I just received the UNI-T UT89XD multimeter. I've tested the resistance and DC voltage measurements against known sources and this meter is sufficient for most professional needs. This meter is best suited for low power Electronics, however because the high-voltage side is protected by a small ceramic fuse it appears to be safe for occasional 120 and 240 AC testing. My hearing is not that good so I particularly appreciate the volume of a continuity tester beep. I did notice that the screen backlight did not eliminate in a bright room, so I play some tape over the light sensor which is at the top of the meter just to the right at the UNI-T logo. Now whenever I hit the backlight button it illuminates. The meter Auto shuts down after about 20 minutes. The 4 penlight batteries and two ceramic fuses are easily accessible behind a backplate held in place by a single screw. You will not lose this group because it's held in place by a retention washer. The screw threads into a metal insert embedded in the back of the meter. Negatives: The hold function is not automatic. In my opinion a manual hole is virtually useless. Although the display is large and bright the viewing angle is limited. Conclusion: This meter is an excellent value and more than adequate for most purposes. .
Thank s for the review. It came in very useful. Just one thing though about the backlight. You do not need to turn the dial to reset the backlight. 1: Turn on the MM and touch the sensor at the top of the screen to turn on the B/L. 2: To turn off the B/L: Press The Black Off Button below the screen. 3: To turn the B/L back on-again. Hit The Black Off Button again. 4: Now touch the sensor again and hey presto, there will be light. Great multimeter without needing to spend too much ($20). I bought 2. I'm happy as pie!
After owning an 89XD myself for awhile now I can say I used to ignore manual range meters. But this one changed my mind, its one of the best values in build quality, extremely well engineered diode, LED and cap ranges with sound and visible indicators, something ive never seen on any budget meter. You could criticize the input protection, but in this price range its about the feature set and not intended for industrial or high voltage - what it is, a great bench meter for component testing etc. with its well thought out indicators, fast reading etc. and the case quality feels very nice, robust enough to last for years. I would buy this one again in a heartbeat after owning one and using it.
Even though I own much more expensive meters. I have to agree with you on this one, the quality is seriously amazing for the price. I've been using it more than I should lol.
To turn on the backlight again, it is not necessary to turn off the device completely. Simply press the backlight button again until "BL" appears on the display. Thus, the automatic backlight sensor is activated again. Best regards.
I have this meter. It is perfect for what I need, which is testing/repairing pinballs with lots of LEDs. This function is mainly why I bought this specific one.
Great review man. I bought one of these after seeing this, switching ranges is annoying when I'm used to using autoranging meters at work, but the LED mode is awesome and that's what I bought it for really. I paid £21 for it too, unbelievable value!
Agreed, autoranging has its perks but the overall build quality and performance this UNI-T delivers is exceptional 👏 Definitely a multimeter that doesn't get the attention it deserves!
@@KeepOnTesting It definitely does deserve a lot more attention. The functions and build quality of the meter is unreal at this price. I give it a better pair of leads, yes, the leads cost as much as the meter, but I like it hahah
I'm confused about the diode test these meters do.. in this vid the meter did a diode test with a regular diode with a beep sound ( 2 0 : 2 6), but with all the LED's it does not beep even though it lighted all LED's and gave a forward voltage (2 2 : 0 0).. why would it not beep even though there was forward voltage and lighted? Is the meter faulty? In a different vid you did of the Uni-T UT890D+ (at 1 5 : 1 5 ) it has a beep feature and beeped for the regular diode but when you tested the LED's it beeped on the one's it gave a forward voltage on but did not beep on the non-forward voltage even though they were lighted. Both meters beeped for the regular diode but The UT890D+ beeped on some LED's in contrast to the UT89XD which does not beep on any, even though it pushes out 11+V via the leads. Why doesn't Uni-T not have a system for diodes and LED?
Good point, there does seem to be some confusion with regards to DIODE output on the various UNI-T models. I'll try to get clarification from UNI-T for future reviews. 👍
@@KeepOnTesting Cool, and it looks like those *diode beeps only* meters should be tested for sound on both diodes ( reg. and LED's ) in the future bc if it beeps for one it doesn't mean it will beep for the other. Is there an affordable meter that does it properly also with the light indicator?
Indeed, I think the future is looking good for UNI-T, I hope they keep up the good work and we have more pleasant surprises in the future! Thanks for watching.
Does the meter beep when finding a short in diode mode? If the answer is yes, I may just pick up one of these. This is basically why i like Fluke during troubleshooting. Whether I detect a voltage drop or short, I don't need to take my eyes off the circuit, once you get used to that, you can't go back. I don't understand why other manufacturers don't do this, even my expensive Brymen doesn't do this..
Unfortunately, the answer is no. I totally agree with your logic though. Having that audible blip makes a big difference if you're troubleshooting on a deadline or have a big workload. Only some of tbe higher end Hiokis , such as the 4252 subscribe to the same mantra as the Fluke. Then again, not all Flukes have the audible diiode feature either. I have a Keysight that has the feature as well. All in all, its so convenient as you say not having to get whiplash every time you're troubleshooting a circuit. Let's hope we see more dmms with this option in near future!
@@KeepOnTesting Thought I'd reply here so that other people get the right information. I've had this meter for a while now. Shorting the probes in diode mode does give you a continuous beep. Btw @Darren Walker, thought you might wanna check it out. I've just ordered a UT17B Pro from China and it's still travelling in the ocean. The internal of this meter does look like a Fluke 17B lol, even the leads it comes with are gold plated.
my X broke like 30 days later need to pop it open to see what's up popped it open but it cover back on works - problem went away - no idea what was up.
