 there was so much to line but so much to hate..too bad BSIDE didn't work out the bugs before production! Btw..the case removal is one of the worst yet for a multimeter that requires a fuse replacement! ..
Yet Another smart meter that failed to graduate tech school.....First smart meter I was impressed enough with to actually buy was the KM601 from Kaiweets and I still like it far as smart meters go, seems the best of the smart meters overall so far - to me anyway.
Considering this meters forward thinking approach its really a shame they let it off the factory floor without any Q/A . Agreed, that Kaiweets is a very good Smart Multimeter 👌
Yes forward thinking for sure, but seems they always start by selling off the not quite ironed out prototypes before getting it right somewhere down the road lol
@@yambo59 Roger that....rushing to production males no sense with test instruments..just wat too many variables.
Have to say unfortunately the s30x newest version of this seems to have the same non-contact voltage issue; I was so confused thinking what the hell could I be doing wrong then I watched your video here and see that it's just a factory issue! I emailed the seller to see what they say.
Yep, too bad as it's a decent dmm.
@@KeepOnTesting Yes I really like it overall and the automatic function and seeing if I can figure out how to calibrate the thermometer. Seems like if they just ironed out these basic flaws it would be pretty acceptable. On AliExpress it was only $33 at least! I am curious what the seller says.
It's pretty dangerous to sell it with such a failure for the NCV I will say....lol
@@KeepOnTesting they wanted to see a video of what was happening so I sent them one testing various live lines outlets and they said yes it's defective; they're sending me a new unit and I guess I get to keep this one as well. I have to say their support was very friendly and didn't make a big deal out of it and didn't argue with me. They did try to offer me an NCV pen separately just to make up for the future but I said I wanted what I ordered and I want it all in one since I already have separate pens.
I'll let you know if the new one works!
@@MikeMPharmaCyclistNice to see them standing behind their product!,looking forward to the next update 😊👍
It looked promising but went rapidly down hill, such a shame, it has a few interesting features.
You took the words right outta my mouth Shaun..😢
Not impressed with the ncv not working and the temperature that far off. Wait for the new and improved unit.
Spot on Tony !
The diode mode is good but everything else seems meh!!!
Meh is a good way to put it !
Maybe the AAA batteries serve as the main powersource, the Li-Ion-Accu serves somehow like a BIOS- battery. To save the calibration data? Who knows... It would make more sense with data-aquisition, but it has none. Outstanding feature is the HV Diode testing mode anf very nice are the silicone test leads. Much more DMMs should have them both. Besides this, there is nothing special with this DMM. Some things are working even baddier then mediocre. The reason for the covered charging port could be: To prevent shorts to ground when using while charging (the same problem as with not isolated oscilloscopes), but there are better and more effective solutions possible. BTW: I´m curious. Now, after the repair of your LED test rig, tell us, please: What was the secret of the cursed yellow LED?
The AAA are stated in the manual as a backup to the primary built-in Li-ion Its still a little bizaare but definitely a forward thinking approach 👍
Agreed..The high v led mode is probably the best part of this dmm.
..
That Led tester still remains a bit of a mystery ..I desoldered the yellow culprit and it worked as should. Put it back and worked normally for awhile..😅. End of day I removed again and decided to replace it. 😊
@@KeepOnTesting I can only rereat: CURSED! 😳😱🙄😈
@@probang2866 muhahaha..Yes !! 😃
Definitely seems to be a Prototype. 🤓
What did you think of the green color ?
@@KeepOnTesting better than the usual darker shade of green seen on cheap-o's boots
@@bhushan9066 Yep..more of a Xmas green...I do like it as it really stands out in a crowd 😃
Oh man, I was waiting to see how you were going to remove that boot.🙂 Unless it's really stretchy, it doesn't seem like an easy job.
Having had some experience with S11, I wasn't expecting much from this one. These smart BSIDEs still feel too quirky for me. But thanks for reviewing them for us.
And congrats on 13k subs. Let's hope for 15k by the end of the year. 👍👍
D'oh! Sorry 😞 😔 I should have shown that green removal technique! My bad. Surprisingly was easier than I was expecting. BSIDE did good with the form/fit here..now if only replacing the mA fuse went so smoothly!! A quirky dmm sums it up nicely 👌 Thx for the 13k kudos..I never would have thought ! 😉thumbs-up
@@KeepOnTesting Hopefully, with your polyfuse upgrade you won't need to disassemble it for a long time.👍
@@numerical_error Roger that ! Works like a charm too..Bside needs to replace those glass fuses with resettable polyfuses otherwise fuse replacement will be a disaster ..
2 k volts leads
Those test leads are keepers!
Looking good but failed to deliver! 2 stars indeed. Another great review, well done sir 👍🏿
Thx my friend! How are you these days! 👍
I'm good, thanks for asking 🙏🏿
🙏🏻♥️👍🏻
👍
I am not impressed by this DM. Only high voltage diode mode meassuring is good.
It's definitely a let down..
you could sell me a dead mouse bro
Hehe, naw..that would be a rat! 😅👍
All buttons on the sides is a absolutely nogo , even when only on/off button is on a side as some others, I wont buy it.
I'll add that it ls easy to accidentally hit and activate one of those side button functions. Not good 😐