TA-0351: UNI-T UT181A Functions & Software - Hands-On

[@HawkFest]

I bought this exact model for around 300 Canadian in 2019 (about 206 Euros). I was lucky to find a great deal for a brand new one shipped from China (the manual is in CH and EN). I was shocked about the features and the precision of measurements, its sturdiness and overall quality + feel. Still working strong. People, for its price point, if you're on budget and can find it around CAD $500, it's a no brainer, get it!

[@TonyAlbus]

Thanks you for you sharing, yes def agree

[@EricYTP]

IP65?! Hot damn! I've always wanted to measure mains voltage while taking a swim!

[@EricYTP]

Yes, I understand that it's not IP67, but I still wanted to poke fun at a multimeter for having an IP rating.

[@TonyAlbus]

LOL... yes very usefull :)

[@alexhudson3574]

@@EricYTP ip rating is very useful if using the meter on ohms outside when the weather is wet .

[@jwrtiger]

Nice meter and good review. One minor point at 8:00 minutes in I think the nS is conductance in nanosiemens and not time in nanoseconds.

[@TonyAlbus]

Thanks John, not a minor point, great you mention this, i am not even aware of that standard... great i will look into that.

[@ricksharpe6895]

@@TonyAlbus Siemens ( the units not the company) were previously known as mhos.

[@TonyAlbus]

@@ricksharpe6895 Good info Thanks!

[@Tool-Meister]

I used to install mobile solar power systems. I have a Fluke 289 I use to chart power consumption, charging, etc. I needed a second recording meter so acquired a Uni-T UT181A at a very attractive price. It served me for 6 years before I retired. I still have both meters but use the Uni-T UT181A as my bench meter because of the awesome display. I also utilize the dual temperature probe feature. I learned to hate the rechargeable battery, which demands a routine charging schedule to make sure you don’t get caught flat! Think about how you use your meter to see if you can tolerate that inconvenience. Otherwise, it’s a pleasure to use.

[@TonyAlbus]

Thanks for this information, very valueble for people. Yes one van live with the battery life, if you just take it into account.

[@DIlic-iz9tx]

_Bravo Tony._ 🙋

[@TonyAlbus]

Thank you!

[@la7yka]

The UT181A really stands out from the rest of their products.

[@MickDownUnder]

So much of their gear is junk, but they did better with the UT181A.

[@TonyAlbus]

Yes they did a good job on this one.

[@TonyAlbus]

LOL

[@northwestrepair]

Can it measure lower than one ohm ?

[@TonyAlbus]

it does not have 4 wire, so i would not get too exceted about it for lower then 1 Ohm.

[@alexhudson3574]

how could it not measure less that 1 ohm ?

[@bendavies1088]

As the man says. It definitely reminds me of something!!! They do need a nicer bag though. Makes such a difference.

[@TonyAlbus]

Yes :)

[@ianrosal1235]

i like UNI-T it has many functionality and the price is big factor.

[@TonyAlbus]

Yes agree, they make some nice stuff

[@ssalient]

Shocking how much better the display of the Uni-T is compared to the Fluke and also how much faster it responds, especially in the trend/graph mode when zooming in and out. I wonder how long a full battery charge lasts when logging stuff throughout the night for instance. The Fluke devours batteries like there's no tomorrow. :)

[@TonyAlbus]

Thanks Marnix, yes correct, more testing needs to be done. interesting meter for sure

[@nikmilosevic1696]

Regarding battery life, the Uni-T also chews thru the battery, possibly that display uses a fair bit of power. And remember its a rechargeable battery, so if it goes flat you will need to recharge before you can use it again, the fluke you can replace the AA batteries (I use eneloops to avoid batt leakage). I havent directly compared my 181A with the 289 for battery life, but but I think the 181A has a slightly shorter run time. Though my main go to meter is a Bryman 869s or 786 usually, so I dont often use the 289 or 181A.

