Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starsNot as discribed.
Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2015
I just received the AM530 I ordered from Amazon. Ordered on Friday, delivered on Monday. Amazingly fast.
What I received however, is an AM-530-EUR, a version of the AM-530 intended for the European market. Moreover, It is NOT as pictured or described here.
The AM-530 pictured here and on the Amprobe website includes a simple battery test function that uses two positions on the selector switch - one for for 1.5v and another 9v batteries. The AM_530 I received does not have a battery test function at all.
My AM-530 came with an ultra cheap Chinese made heavy duty battery, not even an alkaline. Changing the battery is easy, Remove one screw to remove a battery holder from the back of the meter. Place a new battery into the holder, then install the battery holder back into the meter and replace the screw.
Thisis what was interesting however. The battery holder uses a rubber pad to keep the the battery snugly in the holder. The battery that came with the meter is a bit taller than a standard Duracell or Every-Ready. So when you install a standard US 9v battery, it will not fit snugly and falls out of the holder as you try to put the holder back in place. I had to replace the rubber pad to hold a standard US batteries snugly. Easily fixed, but still a minor nuisance.
There is a back light, but it automatically turns off after 20 seconds. There is no way I know of to have it stay on until I want to turn it off.
The non-contact voltage detector is OK, but not sensitive enough to detect AC voltage at the front of a standard household socket. It will detect voltage in a wire connected to the socket, but not from an empty socket.
The entire back has to be removed to change a fuse. The screen is excellent and it seems pretty accurate next to my Fluke which I keep in my work truck.
*** The enclosed photo show the selector switch of the AM_530 I received so you can compare it the Amazon photo and description. Note the missing battery test functions.
