Which meter?

[edgecreek]

I would like to pick up a good reliable DMM. General use around the home and shop would be all I need it for. Fluke is about the only brand name with which I am familiar. What are you guys using and what do you suggest. Don't need a Caddy, Chevy is fine, probably not a Yugo.

Jim

[1100xxben]

Re: Which meter?

I have a Fluke 87V at home. I got a great deal on it on Craigslist (pretty much brand new, still had the plastic film on the display). For a good all around meter, a Fluke 179 is a great meter. I use them all the time at work. I highly recommend Fluke. If you don't abuse it, it should last your lifetime.

[rone]

Re: Which meter?

look on the "eevblog" on youtube.
Fluke makes decent stuff, but so do a lot of other manufacturers.

I have several meters and accuracy isn't really an issue with any of them - I have a $3 harbor freight meter that is as accurate as any of my handhelds - only issue with the HF meter is the contacts where the probes go in are crap and sometimes you have to wiggle them to get a good reading.

I also have 2 bench meters, a fluke and an hp - these are "honest" True RMS and have accurate AC voltage/current frequency response up to ~100kHz, and will even give a true reading on pink noise - something few handhelds <$300-400 will do.

[thekorvers]

Re: Which meter?

I agree with rone. I also have several meters, including a Fluke. I also have 2 of the HF meters. I think I paid $3 for them.They are so cheap that I keep 1 in the garage and 1 in my office. I use those for battery testing (they have a test setting for 1.5 V and 9 V batteries) and sometimes when I check something in a car. They are less rugged though.

Flukes are good, but pricier than a lot of others just as good for the average user. Sears for example sells meters under their Craftsman brand that are a good value. They have rugged versions as well. They often go on sale. For $20-$25 you can find something decent that will do the job.

[charlielaub]

Re: Which meter?

I would like to pick up a good reliable DMM. General use around the home and shop would be all I need it for. Fluke is about the only brand name with which I am familiar. What are you guys using and what do you suggest. Don't need a Caddy, Chevy is fine, probably not a Yugo.

Jim

You didn't mention anything about the ranges that the "meter" should be able to read accurately, and what kind of accuracy/precision you might want to have.

Do you need to be able to measure millivolts AC and DC? Do you need to be able to measure resistances of less than 1 ohm? Should the meter also be able to measure capcitance and inductance, etc, etc.

The better the capabilities, the higher the price generally. Can you give some specifics?

-Charlie

[edgecreek]

Re: Which meter?

@Charlie,
My uses would be the most basic sort I suppose; continuity, voltage for auto or home use and trouble shooting, and of course what we need for test and verification in this hobby.
DATS will cover the component testing I would need.
@rone
Thanks for the blog link. Lot of food for thought there. More brand names I recognized once they were mentioned.
@thekorvers
I got 2 of the $2.00 PE meters and there accuracy seems to be hit or miss. I think from much the same as what rone stated about the HF leads.
I was in HF over the weekend and passed on there $3.00 guy because it was to much like the $2.00 ones.
@1100xxben
A bunch of Fluke meters on CL in my area. Most of the ones referred to here, there, and on the eevblog are still between $85 and $110 used. If that is what I need to spend then so be it, but if a $25.00 meter will do ..

Thanks for eveyones responses. Anything else you can think of is welcome!

[stereo_dave]

Re: Which meter?

2 cents== The HF meters are OK, they have their uses. I am still using my Rad Shack digital from decades ago (actually have 2 of them) I could never afford a Fluke. A good meter WILL last a lifetime. Google is your friend

[Dirttracker73]

Re: Which meter?

The Elenco LCM 1950 works pretty good. Although the capacitance range could be a little higher, this meter does it all, has been reliable and fairly durable for almost 2 years. I've owner a Radioshack DMM and fairly expensive Craftsman, both have failed. The Elenco also comes with a rubber "jacket" (not shown) to give it little bit of protection. http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=390-513

[rone]

Re: Which meter?

@Charlie,
My uses would be the most basic sort I suppose; continuity, voltage for auto or home use and trouble shooting, and of course what we need for test and verification in this hobby.
DATS will cover the component testing I would need.

I have a radio shack 22-163 (made by ?) and a 22-816 (made by extech) something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Extech-EX430-Autoranging-Multimeter-Capacitance/dp/B0000WU1AC/ref=pd_sbs_indust_8

I wouldn't muck around with a manual range meter. If you get a relatively inexpensive autoranging meter with decent specs, you should be fine. It is nice to be able to get your hands on the meter before buying and feel the quality - Would it handle a drop test, etc...? It helps to have seen a few before. I'd be VERY leery using my HF meter on house current, for example.

[isaeagle4031]

Re: Which meter?

I just bought the elneco lcm1950. The only thing I don't like about it is the little slits for the Ind/cap. I've got DWT but if i'm sitting at the bench the meter is just faster and easier.

[edgecreek]

Re: Which meter?

@dirt
Thanks for the recommendation. . The jacket is a plus. I can see me knocking it of the engine block to the floor while messing with my truck.
@rone
I was wondering how many of these were re-labeled models from the same manufacturer. The auto ranging is on the must have list.
@eagle
Fast and easy is good by me! I would use DATS for IND/CAP so that part wouldn't matter.

[Dirttracker73]

Re: Which meter?

Sorry, the Elenco LCM 1950 is not auto ranging.

[isaeagle4031]

Re: Which meter?

No its not and I missed that detail from the op. However for xover component testing it will be rare to use more than the lowest 1 or 2 levels.

[edgecreek]

Re: Which meter?

Auto ranging, instructions that say "put this lead here; put the other one there" are good things. I prefer tools that are smarter than me.
(Sadly, some days that would include a hammer:D)