Looking for a good Digital Multimeter

[gbreckley]

Time to upgrade from my old analog multimeter I've had since my High School electronics class. I am looking for a good Digital one, that will not break the bank (I know this is a relative term) I would like to keep it around $75. I have been looking at Flukes products and they all seem pretty similar. So any input from any of the other modders out there would be appreciated

 

[Roy]

Check with Radio Shack. I think they have one in that price range that includes a PC interface. You could do run-time plots with it!

 

[Kercheval]

The Radio Shack model works pretty well and has 4.5 digits. The PC interface is rudimentary, but present. Protek make a good meter. The 506 and 608 both work very well for me but are a bit higher than your stated price range.

Try http://www.howardelectronics.com/protek/506.html.

 

[INRETECH]

Check into the $3 DMM from Harbor Freight; its a nice 3.5 digit meter

 

[FalconFX]

...Haphazardly trotted over to Frys and grabbed a Fluke 127 not too long ago. Didn't really know what the heck I bought until I read the manual...
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yellowlaugh.gif

Now as I look around, it's quite good for what I paid for it (under $100)...

I'd say stick with a Fluke.

 

[Shark]

I dropped my Fluke 35 feet off a tower it took a few bounces off the structure back and fourth before it hit the pavement. Yes it still works. I'll stick with the fluke meters. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[DHCrocks]

I've had my fluke 85 for about 15 years now. At the time I thought it was expensive and maybe just a bit too much when I could've gotten a lesser DMM to do the same thing. But looking back it was a good investment and I'm sure I'll get much more years out of it. my point is splurge a little and get a Fluke, I think it's the best instruments out there.

 

[snuffy]

Get a Fluke to start with and you won't be wanting to buy a better DVM in a few years.
I've used them for over 25 years with no problems at all. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
The new ones now come with a lifetime warrenty too boot.
They hold calibration well, provided you don't drop them off towers. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Blackbeagle]

I'd haunt ebay or similar looking for a Fluke - possibly the 70 series. Lots of electrical/electronics students buy them as basic meters for their classes and need to dump them later when they actually get out into the field and discover they need the 80's or better. The 70 series is a good basic meter and when you scoop them up this way, you can get them real cheap.

 

[gbreckley]

Thank you, I think I am going to start looking around for a fluke in the 70 series and never look back...

 

[Sigman]

Flukes are definitely nice meters and prices have come down while features keep getting added. If you want to spend less...I picked up a nice little auto ranging DMM from Sears (not sure who actually makes it). It's model number: 82139 for under $30 on sale.

 

[Shark]

[ QUOTE ]
snuffy said:
Get a Fluke to start with and you won't be wanting to buy a better DVM in a few years.
I've used them for over 25 years with no problems at all. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
The new ones now come with a lifetime warrenty too boot.
They hold calibration well, provided you don't drop them off towers. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gifAnd you would be surpised to see how well they hold calibration even after the tower torture test /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[paulr]

Does Fluke make a not-too-expensive meter these days with a PC interface?

 

[INRETECH]

I have a very nice expensive 4.5digit DVM, but its nice to have the "cheap" ones to use where you don't need the accuracy and are afraid of losing it or don't care about $4

I purchased 10 of the Harbor Freight $3.99 specials, and gave them out to friends/relatives as presents

 

[Skyline]

Flukes are very nice meters... but pricey still. I have a couple of Radio Shack ones that I really like: a full size, and a "pocket" one.

It's funny, one time we had a Microwave technician on site to aim and test an ethernet connection via two dishes a few manhattan blocks apart. We asked him what DMM he would recommend, and he showed us his Radio Shack DMM. LOL. I think it's the same one I have too, that I bought for $40.

 

[Charles Bradshaw]

I was gonna buy replacement test leads for my radio shack DMM, but forgot to bring the broken one along. I saw the Probe style DMM (and logic probe) on sale for $14.95 (regular $19.95). Couldn't resist it. All I use it for is checking battery voltages and testing screw in fuses (continuity).

 

[Illuminated]

I swear by my Fluke 87. Pricey, but worth it IMO. All Fluke products I've used seem virtually indestructable.

The 87 measures true RMS voltage/current, frequency, % duty cycle, and so much more.

I use it for work, my hobbies, auto tune-ups, and diagnosing/fixing anything that breaks from everyone who knows that I can somehow fix almost anything (sort of a curse...)

My point is - splurge and get the best you can afford. You won't ever regret it, but you will if you don't buy one that does what you need it to.

Keep the old one or get a cheapie for a loaner, etc. but shop carefully and get a good one.

John