Review: Part 1 - Vichy VC97 vs Victor V97 Multimeter

[@mjlorton]

Hi Howard, the bar graph provides an "analogue" view of the measurement. It helps when the measurement is changing quickly to see what it is doing...as the digital display will change too quickly to see what's going on.

[@mikelee8520]

Ok, the Vichy VC97 arrived, and I must say the LCD screen is big and clear, and does have things that my other yes cheap multimeters judt do not have, It is because of your 2 videos that I got the Vichy VC97. Thanks for the vidoes well made and great quality. Mike Lee

[@mjlorton]

My pleasure Mike, thanks for the feedback.

[@lighteningwawa]

If there is any intentional naming trick happening, it's probably the other way around. I'm from China and Victor is a well-known brand since I was a kid and my father used to have one. I am now 32. Victor brand is at least 20 years old, and they have an entire line of VC7x/8x/9x anyway.

[@nicksonyap]

Hello Martin, Vichy and Victor are the same company. Vichy is the old brand name and Victor is the new one. I speak Chinese and have contacted one of the sales person, to confirm this. I'm now using Vichy VC99 (not VC97, VC99 is very old model, according to Victor salesrep). I no longer see any Vichy products (other than a few VC99, VC97) being sold in the Chinese market. Rather, There are lots of Victor branded ones being sold currently. You can check out their Victor VC890C+ (cheapy manual range, highest sales), Victor VC86E 0.0000 resolution voltage with USB connectivity.

[@ZegaracRobert]

For simultaneous current measurements put both multimeters in series (19:03)...

[@bmw-e30]

I would imagine you being very influential in people choosing a meter to suit them. You can be critical without being obnoxious and irritating like some reviewers.

[@mikelee8520]

After viewing your videos on the Vichy VC97, I decided to go to eBay and buy that model the Vichy VC97, only having a couple of cheap digital multitesters £3.45 and such I thought it was about time for some thing a little better. Thanks for the video and I have already downloaded the manual for that model.

[@leonardbutcher8555]

Hello Martin, greatly enjoy the channel, when you multimeter tests, do you check to see what voltage is supplied during a diode test at all? One of my DMM's is a Vichy VC97and I discovered that it cannot test MOSFET's because it does not supply enough voltage during a diode test. It provides a measly 1.56v which is not enough as MOSFET's typically require around 2.25 to 2.5v. I had been testing them and replacing them, only to notice no difference, so I tested them again with another meter and they all worked. Even a bargain basement Bside ADM08A meter provided 3.25v during this test.

[@DanFrederiksen]

And Martin, I reiterate the value in comparing to other meters in a review. Holistic is always the way to go, never review in isolation. An obvious comparison is the Fluke 17B which is also a 4000 count. Also a reference like 87V and put in perspective with UT61E

[@CalcProgrammer1]

I have two Vichy VC99's and they're great meters for the price. Sure they're nowhere near the quality of a Fluke 87 but they are accurate for the price and feel like decent meters compared to the tiny Harbor Freight $5 ones that exemplify cheapness. The VC99 (and most likely VC97) does indeed have RS232 - if you hold down the REL button the RS232 segment will light up and the Tx pin on the IC inside will transmit data. Solder in a fine pitch wire and hook it to an IR LED or just a serial port if you're not using it to probe dangerous voltages. I did manage to screw up my selector switch contacts taking it apart and now the amps range doesn't work so that's why I have two - bought a second one that I will not take apart so I don't break it. I wouldn't use them for line voltage AC or high current/high voltage DC but for accurate electronics projects meters they will do just fine and are very nicely priced.

[@howardstanley3935]

Hi Martin. Watched your video on multimeters for beginners and followed your advice about getting one with auto range and bar graph,fancied the fluke but it was out of my price range.decided on the VICIVC99 which had the auto range and bar graph, I bought it for £26 on ebay.Could you tell me a bit more what the bar graph is used for as you didn't say much about it in your video. Kind regards Howard Stanley.

