SANWA PM33A HYBRID Multimeter Review & Teardown!

[@Okurka.]

16:00 Couldn't you change the range of the meter to mA? The display has mA and µA symbols.

[@jameswang9257]

The kewmate 2012RA from japan company Kyoritsu offers a similar Hybrid suctions with quite the same form factor. 2012RA comes with better current function (60.00A with 0.01A resolution for both ACA/DCA, with open jaw), and a weaker capacitance measurement (only up to 40uF while Sanwa PM33A can do astonishing 66mF)

[@jameswang9257]

Regarding continuity, Sanwa is still the best for sure.

[@KeepOnTesting]

I haven't reviewed many KYORITSU instruments...I'll try to do more in the near future.

[@lazaroramos1812]

Tengo el Sanwa PM33a hace 3 ó 4 años y es muy bueno lo compré en Japón como todo equipo Japones con mucha calidad,Felicidades por sus videos.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Gracias amigo! I agree, Sanwa is one of the best test instrument manufacturers ever ! 😊

[@yusdiy]

I have been curious about the PM33A for a while now. Thank you Darren for doing this review, however I was looking forward to the current clamp test as I do not own a clamp meter any yet. Did I missed anything? Pros -Great small design, large digits -Select button colored according to mode at rotary knob . Less time reading manual and idiot proof -Feature pack and accurate -Conventional batteries and metal inserts sleeve. Con -Price -Price -Rotary knob quite tall (I dont mind that actually) -No softcase!! Four stars you say? ,I am okay with that.Hehe

[@KeepOnTesting]

Great points! I used the current clamp for the DC Current test..I neglected to show that the wire was in the U Clamp. I did not test AC current in the review but its solid in both respects. I agree 100% about the case! A soft carrying pouch is really lacking for this tiny hybrid.😄👍 It's definitely not a cheap investment however I'm glad I purchased this unit and I use it all the time.

[@peterford9369]

I just bought the ap33 coming from an AW Sperry hsp10, that i had for about 10 years. The indicator keeps sticking and I don't trust the read. I wanted another pocket meter. I have a couple of bigger clamp and stick digital. But i like the analog for the pocket model. You are sooo right. You can feel the quality in this brand. I did chose it because it said Japan, not China. Not mocking Chinese electronics. Anyway this little thing looks like it's going to be around after I'm gone. Very well built and perfect size. And I love the leads reel. They're always in the way on most meters when not in use. They get lost unless you leave um plugged in. Guess the hard wired solves that huh? My first Sanwa. Guess we'll see. Thanks for the video. Really thorough. 👍👍. Take care.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Hi Peter , congrats on the new Sanwa. It's a funky dmm clamp with lots of personality! Built like a tank as you noticed. Glad the review helped! 😊

[@just_arandom_guy8209]

Great review as always! Nice to see more frequent videos from you! It's price it's a big con, but for a professional who cares about the features and the convenient size of this DMM is a must! Only one thing i didn't like is the lack of backlight...

[@KeepOnTesting]

So true! Lack of a backlight is never a good thing.. at least the display looks good..during the day 😃👍

[@just_arandom_guy8209]

@@KeepOnTesting we can always attach a small flashlight on it 😄

[@KeepOnTesting]

@@just_arandom_guy8209 🤣🤣🤣

[@TheRadiogeek]

I’m really digging Sanwa week! Good stuff! 👏🏻👍

[@KeepOnTesting]

I'm diggin that you're digging it ! 👍

[@steph2211]

Nice 👍! Happy father's day buddy.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Cheers mate 👍 Happy Father's Day 💫

[@pyromen321]

Darn, if this were significantly cheaper, I would buy it it in a heartbeat! I hope to see some cheapo clones in the future

[@KeepOnTesting]

That would be incredible!

