OWON XDM2041 BenchMeter Review & Teardown!

[@ssalient]

I have the Owon XDM2041 too. I had an issue when I wanted to measure ACV and Frequency in dual-mode it would stop measuring frequency on med and high speed setting until I reset teh device. Without any expectation I sent an e-mail to Owon with my issue and to my surprise within a week I got a reply from them that they will actually look into it. Not a week later again I received a second e-mail with a link to an updated firmware and it actually did solve the issue! Now that is what I call decent customer support! I know of (much) more expensive brands that can learn a thing or two from this (looking at you FLUKE).

[@KeepOnTesting]

Great feedback 👍 OWON really knows how to treat their customers. I've had similar experiences as well. Speaks volumes about their customer service.

[@pault6533]

Would love a Owon Multimeter! The 4-wire capable bench top meter is awesome to have. Very professional!

[@KeepOnTesting]

You're in! It's a great benchmeter anyway you look at it, they just need to iron out the software issues.

[@tshackelton]

Love the new things you are reviewing! Bench meters, power supplies, etc.. Good stuff.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Awesome to hear Tony ! We have a ton of new gear coming up too... 👍

[@25hztolife14]

Bench meters have never been a thing for me but I'll watch any content you put up.

[@KeepOnTesting]

You my friend are awesome! 😅👍

[@guateque1718]

This is a clean looking bench meter. I have never been able to make up my mind about which bench meter I'll be willing to give up so much space for.

[@seangannon193]

Always been keen on Owon gear seems good value for money and a OEM not a rebrand

[@KeepOnTesting]

Spot on 👍

[@bhushan9066]

Viewing angles so well, shows how much attention they've put into it. Bugs in the software could be squashed with ease.

[@KeepOnTesting]

100%

[@bhushan9066]

Probe Masters deserve a salute! 🙋🏻

[@KeepOnTesting]

Salute !!!

[@barrybogart5436]

OR you can get a Owon HDS272S for $20 less which includes a 20k count DMM and sig gen as well as a 100mHz scope. I don't understand the allure pf a bench meter. I haven't had once since the VTVM days.

[@KeepOnTesting]

I hope to review that model as it looks quite interesting. Benchmeters definitely have their allure, 4W Kelvin support, higher accuracy, onboard data logging, bigger displays and AC power are some of the benefits but I know they aren't on everyones bucket list 😉

[@barrybogart5436]

I didn't notice the Kelvn part, but my LCR meter has that, and many DMMS do logging. I do miss the BIG meter on my RCA Senior VoltOmyst. A bench SHOULD be full of meters and dials. @@KeepOnTesting

[@KeepOnTesting]

​@@barrybogart5436 definitely, a benchmeter should always be feature packed, otherwise what's the point.

[@kyleneuhaus2446]

Good fair review of the device. Thankful you compared to several other known good meters also. Fair value for the price but too many things missing for me to consider a purchase. No cable or software, not as accurate as hoped, no kelvin measurement. Thanks for bringing this to us Darren.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Hey Kyle, thx for the kind words. Btw, you actually can do a 4 wire resistance measurement (Kelvin connection) with this meter since it has 4W sense inputs. I didn't demo the Kelvin connection in this review. 😅👍

[@ruikazane5123]

Shame the update rate is quite slow for a bench meter. (Maybe the trigger function is hurting it?) The power supply had USB yet this one got only RS232. Could be better. But we are waiting for that multimeter review...I certainly won't mind receiving a teardown'd meter!

[@KeepOnTesting]

Agreed, the connectivity could be improved , only RS232 is painful 😊

[@ruikazane5123]

@@KeepOnTesting My oldest laptop only got 1394 and a parallel port. Not even a serial...RS232 is too old for these newer WIndows versions to properly understand

[@KeepOnTesting]

Definitely! I tried a new RS232/USB cable as well and still no handshake between the meter and laptop. Firewire eh...wow!

[@KeepOnTesting]

Which multimeter review , OW18E or the new Top Ten 🤔

[@ruikazane5123]

@@KeepOnTesting Exactly. Maybe it will work with a PCIe card if they still make them, and if the drivers actually install on todays PCs. I will be damned if that won't solve the problem!

[@rogerwilco5187]

Thanks for the review. Nice meter. A little on the expensive side for me. The XDM1041 would do me fine, cheaper and saves desk space.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Good choice!

[@coetze]

Never miss your multimeter reviews. Would love to win the OWON PRIZE. Thanks for your entertaining content Darren. Warm regards Christo.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Thanks Christo! 👌 Good luck in the draw!

[@probang2866]

Interesting review, as always. The resume about this Bench-DMM boils down for me to: Only advantages over mobile DMM´s are the higher possible aquisition rate and 4-wire-measurements. For every other aspect of this device are superior solutions (cheaper or more capable) in existence. It would be of interest for me: If the aquisition rate inclines, how much the resolution and the accuracy declines? And, because it is supposed to be stacked up between other devices: Would some electrical/magnetic shielding not be a nice idea? And at last (for today): The OWON 18 DMM got Bluetooth, the OWON SPE3051 got USB, but this (as the "should be the") flagship gots RS232? Is there someone like a supervisor, at least sometimes looking over the portfolio of their devices...???

