Should Handheld multimeters have color LCD displays?

So.... I'd say, "yes," but, I'd rather have a higher-quality monochrome than a lower-quality color.

That said if I can slightly flex, a company called Kaitweets sent me one of their meters. These are a MUCH slimmer form factor than traditional DMMs. They're like a bulky smartphone. They have an (innovative | annoying) auto-mode feature where it tries to determine if you're measuring voltage or resistance.

But, the most striking thing about them is the front display. It's all plastic with a huge multi-color LCD. It is a discrete-segment LCD with backlights. It is NOT an OLED or dox matrix LCD.

And to be upfront, when you have the right angle, it is much easier to read than a traditional DMM's LCD.

However, in this next shot, you can start to see how it is kind of muted with even a slight angle.

It is still readable, for the most part. But it's that angle of visibility that starts to bug me. But not nearly as much as this next issue.

I think to enhance the visual appeal of the front display, they used highly reflective plastic. Which comes with a couple of problems. First, it's going to scratch SOOOO easily. And second, the glare from lights is going to be unbearable in many situations. I highly doubt this would be usable outside. If you have a bench light, it's going to reflect. Etc.

(I don't have a picture where my overhead light caused glare on the LCD -- I need to get that.)

And I know, not everyone has overhead lighting like I do. But it really doesn't take much to pick up glare.

Some of that is polarization but some of it is also glare. Plus, it is blurry! (oh wait, that's because of me.)

For what it is worth, these sell for $40-60 depending on the specified accuracy. From a usability perspective, they're fine. I haven't had a chance to evaluate their accuracy though.

So. tldr, having used a DMM with one option for a color display, I would prefer:

A) Matte Screen

B) Higher-quality LCD > Color

So.... I'd say, "yes," but, I'd rather have a higher-quality monochrome than a lower-quality color.

That said if I can slightly flex, a company called Kaitweets sent me one of their meters. These are a MUCH slimmer form factor than traditional DMMs. They're like a bulky smartphone. They have an (innovative | annoying) auto-mode feature where it tries to determine if you're measuring voltage or resistance.

But, the most striking thing about them is the front display. It's all plastic with a huge multi-color LCD. It is a discrete-segment LCD with backlights. It is NOT an OLED or dox matrix LCD.

And to be upfront, when you have the right angle, it is much easier to read than a traditional DMM's LCD.

However, in this next shot, you can start to see how it is kind of muted with even a slight angle.

It is still readable, for the most part. But it's that angle of visibility that starts to bug me. But not nearly as much as this next issue.

I think to enhance the visual appeal of the front display, they used highly reflective plastic. Which comes with a couple of problems. First, it's going to scratch SOOOO easily. And second, the glare from lights is going to be unbearable in many situations. I highly doubt this would be usable outside. If you have a bench light, it's going to reflect. Etc.

(I don't have a picture where my overhead light caused glare on the LCD -- I need to get that.)

And I know, not everyone has overhead lighting like I do. But it really doesn't take much to pick up glare.

Some of that is polarization but some of it is also glare. Plus, it is blurry! (oh wait, that's because of me.)

For what it is worth, these sell for $40-60 depending on the specified accuracy. From a usability perspective, they're fine. I haven't had a chance to evaluate their accuracy though.

So. tldr, having used a DMM with one option for a color display, I would prefer:

A) Matte Screen

B) Higher-quality LCD > Color

It's got a nice looking display.  No denying that.  I don't think I would like that auto feature you mentioned where the meter tries to determine on its own whether you're measuring voltage or resistance.

Flex acknowledged and appreciated! I have seen that meter show up on amazon all the time. The 3d model photos look slick and I do like the formator. Its too bad the display isn't that clear and vibrant in real life.

O dear: "This digital multimeter is included with 6 AAA batteries" WOW.

Most of the time I am working on a project in front of a computer and there isn't a lot of extra space, so a smaller formfactor is attractive.

But I totally agree on display, I really would love a bright crisp display (which is typical of color LCDs) but they also are power hungery which suggests having rechargeable batteries internal to the unit.

I think, the space it takes up is not different than any other DMM. Its X and Y dimensions are the same as other meters. It just doesn't sit as high. How many people run out of Z-space on their work bench?

Maybe the right compromise would be something in this form factor that uses 18650 cells?

Slightly thicker but with a brighter display?

Fortunately, you can disable it. But I still didn't like it. Despite my best efforts, I couldn't quite trick it. But I feel like it would be an issue at some point.