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Cobra Hobbyist Multimeter $4, 'Plus' Version $10 + Delivery ($0 C&C/ in-Store) @ Bunnings

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Cobra Hobbyist Multimeter $4, 'Plus' Version $10 + Delivery ($0 C&C/ in-Store) @ Bunnings
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syba on 22/09/2022 - 18:34 bunnings.com.au (3855 clicks)
Last edited 23/09/2022 - 13:03 by 2 other users

Came across this when walking around at Bunnings. $4 is pretty darn cheap. Also have a $10 one as well if you want to splurge. The $4 one is normaly about $10 and the $10 one about $25.

Handy just to test the voltage of your batteries if nothing else!

Found them on the website, links below:

Cobra Hobbyist Multimeter - $4
https://www.bunnings.com.au/cobra-hobbyist-multimeter_p01068…

Cobra Hobbyist Plus Multimeter - $10
https://www.bunnings.com.au/cobra-hobbyist-plus-multimeter_p…

They include a 9V battery which is probably worth the entire $4 just in itself.

Electrical & Electronics Multimeter

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closed Comments

    • oznik on 23/09/2022 - 11:22
      +1

      These are garbage.

      I'd buy a grey market Chinese fluke. Dont consider anything that doesn't autorange.

      https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/fluke-chinese-market-…

      • [Deactivated] on 27/09/2022 - 11:18

        Was just going to mention these meters. Although if you just need to tell, "about 6.1v" sometimes on a Sunday in Winter, this should be great.

    • Gmetal on 26/09/2022 - 00:37

      Never use cheaply made multimeters for AC or high voltage

  • arvil on 22/09/2022 - 23:03

    As a colleague once said to me about a similar model, it's fine but don't leave it in the sun because it will melt !

    • mauricem on 23/09/2022 - 15:20

      The LCD will probably fail, not sure about the body melting;)

  • Jackson on 22/09/2022 - 23:40

    I am at bunnings all the time and didn't know they sold these. Maybe that's why they are on clearance?

    On a side note I have been using the same meter for at least 15 years, maybe 20. The plastic has gone a bit brittle and where the front and back housing clips together a few bits have chipped off, and one the lead sockets is a bit funny and I need to wriggle it to get it in. The only issue I have ever noticed with it though is that when in the 20V range it seems to read fine, but when going a step down to it seems to give a wildly different number, even when I know what I am measuring should be a different number. Does anyone know what would cause that issue? I don't remember having that issue prior to about a year ago.

  • wearnes on 23/09/2022 - 06:25
    +4

    I believe this may be a dt830 The following link is an interesting read

    https://hackaday.com/2020/09/24/in-praise-of-the-dt830-the-p…

    • Kranbone on 23/09/2022 - 14:17

      Yes agree, I actually posted earlier saying it appears to be a 838 clone.

  • ozviewer on 23/09/2022 - 09:02

    I guess that neither has a beep function?

    • Bold Eagle on 23/09/2022 - 11:00
      +1

      Look at the reviews;
      "First one kept locking up and would not turn off, change scale, or anything until the battery was taken out. Software fault I suspect. With the battery in, it just kept alarming all the way back to the store for replacement."

    • ShipShapeRC on 26/09/2022 - 11:58

      Cheapie does not, cant open the link for the $10 at moment. But beeping continuity is my MINIMUM spec for a multimeter. There are so many great ones for cheap from china - don't ask, do the legwork yourself.

  • xdigger on 23/09/2022 - 10:55

    What do fellow non-sparkie Ozbargainers use this for? Tempted to buy first and figure it out later.

    • payless69 on 23/09/2022 - 12:54

      Drop it down a staircase and put it on youtube?

  • syousef on 23/09/2022 - 11:11
    +2

    Is it a bargain? Only if it does the job. If it's unreliable and likely to fail before you get a chance to make any real use of it, it's just a waste of money.

    I've had $10 and $20 multimeters that have lasted. This does not appear to be a good one.

  • flubba86 on 23/09/2022 - 11:53
    +3

    Both of these appear to be awful. Been doing hobby electronics for more than 20 years and I do not recommend them.
    Yes, they are a good price, and both cheaper than their regular price, but I wouldn't touch them.
    The cheap one is a basic clone of a common 30 year old design, is not very accurate, and poor build quality.
    The "plus" one doesn't really offer anything extra (basic 2,000-count display, doesn't have 6,000 count, doesn't have true-RMS AC voltage measurement, doesn't have NCV).
    The reviews for the "plus" model mention the test probes that come with it are brittle and break, and it has software glitches.