Ive really had a change of heart towards manual range meters after seeing certain advantages they can have. And this meter especially shines with its excellent overall build quality, uniquely useful LED range and very fast 100mF continuity range - I found this meter for $27 US and I absolutely love it. Some may criticize its lack of serious input protection, but common sense says you rarely get that level of protection in this price range regardless of the meter. If you need an industrial meter for high risk high current, power distribution type use then maybe something like the UT195E-PRO or other meters geared toward INDUSTRIAL USE should have what you need. That being said I had no problem reading either 120v or 220v in my house with this meter, but remember very few meters will help if you do something stupid with the range switch or leads, the meter comes with instructions, read them. At some point in the area of electricity the user has to exercise some level of knowledge, responsiblity and common sense & needs to have sense enough to know how to use a meter properly in a given situation. Poking around in distribution or main boxes isnt the same as playing around on the bench with low level DC arduino projects, its serious and could get you killed. End of rant. All that being said, for those who may be interested, im VERY pleased with this meter, the strong LED fuction and fast 100mF capacitance ranges really stand out especially giving the nice visual indicators as well. Look around for prices, I found mine as I said for $27 US at Banggood and I have zero complaints especially since I watched this video first and knew exactly what I was getting.
IMO 139C is overrated. I did have one but gave it to my dad eventually. I keep a 139E for myself. 139C is a pretty good quality meter (it's just very slow!) and people buy 139C because someone has tested it and it can stand up again 4kv transient before it fails. Yes, so many people buy 139C because they think it's "safer". BUT what people don't realise is prob 99.9% of people who buy this meter will never get in a CAT 3 or CAT 4 environment. They don't need a CAT 3 rated meter to poke their 240V AC outlet which is CAT 2! If they do get in a CAT 3 or CAT4 environment, THEY SHOUDN'T BE USING THIS METER! Anyway, enough rant. Just wanted to tell you 139C is painfully slow and may not be what you want.
@@kaster2014 Does your work not provide you with a capable meter? Why are you choosing between these cheapies when you are doing work in CAT 3 and CAT 4 environments? Sorry, I can't give you any advice in this case. I wouldn't want to use either of these meters if I didn't have protection from the circuit breaker, and CAT 4.. are you joking me? I assume you're just trolling. If your company allows you to buy an untested cheapie Chinese meter to work in a CAT 4 environment, I don't know what to say, good luck! EDIT: Please note my previous comment doesn't suggest 139C is a safe meter. NO ONE knows if it's safe. From the experiment done by Joe Smith, the 139C is not tested and certified to meet the claimed CAT 3 and CAT 4 ratings. Basically the meter can't be trusted.
I understand in some parts of the world, electrical regulations aren't complete/good. I'm originally from a place where a lot residential electricians use cheapie Chinese meters like the Victor 890D. TBH that's the standard multimeter for a lot of professional electricians there. My dad used to be an electrician, but his main meter was an analog one cuz it was wayyy back. Even in a place like that, people who work in CAT4 are now equiped with Fluke meters. I could be wrong but I don't think you have a choice to use your own meters.
@@gfmucci The forward voltage works by trying to force a constant current of(lets say) 1 mA through the device under test (diode). Forcing the current through the DUT will drop voltage (forward voltage for a forward-biased diode). The maximum voltage is then limited to whatever the multimeter can output in diode mode. Rather similar to how resistance is measured, but instead of calculating the resistance from the voltage and the current using Ohms law, it displays the forward voltage directly. So if the 1 mA results in a drop of 0.5 V, the resistance range would display 500 Ohm (0.5 V / 1 mA), while the diode range would display 0.5 V.
HOLA DARREN SOS EL MEJOR HACIENDO LAS REVIEW DE LOS MULTIMETROS TE FELICITO A MI UNI T YA LES COLOQUE LOS 2 VARISTORES SALUDOS DE JUAN DE ARGENTINA CUIDATE HERMANO
Was about to buy an amprobe am 510 which is very similar to this one, because it's a more known brand and could be more reliable but this 89xd just packs too many cool features, besides I've heard it's only disadvantage is regarding to protection on very high voltages which is irrelevant to me since I'm a mechanic. Great review!
Do you still use it today? Have you encountered any problems? I'm still confused which good cheap dmm I should buy for arduino project and Repair some damage to household appliances. Do you still recommend this ut89xd? Or do you have any other input ?
Hello there! I work in the car industry and Im in search of a good budget multimeter. Im particularly interested in accuracy of 12 dc voltage metering and ohm accuracy in lower ranges ( even in 0,5 - 1 ohm ). This one has caught my attention. Would you recommend it for my applications or do you have alternative suggestions in its price range? Thanks
Hi there! It's definitely a contender for you..I would also take a look at the UT60BT ua-cam.com/video/dc6Hx8mU5_0/v-deo.html Same price range, automatic with Bluetooth functionality. Either way, you can't go wrong 😊👍
@@KeepOnTesting Call me old fashioned but Im not a aprticullar "friend" with auto-range esp. when it comes to low resistance measuring. So, coming back from your ut 60BT video review, I have a question: can I still use a manual range on that? Thanks again.
Hi Darren. Thanks for the review. When I press the off or the hold button in diode mode sometimes it beeps 2 times instead of the usual one time. It doesn't do this in continuity or any of the other selections. Any clue why this might be happening??
I'm kind of jealous. My Fluke 8060A, have two pieces, are manual push button. 4.5 digit with 0.05% DC accuracy. They are about 30+ years old and originally cost around $400 each. Factor in inflation, the Uni-T costs less than 5% of the Fluke. Companies like Fluke, Tektronix and others would have gone belly-up long ago if not for trade protections. Remember Harley Davidson (motorcycles), Black and Decker (power tools) ? They and perhaps many others were protected from foreign competition.
Thanks for another great review. Between Uni T and Pros kit which one would be the top choice? Some prokit have inductance i really like that because for the last 20 years I've been thinking of doing my own coils for speakers, And the day I finally do them I would like to have it on my meter. Cheers
@@newtechai4367 set the selector switch to Hz. Put the test leads into an AC Power source (such as a wall outket) your frequency will show, press select button to see the duty cycle.
