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Can anyone recomend me a multimeter for arcade work? -UK
Nephasth:
--- Quote from: bkenobi on February 06, 2011, 09:37:49 pm ---Fluke makes a great meter, but it's hard to justify unless you really know how to use it. Truthfully....how many people here know how to use the features of a Fluke enough to justify it over a a reasonably priced unit (I phrase it that way because low price means affordable, not crap which is the way cheap can be interpreted).
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If you don't read the manual that comes with the meter, of course you won't know how to use the features.
Buying tools is like buying oats. If you want quality oats, you have to pay a fair price. If you want oats that have been through the horse already, well, those are a little cheaper...
Dr Zero:
Since you are in the UK you might consider ordering a basic one from some place like dealextreme or Focal price or the likes that way others could take a look at the offerings and make a suggestion.
http://www.dealextreme.com/c/multimeters-409http://www.focalprice.com/search.html?keyword=multi%20meter
If you want a basic meter like this one http://www.harborfreight.com/7-function-digital-multimeter-90899.html let me know and when I get back home I will mail you one out.
I bought some for gifts and have some left over.
bkenobi:
--- Quote from: lilshawn on February 07, 2011, 12:48:19 am ---*raises hand*
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And I'd expect you to as well! You work in the industry from the sounds of it, so you would have a use for a really nice DMM. I was just saying that for those that are not in the trade, it's unlikely that *most* people would need much more than a continuity tester. I've used mine many times over the years and have used most of the functions sans the PC link.
FWIW, I see nothing wrong with buying a much better tool than you currently have a use for if you expect to have future needs. I also see nothing wrong with buying the cheapest thing out there if you know the current project demands a one time need.
DaOld Man:
I honestly believe that you get what you pay for, but...
just starting out, this meter here seems like a very good deal.
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/DVM-850BL/3-1/2-DIGIT-LCD-MULTIMETER-W/BACKLIGHT//1.html
I use flukes at work, they are the best IMHO, but at home I dont need the bells and whistles.
Some must haves: 600 VAC and VDC or more. At least 20 megohm ohm meter.
Milliamp and amp meter. (10 amp or more on high side).
Diode checker is very nice, and probably a must have for our hobby. Mine will dimly light an led.
Continuity checker is nice too, but the cheap meters are notorious about the beeper not loud enough or very scratchy.
I dont really feel a beginner would need much more than that.
The meter I listed above has most of these features, but remember, you get what you pay for.
Also, dont drop it from over a couple of feet.
EDIT:
The link above is in Canada, Im not real sure if they ship to the UK, I live in US, and I think shipping here is around 7 US dollars..
Nacimroc:
Just to add to this, I use a 'draper' multimeter and for the second time this make is about 20% off on some of the amperage readings compared to other fluke multimeters! Stay clear!