My first all MFT

[gazdkw82]

I know this has probably been discussed to death but could I have some advice/recommendations for my first all round MFT. Money is tight so I'm waiting till my birthday and asking everyone for money instead of gifts etc. Hopefully I can raise £300-£400.

will that be enough for a budget MFT? Or will that only get me a used one?


thanks

 

[Andy78]

I know this has probably been discussed to death but could I have some advice/recommendations for my first all round MFT. Money is tight so I'm waiting till my birthday and asking everyone for money instead of gifts etc. Hopefully I can raise £300-£400.

will that be enough for a budget MFT? Or will that only get me a used one?


thanks

You'll be getting a used one for that money I would reckon.
The Metrel MI3000 used to be available new for that sort of money but the price has increased in the last few years.
It's still a good tester though full of features, you won't be left wanting for anything except perhaps buttonless test facility which some other brands feature.
Another to consider might be the Megger 1550 range which I understand is a reliable choice for a second hand one.

Whichever one you go for factor in the cost of calibration if the machine does not come calibrated.

 

[gazdkw82]

You'll be getting a used one for that money I would reckon.
The Metrel MI3000 used to be available new for that sort of money but the price has increased in the last few years.
It's still a good tester though full of features, you won't be left wanting for anything except perhaps buttonless test facility which some other brands feature.
Another to consider might be the Megger 1550 range which I understand is a reliable choice for a second hand one.

Whichever one you go for factor in the cost of calibration if the machine does not come calibrated.

how much does calibration cost averagly?

 

[Andy78]

how much does calibration cost averagly?

On average, about £60. Sometimes cheaper sometimes more. Ring your local places for prices.

 

[hightower]

I've got the MI3000 and love it, I think it's an ideal first tester. Full of features, except the elusive hands free mode but I don't think you'll get a budget tester with that feature anyway. Think it was about £500 all in when I got it, I'd be tempted to say if you can raise £400 for a second hand one, scrimp a little harder/longer and pay the extra £100 for a new one.

Only gripe I've got with the MI3000 is the bloody straps keep sliding out from the unit - I've had to catch it once or twice, keep meaning to put a couple safety pins in or perhaps even a pop rivet.

 

[gazdkw82]

is the Metrel MI3000 easiPlus different?

 

[Richard Burns]

Only gripe I've got with the MI3000 is the bloody straps keep sliding out from the unit - I've had to catch it once or twice, keep meaning to put a couple safety pins in or perhaps even a pop rivet.

Pull the strap through as far as possible and tie the loose end in a knot so it can't slip back through

 

[Paul.M]

Only gripe I've got with the MI3000 is the bloody straps keep sliding out from the unit - I've had to catch it once or twice, keep meaning to put a couple safety pins in or perhaps even a pop rivet.

Get a needle and thread and stitch it, works really well

Pull the strap through as far as possible and tie the loose end in a knot so it can't slip back through

Did this for a couple of years until the knot came lose and I almost dropped it from the top of the ladders doing a Zs on an LCM!

You would think by now they would have devised a better strap?

 

[Octopus]

I've got the MI3000 and love it, I think it's an ideal first tester. Full of features, except the elusive hands free mode but I don't think you'll get a budget tester with that feature anyway. Think it was about £500 all in when I got it, I'd be tempted to say if you can raise £400 for a second hand one, scrimp a little harder/longer and pay the extra £100 for a new one.

Only gripe I've got with the MI3000 is the bloody straps keep sliding out from the unit - I've had to catch it once or twice, keep meaning to put a couple safety pins in or perhaps even a pop rivet.

I have a metrel and had the same problem with the strap. A trip top the local independent camera shop and a few pounds fixed that problem.

My gripe withb Metrel now is their arrogant attitude towards service. It sucks

 

[Paul.M]

I have a metrel and had the same problem with the strap. A trip top the local independent camera shop and a few pounds fixed that problem.

My gripe withb Metrel now is their arrogant attitude towards service. It sucks

Now that is a good idea. May try it.

