INNOVA 3300a CHEAP-O Multimeter Review & Teardown!

[@slyfox720]

I just purchased this for a basic intro to electronics class...should be fine for my needs!

[@KeepOnTesting]

Indeed..you could have done alot worse. Enjoy your multimeter...😀👍

[@salinagrrrl69]

@@KeepOnTesting 'alot' is s p e l l e d A........................LOT

[@KeepOnTesting]

@@salinagrrrl69 that's a............lot of periods! 😀👍

[@DarrenSteele-mx3ks]

It does have continuity you just need a HEARING AID to hear it! Peace of junk I have my receipt taking it back tomorrow!

[@DarrenSteele-mx3ks]

Im sorry I wanted to add that how you covered this was so funny! Seriously I was laughing and I was hoping for any good news LOL Anyway great job you did.

[@bellagrace9812]

Do not buy it to test ac capacitors, sometimes works, sometimes don't. Had to go to Home Depot and buy a better tester.

[@Landrew0]

Good enough for a cheap meter. Probably $5 worth of parts inside, but no reason to grouse about. The thing I hate most about this meter is the way the sharp probes splay out at the top, making it virtually unpocketable.

[@AndreBrickwork]

The specs are a PDF, everything is there, overload protection, Resistance, diode continuity tests, 1 year warranty. everything. Scan the QR code with your camera.

[@AiOinc1]

Granted it's not great, this is designed for and sold by auto parts stores! This is meant more for testing batteries and seeing "Do I have 12 volts here" or "Is my alternator charging" or "Is my relay working" rather than anything where precision is really required. This is meant to sucker people out of a test light for a few more dollars.

[@potatochobit]

I have an innova 3300 but it does not make sound it has DC 10A but i dont see a sound icon anywhere

[@JasonKale]

Thanks great review. I wanted to know the batteries and how the wires were soldered. I need one in a pinch!!

[@JasonKale]

I had to get this one in the pinch I was in and what was available where I live it was $18. The DC voltage is wonky right out of the package. But it seems to be working for now testing the battery im charging and letting sit to see if it stays a stable voltage. id have preferred to buy the INNOVA 3306 that autozone was suppose to have but was wrong model as I said in another post a grey version of this yellow one...

[@KeepOnTesting]

@@JasonKale OK thanks for updating 🙂 When you're in a pickle it can be tough ! Btw, Grab a Habotest/ Kaiweets HT118A when you can..Best CHEAP-O out there!

[@JasonKale]

@@KeepOnTesting Thanks...I had to monitor a charging car battery as the schumacher charger I had has no voltage meter and it seems to like to get false full voltage readings as its and automatic deal...And then the charge settings mean nothing but are actually voltage rate and are different for a lead acid and agm battery. So with this little yellow guy I could at least tell if the charger was doing what it was suppose to be doing and what its happy home for voltage rate actually was..The dial is definitely too soft no click and the voltage goes wild at 1st then settle down. Id still have preferred the one with the 9V battery.. But review helped as at least I found something local today on Sunday...So thank you.

[@MrHaydenJr]

Grey one is 9v this yellow one has a problem ohming long wires due to the small coin cell batteries... the 9v grey version works much better for this​@@JasonKale

[@karinlong7598]

The 3300 does have continuity!!!

[@Dmkpit401]

My innova is at 38.8 DCv i'm not sure why

[@tdollarz2007yahoo]

Was able to get the manual. Take off the org at the beginning and type the rest

[@KeepOnTesting]

Thanks for the update! A manual is always nice 👌

[@HOTRODRICO]

lol you have the hands of a Lummox from Ren & Stimpy lol good review bro

[@tech29X]

3300A A for Auto-Ranging. Original 3300 was not auto ranging meter. Looks cute, but jenky.

[@KeepOnTesting]

It's an interesting design but that awful selector dial just kills it for me. 👍

[@awad213]

I bought it today feb,18 31 dollar , and a few cents ( from Canadian tire),,,,,

[@KeepOnTesting]

Great stuff..let us know how you like it!

