I am impressed with this GVDA GD107 Multi meter, and found it useful in testing and diagnosing some of my maker projects. This is my first time using a pen type meter, rather than a traditional type, and I am impressed with how easy the pen type is to use.
Once the meter has the batteries installed (and its nice that the two AAA batteries it needs are included), getting up and running with the meter is simply a matter of connecting the negative probe and switching it on. I found the setup of the meter was quicker than with most others, mainly because you only have to plug in one probe and it doesn't require making space for on the desk. The meter has an automatic mode, which works well, but does delay getting a reading a little as the meter works out what it is actually measuring. I found myself using the mode switch to select the mode I needed, mainly because the meter was more responsive that way. The functions on the meter are the usual ones, such as DC and AC voltage, resistance, continuity and diode testing and capacitance, and frequency. There is a live wire detection feature on the device, but it's not something I that was well documented enough in the manual for me to want to test, and besides, almost everything I do is at 12V or below. I did test the other modes and readings appeared to be accurate, and with the bright and clear display on the meter, it was easy to see what the meter was reading. The continuity mode has an audible beep too, which makes life easier. There is a reading hold mode on the meter, which is useful, but I would have liked it to not hold on OL in resistance mode. Another nice feature is the LED in the pen section that illuminates the area you are probing. Current is a mode missing on the meter, but since I learned the trick of measuring the voltage across a resistor and working out the current from Ohms Law, I have rarely used the current mode on my other meters since, so its not an absence I really notice.
Because this is something I have never used before, it took a little getting used to, but I found it really easy to use. Its great to have a device you can take readings from in your hand and not end up dragging across your workspace because the leads are too short, and having a display that is really easy to read with an illuminated display rather than a passive LCD.
Overall, I am impressed with the meter. In my use case, it's a fantastic tool to have for low voltage circuits and with the resistance and capacitance modes it can help confirm you have the right components when assembling and troubleshooting projects. This is going to stay on my desk, ready to use for my projects and troubleshooting other devices.
