Main > Main Forum
Selecting a multimeter...
(1/3) > >>
lokki:
Hi,
Looks like I will need to buy a multimeter... I was wondering what features I should be looking out for. Any recommended brands? (or brands I should stay away from)

The last multimeter I bought I choose entirely on price (cheapest I could find). But I think I can afford a little better than that.

Thanks
Shifty:
Decent multimeters are hundreds of dollars (like Fluke). You probably don't need something that good. I bought mine at Canadian Tire, I don't even know the brand, probably the store brand. Unless you need super precision and reliability, a cheap one should be sufficient.

I had a cheapo one, it was $20. It broke after a year. I bought another one, slightly more expensive at $30 on sale, and it has been great. All features are going to be similar, measure AC and DC, voltage, current, resistance. I think my new one has a thermocouple attachment.

The best feature IMHO is autoranging, it saves you a lot of time switching the dials to find the correct range. My first one didn't have it, the second did -- try and get one with it. The device is a lot less cluttered with autoranging as well, not as many dials and knobs.

dabone:
I got a Fluke 77 for my 17th Birthday, I'll be 34 next feb and I'm still using that meter every week. It's been thru many sets of leads but never any trouble from the meter.

You will spend a couple of hundred dollars on a good meter but it will last you years and years.

They still make a revised version of that meter.


http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/FLU-77-3.html

http://store.autotoolexpress.com/fluk773mul.html

http://www.action-electronics.com/fluke.htm#70


Later,
dabone
MonitorGuru:
Harbor Freight Tools.   $2.99 (sometimes $3.99) near-constant sale price for their yellow one.

Tests diodes, transistors (NPN, PNP) resistors, DC and AC voltage.

Excellent buy. Identical components as the $15-$30 ones at Radio Shack, Sears, Home Depot/Lowes/Menards (their "GC" brands in black cases)

Unless you're getting a top of the line one that can test capacitors and a few more ranges and back lit, it's not worth spending more than $3-$4 on one, and they last as long as the others I've tried.
lokki:

--- Quote from: MonitorGuru on October 25, 2004, 12:23:06 pm ---Harbor Freight Tools.   $2.99 (sometimes $3.99) near-constant sale price for their yellow one.

Tests diodes, transistors (NPN, PNP) resistors, DC and AC voltage.

Excellent buy. Identical components as the $15-$30 ones at Radio Shack, Sears, Home Depot/Lowes/Menards (their "GC" brands in black cases)

Unless you're getting a top of the line one that can test capacitors and a few more ranges and back lit, it's not worth spending more than $3-$4 on one, and they last as long as the others I've tried.

--- End quote ---

Been looking at this one...

http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4076692?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Seems to do everything I need it to.... (other than test caps).

I could not find the $2.00 at Harbor Freight.





Navigation
Message Index
Next page

Go to full version