A handheld multimeter is built for portability first, measurement depth second. The Vartech V 981+ inverts that priority - a portable bench-top instrument that trades pocket-sized convenience for genuinely laboratory-grade capability, without being tethered to a bench.
What 30,000 Counts on a 3.5" TFT Actually Buys You
Most handheld multimeters display 2000 to 6000 counts of resolution. The V 981+ displays 30,000 counts on a 3.5-inch colour TFT dual display - roughly five to fifteen times the resolution of a standard field meter, resolving small changes in a reading that a lower-count meter simply rounds away. The dual display shows two measurement values simultaneously (voltage and frequency, for instance), removing the need to switch functions mid-measurement to see both numbers you actually need.
When this resolution actually matters
300 MHz Frequency Measurement and PC Data Logging
Frequency measurement to 300 MHz is far beyond what any handheld multimeter offers, putting RF signals, telecommunications frequencies and harmonic analysis within reach of a single instrument rather than requiring a separate frequency counter or spectrum analyser for a quick check. The built-in PC interface with data recording lets you log measurements directly to a computer - essential for production test documentation, calibration record-keeping, or simply reviewing a trend after the fact rather than writing down readings by hand as they scroll past.
Why "Portable Bench-Top" Is the Right Description
The V 981+ runs from a built-in rechargeable battery with Type-C USB charging - the same charging convenience as a phone or laptop, from any USB power source, with no disposable batteries to keep in stock. That's what separates it from a true bench instrument that requires mains power and a fixed location: you get bench-grade resolution, dual display and PC connectivity, but you can still carry it to a test bench, a customer site, or a production line and run on battery power. Math functions and Run/Stop let you freeze a reading or perform on-screen calculations without a computer connected at all.
V 981+ vs V 980 vs V 92 S - Where Each One Fits
Vartech's range gives you a clear resolution ladder below the V 981+. The V 980 offers 20,000 counts, ±0.1% DC voltage accuracy and a conductance (nS) function aimed at senior engineers and QC teams who need better-than-standard precision in a conventional handheld body - genuinely capable, just without the dual TFT display, 300 MHz frequency range or PC data logging. The V 92 S sits a tier below that: a 6000-count "Smart" multimeter with Intelligent mode that auto-detects the measurement function entirely on its own, aimed at fast repetitive field testing rather than precision work. Choosing between them is a question of how much resolution and connectivity your work actually demands, not simply "which is newest."
Quick Reference
- R&D, calibration-adjacent work, production test documentation: V 981+ - 30,000 counts, 300 MHz frequency, PC data logging.
- Better-than-standard precision in a conventional handheld body: V 980 - 20,000 counts, ±0.1% DC accuracy, conductance test.
- Fast repetitive field testing, minimal setup: V 92 S - Intelligent auto-detect mode, dual display with bar graph.
- General field electrical work: a standard 6000-count True RMS meter is sufficient - see our Vartech multimeter buying guide for the full range.
CIE Instruments is an authorised distributor for the Vartech V 981+ bench-top digital multimeter, part of the full Vartech multimeter range. Contact us to confirm which model matches your resolution and connectivity requirement.