[@pyromen321]

SANWA ELECTRIC INSTRUMENT CO., LTD. I have to start by saying, I’m almost certainly not in your target market. I’m a Computer Science student who has an electronics lab just for hobby work, so I have a hard time paying more than $50 or $60 for a piece of electronics gear unless it’s absolutely essential (an oscilloscope for example). That said, I would almost certainly buy this if it were in the $40-$60 range. However, I know that is not likely a possibility with the quality and safety standards of this meter. After I graduate in a few months and have some more money to throw around, my target price will likely change. I also want to mention I appreciate you reaching out and being active in the comments. That’s a mark of an incredible company!

[@watchmakerful]

How does it measure current if the clamp can't close?

[@willyrivero470]

Love that meter!!!!

[@gman917]

what a cutie pie--must buy now...

[@KeepOnTesting]

Definitely 👍 One sweet looking multimeter!..uhmm Clamp meter...err....Hybrid!

[@ericchang7706]

No micro A? No fuses? You were measuring current using the leads, right? Why not test the clamp accuracy? I like it but I'd probably blow it up without fuses.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Negative, I used the clamp to measure the DC Current. I should have utilized a better angle but the U clamp was used not the test leads.

[@ericchang7706]

@@KeepOnTesting Thanks for clarifying that! One would probably never measure microamps with a clamp, so not having microamp range is fine for this meter. It looks like this meter would not be geared towards hobbyists working on small electronics.

[@halrhoads6194]

Way, WAY out of my price range! Although I don't need any more multimeters, I'm always on the lookout for another "good bang for the buck" cheapo. (call it a hobby) The SANWA PM33A isn't in the ballpark. But....darn good review, Darren.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Definitely out of the CHEAP-O realm! Like you Hal, I'm always on the lookout for another great dmm too bad this has such a high price tag.

[@grhinson]

This is the best pocket meter I've seen, I'm not sure what other mfg comes close to this one.

[@electronone5219]

How long have you had the Sanwa PM33A? By the way, eBay has it for 125.55 with free shipping for anyone who is interested (as of 6/22/20 from Tokyo, Japan--of course it might be next year before you get it). I like the creative thinking by making the "clamp" part a stand for the meter--wow. Thanks for the video, and as always looking for your next video.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Just over 9 months now. So long enough to get a good idea about its usefulness and build quality. I absolutely love this hybrid clamp! Appreciate the feedback as always 😄👍

[@pault6533]

All that space savings, then they put a big thick knob on the front? Maybe one of the designers used to make detonators 😊 the wrap-around leads make a lot of sense, that’s what people do. “A boot” ? What, are you Canadian? 😊

[@KeepOnTesting]

Well..yeah eh :) I never thought about it but makes sense what you're saying..that selector does look big @@ 😅

[@rguevara83]

What are the dimensions of the meter?

[@simonspeaker]

i bought one and test it... when on dc amp mode, the meter sometime depend on area and orientation in the room goes negative like -0.1 up to -0.5 and go to 0.1 up to 0.4.... does your do that?

[@KeepOnTesting]

Yes..it does..on DCA it fluctuates to -0.01 -0.04 on mine. You can simply REL that out so its baseline at 0.0 by using the REL/ZERO button just before you take your reading. This is normal so nothing to worry about. 😊

[@simonspeaker]

@@KeepOnTesting i did know about that can go positive offset but didint know negative offset! thanks for the help friend! and by the way, nice reviews! im gonna subscribe :) !

[@KeepOnTesting]

@@simonspeaker Thx Simon ! Keep On Testing! 👍

[@hotdog160]

very convenient design

[@KeepOnTesting]

One of the nicest designed meters I've ever come across !

[@the415giant]

Where did you get that digital caliper?

[@KeepOnTesting]

That's a Shinwa 75mm Japanese digital caliper.

[@KeepOnTesting]

BTW, I will be doing some digital caliper reviews this summer. 😄👍

[@yambo59]

Be looking forward that those reviews, youve got a darn sweet stable of 'em to bring to the show-!