As for the service, I use the forum sponsor Test Meter. Without trying to uphold their support to the forum, all I can say is over the past 5 years I have purchased all my test equipment from them and calibrated every year without any headaches or feeling that my wallet has taken a bashing. Even taken me into their calibration room and showed me what it entails, which is very interesting btw. Great set of lads and well worth trying out.

PS, thanks for up dating my MFT to the new amd3 FOC!

 

[hightower]

Now that is a good idea. May try it.

As for the service, I use the forum sponsor Test Meter. Without trying to uphold their support to the forum, all I can say is over the past 5 years I have purchased all my test equipment from them and calibrated every year without any headaches or feeling that my wallet has taken a bashing. Even taken me into their calibration room and showed me what it entails, which is very interesting btw. Great set of lads and well worth trying out.

PS, thanks for up dating my MFT to the new amd3 FOC!

Got to echo that, only used them once so far but the service was second to none. (Added with the fact we get a bit of a discount.....)

 

[Octopus]

Now that is a good idea. May try it.

As for the service, I use the forum sponsor Test Meter. Without trying to uphold their support to the forum, all I can say is over the past 5 years I have purchased all my test equipment from them and calibrated every year without any headaches or feeling that my wallet has taken a bashing. Even taken me into their calibration room and showed me what it entails, which is very interesting btw. Great set of lads and well worth trying out.

PS, thanks for up dating my MFT to the new amd3 FOC!

I use somebody local for calibration but mine needs a new front panel as the switch is tempremental. Their minimum charge odd very high AND their turnround time is 2 weeks. I can't afford too be without it for 2 weeks plus!

 

[Andy78]

I use somebody local for calibration but mine needs a new front panel as the switch is tempremental. Their minimum charge odd very high AND their turnround time is 2 weeks. I can't afford too be without it for 2 weeks plus!

I found my local place to be expensive and slow too. I had to call them after 2 weeks to find it had been ready for over a week !
Then they tried to charge me £10 for removing my lithium rechargeable batteries and replacing them with some mismatched, half charged, pound shop batteries.
I asked where my rechargeables had gone. "We throw all used batteries away immediately so they'll be gone" but after a quick rummage they miraculously turned up after being removed from my MFT for over a week. So basically they tried to steal them.

I use a mobile service now that calibrates them on my kitchen table.

 

[gazdkw82]

I managed to bag a Metrel MI3000 for under £200 off ebay!

 

[solarsavings]

Only gripe I've got with the MI3000 is the bloody straps keep sliding out from the unit - I've had to catch it once or twice, keep meaning to put a couple safety pins in or perhaps even a pop rivet.

I had the same problem but a couple of small cables ties sorted that out.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

I've got the MI3000 and love it, I think it's an ideal first tester. Full of features, except the elusive hands free mode but I don't think you'll get a budget tester with that feature anyway. Think it was about £500 all in when I got it, I'd be tempted to say if you can raise £400 for a second hand one, scrimp a little harder/longer and pay the extra £100 for a new one.

Only gripe I've got with the MI3000 is the bloody straps keep sliding out from the unit - I've had to catch it once or twice, keep meaning to put a couple safety pins in or perhaps even a pop rivet.

They do don't they!

I have had mine tied on with thin rope for a couple of years now as the silly little connectors just aren't strong enough.

As for the metrel MI3000 I like it, it does everything I need and I got mine for £250 3 years ago from E-bay. I realise e-bay can be a little hit and miss, but this was from someone with 100% feedback, plus I got to meet them and chat with them before I paid for the product, so you can gauge a bit of a picture about who you're buying from. So far it has been fine.

ps.. just noticed that everyone has had the problem with the straps! It is strange that a pretty good MFT lets itself down a little over something that is surely not too difficult to remedy.

 

[Midwest]

Megger 1700's the same, tied a knot in my straps after a few near misses. If MFT's had the same appeal as iphones, you couldn't move for aftermarket accessories or apps!

OP, I noticed an advert in my local WF Senates, for 'wanted' old Megger 1500 series MFT's. Dunno if the company sells refurbished meters?

http://www.testelectricbanburyltd.com/