[@KeepOnTesting]

Agreed 👍 RS232 needs to be fudged and updated with a better communications interface. Accuracy declines the higher the voltage if that's what you're referring too and YES! Shielding should definitely be implemented, its frustrating how simple this is yet ww still rarely see shielding being invoked. Thx for watching 👀

[@probang2866]

@@KeepOnTesting Sorry, execuse me please, surely my fault, English is not my natural language. I assumed to be clearly expressing what I meant when I formulated the question "If the aquisition rate inclines, how much the resolution and the accuracy declines?". No, I haven´t asked about the declining accuracy at higher voltages. Let me make an example: A Keysight 34461A is able to sample with 0.5, 5, 50, 300 and 1000 samples/second. From 50 samples/second upwards is an additional "noise error" defined, hence the accuracy declines. (If necessary I could look up the precise specifications in the data-sheet.) At the same time the number of decimal places is shrinking: At 0.5 and 5 samples/s there is the full display of 6.5 digits, at 50 and 300 samples/s there are 5.5 digits and at 1000 samples/s there are only 4.5 digits left. Hence the resolution declines. Could I be understood, now?

[@KeepOnTesting]

Ahh great question, thanks for the clarification 👍 I would need to test further to give a more precise answer. I'll try to follow-up wuth an update on the website (KeepOnTesting.com).

[@DavidMulligan]

Isn't a 9 pin rs232 connector more expensive than usb connector? In 2024 this decision baffles me. I've never owned a bench meter. Have any of your videos explained what we should expect from a bench meter over a portable multimeter? 4 wire measurement, computer communications and higher resolution are the differences i noticed but I'm sure there are more.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Oh yes David. Those are 3 valid benchmeter upgrades along with higher accuracy, batteries not needed, a 20A current range and usually a bigger brighter display .. The RS232 interface is the only real disappointment here.

[@inesmoreira7699]

Great video

[@KeepOnTesting]

Thx 👍 Good luck in the draw!

[@shaunmorrissey7313]

RS-232? I don't own a pc with an RS-232 port, lord knows how long it's been since I've seen one. Not a bad meter at that price point.

[@KeepOnTesting]

You and me both Shaun! Even with the RS232 >USB the software connectivity is nada 😅

[@watchmakerful]

@@KeepOnTesting You need a 32-bit Windows 7 (or even Windows XP) PC. 32-bit software with port connectivity will not work properly on a modern system.

[@KeepOnTesting]

​@@watchmakerfulI tried compatibility mode (W7) which should work ?? but no success. I unfortunately upgraded my last W7 machine over Xmas..

[@watchmakerful]

@@KeepOnTesting Try on a virtual machine with 32-bit Windows 7. Or contact the manufacturer for 64-bit software. Also you will possibly need to disable "driver signature enforcement" on your 64-bit system.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Yep, I'm still awaiting to hear back from OWON ,Unfortunately I know it's their holidays right now (Chinese New Year)

[@deterdamel7380]

One pro to mention is the 4W-resistance-mode. But why they still design such deep desktop-DMMs? See modern DSOs.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Yep! I completely bamboozled that as the 4W resistance was supposed to be part of the pros! Thx for pointing it out 😅 The deepness of the chassis really depends on the unit. Some are absolutely beasts and very heavy others are an empty can 😕 I agree if there's not much inside why take up so much desktop real estate. I like how OWON segmented the pcb here so I'm happy with this meters design. 👍

[@RJHElias]

I think you need a Retalin.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Naw..don't believe in that crap. I'm naturally enthusiastic. If not, what's the point. 😂

[@three-phase562]

Interestingly, when you opened the unit up, it looked like there were cutouts in the rear plate for RJ45 and USB connectors. Given the modular design. you would think it would be easy to retrofit in USB connectivity. Strange to have an internal and external fuse for current measurement, didn't notice any indication on the panel that there was an internal one, only the one 10A input jack, unless they are switching it for the lower range. I would think there are better options out there, unless you have a budget constraint.

[@KeepOnTesting]

3 fuses in total, one was hidden in the ac plug housing (line fuse) 1A internal and the high current fuse in the front. It is alot of fuses but the main problem is the internal 1A fuse which is a pain to change. 😅

[@cookcrazy]

WOW - sure got some Multimeter Envy going on here! Got to say - been eying a 5½ Digit bench meter for a while - been looking at the HP 3478A Digital Multimeter used - but leery of the Battery issue with them losing their calibration etc... so I got to say YES I would love an Owon Multimeter! I even have a spare PC with a RS232 port that I keep for some older legacy equipment that I have... LOL

[@KeepOnTesting]

You my friend are prepared! The 3478A is a real classic and if you can find one in decent shape it's definitely worth it!😊 👍

[@yambo59]

I hate it when decent products are held back by only being 90% ready for prime time - I used to see a similar thing in a factory I once worked in - engineering and development only part way finished but they pushed it out on the market anyway, results were never positive, sales and contracts were lost as a result - I dont see the plus, but the bean counters kept wanting instant return on their investment no matter the future hassles.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Agreed, software is the main issue here, Hardware wise, the benchmeter itself is solid piece of test equipment that's a pretty decent deal. I've seen it aa low as 199$ on Amazon. 😊

[@krasimirmitev2573]

The Fluke multimeter is outstanding 😅

[@KeepOnTesting]

I hear ya! 💛

[@unk_48]

No usb connector for PC? Wow😅😅😅😅😅

[@KeepOnTesting]

Yup.. bummer.

[@itsandsllc]

No shame.... I said, I said 👁 🤚🏻I want the meteeeeer 🔮(spins battery) Pllleeeeaaassseeee🙏

[@KeepOnTesting]

😊 👍 I hear ya ! 😊

[@user-zl4yn7ht6r]

❤❤❤

[@KeepOnTesting]

👍

[@teh60]

I like all the new and different equipment you're testing now. Very cool Darren 📟🔋🔌⌨

[@KeepOnTesting]

Thx my friend...absolutely a ton of new gear coming to the channel 😀 The fun has just begun!