[@TonyAlbus]

@@nikmilosevic1696 Thanks for that compare, yes the brymen is very good, i like mine too

[@barrybogart5436]

I just got a new Aneng SZ20. I do like Uni-T and have a 161e+. It cost me about $100Cdn. But the Aneng only cost $55Cdn with free shipping. The 181 is literally ten times that! It does not have all the features of the UT181, but is 25,000 count and has a dual display. You should take a look at it. Aneng is not too bad. Thanks

[@TonyAlbus]

Thanks! i will have a look at that one.

[@northwestrepair]

Fluke is very dificult to read if its angled. it has to point directly at you. Is this the problem with uni-t ?

[@TonyAlbus]

Hi, i do not remember that being problem, but is has been a while ago

[@engr.salaheldin]

Is this multimeter audible diode mode continues beep in case of shorted diode and short beep forward diode?

[@TonyAlbus]

Thanks, that is a good question, the thing is, i do not have it anymore, it was a loaner.. and i do not remember.

[@woba7166]

Tony, would you please let me know how measured frequency 32768 Hz is presented on UT181A display ?

[@TonyAlbus]

Hi, i dont have the meter anymore.

[@woba7166]

@@TonyAlbus I see. After reading the specification I guess it will be 32.768 kHz. 1 Hz resolution should be enough to adjust quartz clock generator. Thanks anyway. 🙂I need to correct my expectations. 1 Hz resolution is not sufficient to adjust quartz clocks. 1.13 Hz frequency change results in 3,0 seconds/day accuracy change for clocks with 32768 Hz generator.

[@qzorn4440]

A most excellent 60,000 count multimeter. It would be a real game changer if it was a 100,000 count meter with the way test equipment is improving. 😎 Tony thanks for the great video. FYI: Amazon... $359.28 UNI-T True RMS Data Logging Multimeter UT181A display 60,000 Counts

[@TonyAlbus]

Thanks, you guys are luckey, we pay 414,- on amazone in Euros, so that like 450 in US. Looks like to put some real attention to this meter making a nice product.

[@redtex]

@@qzorn4440 60000 отсчетов избыточно с имеющейся базовой погрешностью измерений.

[@cedricb2344]

I wonder if it is better inside than the ut171 which looks dangerous to use on any unsafe voltage.

[@TonyAlbus]

Unsave is always dangerous. if you are planing to use 600+ Volts, maybe have a Fluke If you use it electronics the UNI-T is a great meter.

[@GraditelMacedonia]

Top! Nice multimeter, but will be more better if Uni-t put option GRAPHICAL.

[@TonyAlbus]

Thank you!, yes very nice meter

[@JohnSmith-dd1vl]

Tony, you didn't check UT181A with LBA02A in resistance mode. I was trying to check my own and it shows strange values then. Other multimeter shows correct values. So my question is that maybe UT181A doesn't work properly with LBA02A in resistance mode.

[@TonyAlbus]

Hi John, yes correct, not all multimeters can handle the emulated resistance of the LB02

[@mikesalins7805]

I work in the automotive industry and am looking for a dvom that can graph sensor readings in real time. Like watching can bus communication. I want to be sure this allows for real time and can adjust scale from like 1v to 5v and adjust the time scale as well. Will this meter do that?

[@TonyAlbus]

Hi Mike, that is where a multimeters and Oscilloscope are different. the multimeter is more for slower but longer logging, while you need something fast. If you have some money to spend have a look at the Fluke 123 or 124. if you have a budget. Owon made a nice one and Zotek is nice but for automotive maybe to fragile. i have at least 2 videos about the Owon DMM/Oscilloscope combi. HDS272 or the now newer now HDS2102

[@stankostankovic9008]

Hello, Tony can you tell how long it takes to charge your battery on the UT181A?

[@TonyAlbus]

Hi, i dont remember, it was a borrow, i would think just a few hours, if it was crazy long i would have remembered

[@stankostankovic9008]

@@TonyAlbus Thank you Tony I have the same problem it takes a long time to charge. Not using it anymore?

[@TonyAlbus]

@@stankostankovic9008 It was not mine, it needed to go back to owner. but i liked it the short time i used it to be honest

[@1975Loeven]

Nice review! I have the cheaper sibling UT161D and i'm very pleased with it for my skills of use. The instrument itself is very good, but as you say, the software leave a bit to wish for the 161D as well. Mine doesn't log internally, only on the PC but that's doesn't matter to me as i use it stationary only anyway. UNI-T makes quite good multimeters for an affordable price to us happy amateurs.