[@snipersquad100]

Nice video, I think the victor needs a slight tweak of the pots to bring it into speck. Something to bare in mind when you take it apart.

[@diegoemanuel5170]

I liked the comparison, you can put caption for the Portuguese?

[@TheGrantourismo]

A lot of cheap DMMs have a problem while autoranging oscillating DC (or DC+AC). After several seconds of bizzare readings they go to show OL. Definetely my Victor 86C has this problem. Can you try it with both VC97's? I've seen this problem at about several volts DC + 3-5 Hz AC.

[@jidissafi7413]

I hate those combo "function select"/on-off switches. Just noticed that. The round button at the upper left is actually a power switch on their LCR meters. In addition to sometimes being a pain to have to keep twisting around to that same function every time you use it, it always makes me feel like I'm putting too much wear on the wipers and it's a matter of time before they start screwing up. It's bad enough on something with a really solid build.

[@faustsmith]

Hello Sir, Have you been able to take a closer look at the Victor 189 multimeter?

[@DaveCurran]

Having more of the functions available directly and not via secondary functions seems to be more useful. I don't know why it seems to be associated with the cheaper meters? The more expensive ones seem to require you to press mode once or even twice for things like continuity or diode test, or switching between ac and dc. One of the reasons I went for the Fluke 115 was that although it doesn't have that many features, they are all directly selectable.

[@silverado7044]

Hello, I want to buy a multimeter, and now that I have seen your clip from the Vichy vc97 model Which girl do you think is Victor or Vichy in terms of performance

Yes, if you measure for a long time. Fuses blow faster the more it is overloaded. Even a fast fuse will take some time to blow exactly on its rating.

[@DimensionDude]

Interesting, I didn't know about reading Hz while in voltage mode. Tried it with my Tekpower TP4000ZC and got about the same results as the Vichy but only with 60 Hz.. Perhaps switching to Hz on the selector dial lowers the input impedance to filter out the "phantom" readings. Couldn't get a reading by placing my DMMCheck Plus next to the Tekpower, maybe its shielding is better than the Vichy. Maybe I should make a short video?

[@jvianneyjr]

Very good review. Do you know whats the better, Vichy VC97 or Uni-T 890D ?

[@kipponi]

I just got Proster VC97 and it is same as Vichy VC97 ? So the name is changed in two years. Specs are same.

[@cnimi]

Very interesting, I bought a Proster digital caliper and it served me well so far.

[@distantmatter]

Your in depth review got me to buy the Vichy. Appreciate the vid. Thanks

[@mmahgoub]

Hi just wanna let you know that i've enjoyed you series of Electronics Tutorial and looking forward for the coming videos.

[@TheSurvivalSecrets]

I got the Vichy 97 2 weeks ago and I love it. Beats the hell out of my previous meter.

[@EEVblog]

I'm not the only one, Dan has been banned from many channels. He just moves on and infests the next one.

[@dkngdetailing]

Hi there, is it possible for you to do a review on Victor 70 C and Victor 86E

[@kasperkyd]

I bought Vici Vc99+ 6999, what is the digital bar which keeps moving at the bottom of readings? Can you explain in simple words please :D

[@beletrist]

Hello Martin! Can you advice me good, but not very expensive function generator?

[@keimo2007]

whats the difference between VC97 and VC99?

[@wangmolly2124]

VC97 is 4000 max digits multimeter without analog bar display, now the supplying model is its upgraded one VC97A; and the VC99 is 6000 max digits multimeter, with analog bar display. By the way, vichy is the old brand of vici.

[@keimo2007]

@@wangmolly2124 thank you

[@jackinthex]

Hi, mjlorton. Can you please allso test LED on diode mode. Some testers do not give out 2v+ to test LEDs wich is a real shame. It seems to be the case with vichy.

[@master138]

Hello man is there any way to adjust the contrast of this multimeter?