[@yambo59]

Good review - and fair. Sadly theres too many better choices in this price range. Ive looked at Innova's before but never felt drawn enough to pull the trigger. Regarding the range switch, did anyone notice how the internal detent stop nubs were (opposite) of the detents themselves, if im seeing this right they literally appear to do nothing. Im guessing this is why the range switch is so weak and sloppy, and maybe it was done intentionally for one finger operation but its poorly implemented and just doesnt work well. As another comment said the watch batteries dont have the voltage to light or test LED's, and the continuity on the little DT830B you recently reviewed was much better if I recall correctly. I have a little Aneng fold open pocket meter the AN8203 and like it pretty well, if anyone has one they might notice its got a small display but one of the most crisp clear ones ive ever seen on something so small. The BT39C you recently reviewed seems a much better buy.

[@KeepOnTesting]

That's for sure, the competition completely blows Innova out of the water on this one! I honestly don't even see the point for this meter revision, it seems to have gone from bad to worse! Yes sir, the selector switch is horrible too. You need to be really careful you have it in the correct position otherwise you're reading is messed up. Hope you're liking your BT-39C as much as I am!

[@yambo59]

Yes im still liking the 39C, ive fixed and beefed up the issue I mentioned with the broken lead strap and im very pleased with the meter itself. Its not the first time ive had to tweak a meter I liked. In this price range sometimes things come in what I call "kit form"-lol Heck even the more expensive meters dont all come off the line without design flaws, the backlight-less 61E is just one example, still others far more expensive have weak continuity or cant even read a decent sized capacitor. One must remember after all, we are in the realm of the cheap-ass multimeter--lol

[@yambo59]

Have you ever had a look at the Aneng AN8203 pocket meter-? Its not perfect, but accurate and has one of the most crisp clear displays ive ever seen - but strictly a pocket meter with small leads

[@KeepOnTesting]

@@yambo59 I just put that one on the REVIEW-TODO List! Thanks for sharing. Glad to hear the BT-39C is working out. One helluva CHEAP-O Meter!

[@yambo59]

I agree, the 39C was money well spent at $14.32 and free shipping in my instance. I agonized over butchering it, but I also finally removed the lead holders on the side, one of those things I just dont care for - dont mind 'em on the back, just me others may like it. Ive also toyed with the idea on my AN8203 of removing the soldered in leads and adding some smaller 2mm banana jacks and make the leads removable and better quality leads possible--if theres room for some small jacks. Not really necessary but if the leads ever fail that might be a possible upgrade mod.

[@chrisrenfroe8183]

Does it do parasite draw

[@KeepOnTesting]

Negative, it does but have any current measurement capabilities. No mA or A.

[@DmanGuitar327]

3300a works great for around the house.. This is auto ranging too.. 24cdn i paid

[@KeepOnTesting]

It's a decent dmm for the price.

[@julianosterhaus4694]

It's a good DMM. He is dead wrong on the diode checker.

[@jamesdavies686]

There's a wildly popular Innova on Amazon. You should review that one. It's around $25.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Would that be the Innova 3320?

[@jamesdavies686]

@@KeepOnTesting yep that's the one. I bet it is much better than this one.

[@YuukiZun]

Hi Darren, would you consider reviewing the General Tools TS04 ToolSmart Multimeter. It seems to have some interesting features for about $27 usd at amazon and it would be great having a trustful opinion like yours.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Yes indeed. I've put that on my METER-TODO list, thanks for the recommendation and thanks for the kudos!

[@Pyridox]

Yeah, this Innova 3300a looks like a loser. Like you said it's disappointing, it was nice thin compact size. I think because it uses the button cell batteries there is just not enough drive to check LED's. FYI. I ordered the last meter you reviewed, the BTMETER BT-39C, Amazon had a special on it for $12.49 US & free Prime shipping. I will add it to my collection of cheap but decent meters. lol Thanks for the reviews Darren, keep em' coming!