Hey Darren, what's your opinion on 89XE? It doesn't have separate LED test function, but in the manual it says 20v range for diodes. Does it mean it could reach these while testing leds, so basically be even better than 89XD in testing/lighting them? :)
I have a unit on backorder...which hopefully arrives next month. Until I can review it..I'm going to reserve judgement...that being said it does look very promising 👍
@@KeepOnTesting thank you for your reply :) . They have it on a very good price in a local online store here in Bulgaria and I am considering buying it, but can't be sure if these 20 volts are a better version of the led test function of the 89XD. It will be great. I will be very happy to see your review and opinion for it and will look forward for it :) It really looks promising.
Dear Darren, your reviews are great! I am not a professional and want to buy a AIO-multimeter. I am not sure, between the UT89XD and the HABOTEST HT118A. I know, the main difference is the autorange function. As I read the comments here, I asume the UNI-T has the more built quality - is that right? Or maybe some would say: The UNI-T looks more professional and the HABOTEST more like a "toy"? ;)
Many thx...for sheer ease of use the HABOTEST is the best buy..however, if you don't mind tinkering and would like to learn as you go the UNI-T is definitely a quality multimeter with alot of great features.
@@KeepOnTesting Just ordered the HABOTEST resp. the unlabeled HT118A which has permanent backlight. If I honest to myself, optically I like the UNI-T much more ;). But common sense prevailed, because it would be stupid to buy a multimeter based on optical criteria.
Great review, but currently no one measures 20 amps of current with a multimeter, but rather with a clamp meter, so there is also no need for large fuses, I think, but if have large fuses be better. Regardes.
Cheers Darren, new years resolution shot to s h one t. just ordered from your link. Uni-T and OLight are my Chinese favourites. Best wishes from Northern Ireland.
Hi Derek! My bad, but then again New Years resolutions are made to break eventually right :) Enjoy the new UNI-T , it's an awesome multimeter! BTW, I'm really starting to like this brand too!
Some thoughtful features in this one especially like the charge and discharge indicators in the cap mode. Kind of surprised its true RMS yet not auto ranging - there are $15 meters that are auto ranging. Also surprised they still make manual ranging meters in this price point anymore, though some still prefer them. But wow is that input protection seriously lacking, though ive come to accept in these budget meters with no input protection could be viewed as hobby class meters and built to a price, except that this level of protection doesnt really support the CAT ratings. Be nice to see an upgraded version added with auto ranging and at least some input protection but then price is always a consideration - maybe they do make an auto range version-?
Roger that, granted non-auto ranging can still be preferable under certain conditions but all in all for the price and functionality I REALLY like this meter! If I was going for mains/input protection I would go with the UT195E but for bench I actually prefer the UT89XD! I do alot of component testing (power boards/display boards etc..) and I really appreciate the audible/visual diode functionality! My Fluke 11 has the same "beep" confirmation in diode mode and I've come to rely on this so being able to get this with the UT89XD was amazing! I don't know of ANY other multimeters that provide this functionality besides some Flukes and Hioki's that cost in the hundreds. Agreed, the visual Charge/Discharge in Capacitance mode is a great feature, boy it didn't take long to test that 100mF cap! Yummy!
I have to agree almost completely, it seems we sometimes must accept different meters for different purposes, and as you said this is a great low voltage bench meter for electronics what with its added functionality you spoke of. I also like the beep on diode test, my recently acquired Fluke 27 has it and it seems all meters should. If youre testing heavy duty go Fluke or similar, but on the bench with electronics a meter like this is really sweet. Is the non auto ranging preferred for added speed or accuracy, I am aware some prefer it in certain situations but then most auto ranging meters can be set to manual, some anyway. Bottom line theres a lot to like in this new meter, seems this would be a good model for uni-t to capitalize on in the future and expand to higher levels, then just like their other popular models you could pick your flavor. Nice to see some new idea come into the fray, this meter has functionality that should be in many other meters, hopefully other brands will start adding some of these new features to keep up, could only get better from there.
@@yambo59 Well said, compromise is the buffet of life and multimeters are no different. I always loved Fluke for the little things they do..and the audible beep in diode mode is one of them. So simple, plain Jane..but what a huge timesaver if you're troubleshooting 20 pcbs in an hour! This meter is already one of my favs and a definate electronic workbench buddy!
I really like this new line of UNI-T Multimeters, I think the UT89XD is a solid choice! If you don't mind the fact it's non AUTORANGING then it's a super value!
@@salvadorchanon1728 My preference would be the UT89XD, it's got alot of bells and whistles and alot of functionality for the price l! They are both great meters but the DIODE / LED mode and High Capacitance range would sway me to the UT89XD..
Wow tough call! Really 2 distinct multimeters. If it's mainly for the bench, then it's the 89XD, its awesome 👌 If it's an "everything" multimeter..meaning bench and everything else, than I would choose the UT60S. 😅 👍
@@KeepOnTesting Thank you for answer i will go for UT60S they are almost same price . Good videos you have here it is pleasure to watch , keep with good work .Cheers
Hi. Thx for review. Your videos are great. i want to buy a unit utx but i can not decide. UT89x or ut89xd? What do you think? UT89X has temperature and live test. ut89xd has led function. sorry for poor english
It's really a personal preference , if you already have a multimeter with temp then go for the UT89XD , if not ..then I would choose the UT89X! The LED mode is quite unique and not found on many multimeters.😃👍
@@KeepOnTesting Ok i will do. Your reviews are referance when choosing a multimeter. For example 1 year ago i ask you Winapex and Richmeters RM113D. You adviced me et8102. Still i am using et8102 everyday. it is very good choice. Except it, i have Holdpeak HP-890CN, Aneng An113d, Unit UT210D, Unit UT33A+. Aneng 8009 and q1 are on the way :D
@@dzintarsskuja5920 I am really liking the UT89XD, The LED mode/function is very very unique! The UT89X does not have it, instead it has Temperature and Live , but I can do without these. So my choice is the XD
I don't understand why reviewers love these big fuses. They must be harder to get and more expensive than the small ones. All a fuse needs to do is blow when the current exceeds the specified value.
Good question, Believe it or not larger fuses are usually easier to find and cheaper than their smaller counterparts. Those incredibly small fuses we've seen on some of the smaller dmms are almost impossible to source aftermarket.Also, a larger more robust fuse can handle the implosion better than it's smaller brethren thus possibly saving the meter from further damage...