[@just_arandom_guy8209]

​@@KeepOnTesting I need a digital caliper and i am always hesitant in buying those cheapos from aliexpress. Looking forward to watch any of them in your reviews!

[@KeepOnTesting]

@@just_arandom_guy8209 Roger that!

[@nagabhushanjoshi254]

Cute meter with good features but with a high price tag!

[@nagabhushanjoshi254]

@SANWA ELECTRIC INSTRUMENT CO., LTD. If the target customer group is non-industrial, then I would say in the range of max 40-60 US dollars, because common users like me use multimeter mostly for low voltage electronics (V-dc, R, C, continuity, mA) although with reduction of cost quality and accuracy might be compromised. May be Darren can give a better perspective

[@shaileshkumara.m.anandappa7641]

Out of my budget range,but still a good looking meter to have....no not to buy😬😬😬😬

[@IntegraGSR5]

I bought this model more than 2 years ago. Wish it came with backlit lcd display but it doesn't. A little disappointed that this meter is made in China instead of Japan. I would just get the Luke meter next time

[@juanluis5289]

Is this a TRMS multimeter?

[@KeepOnTesting]

No it's not TRMS.

[@vhonvhon6523]

👌

[@yambo59]

Wow - I really hate to speak ill of this one as its a dam nice little meter--- but again wow, that price range really isnt reflected inside far as input protection etc. not much out of the ordinary in there at all component wise--on the other hand its also a clamp meter albiet of limited cable size, though it would handle most any individual wire diameter in home romex or hobby wiring. Japanese quality not withstanding id have to be open to other options in this high a price range. I have to wonder if pricing like this is why we dont see near as many Japanese meter brands on the open market. Id love to see a better selection of Japanese offerings especially if the price was just a bit lower - but not as cheap as the chinese meters, one cant expect it to be too low and still get the much desired Japanese quality. Sure is a nice looking meter that appears to perform well, but no better really than a (good) chinese meter does these days unfortunately, but one might also wonder about longevity, this little Sanwa is likely a more reliable and long lived instrument. Great review Darren, nice to see such a unique piece, definitely not a run of the mill item.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Thx Mike. The price point is definitely a bone of contention for many. It would have been great too see more input protection thats for sure! This little gem is certainly a niche product and rightly so. Its a very interesting dynamic in terms of a metrology instrument. Japanese quality aside, hopefully we can see more Sanwa multimeters for the masses.

[@yambo59]

Yep I sure see the uniqueness of it, never have I seen a meter with a clamp built in - let alone the ingenuity of making it double as the stand, thats pure genius-! -- and it was nicely executed too, not gimmicky or cheap looking at all, and I do like that Sanwa display, slightly italicized and crisp looking. Fluke and others sell dedicated clamps style meter with fixed clamps like that and they dont really open per se but perform the same function, so its an accepted solution in the higher priced rigs as well. Its a shame theres not more Japanese rigs on the market to sample at a price you could work with, but alas I think the chinese have cornered the low dollar meter market for some time to come. First think I thought though on this one, geez I could have a 195E from UniT for $130.00, far less than what the Sanwa runs.

[@simonspeaker]

I discover 2 hidden features!! if you press and hold for 3-5 sec RANGE button while turn it ON, you will disable APO (Auto Power Off) .... if you press and hold for 3-5 sec DATA HOLD button while turn it ON, you will see all digits on the screen to verify if everything is ok on it... to exit thoses 2 modes, just turn it OFF and its reset to normal... 🙂

[@KeepOnTesting]

Excellent! Thx for the tips my friend! 👍

[@simonspeaker]

@@KeepOnTesting 🫸🫷

[@mauriciomonroy7118]

No, it does not convince me! At that price point, cat ii 600v, no backlight, no bueno!

[@KeepOnTesting]

It's definitely a niche multimeter and not designed for everyone. 👍