[@TonyAlbus]

Thanks for sharing!

[@mauriziodimichele4589]

Hi Tony, congratulations on your videos, they are great. So what do you think, do you recommend purchasing this multimeter at this point?? Thank you.

[@TonyAlbus]

Thank you! yes i do. if i not had de fluke 287 i would buy it myself. read in the comments were people find small hick-ups i did not found in my test. you so make i good decision. but i would buy it.

[@mauriziodimichele4589]

Thank you Tony.

[@mrpetit2]

interesting review. You showed that you can access the trending data through the software as a graph, but can you also get a list of the measured values and export those to a text format like a .csv file or so? So that further data processing is possible? And is this a meter that can be calibrated/adjusted? (is the calibration procedure accesable in the menu or at least known?) I think these are 2 requirement for this meter to be used professionally.

[@TonyAlbus]

Hi Guido, yes good points, the data can be exported to csv... about the calibration we need to find out still.

[@Joseluis-tf4in]

How long does a battery charge last in hours or so? and how long does it take to charge it afterwards?

[@TonyAlbus]

Hi, this video was 1 year ago, i do not remember by heart, but if i did not mention it or you do not find it in the comments, i guess the usual 5 hours at least. but it could be longer.

[@siderov777]

Hi. Does it still worth buying this multimeter UT 181A. I live in Netherlands and 2 weeks ago I bought UT61E+, but I don't like it. If 181A is much better, please let me know, because I am really confused

[@TonyAlbus]

Yes the UT181Ahas more digits nicer graphical screen, i like it. if i not have the fluke 289 i would have kept it for myself.

[@siderov777]

@@TonyAlbus From all the multimeters I've been watching for almost 1 month, I like these: Gossen Metrawatt M274S, Fluke 289, UT 181A, and Brymen 869s. All the others a saw and collected information - do not like

[@TonyAlbus]

@@siderov777 The bryman is great, lot of digits, but it is a bit big, price wise that is a great choice

[@tomasbergh]

So I cant make long time logging measurements with the powersupply connected?

[@TonyAlbus]

This meter stops recording when the battery is empty.... like any other

[@tomasbergh]

Hi @@TonyAlbus, thank you for a great channel with great content! I understand that it turns off when the battery is empty... 🙂What I meant was that when I do measurements over long times I prefer to have the power supply connected so that the battery discharge-time does not limit the length of my measurement. And if I understood it right the battery-charger of this device is using the input terminals so this rules out this device for very long time measurements.

[@TonyAlbus]

Yes you are correct about the charger, i did understand your point, but i do not have one handheld in mind that can use an adapter to charge if i think of brymen or fluke... maybe the fluke 867, but not sure about the recording and memory. most other normaly priced multimeters just have non-rechargeable batteries. i saw in the comments that one viewer used it for 2 days before the battery died. 2 days is not bad. and thanks for the nice comment!

[@tomasbergh]

@@TonyAlbus Ah, ok. I was comparing with the Fluke 199C that I use for logging data sometimes. Ok, yes, 2 days is enough for most measurements. I suppose what I need is a type of data-logging device instead of multimeter. Thank you and have a nice afternoon. /Tomas

[@TonyAlbus]

@@tomasbergh Thanks, same!

[@TheNefastor]

How long does the battery last on a full charge ?

[@TonyAlbus]

Not sure, also i dont have it anymore... if i remember correct 7 hours of logging.. but not sure

[@TheNefastor]

@@TonyAlbus thanks. That's a bit too short, I was hoping for 24 hours of logging...

[@GioJonnhyK]

​@@TheNefastor7 hours with the little original battery pack is too short??? 😂😂 dude, get an external powerbank and limit will be your fantasy 😂😅

[@TheNefastor]

@@GioJonnhyK it's a logging meter. It has to have endurance or it's pointless. I'm looking to measure voltages and currents over several days. And you can't use that thing while it's charging.

