What is the Best Multimeter for Automotive Work Use in the UK?

Automotive Multimeter Reviews

When it comes to simple electrical problems with our cars, even the least hands-on amongst us will often prefer to diagnose and solve these issues ourselves if we can, rather than pay a high price for outside help. To tackle these sorts of issues effectively, one almost always needs a digital multimeter (DMM) to help with the diagnosis. However, although the sort of electrical work that most of us average laymen could manage would not likely justify the purchase of an expensive brand of digital multimeter, a simple inexpensive generic type machine will often more than suffice. And that is exactly the niche in which the Ultrics multimeter excels. The Ultrics machine is a cheap digital multimeter that is accurate enough to get some good information from while at the same time being surprisingly well featured for its small price. This makes it ideal for the general consumer who usually just needs a basic device to ensure that an electrical problem with their car does not have a easy layman’s fix to it.

So what exactly is good about the Ultrics digital multimeter apart from its low price? Feature-wise, the Ultrics digital multimeter sports a relatively large, blue back-lit LCD display that provides clear readouts. It can measure all the standard electrical metrics one might expect from a multimeter including AC and DC Voltage, Resistance and Current as well as Continuity. Its accuracy is sufficiently high to suit most typical multimeter applications and while it may not have the very high level of accuracy of expensive brand-name meters, this basic digital multimeter still does a very good job considering how cheap it is.

Physically, the Ultrics digital multimeter is also small enough to carry around in a pocket and sports a protective rubbery outer shell that can be removed if required. It also has a pull-out stand that allows it to be propped up on a table so that the display is nicely visible even when not holding it. The Ultrics DMM also comes with some reasonable quality measuring leads that come with their own cover caps to protect them when they are not in use. To top it all off, the device even comes with a battery already installed in the machine so that the multimeter should be ready to use right out of the box. However, having a pre-installed battery also means that there will be variability in the amount of charge remaining upon receiving the device, which will depend on how long the DMM has been sitting in the storage facility after manufacture. Indeed, some buyers have received devices where the batteries have been close to end of life, with the odd unlucky individual discovering that the battery was so old that it had partially leaked. This means, new buyers of the multimeter should not expect the included battery to last very long and it is also recommended to check the integrity of the battery upon reception of the DMM. Fortunately, checking the battery and replacing it is a simple affair requiring just the removal of the battery cover which is held on with a single screw.

On the more negative side of the Ultrics DMM, the overwhelming disadvantage of using it is that it is the manual-ranging type instead of the much preferred auto-ranging type. This means that when it comes to adjusting the measuring range to the best one for the electrical source being measured, this has to be done manually by turning a dial rather than being automatically adjusted by the machine itself. In today’s all-consuming digital age where electronic component prices have fallen dramatically, having an auto-ranging multimeter is almost a required feature in today's digital multimeters. The Ultrics multimeter also lacks the intrinsic ability to measure temperature, a feature which is becoming increasingly common on today’s DMMs, and one that can prove quite useful for diagnosing some automotive issues.

One other minor disadvantage when buying the Ultrics DMM comes from the operating manual that accompanies the device. The operating instructions are relatively poor both in clarity and in their command of the English language, while the text itself is printed in an unusually small font size that makes reading difficult especially for the older folk among us. Since this is a device for the novice user, instructions on how to use its different features become even more important than for other more expert-targeted devices. Fortunately, with the encyclopaedic internet and the likes of Google and Youtube, useful help on how to use the Ultrics DMM and digital multimeters in general is not far away.

Overall, the Ultrics multimeter is one of the best cheap digital multimeters for automotive work for sale in the UK and is recommended as an inexpensive aid to solving simple electrical issues with the car. However, if you are looking into getting into electrical or even electronic problem solving in automobiles in a big way, then it might not be the best DMM for the money, and a more reputable brand of digital multimeter might be more appropriate.

Proster VC99 digital multimeter review

The Proster (also sometimes branded as Vici or VICHY) VC99 is a popular digital multimeter in the mid-price range category. This multimeter has a whole host of features to satisfy just about any hobbyist or DIY-er, and can even substitute for a professional machine in a pinch.

In automobile diagnostics, the VC99 has almost all the features that one looks for in a multimeter. First and foremost, the VC99 is an auto-ranging machine making it a breeze to use, but it can also be switched to manual ranging if need be. It can measure both DC and AC voltages in the millivolt range right up into hundreds of volts, much more than required for vehicle voltages. Like most digital multimeters, the VC99 can measure electrical continuity, as well as electrical resistance over a wide range of values from single-digit ohms right up to the megaohm level. The Proster multimeter is also capable of measuring DC current right down in the microamp range as well as in the double-digit amperes level and everything in-between, more than covering the current level-measuring requirements of automobiles. As for temperature, the VC99 can measure from -40ºC to 1000ºC, using the included thermocouple probe. The multimeter also has a frequency and duty cycle measuring function for any electrical signal oscillating in the hertz range right up to the megahertz level. And to top it all off, the VC99 also has a maximum / minimum feature that allows the user to see the maximum or minimum value reached during a measurement without having to keep looking at the display, a feature that one usually only finds in multimeters of the premium price category.