Thanks for the review. I hadn't even heard of this meter before... Uni-T are really churning them out lately. I would be very wary of the LED tester mode, 12V is enough to blow a hole in modern silicon even at tiny currents of 20mA. I once probed around an FPGA board with a crappy continuity tester and killed a very expensive XIlinx Virtex 5 chip :(
I was thinking about that as well...Im assuming there's some sort of VRM/regulator being invoked as a choke to limit the output voltage accordingly...however I'm just guessing without a schematic..
@@KeepOnTesting Well there has to be a current limit of about 20-30mA otherwise it would blow up your LEDs, but even that is waaay to much current to go probing around sensitive silicon. For example, the Stratix 10 chips we're using at work right now have a Vcc of 940mV (maximum tolerance of 1.24V) and the TVS circutry to protect it can only handle a couple of mA per pin. Super easy to kill these things with poor probing.
@@superciliousdudeI agree, I'm assuming UNI-T has looked at this as well and either they hope the ones probing know what to probe or there is some sort of safe gaurd in place to avoid the scenario you mention. I'm hoping its the latter.
@@KeepOnTesting Absolutely. The risks of bad probing are not unique to this meter - it is always up to the person using it. Some meters just make it easier than others to screw things up, and having a 12V test by default is a risk IMO. 12V is enough to blow up a lot of stuff, including many hobbyist grade microcontrollers which are only 5V or 3.3V tolerant. Most meters won't damage them, but this one might. Dave from EEVblog designed a 15V diode test mode in his 121GW meter for a reason... it is useful, but you have to select it. By default you get a 3V test voltage which is (almost always) harmless, and only when you press the range button do you get 15V.
It is amusing (not in a good way) that this meter comes ONLY with a Chinese (Cantonese) instruction manual. Yes, there is a PDF of an English manual. But if you attempt to print it out it is two pages of 2 point type, virtually unreadable without a magnifier. Granted, a manual may not be essential for many users. But this is verging on a deal killer for me. Yes, I can expand the PDF text on my computer or phone, but why make us go through the hassle? I didn't buy this thing to trade one feature (a manual) for another. I wrote to the seller (on Amazon) who claimed the English manual is available only via PDF. I do have to say that I find the manual meters eaier to use than auto-ranging meters. Auto ranging are not always that "auto". The user has to be careful to read the little value readout, because, like the box of chocolates, you never know what your going to get with the range reading. Plus, even with auto rangers, you still usually have a couple of range settings, plus you often set for DC or AC. With manual ranging, the readout is exactly what you set on the dial. Also for people learning electronics, Mr. Platt of "Make: Electronics" book and course fame, recommends manual range meters.
Well said! Indeed, the ever elusive "user manual" seems an afterthought at best on many multimeters. All test instruments should have the appropriate documentation available to the end user in a clear, concise and verbose manner. Metrology "is" an exact science. As such it should demand the same respect as your household toaster, which by the way seems to come with more instructions than your average multimeter ! Go figure.. I too love manual ranging multimeters ..more control, better ranges and I think.. more fun! Thanks for watching 😃👍
I just received the UNI-T UT89XD multimeter. I've tested the resistance and DC voltage measurements against known sources and this meter is sufficient for most professional needs. This meter is best suited for low power Electronics, however because the high-voltage side is protected by a small ceramic fuse it appears to be safe for occasional 120 and 240 AC testing. My hearing is not that good so I particularly appreciate the volume of a continuity tester beep. I did notice that the screen backlight did not eliminate in a bright room, so I play some tape over the light sensor which is at the top of the meter just to the right at the UNI-T logo. Now whenever I hit the backlight button it illuminates. The meter Auto shuts down after about 20 minutes. The 4 penlight batteries and two ceramic fuses are easily accessible behind a backplate held in place by a single screw. You will not lose this group because it's held in place by a retention washer. The screw threads into a metal insert embedded in the back of the meter.
Negatives: The hold function is not automatic. In my opinion a manual hole is virtually useless. Although the display is large and bright the viewing angle is limited.
Conclusion:
This meter is an excellent value and more than adequate for most purposes.
.
Great feedback! Agree, it's one heck of a multimeter, offering tons of value and functionality! KEEP ON TESTING !
Thank s for the review. It came in very useful. Just one thing though about the backlight.
You do not need to turn the dial to reset the backlight. 1: Turn on the MM and touch the sensor at the top of the screen to turn on the B/L. 2: To turn off the B/L: Press The Black Off Button below the screen. 3: To turn the B/L back on-again. Hit The Black Off Button again. 4: Now touch the sensor again and hey presto, there will be light. Great multimeter without needing to spend too much ($20). I bought 2. I'm happy as pie!
After owning an 89XD myself for awhile now I can say I used to ignore manual range meters. But this one changed my mind, its one of the best values in build quality, extremely well engineered diode, LED and cap ranges with sound and visible indicators, something ive never seen on any budget meter. You could criticize the input protection, but in this price range its about the feature set and not intended for industrial or high voltage - what it is, a great bench meter for component testing etc. with its well thought out indicators, fast reading etc. and the case quality feels very nice, robust enough to last for years. I would buy this one again in a heartbeat after owning one and using it.
Ordered today do you know can be calibrated ?
Even though I own much more expensive meters. I have to agree with you on this one, the quality is seriously amazing for the price. I've been using it more than I should lol.
To turn on the backlight again, it is not necessary to turn off the device completely. Simply press the backlight button again until "BL" appears on the display. Thus, the automatic backlight sensor is activated again. Best regards.
Just received my 89xd. Outstanding value for the money. Thanks Darren.
Excellent! Enjoy that great multimeter 😀👍
I have this meter. It is perfect for what I need, which is testing/repairing pinballs with lots of LEDs. This function is mainly why I bought this specific one.
Excellent! Yes it's still an awesome multimeter and really well made ! 👍
I wish more meters had the LED/zener test function its very useful especially for checking emitter polarity
So true...great feature to have on a multimeter!