    There are much better affordable multimeters around (though they're not quite $10).
    I recommend the Richmeters RM113D https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32900257549.html I got one for my father-in-law last year, and its been great. It is a 6,000-count meter, with true-RMS measurement, and non-contact-voltage probe for finding mains lines. He uses it in when working on his car, on his boat, and around the house.
    I bought one for $18 last year, but looks like they're $29 from the same seller now.

    For something a bit more enthusiast grade (for a keen hobbyist) I recommend the UNI-T UT61E (or the new UT61E+ "plus"). I got mine for about $89 4 years ago, these days you should be able to pick one up for around $120 on sale. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003468500352.html
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxzQZFRznp0

    • smurfinaus on 23/09/2022 - 15:19
      -1

      I think a lot of us will only really use for testing batteries… for $4….

    • Borg on 23/09/2022 - 15:43
      -1

      Thanks for those. It led me to going down a rabbit hole today looking at reviews!

      This guy Darren Walker does many reviews/tests/teardowns here for "Cheapo-Multimeter's (Not $4 cheap) but averages around $30 (ish), some more, some less. The ones you mentioned are on there as with many others.

      The Kaiweets HT118A or also known as the Habotest HT118A is his pick from 2019 right to to 2021 and does gets fantastic reviews elsewhere. OK a tad more expensive @ $50 (ish) but nice to know. I want one now!

    • muwu on 25/09/2022 - 22:23

      Thanks flubba

      Anywhere you can get the Richmeters without waiting 2mo?

      • Borg on 26/09/2022 - 00:06
        +1

        Here but you you would need to pay $49.95 plus $12.95 shipping! Not really worth it as the Kaiweets HT118A can be got for less on Amazon and delivered next day for $54.98 Less 10% off coupon showing on it, so ends up being $49.98 and has more features.

  • BatsRule on 23/09/2022 - 12:36
    +1

    LOL! you should read the reviews on bunnings website..

  • payless69 on 23/09/2022 - 14:58

    No Cashrewards? Use power pass, pay even less!

  • jason andrade on 24/09/2022 - 17:12

    The $4 one (only one left at my local Bunnings) is just the "normal" price - when you buy it with PowerPass you still get a 5% discount on it (20c!) so it isn't marked down that I can see and you can buy it for $3.80..

    I picked one up to give as a (novelty) present to a family member..

    • mapax on 24/09/2022 - 17:25

      I thought some items that normally don’t get a PP discount so get a discount after they become clearance items? At least that was my experience with a ryobi one+ tool last year.

      • freddofrog42 on 25/09/2022 - 18:10
        +2

        PP discounts are variable to say the least. I did order a couple of the $10 ones knowing very well their faults (Mechatronics Eng from before that term existed) but they're fine for leaving in the cars etc and take AAA batteries which is a bonus.

        PP price for me was $9.50.

        I well remember in 2014/15 Bunnings discounted a $399 DeWalt combo kit to $199 but left the PP discount in place - 10% in that case so down to $159 - bought 3 sets, 2 for me and 1 for a mate. Most impressive thing is that all those batteries dated 2014 still work fine.

        • mapax on 27/09/2022 - 11:30

          What are their faults that you have observed? I bought the $10 one for basic car wiring and to check some temperatures that I can’t reach with an IR gun.
          Nice work on the Dewalt kits.

      • jason andrade on 26/09/2022 - 13:29

        I've had the opposite experience generally. Once an item goes on a clearance, PP discounts don't apply to it.

        In the past this was sometimes not the case - but that turned out to be human error. I haven't had a clearance item had a PP discount apply for a couple of years now.

        Of course Bunnings has different categories of 'markdown/clearance' which can both end being identified as a yellow sticker so it certainly seems variable unless you know how it's been marked down..

        • mapax on 27/09/2022 - 11:32
          +1

          The clearance ryobi camping lantern kit is currently $49 or $46.55 with PP

          • jason andrade on 04/10/2022 - 13:12

            @mapax: Interestingly, not any more in my local Bunnings but I'll go back and check.

            I think I bought one of these back when it was - just to get a fresh battery! Most of my batteries are from 2014 now..

        • J5 on 08/10/2022 - 11:49

          I bought the $10 meter on pp and got the discount

          Good deal as has the temp thermocouple and it does caps

          Good spare for me

  • berko_max on 08/10/2022 - 17:18

    My local store said they had stock, but have now come back to offer me the Ozito one instead.

    I can’t find it on the website.

    Anyone know if the ozito is a worthy $10 replacement?

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