[@KeepOnTesting]

Roger that! Innova needs to step up, this kind of meter just misses on every front. Yes indeed, the lacklustre led performance is definately a result of those button cell batteries. Enjoy the BT-39C, its a super meter! Thx for watching!

[@julianosterhaus4694]

Dead wrong about the diode function. As any tech knows, forward voltage for a diode is 0.7 V. Forward voltage for a LED is at LEAST 1.8V, some of them go past 3 V. So this DMM is great and very useful, as it has the 10Mohm impedance that is important for automotive electronics. Its diode checker is A-Ok.

[@Pyridox]

@@julianosterhaus4694 The meter passed the .7 normal diode test, it failed checking the forward voltage of LED's. Most DMM's can test LED's and indicate the 1.8v - 3v forward voltage.

[@julianosterhaus4694]

@@Pyridox No most DMM's cannot test LEDs, I have 3 at home that do not. Fluke has changed theirs to go up to 2.4V but old Flukes could not - and a lot of those are kicking around. Secondly, car DMM's do not need to test LEDs. Therefore why bother? I have yet to see one car repair manual telling me I need to check an LED with a meter. You need to learn how meters are applied in automotive work. It's not for the dumb lights in computer cases.

[@wollybarabash5261]

@@Pyridox Show me a sensor in an automobile, which this DMM was designed for, that requires an LED test. tick tock

[@firecrystal13]

Can I do a parasitic drain test with this?

[@KeepOnTesting]

No. There is no current support on this multimeter ( no AMPS or mA ). Hence you cannot do a Parasitic draw (current ) test with this multimeter.

[@BOHOL-sv2rh]

got da same one. but mines is gray

[@yambo59]

wow, not worth its price - if this is rev. 4.0 rev. 1.0 must have really sucked bad-lol The HT108L is a better cheapo choice as well as a few others, this ones an overpriced dud with very little functionality and poor build quality.

[@KeepOnTesting]

So true 👍 Terrible range Selector switch as well..not sure how this multimeter garnished the popularity it has attained..definitely way better and cheaper choices out there !

[@876Abb]

I'm watching this video because I bought this multimeter from Canadian tires and they are garbage! I thought I was something wrong so I was going to look on KZbin for help, and this is the second video I've watched and I'm confirming this Innova is GARBAGE

[@KeepOnTesting]

Unfortunately it's not a great multimeter..Innova was apparently asleep behind the wheel when they designed this one!

[@dnlgnzl3780]

I buy it n I can tell u don't buy it

[@KeepOnTesting]

I bought it...still have it.. don't like it either.🥴

[@klu753]

In America you get what you pay for.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Ain't that the truth!

[@williampennjr.4448]

It looks cheap, Like something I'd see in the dollar store.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Feels cheap too.. honestly not sure why some people are so convinced this is the greatest thing since Apple pie..? Way better multimeters available for the same money or less.

[@williampennjr.4448]

@@KeepOnTesting I just tried it out. It was giving me readings before I even attached the leads to anything. Is it normal to have DC volts flowing around a room?

[@BOHOL-sv2rh]

mines 1 nomo da wristband straps

[@onlyhummingalong]

it is terribel. I have one.

[@onlyhummingalong]

Afetr reading your review I decided it's not worth replacing the battery and I am buying the one you recommended.

[@BOHOL-sv2rh]

wow. everybdy mostly dat do videos r crazy like me. talk tu ourselves n jus entertain ourselves. do u guys do drugs too.

[@BOHOL-sv2rh]

wow.. I just realize .. u talk tu urself too. let me guess u noe how fo entertain urself..

[@Jackie_CJ]

$35 it's now 😂

[@KeepOnTesting]

That only took 6 years 😅 👍

[@Jackie_CJ]

@@KeepOnTesting No way! for me, or I'm doing something wrong 🤦‍♀️🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 or if you have any good way that I to use it, of course🤔🤔🤔🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@leogermain5499]

Terrible review! incomplete of testing!

[@rutiger6901]

$35.00 Cdn at Canadian Tire Regina mid May, 2023.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Thx for the price update Rutiger 👍