Great review man. I bought one of these after seeing this, switching ranges is annoying when I'm used to using autoranging meters at work, but the LED mode is awesome and that's what I bought it for really. I paid £21 for it too, unbelievable value!
Agreed, autoranging has its perks but the overall build quality and performance this UNI-T delivers is exceptional 👏 Definitely a multimeter that doesn't get the attention it deserves!
@@KeepOnTesting It definitely does deserve a lot more attention. The functions and build quality of the meter is unreal at this price. I give it a better pair of leads, yes, the leads cost as much as the meter, but I like it hahah
I'm confused about the diode test these meters do.. in this vid the meter did a diode test with a regular diode with a beep sound ( 2 0 : 2 6), but with all the LED's it does not beep even though it lighted all LED's and gave a forward voltage (2 2 : 0 0).. why would it not beep even though there was forward voltage and lighted? Is the meter faulty? In a different vid you did of the Uni-T UT890D+ (at 1 5 : 1 5 ) it has a beep feature and beeped for the regular diode but when you tested the LED's it beeped on the one's it gave a forward voltage on but did not beep on the non-forward voltage even though they were lighted. Both meters beeped for the regular diode but The UT890D+ beeped on some LED's in contrast to the UT89XD which does not beep on any, even though it pushes out 11+V via the leads. Why doesn't Uni-T not have a system for diodes and LED?
Good point, there does seem to be some confusion with regards to DIODE output on the various UNI-T models. I'll try to get clarification from UNI-T for future reviews. 👍
@@KeepOnTesting Cool, and it looks like those *diode beeps only* meters should be tested for sound on both diodes ( reg. and LED's ) in the future bc if it beeps for one it doesn't mean it will beep for the other. Is there an affordable meter that does it properly also with the light indicator?
Uni-T makes decent meters, and they appear to be stepping up their game. Not a bad meter for under $40. Appreciate the review.
Indeed, I think the future is looking good for UNI-T, I hope they keep up the good work and we have more pleasant surprises in the future! Thanks for watching.
Yes it is, I have one. I paid $23.00
Does the meter beep when finding a short in diode mode? If the answer is yes, I may just pick up one of these. This is basically why i like Fluke during troubleshooting. Whether I detect a voltage drop or short, I don't need to take my eyes off the circuit, once you get used to that, you can't go back. I don't understand why other manufacturers don't do this, even my expensive Brymen doesn't do this..
Unfortunately, the answer is no.
I totally agree with your logic though. Having that audible blip makes a big difference if you're troubleshooting on a deadline or have a big workload.
Only some of tbe higher end Hiokis , such as the 4252 subscribe to the same mantra as the Fluke. Then again, not all Flukes have the audible diiode feature either. I have a Keysight that has the feature as well. All in all, its so convenient as you say not having to get whiplash every time you're troubleshooting a circuit. Let's hope we see more dmms with this option in near future!
@@KeepOnTesting Thought I'd reply here so that other people get the right information.
I've had this meter for a while now. Shorting the probes in diode mode does give you a continuous beep.
Btw @Darren Walker, thought you might wanna check it out. I've just ordered a UT17B Pro from China and it's still travelling in the ocean. The internal of this meter does look like a Fluke 17B lol, even the leads it comes with are gold plated.
So whats the best to get the UT195 or the UT89XD
Honestly my choice would be the UNI-T UT191T, ua-cam.com/video/P8bw9j80x5g/v-deo.html
Priced in the middle and what a fantastic multimeter 👍
my X broke like 30 days later need to pop it open to see what's up popped it open but it cover back on works - problem went away - no idea what was up.
Ive really had a change of heart towards manual range meters after seeing certain advantages they can have. And this meter especially shines with its excellent overall build quality, uniquely useful LED range and very fast 100mF continuity range - I found this meter for $27 US and I absolutely love it. Some may criticize its lack of serious input protection, but common sense says you rarely get that level of protection in this price range regardless of the meter. If you need an industrial meter for high risk high current, power distribution type use then maybe something like the UT195E-PRO or other meters geared toward INDUSTRIAL USE should have what you need. That being said I had no problem reading either 120v or 220v in my house with this meter, but remember very few meters will help if you do something stupid with the range switch or leads, the meter comes with instructions, read them. At some point in the area of electricity the user has to exercise some level of knowledge, responsiblity and common sense & needs to have sense enough to know how to use a meter properly in a given situation. Poking around in distribution or main boxes isnt the same as playing around on the bench with low level DC arduino projects, its serious and could get you killed. End of rant. All that being said, for those who may be interested, im VERY pleased with this meter, the strong LED fuction and fast 100mF capacitance ranges really stand out especially giving the nice visual indicators as well. Look around for prices, I found mine as I said for $27 US at Banggood and I have zero complaints especially since I watched this video first and knew exactly what I was getting.
Now am confused, which better
UNI-T UT89XD Or UNI-T UT139C
Do you currently own any other multimeters?
IMO 139C is overrated. I did have one but gave it to my dad eventually. I keep a 139E for myself.
139C is a pretty good quality meter (it's just very slow!) and people buy 139C because someone has tested it and it can stand up again 4kv transient before it fails. Yes, so many people buy 139C because they think it's "safer". BUT what people don't realise is prob 99.9% of people who buy this meter will never get in a CAT 3 or CAT 4 environment. They don't need a CAT 3 rated meter to poke their 240V AC outlet which is CAT 2! If they do get in a CAT 3 or CAT4 environment, THEY SHOUDN'T BE USING THIS METER!
Anyway, enough rant. Just wanted to tell you 139C is painfully slow and may not be what you want.
@@Brian-uq6jm
Thanks bro for your comment,,, it's helpful,, but in my case i think 139C better for me because am going to CAT-3 or 4 sometimes
@@kaster2014 Does your work not provide you with a capable meter? Why are you choosing between these cheapies when you are doing work in CAT 3 and CAT 4 environments?
