ANSWERED Multimeter recommendations?

[Jago151]

I'm thinking of getting a multimeter but I'm not entirely sure which one to get. Xconsoles sells this one:

http://www.xconsoles.com/products/digital-multimeter.html

What do you think?

 

[ablegepu]

Yeah that one looks OK it measures capacitance and everything. I would go with that for the price.

 

[Krafter]

I wouldn't buy anything but a Fluke myself but that's probably a little much for what you want. The selection you made will work just fine but it doesn't appear to have an auto range feature which can be annoying. Let's say you have an unknown resistor value. It may take you a couple of turns of the dial until you get in the range to get a reading. Like I said, it will work just fine but it may take some getting used to.

 

[Jago151]

Yeah that one looks OK it measures capacitance and everything. I would go with that for the price.

Thats what I was thinking. I figure if XConsoles is selling them it must be decent.

 

[Jago151]

I wouldn't buy anything but a Fluke myself but that's probably a little much for what you want. The selection you made will work just fine but it doesn't appear to have an auto range feature which can be annoying. Let's say you have an unknown resistor value. It may take you a couple of turns of the dial until you get in the range to get a reading. Like I said, it will work just fine but it may take some getting used to.

Hmm...is there like an entry level Fluke multimeter? If I'm only doing RGH installs would a Fluke multimeter with an auto range feature be overkill?

 

[ablegepu]

krafter is right. I have about 5 multimeters and one of them reads temperature but i only have one multimeter that is auto ranging and it is the only one I have that reads capacitance and I got it for a steal at the pawnshop. It is a fluke 11 and I love it and I will never buy anything else now that I have seen how easy it is to use and how well it works. It is all digital with a 3-way switch and 3 buttons on it so that should tell you it is very simple to use. I cant afford a newer fluke but I found this diamond in the rough and dude wanted $40 for it and it was the best meter I have ever bought, and once you get an auto ranging meter you will never go back.
if you dont screw up soldering or knock components off of the board then you may not need a meter at all, but it is always good to have one and to know how to use it.

 

[Krafter]

Probably so. I use mine for a living and they are expensive. Ther are other reasonably priced meters out there with auto range features though. For the money, the one you picked will work but it's just another step or two to get a reading than what an auto range meter is. I just thought I'd bring it to your attention and let you decide.

 

[ablegepu]

I found a Fluke 12 on ebay for like $45 and that is a really good deal even with the little blotch in the lcd, you would be extremely happy with it and the problem with the lcd would not keep you from reading the numbers at all. also fluke leads are longer and tougher than others

eBay item number: 271665938941

 

[ablegepu]

i would place a $50 bid on this one though: 171538093007

 

[Jago151]

Ok I'll see what I can do.

 

[Krafter]

If you want a Fluke then get this one: 251715068297

It will do anything you want it to.

 

[ablegepu]

you really have to just go through a few cheap multimeters before you buy a fluke to know the difference and to know why we say only buy a fluke. after you buy 3 $15 dollar multimeters you will have spent enough to buy a fluke

 

[Krafter]

you really have to just go through a few cheap multimeters before you buy a fluke to know the difference and to know why we say only buy a fluke. after you buy 3 $15 dollar multimeters you will have spent enough to buy a fluke

Yep.

 

[Jago151]

I ended up getting the Fluke 76 RMS multimeter you mentioned on ebay. Can't wait to try it out

 

[Krafter]

I ended up getting the Fluke 76 RMS multimeter you mentioned on ebay. Can't wait to try it out

Sweet. The first Fluke I bought was a 77 which is exactly the the 76 except yellow. In its day, it was a $200 meter. Still worth every penny.

 

[Krafter]

This might come in handy.

Fluke 76 manual.

 

[Jago151]

Great thanks.