BK Precision 2709B Auto-Ranging, True RMS Digital Multimeter, 10 Amp, 750VAC, 1000VDC, 66 Megaohms, 66 Millifarads, 66 MHz

I previously owned several multimeters, but they weren't autoranging, and lacked some other features that I wanted. So I recently bought two new multimeters...this one and a Triplett 9045, both from Amazon. I've just finished the review of the 9045. I bought two different meters on purpose...because I will be using them side by side set to different modes, and I wanted to be able to tell at a glance which was which...also, if one started acting weird, I'd be able to know which it was! But in hindsight, I sorta wish I'd bought two of these!I began looking at the BK precison 2907B after seeing it reviewed by Dave Jones of the EEVBlog. I encourage you to search for that video because it does a good job of describing the good and bad of all the reviewed meters.In my own experience, I've found that the BK Precision 2907B is fast, and accurate, and it's clearly the winner when compared to my other purchase, the Triplett 9045. While both machines will get the job done, the BK is much faster measuring resistance, capacitance, or conductivity. The probes seem like they are a notch above the ones that came with the Triplett (although the triplett does include screw-on alligator clips and the BK doesn't). The magnetic hanger on the BK is a nice touch, though it does tend to flop loose a bit when not in use. The buttons and controls on this unit feel precise and smooth, although it isn't really easy to change the main function dial one-handed...which may be a trivial point, unless you're constantly switching between modes like you might be if you only use one meter.The only area in which I feel the BK falls short of any of my other meters is in it's physical construction...Specifically, it's the only one of all the meters I have that isn't enclosed in a rubbery jacket, or wrapped with a soft edge around the perimeter. This, of course, is only a problem if it falls off your bench. I'm not saying it's cheaply built, because it's not! But the others all seem to have that extra layer of protection. On the other hand, not being wrapped in rubber makes this meter more compact.

Pros:Excellent MultimeterVery well madeNice Color and Great displayAccurateCompact for small desksDisplays results fastGood beep alert feature when accidently plugged into a wrong socketI saw Internal PCB of 2709's multimeter and its designed very well and EEVBlog recommended as the best multimeter recommended for $100 price range. Min Max average functions, Measures Microamps, Milliamps and Amps. Has Magnet on the Back to hang and suspend it.Cons:No Temperature sensoreCannot measure TransistorI wish backlight was Blue, Its Green in color (Green is kind of old classic look).Wish it had a beep on/off button to suppress the beeps when a component was selected

Having used older multimeters for years, I am still getting used to an auto-ranging meter. The display is otherwise easy to read and interpret, and is nicely backlit. I could do without the beep, though; if there is a way to disable it, I have not yet found it. I removed the silly strap with the magnetic catch on the end, as it was attaching itself to anything metallic it found within range. (When working on or near audio or video components, the last thing you want is a stray magnet latching to and scratching the case of what you're working on.)The provided leads were not so useful though--they are built much nicer (and are more sturdy) than the extras I purchased from another manufacturer, but many of us need leads that clamp onto a wire in various ways, vs. leads that are used only for touching to test points. I would rather have paid $10 more for this same meter had an additional set of high quality clip-on leads been included, or paid less to not have any leads at all and let us choose what we want.But for the basic meter, no complaints--it does its job accurately, it's compact, and reliable. And it's all wrapped up at a good price. Buy a good set of additional leads and you're set for just about any type of measurement you need to make.

If you compare the specs for the BK 2709B's various functions with the Fluke 87V (go to the bkprecision and fluke websites), the Fluke has typically 10 times tighter accuracies. For instance, where the 2709B DC Volts accuracy is spec'd at 0.5% of its reading, the 87V is 0.05%. Analog meters are typically 3% of full-scale, which is much worse. The biggest differences between the 2709B and 87V are the frequency duty cycle which is much better on the Fluke, and the 2709B doesn't measure temperature whereas the 87V does. That said, if you don't need the Fluke's specs, why pay for them? The Fluke is around $400. Also, a BK factory recalibration is about $50, compared to $100 for the Fluke. The Fluke 87V has a lifetime warranty versus three years for the 2709B. But where will meter technology be in ten years? A lifetime warranty won't stop new, better meters from coming on the market. All said, the 2709B has full ranges, all of the standard DMM functions, adequate accuracy and safety for most applications, and it updates its readout and auto-ranges reasonably quickly. If you need a more accurate more rugged faster meter which measures temperature with a lifetime warranty for five times the money, buy the Fluke 87V. Also, the leads / probes which come with the 2709B are perfectly adequate--long enough, flexible enough, rated, with removable keepers and tip shields. People here are sometimes too picky... sheesh! For its price this is a very good meter.

The instrument is fine in terms of accuracy and measurements, but the case was designed by McDonalds happy meal toy engineers. Just take a look at the size of the hinges BK uses to support the retractable stand in the back, which to my dismay were broken upon opening. Well no surprise there, because there is only ~1mm of plastic to support the whole damn weight of the tool. What's even worse is that I paid 90 dollars for this pee-wee-herman injection molding job - DISGUSTING!

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