Sorry, I can't give you any advice in this case. I wouldn't want to use either of these meters if I didn't have protection from the circuit breaker, and CAT 4.. are you joking me? I assume you're just trolling. If your company allows you to buy an untested cheapie Chinese meter to work in a CAT 4 environment, I don't know what to say, good luck!
EDIT: Please note my previous comment doesn't suggest 139C is a safe meter. NO ONE knows if it's safe. From the experiment done by Joe Smith, the 139C is not tested and certified to meet the claimed CAT 3 and CAT 4 ratings. Basically the meter can't be trusted.
I understand in some parts of the world, electrical regulations aren't complete/good. I'm originally from a place where a lot residential electricians use cheapie Chinese meters like the Victor 890D. TBH that's the standard multimeter for a lot of professional electricians there. My dad used to be an electrician, but his main meter was an analog one cuz it was wayyy back.
Even in a place like that, people who work in CAT4 are now equiped with Fluke meters. I could be wrong but I don't think you have a choice to use your own meters.
Didn't need ANOTHER meter but......ordered it for 26 bucks on ebay. Just couldn't resist.
Congrats on the new addition! It's a great multimeter! Let us know how you like it!
How does the 11 volts of LED testing not burn out a 3 volt LED?
The output is controlled so it only sends out the required voltage.
@@KeepOnTesting Can you supply a brief, laymans explanation of how it senses voltage capacity of a low voltage LED?
@@gfmucci The forward voltage works by trying to force a constant current of(lets say) 1 mA through the device under test (diode). Forcing the current through the DUT will drop voltage (forward voltage for a forward-biased diode). The maximum voltage is then limited to whatever the multimeter can output in diode mode. Rather similar to how resistance is measured, but instead of calculating the resistance from the voltage and the current using Ohms law, it displays the forward voltage directly. So if the 1 mA results in a drop of 0.5 V, the resistance range would display 500 Ohm (0.5 V / 1 mA), while the diode range would display 0.5 V.
@@KeepOnTesting The explanation is too clear .Thanks alot sir !
can i know the type of gold probe you are wearing Mr. Darren?
I was using the PROBEMASTERS set of test leads
oke thankyu Mr. darren
HOLA DARREN SOS EL MEJOR HACIENDO LAS REVIEW DE LOS MULTIMETROS TE FELICITO A MI UNI T YA LES COLOQUE LOS 2 VARISTORES SALUDOS DE JUAN DE ARGENTINA
CUIDATE HERMANO
Gracias mi amigo! hola argentina!! Felicitaciones por su UNI-T, es un multímetro fantástico.
Is this multimeter good enough to test for parasitic car battery drain ?
Was about to buy an amprobe am 510 which is very similar to this one, because it's a more known brand and could be more reliable but this 89xd just packs too many cool features, besides I've heard it's only disadvantage is regarding to protection on very high voltages which is irrelevant to me since I'm a mechanic.
Great review!
Do you still use it today? Have you encountered any problems?
I'm still confused which good cheap dmm I should buy for arduino project and Repair some damage to household appliances. Do you still recommend this ut89xd? Or do you have any other input ?
Hi, I have a unit t ut89X, what is the difference, I think it is for temperature, great video
Thx.. yes only temp is the difference !
Hello there! I work in the car industry and Im in search of a good budget multimeter. Im particularly interested in accuracy of 12 dc voltage metering and ohm accuracy in lower ranges ( even in 0,5 - 1 ohm ). This one has caught my attention. Would you recommend it for my applications or do you have alternative suggestions in its price range?
Thanks
Hi there! It's definitely a contender for you..I would also take a look at the UT60BT ua-cam.com/video/dc6Hx8mU5_0/v-deo.html
Same price range, automatic with Bluetooth functionality. Either way, you can't go wrong 😊👍
@@KeepOnTesting thanks a lot! Your videos have been a great help
@@KeepOnTesting Call me old fashioned but Im not a aprticullar "friend" with auto-range esp. when it comes to low resistance measuring. So, coming back from your ut 60BT video review, I have a question: can I still use a manual range on that? Thanks again.
Would it be suitable for tube amp repair
So this is more than enough if I’m doing iphone logic board repairs ?
100% ...there isn't much you can't troubleshoot with this multimeter.
do you have automotive tester? for 4cyl
I'll be reviewing an automotive multimeter next week!
Hi Darren. Thanks for the review. When I press the off or the hold button in diode mode sometimes it beeps 2 times instead of the usual one time. It doesn't do this in continuity or any of the other selections. Any clue why this might be happening??
Not sure what's going on there 🤔 I'll have to try that on mine as well.
Hard to believe this is from 2 years ago. Utube has started to pop up some uof you older video's.
These UNI-T multimeters never get old ..hehe 🤪👍
In mid end class, uni T is the best option. Sunshine, zotek can't beat.
UNI-T Rocks 👍
hi.. how about diod output voltage? thank you
I'm kind of jealous. My Fluke 8060A, have two pieces, are manual push button. 4.5 digit with 0.05% DC accuracy. They are about 30+ years old and originally cost around $400 each. Factor in inflation, the Uni-T costs less than 5% of the Fluke.
Companies like Fluke, Tektronix and others would have gone belly-up long ago if not for trade protections. Remember Harley Davidson (motorcycles), Black and Decker (power tools) ? They and perhaps many others were protected from foreign competition.
So true..no way could Fluke have competed without such protection mechanism in place.
Thanks for another great review. Between Uni T and Pros kit which one would be the top choice?
Some prokit have inductance i really like that because for the last 20 years I've been thinking of doing my own coils for speakers,
And the day I finally do them I would like to have it on my meter. Cheers
why never show testing resistence voltage? I need it for ground fault in fire alarm systems
Which more accurate reading ut 89x or ut 89xd?
They are identical.
You didn't explain the humidity measurements please
This multimeter does not measure humidity. However temperature measurement is supported on the UTX89X🌡
@@KeepOnTesting please I wanted to say duty ratio
@@newtechai4367 FREQUENCY/Duty Cycle mode is supported. 10mHz is the max FREQUENCY
@@KeepOnTesting thanks dear but how to measure it you didn't show it in the video
@@newtechai4367 set the selector switch to Hz. Put the test leads into an AC Power source (such as a wall outket) your frequency will show, press select button to see the duty cycle.
