TekpowerTP8260L Analog Multimeter With Back Light, and Transistor Checking dock

I bought this device because I needed an analog multimeter for a personal project. I didn't want to spend more than the cost of this for a more reliable one, so this one seemed to meet my needs.After ordering the multimeter, when I saw the frequently returned item warning, I considered canceling the order. I don't regret I didn't do it.This is a low-cost analog multimeter. As such, we shouldn't expect it to be as reliable as top-of-the-line ones, like a Simpson, the ones from Hioki, Sanwa (not to be confused with the cheap copies, like Sunwa), or even most digital multimeters. Still, it met my expectations.For all the simple tests I ran, it showed an accuracy that was within the specified margin of error (3% full scale for DC voltage, 4% full scale for AC voltage and DC current and 3% full arc for resistance).The build quality is generally good. One aspect that particularly call my attention was the lubrication of the rotary switch contacts. This is something that I usually only find on more expensive devices.On the other hand, the test probes are of low quality.It also came with all the batteries included (2xAA + 1x9v), although they were cheap zinc-carbon batteries from a chinese brand.Unlike the description, I seems to me that the 10A jack is unfused and only the VΩA jack is connected to a F0.5A/250V fuse.Inside, there are 3 calibration trimmers: The upper one for voltage, the middle for low current and the lower one for the 10A current. It allows separate adjustments for voltage and current, unlike some other multimeters, which only have one trimmer available for adjusting both at the same time.Although the multimter's accuracy was within its specification, I made some minor adjustments in the trimmers, using a DMMCheck Plus as reference device for the voltage and low current, which resulted in measurements for DCV and DCA that were practically "spot on".The resistance accuracy could be better. For example, when measuring 100Ω on the x10 scale, the needle remained at 9.5 (95Ω) instead on 10, even with proper adjustments after short circuiting the test leads and even with high end test leads from Probe Master. Of course, in this case, perhaps, I'm being a perfectionist, because this result is still inside the 3% full arc (which should be approximately between 114.5Ω and 87.5Ω).It has a background light button, that once pressed, stays on for about 25 seconds. There is not other way to turn off the light (other than removing the batteries). Also, when turning on the light, I measured a drop in the x10K resistance scale voltage from 12.20V to 11.57V. When I was measuring a 100KΩ resistor, with the light off, once I turned it on, this drop in voltage resulted in the movement of the needle from the 9.5 value in the Ω scale line (95KΩ) to 10.5 (100.5KΩ). To prevent this, it is necessary to short the leads and perform a new adjustment whenever the light is on or off, and do not turn the light on during measurements. This procedure is only necessary on the x10K scale, as I didn't notice any voltage drop in the other resistance scales, when the light was turned on.When I performed the continuity test, by shorting the provided test leads, the buzzer responded slowly with a raspy sound. But with good quality test leads, the buzzer responded perfectly, with a clear sound.I was able to measure the forward-biased voltage drop of some diodes with a reasonable accuracy, using the X10 resistance scale (measured 0.6V for a voltage drop of 0.57V). The provided voltage of the same scale is enough to turn on a led when testing it.Regarding the transistor test slot, it has the sole purpose of measuring the polarity of the transistors. Other measurements, such as leakage current must be carried out externally with the test leads.To anyone interested, in more details that I couldn’t find in the manual or elsewhere,I measured the following voltages and current for the resistance tests, using my trusty Brymen digital multimiter:x1: -3.12V, 134.7mA;x10: -3.12V, 15.2mA;x1K: -3.12V, 154.9µA;x10K: -12.20V, 62.6µA;buzzer: -2.71V.Note: As in other analog multimeters, the voltage in the resistance test is reversed (COM is positive). This must be taken into account when testing diodes and/or leds.For DCA, I also measured the following burden voltages:2.5mA: 235.9mV/mA;25mA: 24.2mV/mA;250mA: 2.7mV/mA;I was unable to reliably measure the burden voltage for the 10A, but the values I obtained were between 20mV/A to 30mV/A.Compared with my other analog multimeters, this one have twice the burden voltage. Also, the lack of micro-amp scale is a disadvantage.Overall, despite these minor drawbacks, I'm satisfied with this multimeter. For anyone considering buying one of these, I recommend the acquisition of additional proper testing leads, because the ones included are kind of crappy (as with most middle/low-end multimeters).I gave it 5 stars, not because it stands out among other multimeters, but because, in the class of low-cost analog multimeters, it met all my expectations, I didn't see any major flaws, and it deserves a prominent position among low-cost analog multimeters.

Je n'ai eu que le plaisir de le déballé mais vite apperçu que rien ne fonctionnait , à part la lumière .

Very accurate and worth the effort. Will do all that I want.All ranges were found to be within stated accuracy.

Started going through the ranges and noticed the Rx1 (resistance) did not work at all (needle wouldn't budge). Opened it up to see if the batteries were good and properly seated. That didn't fix it. Oh by the way, this meter uses a 9V battery in addition to the 2xAA's. (That little tidbit isn't mentioned in the description!)I'm sending it back. Hope I don't lose too much on the shipping, seeing as there wasn't a prepaid label option available. ($20 was added to refund amount for shipping, but this thing is going back to Nevada, and with Canada Post's current rates, I fear that $20 won't be enough.)

Purchased an Amprobe AM-270 digital meter first, but then purchased this one because I still enjoy the traditional analog multi-meter, also known as a VOM, and my old Radio Shack meter died a few years ago. Also analog meters are easier to read, when measuring voltages that are continually changing. After reading Amazon reviews of lots of other meters, decided on this one. No unnecessary junk features on this one- tests AC and DC volts and DC amps, resistance, and even has an interesting transistor test feature. Includes a great white LED light that for the scale, and has a great continuity beeper, not a faint buzzer or slow responding electronic sounder, that seems to be a problem with many other meters per Amazon reviewers. The transistor test feature seems a bit quirky, and I doubt I would even bother with it. Buy a real transistor tester, if you need one. But for traditional volts, milliamps, and resistance measurements, this is an impressive meter for the price. Not a Fluke or Simpson, but not $250 either. I ran a comprehensive set of tests in my environmental lab using high accuracy equipment and calibration standards. Surprisingly, the Tekpower manual lists 3 and 4 percent of full scale as the DC and AC accuracy spec, which is rather mediocre accuracy, but my meter actually turned out to have 3% of reading DC accuracy and 4% of reading AC accuracy which is excellent. The 1000 volt DC range was a bit off. For example, 100 volts on this range reads 120v or 20% error, but further up the scale, 140 volts input reads 150 volts, only a 7% error. If you measured the 140 volts on the lower 250 volt scale, the meter reads 142 volts, or 1.4% error. That is why you should make a measurement on the upper end of the scale on analog meters.The resistance readings turned out to be unusually accurate for any analog multimeter. Essentially no visible error on readings between the 0 and the 200 mark. Exception was on the X1 range, with resistances up to 100 ohms, the error was between 14% and 5%. Probably not a major issue for low value resistances. 50 ohms on the x10 range was 4% low, then better accuracy above.Quality of construction is fine, and the manual is well written in good English, and helpful in making measurements for non-technically minded users. Great analog meter, reasonably priced for sensible design and quality. Amazon has lots of meters for half the price, and less, but even Chinese manufacturers can not work miracles- you will get what you pay for.