Multimeter advice?

[lanesplitter2]

I'm in the market for another multimeter, hopefully around $50 bucks.

Is there a model you'd recommend?

Typical tasks include checking resistance, continuity and voltage. I've seen some automotive multimeters that'll check tach, dwell and even RPMs-- how useful are those features?

thanks,

Garrett

[Noid]

Sears has a nice on for $29.00 with a tempature probe.

[afm199]

Try and find a pencil probe at an elctrical supply house. I used to buy Fluke, but frankly the cheap imports work pretty well and last a long time. Pencil testers used to be $100, now a good one is available for $30, and they last. I have about five sitting around, all beat to shit from the job and all still accurate.

[motoelectro]

Originally posted by lanesplitter2
I'm in the market for another multimeter, hopefully around $50 bucks.

Is there a model you'd recommend?

Typical tasks include checking resistance, continuity and voltage. I've seen some automotive multimeters that'll check tach, dwell and even RPMs-- how useful are those features?

thanks,

Garrett

Fluke 79 is my favorite. It doesn't have a temp probe built in, which can be kinda useful for finding faulty temp sensors, but it ain't essential.

[wilit]

Flukes are awesome, but pricey. At work we have Flukes, but at home I have a cheap digital one I bought from Sears. It's worked pretty well with no complaints.

[motoelectro]

Originally posted by wilit
Flukes are awesome, but pricey. At work we have Flukes, but at home I have a cheap digital one I bought from Sears. It's worked pretty well with no complaints.

My work fluke managed to work it's way home :wow

Garrett, here's a good source with lots of choices:

http://www.jameco.com/Jameco/catalogs/c251/P193.pdf

Jameco is down in Belmont, or you can mail order....

[bsd43]

I have one of these: http://www.actron.com/product_detail.php?pid=16155
http://www.northernautoparts.com/ProductModelDetail.cfm?ProductModelId=8290

It does tach (rpm) and dwell in addition to other normal multimeter functions.

[afm199]

I have a nice Fluke sitting in my Knaack Box. It is too nice to take to work or use. I am afraid I will lose it or break it. So I carry my cheap shit testers and lose them instead.

[motojava]

I use a $20 Sears multimeter. I have an old school meter from the dawn of liquid crystal displays, that I use when I need something with faster response time.

Every now and then I need an analog multimeter (like for counting pulses when reading codes on BMW's).

For 99% of the jobs, the $20 Sears meter gets it done.

-Paul

[motoelectro]

Originally posted by afm199
I have a nice Fluke sitting in my Knaack Box. It is too nice to take to work or use. I am afraid I will lose it or break it. So I carry my cheap shit testers and lose them instead.

:laughing :laughing

I have "sacrificial" meters too....but I never seem to lose them....

[nathan]

is this the $30 one you guys are talking about at Sears

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=03482139000&tab=spe#tablink

is it worth the $10 more than this one?

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=03482141000&tab=spe#tablink


I've just been using my dad's fluke but I figure I should buy one. Which is the better buy? I'm sure the $20 one has everything I really need but does the $30 one have a feature that could make that $10 seem insignificant while working on a bike or other common household problems?

[donoman]

I have a Fluke also, which is nice if you use it everyday in the field but a cheap one will work just fine for once-a-quarter electrical investigations.

[motoelectro]

Originally posted by nathan

I've just been using my dad's fluke but I figure I should buy one. Which is the better buy? I'm sure the $20 one has everything I really need but does the $30 one have a feature that could make that $10 seem insignificant while working on a bike or other common household problems?

The $30 meter has a diode checker which can be useful, also can measure capacitance and temperature (not sure if it comes with the necessary probes though).

It might be more of a PITA if you just want to check battery voltage or check continuity....

[lanesplitter2]

I picked up the $29 DMM from sears yesterday. I works, but it's hard to use when trying to hold the probes steady and the readings fluctuate.

Another problem, it doesn't include batteries, nor the thermocouple to take temperature readings.

[VTRZA]

I got one for 5 bucks at computer surplus,they have a whole bunch of decent cheap ones

[EastBayDave]

The Fluke "10" economy "autoranger" I've fallen in love w/cuz of it's ease of use. Was $70 w/shipping, but I like it so much I got a second one; one for home/radio shack, one for my mobile tool kit I keep in the cage. Plus the typical assortment of Radio Shack "pocket" cheapo meters.

I even have a couple old analog meters kicking around; including an RCA Television one I got off a old friend decades ago (now passed) who used to work for RCA building TV's in the 50/60's. I love the motion of that BIG sweeping meter...

Must have ~4-5 blown up meters laying around too...(careful checking car batteries...)....BOOM! :P