Hey Darren, what's your opinion on 89XE? It doesn't have separate LED test function, but in the manual it says 20v range for diodes. Does it mean it could reach these while testing leds, so basically be even better than 89XD in testing/lighting them? :)
I have a unit on backorder...which hopefully arrives next month. Until I can review it..I'm going to reserve judgement...that being said it does look very promising 👍
@@KeepOnTesting thank you for your reply :) . They have it on a very good price in a local online store here in Bulgaria and I am considering buying it, but can't be sure if these 20 volts are a better version of the led test function of the 89XD. It will be great. I will be very happy to see your review and opinion for it and will look forward for it :) It really looks promising.
I am still waiting for the ut89XE review too. If it's true it will be the new king.
Dear Darren, your reviews are great! I am not a professional and want to buy a AIO-multimeter. I am not sure, between the UT89XD and the HABOTEST HT118A. I know, the main difference is the autorange function. As I read the comments here, I asume the UNI-T has the more built quality - is that right? Or maybe some would say: The UNI-T looks more professional and the HABOTEST more like a "toy"? ;)
Many thx...for sheer ease of use the HABOTEST is the best buy..however, if you don't mind tinkering and would like to learn as you go the UNI-T is definitely a quality multimeter with alot of great features.
@@KeepOnTesting Just ordered the HABOTEST resp. the unlabeled HT118A which has permanent backlight. If I honest to myself, optically I like the UNI-T much more ;). But common sense prevailed, because it would be stupid to buy a multimeter based on optical criteria.
Hi, can the led test mode be used to test microwave diodes (these diodes operating voltage is about 4.5v and above) ?
Definitely!
Great review, but currently no one measures 20 amps of current with a multimeter, but rather with a clamp meter, so there is also no need for large fuses, I think, but if have large fuses be better. Regardes.
Great point.. bigger is definitely better as you mentioned. This meter is a beast and still performs like new after years of service. 👍
Cheers Darren, new years resolution shot to s h one t. just ordered from your link. Uni-T and OLight are my Chinese favourites. Best wishes from Northern Ireland.
Hi Derek! My bad, but then again New Years resolutions are made to break eventually right :) Enjoy the new UNI-T , it's an awesome multimeter! BTW, I'm really starting to like this brand too!
Some thoughtful features in this one especially like the charge and discharge indicators in the cap mode. Kind of surprised its true RMS yet not auto ranging - there are $15 meters that are auto ranging. Also surprised they still make manual ranging meters in this price point anymore, though some still prefer them. But wow is that input protection seriously lacking, though ive come to accept in these budget meters with no input protection could be viewed as hobby class meters and built to a price, except that this level of protection doesnt really support the CAT ratings. Be nice to see an upgraded version added with auto ranging and at least some input protection but then price is always a consideration - maybe they do make an auto range version-?
Roger that, granted non-auto ranging can still be preferable under certain conditions but all in all for the price and functionality I REALLY like this meter! If I was going for mains/input protection I would go with the UT195E but for bench I actually prefer the UT89XD! I do alot of component testing (power boards/display boards etc..) and I really appreciate the audible/visual diode functionality! My Fluke 11 has the same "beep" confirmation in diode mode and I've come to rely on this so being able to get this with the UT89XD was amazing! I don't know of ANY other multimeters that provide this functionality besides some Flukes and Hioki's that cost in the hundreds.
Agreed, the visual Charge/Discharge in Capacitance mode is a great feature, boy it didn't take long to test that 100mF cap! Yummy!
I have to agree almost completely, it seems we sometimes must accept different meters for different purposes, and as you said this is a great low voltage bench meter for electronics what with its added functionality you spoke of. I also like the beep on diode test, my recently acquired Fluke 27 has it and it seems all meters should. If youre testing heavy duty go Fluke or similar, but on the bench with electronics a meter like this is really sweet. Is the non auto ranging preferred for added speed or accuracy, I am aware some prefer it in certain situations but then most auto ranging meters can be set to manual, some anyway. Bottom line theres a lot to like in this new meter, seems this would be a good model for uni-t to capitalize on in the future and expand to higher levels, then just like their other popular models you could pick your flavor. Nice to see some new idea come into the fray, this meter has functionality that should be in many other meters, hopefully other brands will start adding some of these new features to keep up, could only get better from there.
@@yambo59 Well said, compromise is the buffet of life and multimeters are no different. I always loved Fluke for the little things they do..and the audible beep in diode mode is one of them. So simple, plain Jane..but what a huge timesaver if you're troubleshooting 20 pcbs in an hour! This meter is already one of my favs and a definate electronic workbench buddy!
Nice video, Who does multimeter, recomended,??? Thanks
I really like this new line of UNI-T Multimeters, I think the UT89XD is a solid choice! If you don't mind the fact it's non AUTORANGING then it's a super value!
@@KeepOnTesting I like This brand unit, you are the expert, who is better unit ut39c+ or This unit ut89xd? ???
@@salvadorchanon1728 My preference would be the UT89XD, it's got alot of bells and whistles and alot of functionality for the price l! They are both great meters but the DIODE / LED mode and High Capacitance range would sway me to the UT89XD..
@@KeepOnTesting you are great thanks, I wanna buy This meter, thanks a lot
@@salvadorchanon1728 Enjoy the meter, it will serve you well! Let us know how you like it!
I em watching this review and your UNI-T UT60S review for 10 times and cant decide witch one to buy , pls help man just tell me :(
Wow tough call! Really 2 distinct multimeters. If it's mainly for the bench, then it's the 89XD, its awesome 👌 If it's an "everything" multimeter..meaning bench and everything else, than I would choose the UT60S. 😅 👍
@@KeepOnTesting Thank you for answer i will go for UT60S they are almost same price . Good videos you have here it is pleasure to watch , keep with good work .Cheers
@FubarX Cheers my friend! Let us know how you like it! Great choice 👌
Hi. Thx for review. Your videos are great. i want to buy a unit utx but i can not decide. UT89x or ut89xd? What do you think? UT89X has temperature and live test. ut89xd has led function. sorry for poor english
It's really a personal preference , if you already have a multimeter with temp then go for the UT89XD , if not ..then I would choose the UT89X! The LED mode is quite unique and not found on many multimeters.😃👍
@@KeepOnTesting Thx.then i will buy ut89x :)
@@elecdroid3666 Let us know how you like it, It's a great multimeter!!