The metrics mentioned above already cover almost everything needed for checking over vehicle electrics. Still, the VC99 has more features and higher specifications, making it also useful for other electrical activities such as tinkering with electronic devices and DIY-ing household electrics. For instance, the digital multimeter can measure capacitance over a wide range from the nanofarad level right up into the lower millifarad range. It also has a very large and clear 6000 count display with 3 and 5/6ths digits, with an accuracy comparable to that of well-known premium-brand Fluke multimeters. Sampling rate on the VC99 is three times per second, giving it a reasonably quick response time. The Proster machine also has a decent input impedance of 10 MΩ, preventing any significant voltage changes when measuring high resistance components. It also has separate milliamp and amp terminals distinct from the ‘VΩHz’ terminal, something that is always preferred in a digital multimeter. Both current-measuring terminals are protected by fuses, albeit with cheaper glass fuses than the preferred ceramic ones. Power on the Proster meter is conserved via an auto-power off function, but unlike most other multimeters, this battery-saving feature can be turned off if there is a need to measure over a more extended period. To top off these impressive specifications, the VC99 also comes with several accessories including a rubber protective sleeve, carry case, and the AAA batteries needed to power the device.

Even with these impressive technicals, it is rare to find a machine that is perfect in every way, and the VC99 is no different, falling short in a couple of areas. Probably the biggest negative of the VC99 is the lack of a back-lit display, which can be a problem if working in darker environments. In addition, the Proster digital multimeter is only CAT II-rated and does not have the preferred CAT III specification, meaning one has to think twice about using it to take measurements across high energy systems. The probes that come with the multimeter are also a bit of a let-down, and more avid multimeter users will most likely prefer to source a better quality pair independently. Finally, long term robustness and reliability can not be assumed for the Proster VC99, and one should certainly not expect this inexpensive machine to last as long as the more premium Fluke multimeters, for instance. In this regard, the Proster VC99 is thought to have a service life of a few years if it is used on a frequent basis. This is due to the use of lower quality components and an internal build design typical of cheaper budget models (for a look inside the VC99, check out EEVblog’s teardown video of several multimeters, including the VC99, below)

Overall, the Proster VC99 digital multimeter is a fully-featured tool and is an excellent choice for a low-to-medium cost electrical measuring device, more than sufficient for the requirements of today’s car diagnostics. The VC99, with its wide range of specifications, will also fit the needs of other disciplines as well, especially those of electronics enthusiasts and electrical DIY-ers. However, this multimeter is not a tool for professionals, not because it lacks accuracy, but more that it does not possess the high build quality of premium multimeters, and it should not be expected to last as long as professional models, especially if over-worked.

Extech EX330 digital multimeter review

The Extech EX330 is a relatively inexpensive digital multimeter that stands out from the other budget digital multimeters firstly by coming from a well-known reputable company and secondly, by being one of the smallest fully-featured digital multimeters available on the UK market today.

Feature-wise, the Extech EX330 is primarily auto-ranging which is always preferred (although it can also be used in manual mode if desired) making the taking of readings a simpler process than for manual ranging-only meters. It can measure DC voltage from the millivolts range with a resolution of 0.1mV and an accuracy of ±0.5%, right up into the hundreds of volts, far in excess of what is needed for a 12V-based car electrical system and making it not only useful in the garage but also handy for home electrical work. Like most other digital multimeters, the Extech EX330 features the all-essential electrical continuity function, but unlike a lot of other budget multimeters, the continuity function is the sought-after fast-latching type. This means that there is almost no delay in the sounding of the tone when continuity is detected, although the beeping itself can be a bit scratchy at times. Resistance-wise, the Extech EX330 is capable of checking the integrity of just about any electrical component found in today’s modern car using resistance range settings from 400Ω up to 40MΩ, while the microamp to amp ranges of current measuring is wide enough to diagnose any automotive current issues you might encounter. The Extech EX330 can also read temperatures from -20℃ up to 750℃ (-4 to 1382°F ), which is once again far more than one needs for any temperature monitoring of car systems or processes. For AC voltage monitoring, the Extech EX330 can measure accurately down to the millivolts range which can be useful for diagnosing specific problematic car conditions such as high levels of unwanted AC current coming from battery charging systems.