[@Baerchenization]

My only concern was that the cheap ones could be terribly inacurate, thanks for the test... I'd only need this to test a car battery and car electrics if something should brake - I don't think I'll need a Fluke for that. I guess for my limited purposes I can do without Fluke leads - they cost more than the actual meters reviewed here ! I'll wait until you opened then up though - anything electric from China costing 30 bucks has the potential to scare me...

[@Phen0mable]

I get crazy readings on Volt selection DC and auto mode. Probs are not connected. I get everything between -145V and + 56 V. Is that normal ?? Meter is new. Arrived today

[@et34n1ty-ttv]

Thanks for your comparaison! Il had order an VC99 from VICKY!

[@adriansmithmusic]

Last Week I ordered a Pro'sKit MT-1070 True RMS DMM for €33. I have now just discovered that its actually a rebranded Victor VC-97 True RMS DMM! Victor offer an OEM branding service. Bit pissed now as I could buy the Victor brand cheaper.

[@mjlorton]

Great...glad the video was of value. Cheer, Martin.

[@adfalmeida10]

Hi mjlorton, plz I have doubt about this Vichy vc97 is not true rms but he has a duty cyle function! is correct?

[@wangmolly2124]

vichy is old brand , current brand is vici. The multimeter VC97 upgraded to VC97A 3 years ago, and this device is available for true RMS and teh duty-cycle tests.

[@mkilickap]

can I buy Victor V97 or unit ut139c and is it True RMD (Victor v97)

[@nightmisterio]

my multimeter looks just like the Vichy 97 but its called Vici VC97

[@TotalRepair]

my 2

[@jidissafi7413]

Notice around 3:11. His case says Vici too. I've got the DM4070 and it's the same way. The actual box has no brand at all, nor do the pictures on it. I guess they're leaving themselves some options. : )

[@diavolescaCZ]

Jidis Safi From what i understand it's vicimeters.com and some of their meters are vichy and some vici.

[@wangmolly2124]

vichy is the old brand, vici is current. And for the 97, now supplying model is VC97A.

[@wangmolly2124]

@@jidissafi7413 all vicimeter's products packaging is in neutral style (no vici brand), vici brand and product model number is only on the device itself.

[@testbenchtech]

Martin and everyone. Please take a close look at the sockets between the two meters. It looks to me as if the sockets on the Vichy meter are recessed into the meter casing and the sockets on the Victor are flush with the faceplate. I think I noted the shrouds on the test leads for the Vichy and Victor meters look shorter than the fluke ones. If anyone else sees the same things I do PLEASE chime in. China may have different standards then other countries. 73's all

[@H3adcrash]

Do a review of the APPA 82 DMM! :) It seems very interesting.

[@warunakumara7671]

please put link to buy in e bay

[@NavStuff]

what camera do you use?

[@BurakB]

temp measured by ma and com poles at vichy and most vc 97 s

[@MrHurricaneFloyd]

The Vichy has a no contact sensor for AC Voltage and frequency.

[@ahmetcankiri6572]

VC 97 Multimetre and break out photo?

[@antoniogalvao6198]

boa noite . estou comparando esse multimetro hikary 2090 aqui no Brasil dizem que elw muito bom. alguem mi indica essa marca victor e confiavel e alguem sabe si tem algum compado com fluke na questao de segurança e qualidade?

[@KeenanTims]

Interesting. My Victor VC97 from 5 or so years ago is a bit different. Different button/switch layout, has the circular transistor socket and separate K-type input and AC/DC button. Weird. Also get a grip on significant figures! Such a bugbear.

[@nathanpc]

Thanks very much for the review. Really looking forward to part 2.

[@Ihavetruth22]

Review the Mastech MS8229 Auto-Range 5-in-1 Multi-functional Digital Multimeter. Great review at amazon.

[@tobortine]

I've had the Vichy 97 for about 6 months now and have no complaints. The points that Martin brings out are exactly right and the two weakest features I would note are the continuity and the frequency measurement range. As a beginner I chose a cheap meter to get me started and I'm happy with the Vichy. One point Martin didn't show is the transistor tester, it does work but it's incredibly fiddly and generally not worth the effort.