@@KeepOnTesting Ok i will do. Your reviews are referance when choosing a multimeter. For example 1 year ago i ask you Winapex and Richmeters RM113D. You adviced me et8102. Still i am using et8102 everyday. it is very good choice.
Except it, i have Holdpeak HP-890CN, Aneng An113d, Unit UT210D, Unit UT33A+. Aneng 8009 and q1 are on the way :D
@@elecdroid3666 Great stuff Bilal! Sounds like you are getting quite the collection! The Q1 is also very nice.
Oh those fuses dude, look at them they so so cute aren't they!!😉😉
Cute and tiny, I was hoping to see something bigger but I guess we just have to settle on these for now..I was hoping for another PTC as well...
Can it measure 15 amp ac?
Hi, there is new model Uni-t UT-89XE ! It look like UT-89XD, but more advantage ! Is it better choice than UT-89XD !? Regards
@@blazkc Thanks
Hz% function sir???
I bought the X version for the thermometer function. What a disappointment. The temps are way off.
How to measure temperature?
This model does not measure temperature. The temperature setting is found on the UT89X which I will be reviewing shortly!
Darren Walker thank you!
But which is better? X or XD?
@@dzintarsskuja5920 I am really liking the UT89XD, The LED mode/function is very very unique! The UT89X does not have it, instead it has Temperature and Live , but I can do without these. So my choice is the XD
Darren Walker thank you very much. I think XD will be my choise too. (sorry, my english is not good:))
how about UNI-T, UT89XE!?!?!?
Almist identical to the XD ..
Не понял ни слова, но понял что крутой мультиметр👍🏻
Буду брать 🤝
Спасибо, что смотрите!
Вы правы, это замечательный мультиметр!
P.S. Русский я только учу...
Ну и дурак
I don't understand why reviewers love these big fuses. They must be harder to get and more expensive than the small ones. All a fuse needs to do is blow when the current exceeds the specified value.
Good question, Believe it or not larger fuses are usually easier to find and cheaper than their smaller counterparts. Those incredibly small fuses we've seen on some of the smaller dmms are almost impossible to source aftermarket.Also, a larger more robust fuse can handle the implosion better than it's smaller brethren thus possibly saving the meter from further damage...
Thanks for the review. I hadn't even heard of this meter before... Uni-T are really churning them out lately. I would be very wary of the LED tester mode, 12V is enough to blow a hole in modern silicon even at tiny currents of 20mA. I once probed around an FPGA board with a crappy continuity tester and killed a very expensive XIlinx Virtex 5 chip :(
I was thinking about that as well...Im assuming there's some sort of VRM/regulator being invoked as a choke to limit the output voltage accordingly...however I'm just guessing without a schematic..
@@KeepOnTesting Well there has to be a current limit of about 20-30mA otherwise it would blow up your LEDs, but even that is waaay to much current to go probing around sensitive silicon. For example, the Stratix 10 chips we're using at work right now have a Vcc of 940mV (maximum tolerance of 1.24V) and the TVS circutry to protect it can only handle a couple of mA per pin. Super easy to kill these things with poor probing.
@@superciliousdudeI agree, I'm assuming UNI-T has looked at this as well and either they hope the ones probing know what to probe or there is some sort of safe gaurd in place to avoid the scenario you mention. I'm hoping its the latter.
@@KeepOnTesting Absolutely. The risks of bad probing are not unique to this meter - it is always up to the person using it. Some meters just make it easier than others to screw things up, and having a 12V test by default is a risk IMO. 12V is enough to blow up a lot of stuff, including many hobbyist grade microcontrollers which are only 5V or 3.3V tolerant. Most meters won't damage them, but this one might. Dave from EEVblog designed a 15V diode test mode in his 121GW meter for a reason... it is useful, but you have to select it. By default you get a 3V test voltage which is (almost always) harmless, and only when you press the range button do you get 15V.
I Appreciate The Rewiev
Thanks for watching!
It is amusing (not in a good way) that this meter comes ONLY with a Chinese (Cantonese) instruction manual. Yes, there is a PDF of an English manual. But if you attempt to print it out it is two pages of 2 point type, virtually unreadable without a magnifier. Granted, a manual may not be essential for many users. But this is verging on a deal killer for me. Yes, I can expand the PDF text on my computer or phone, but why make us go through the hassle? I didn't buy this thing to trade one feature (a manual) for another. I wrote to the seller (on Amazon) who claimed the English manual is available only via PDF.
I do have to say that I find the manual meters eaier to use than auto-ranging meters. Auto ranging are not always that "auto". The user has to be careful to read the little value readout, because, like the box of chocolates, you never know what your going to get with the range reading. Plus, even with auto rangers, you still usually have a couple of range settings, plus you often set for DC or AC. With manual ranging, the readout is exactly what you set on the dial. Also for people learning electronics, Mr. Platt of "Make: Electronics" book and course fame, recommends manual range meters.
Well said! Indeed, the ever elusive "user manual" seems an afterthought at best on many multimeters. All test instruments should have the appropriate documentation available to the end user in a clear, concise and verbose manner. Metrology "is" an exact science. As such it should demand the same respect as your household toaster, which by the way seems to come with more instructions than your average multimeter ! Go figure..
I too love manual ranging multimeters ..more control, better ranges and I think.. more fun!
Thanks for watching 😃👍
Grato!
Muito bom!
if no autoranging no good
อยากเรียนรู้แบบเป็นภาษาไทยดูได้ที่ไหนครับ
Like!
มีแต่ภาษาอังกฤษฟังไม่รู้เรื่อง