In addition to these features that are useful for solving car electrical issues, the Extech EX330 is also capable of a number of other functions that are less applicable for automotive work but may be needed when working with electricals or electronics. These include the abilities to measure capacitance and frequency which are sometimes required when working with electronics, as well as a non-contact voltage detector (NCV) for home electrical work that can be useful for safely detecting dangerously high voltages up to 600V. This makes the feature-rich Extech EX330 more than just a digital multimeter for automotive work but more of a general purpose tool.

Build-wise, the Extech EX330 is internally well-designed and well-built. One notable feature that one does not always see on budget digital multimeters is the presence of fuses protecting both the microAmp / milliAmp and Amp terminals. On the Extech EX330, both these fuses are present, albeit in the glass format rather than in the preferred ceramic type, ensuring that both the meter and the user are protected from accidental high currents. Furthermore, the fuses themselves are readily accessible via the battery compartment, something not always seen on digital multimeters where sometimes the whole meter itself has to be dismantled to get at the fuses.

On the negative side, the one obvious letdown with the Extech EX330 digital multimeter, especially when compared to other inexpensive multimeters in its class, is the lack of a backlit display screen meaning that any work with the Extech multimeter in low light conditions will not be optimal. Another minor dislike is the integral stand apparatus at the back of the machine which is less robust and less stable than we would have liked.

Overall however, the Extech EX330 is a good all-round digital multimeter from a reputable US company which sells a variety of measuring instruments. The Extech digital multimeter may not have the perfection of infinitely more expensive top-brand meters but it is still a well-designed and robustly-built machine that has most of the features that one wants for a number of disciplines including automotive work.

The AstroAI DM6000AR digital multimeter (which is identical to AstroAI model number WH5000A) is one of the best options for users looking for a medium budget digital multimeter (DMM). The creators of this machine have listened to feedback from experienced users, and it is clear that they have tried to cater to as many needs as possible. The AstroAI DM6000AR multimeter, in particular, addresses the needs of electronics aficionados with a range of features that are explicitly targeted at them. Still, the machine includes features for other user types as well. For example, for electricians, the AstroAI device can act as a clamp meter if used with the right accessory (not included).

Feature-wise, the AstroAI multimeter measures all the commonly used metrics including AC and DC voltage, AC and DC Current, resistance, and continuity. It can also display frequency or duty cycle of a measured signal. Ranging on the device is automatic and is the default state, but the machine also possesses a manual ranging override button should the user need to set the measuring scale manually. The AstroAI DMM can also measure a wide range of temperature, from -40℃ to 1370℃, using the included thermocouple lead. And the AstroAI device’s abilities do not stop there. The multimeter can also measure capacitance and, using a special adaptor accessory that comes with the machine, can test diodes and transistors as well. Many of these features are not included in other digital multimeters of this price category.

From an automotive standpoint, the AstroAI meter more than fulfils the criteria demanded from a multimeter for automotive work. Voltage measurements cover the millivolt range and rise well in excess of the 12 volts typical of automotive electrical systems. AC and DC current measuring provides accurate readings from the micro-Amp range right up to 10 Amps, while resistance can be measured in the Ohm to the mega-Ohm range. All of these specifications more than cover the parameters needed when working with car electrical systems.

The display on the AstroAI device is also relatively large with clear digits, making it easy to read. In low light conditions, the screen also has a backlight which can be turned on with a long press of the ‘Light / Hold’ button. The light automatically turns off shortly afterwards to conserve battery power. Also saving battery power, the AstroAI multimeter automatically turns itself off after 15 minutes of inactivity.

Unusually for a low-cost DMM, the AstroAI machine also has several other features that are usually found exclusively on expensive high-end multimeters. These include a relatively high sampling rate of 2 times per second so that readings are likely to be accurate even if the measured signal is fluctuating. In addition, the meter also includes a ‘Relative’ button which can be used to compensate for any internal resistance from the test leads. Readings can also be captured at their maximum or minimum values using the ‘Max / Min’ button.

Safety-wise, the AstroAI DM6000AR DMM comes with ceramic protection fuses as opposed to the cheaper and more fragile glass ones that one usually finds on budget meters. These can be easily changed via the battery compartment, obviating the need to disassemble the machine if the fuses blow, again something not commonly found on budget machines.

Like most multimeters, the AstroAI multimeter has an integrated kickstand for hands-free operation. In addition, it also possesses a clever feature consisting of a couple of strong magnets tethered to the device. These magnets can be used to hang the multimeter from vertical metal surfaces, especially useful when level surfaces that the kickstand can use are in short supply. Finally, to top things off, the AstroAI multimeter already comes with a battery so is raring to go on arrival.

Overall, the AstroAI DM6000AR digital multimeter is an exceptionally capable machine, ideal for the DIYer or electronics tinkerer, and even for some professionals. With its wide range of features, it is probably overkill for automotive work; however, its high level of capability is likely to make it an asset for diagnosing other electronics and electrics around the home if one is so inclined.