The OWON XDM1041 bench multimeter, peach or lemon? part 2 - user interface 

There are some more gotchas coming up... in the next one.

Totally agree. BTW, when you get yours, would you mind posting what firmware you have? I am trying to make the case to OWON that some folks have V3.0.1 (or more?) already and they should make an update available for all those with an earlier version...

Yes, it would be nice to have better fuse access but looking around at my other bench and handheld meters, the XDM1041 is not alone in that. Only my Agilent 34401A and the HP3478A have outside fuse access and only on the HP3478A can you do it from the front which is convenient if you have the meters in a "stack" as I have.

I spent quite a bit of time to look for suitable (yet affordable) capacitors (and resistors) for my references. Unless you have already a precision meter that allows you to measure caps and resistors to sort out good ones from mediocre ones, don't buy from ebay or similar. It is best to buy these kind of components from reputable electronic distributors. However even with these, the market is always changing and whatever deals were available when I build mine are long gone. Another rule that I follow is to never use references for anything else but as references. That way they keep their values better.

I agree, and I did not get the OWON to replace my trusted 34401A. But it sure is handy to be always-on and ready the whole weekend, for a quick check of voltage or a continuity. Because of its form factor it fits perfectly under a shelf supporting my monitors at the back of the desk, so it does not take any room and the display is large and easy to read.

Yes, in that case I would do the same. To be honest, I mostly bought the 1041 because it fits so nicely under my monitor on the work bench. Tailor made, so to say, and for everyday quick checks its very convenient.

Yes, the link is in the description of the videos www.patreon.com/user?u=45604138

I do admit that most of the time I forget to dim the display and its often running for many hours. So far no negative effect. Of course I do not use the XDM1041 to measure temperature. If I would, then the heat of the backlight causes an extra error

O meu tem uma atualização antiga, você sabe como atualizar?

On the XDM1041 the uF range tops out at 500 micro-Farad (uF), a capacitior of 1000uF or 2000uF has to use the 5mF or milli-Farad = 5000uF range. Top is 50mF or 50000uF

I believe they changed the model of the LCD which needed a new firmware. I agree with you on the probes. As with most meters, its well worth upgrading from the probes that came with it.

A bit like asking whether to buy a sports car or an off-road vehicle. It depends on what you want to do with it. The XDM1041 is a lot more accurate , can measure low voltages and current better and has 50000 counts and you can connect it to a PC. The Fluke 17b+ is handheld ,only 4000 count and AFAIK is not True RMS. On the plus side, the Fluke is built like a tank and very safe to use. Fluke meters generally have a high reputation and should work for many years and still meet their specs. Unlike OWON, you can trust Fluke's CAT ratings. I would never us the OWON for any serious high voltage /high energy measurements. It is a bench meter for electronics with only rudimentary safety protection and that is it. If you want to do more like electrical installations stuff, the Fluke is definitely the meter to go for. It will be OK-ish for most electronics too. Not being True RMS being probably the only really serious shortcoming.

I asked OWON last week if there was a newer firmware version and they said no. Because I don't see this resistance problem in my meter, I assume it got fixed in the version they gave me (dated 25-May). I asked for permission to share this upload with other XDM1041 users and they said fine. I will put it up on my Github page for download "as is" in the next couple of days. With "as-is" I mean, you take the risk of bricking the meter when patching the firmware. I put a comment on the OWON part 3 (the one on firmware) and update the description when I have put the zip file up. I should mention that this firmware still has a list of bugs which I have reported to OWON but they don't seem to spend to much work on it (if at all).

I am not surprised to hear that. The sw in the XDM1041 looks like it came from other multimeter models too. In principle there is nothing wrong with that but of course you also get the not-so-good features

Penso che tu possa attivare i sottotitoli in italiano, tradotti al volo

I sent them a list of bugs, some of which OWON accepted as bugs and others they deny being a problem (in their eyes!). Needless to say, nothing happened with respect to new firmware. I'd love to get my hands on the firmware. This meter has great hardware. With decent firmware, it would be a real winner.

@@TheHWcave I ordered the OWON meter anyway, so I am also interested in debugging the firmware. I will put up with the bugs as I don't have $ 1000 + to spend on a home workshop bench meter. Thanks for all you hard work making the teardown videos!