[@nevild6371]

You cant compare a $80 to $100 meter such as the Fluke 17b to a $30 cheapie, it would not be a fair comparison, 4000 count or not.

[@khashayarmodaberi4958]

Thank you man for getting information about this multimeters

[@andrewmcneil]

thumbs up very informative just got the VICIVC99 for £18 of ebay

[@warunakumara7671]

vichy and victor both are good , they response quick than others

[@yorickhunt3371]

FWIW, after buying two Vichy VC97s (the first was thought to have been lost in transit, so ordered a replacement - then both turned up on the same day), I have to say that both of these are quite pathetic. They'll compare very favourably with the $10 el-cheapo devices you can buy at petrol stations and car parts retailers, but for any sort of actual electronics work, they'll be mostly useless for anything more than *very* rudimentary measurements - I certainly wouldn't trust the results. Not wanting to continuously take my trusty 25-year-old (and still going strong) Metex out into the wilds of the field, I ended up getting a Mastech MS8250C - around 50% more expensive than the Vichy and Victor, but it's far more accurate and very robustly built. The 6600-count display and NCV function are additional niceties which I've now grown very fond of. I may end up using the RS232 data logging feature at some point, but that wasn't a deciding factor during purchase.

[@sajjen]

A current of 0.9997mA should obviously be displayed as 1.00 and not 0.99. It's just simple rounding.

[@skycarl]

Good review. Thanks

[@DanFrederiksen]

The Vichy impresses on accuracy. That's also what I noted when Davy Jones did the 50$ shootout yet he placed it last even though it was the most accurate. And when pointed out he said it was just a fluke :) and banned me. This test would seem to corroborate that the Vichys are by default quite accurate. No doubt best value for money and you can do very serious electrical engineering with such a meter. Martin, try to get over the idea of spending 50$ on leads for a 30$ meter. The leads are fine.

[@codenamebravo2212]

Your very thorough lol good test.

[@principecristiano]

help, you may enable Spanish subtitles,

[@grahamhall2662]

Excellent review, thanks. That was fun, that poor meter. Have just bought one for hobby use, no intention of testing high voltages and current.

[@BL-yj2wp]

There is no point in buying these. For 35$ you get the Uni-T UT139C, for 48$ the UT61E.

[@bodycell]

I love how you hate that these are decent meters. It gets on your nerves, doesn't it? =)

[@master138]

17:19

[@postersm7141]

Looks like a knock off of my fluke 177 meter

[@warunakumara7671]

both cant measure henry

[@DanFrederiksen]

That's nervous laughter from your illusions crumpling. I'm quite serious.

[@DanFrederiksen]

Dave banned me because he's irrational, proud and insecure. I haven't expressed any grandeur here although I am truly awesome. That makes you irrational too.

[@BurakB]

no diots? like a joke for a person like you :) good test thanks "

[@abhishekaswal9695]

I has a multimeter HTC DM87 a copy of vichy 😎😎😎

[@Synthematix]

Manual in chinglish.

[@mjlorton]

;-)

[@DanFrederiksen]

It wouldn't be fair to the overpriced fluke and that's the way it should be.

[@danijel124]

I would never buy the victor just because of the name...

[@thebjhale]

Just about any meter with one of those circular transistor measurement things is a borderline dangerous piece of garbage.

[@velcroman11]

A FLUKE look-a-like!

[@nevild6371]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA as I said, you're a funny guy

[@nevild6371]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA funny guy

[@DanFrederiksen]

Try not to be such an unquestioning product of myths. Dare to think. The Vichy is catII 1000V, not catIV, not that cat ratings mean anything at all. Try to realize that no reviewer has ever tested it nor talked about what it means to be safe under those conditions. Never take on an opinion unless you understand why it's right or wrong. And you don't. You know nothing about drift either.

[@MrUnix-cu9yy]

I would definitely go for the Vichy VC97. To sum it up., better quality. Of course the Fluke 101 basic is the best of cheaper multimeters. (⌐■_■)