[@GioJonnhyK]

@@TheNefastor nope. IT'S A MULTIMETER with the function of logging. Energy density in batteries is NOT a UNI-T decision but PHYSICS in this Universe.

[@Psi117]

A very good meter. Agree with you in all points, but on the trend function it can't compare with Fluke. Use longer time logging (5-10min. on mains for ex.) and you will see that UNI-T can't zoom as Fluke do. It get out of the screen. Trend function on UNI-T is just informative (very poor developed).

[@TonyAlbus]

Thank you, for pointing that out, the trend needs to be tested longer...

[@TheGrantourismo]

Sadly it's true. But better than CEM DT-9979, which does not have zoom at all.

[@Psi117]

@@TheGrantourismo Indeed, I also have the DT9979. The good thing with 9979 is that you can calibrate very easy.

[@mawshie1337]

Does the 181A have an Auto Hold function?

[@TonyAlbus]

Hi, sorry i do not remember and it was a loan, so i can not test it for you.

[@mawshie1337]

Ah dang, no problem. Thanks anyway.

[@grerlab2777]

Very good copy...??? The big question...!!! 🤔🤔🤔 Nice meter and good review... Thanks Tony for the vidéo...👍

[@TonyAlbus]

Thanks Grer

[@firasgh871]

Please can compare fluke117c vs ut117c

[@TonyAlbus]

At the moment i do not have those models

[@JohnUsp]

The most important test is the "Time", if the DMM keeps accurate after 5, 10 years. Best to buy a Fluke, passed the Time test.

[@TonyAlbus]

Hi John, yes proven by some Fluke items i have in the Fluke Friday series on my channel, that still run even after 50, 60 years!!

[@hunmedlab]

The logging test difference base on a setting mistake. A Fluke recording settings sample rate settings is wrong. You set is 1 sample / 15 minute. This is the base of difference the number of samplings. In this case the fluke multimeter only registered an events, not a samples. Wrong setting, Wrong test, Wrong conclusion. Next time will better! :)

[@TonyAlbus]

Thanks! good info!

[@redtex]

So, that is good toy?

[@TonyAlbus]

Yes i like it. you get a lot for your money

[@redtex]

@@TonyAlbus Perhaps, but the last digit most likely means nothing.

[@mikeadler434]

👍👍

[@TonyAlbus]

Thanks!

[@zdzisiek1979]

👍

[@TonyAlbus]

Thank you!

[@VK3LHX]

The UNI-T's bag looks very cheap and low-quality... if UNI-T is trying to compete with Fluke, at least they can do something about that...😅

[@TonyAlbus]

For the price difference you can prob buy a golden bag :)

[@bifftannen3167]

Way way way too many buttons

[@TonyAlbus]

Thanks for your feedback

[@bifftannen3167]

@@TonyAlbus you do a fantastic job with these reviews it is helping me to decide which machine to get. keep up the good work

[@TonyAlbus]

@@bifftannen3167 Thanks Biff!

[@SergeRibalchenko]

Hi there, can you please suggest a stationary multimeter under $500 (so-called "bench meters")? I mosty measure mV DC, mA DC, resistance, sometimes capacitance and sometimes MHz to see the tact frequency. My current device is +- ok, but I wonder maybe there's something better in terms of accuracy, I have Uni-T UT61E.

[@TonyAlbus]

Hi, depends also on the digits you wand. If you want something good look for Agilent 34401A secondhand en ebay, if you want new. Siglent has nice SDM3000 Series. 4.5 5.5 and 6.5 Multimetrs..

[@SergeRibalchenko]

@@TonyAlbus Thank you for your suggestion, I'll go with Siglent, 5.5

[@LabiaLicker]

Obviously this is intended to be used out in the field. I'm curious as to what are the applications of such a meter are. Where would you use one? Am asking because I'm very ignorant towards more complex electronic troubleshooting.

[@TonyAlbus]

Yes agree more for electronics than HVAC

[@skyhigh1154]

Still Scheveningen radio.

[@TonyAlbus]

Thanks

[@piotr-Garou]

👌

[@TonyAlbus]

Thank you!