Radio Shack Multimeter w/ PC Interface on Sale

[Roy]

Just got a Radio Shack sales flyer in the mail. In it is a auto-ranging multimeter with a PC interface for $59.99!

"RadioShack auto-ranging digital multimeter
works alone or with a PC to provide big
displays and store readings. Standard functions
plus current to 10 amps, capacitance to 40uf,
frequency to 4MHz."

The stock number is 22-812.

 

[TrueBlue]

Great find, Roy! Thanks!


I was looking for a PC multimeter at Sears and OSH but they don't have them. Sales people just shrug their shoulders when I asked if they will restock or are the meters discontinued. Don't worry as I didn't really expect a correct answer from anyone at Sears/OSH /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon23.gif.

As I read the PDF ONLINE MANUAL for the meter it says the meter runs on PC computers with Win 95, 98, ME or 2000.

Has anyone tried the RS multimeter with XP? I do have a notebook computer with ME but I'd like to use it with one of my XP computers.

 

[idleprocess]

Re: Radio Shack Multimeter w/ PC Interface on Sal

Looks nifty. It has quite a bit more functionality than a typical DMM, but I doubt it could displace a good oscilloscope.

 

[Roy]

Re: Radio Shack Multimeter w/ PC Interface on Sal

I use my 22-805 with XP Pro with no problem. Check the RS web site and see if you can find a newer program.

 

[MrAl]

Re: Radio Shack Multimeter w/ PC Interface on Sal

Hi there,

That doesnt sound too bad, my meter cost over 100 dollars
at RS and i hardly use it with the comp anymore, but
i have used it to test batteries. It's easier then
having to check the battery every so often during
discharge.

Take care,
Al

 

[Negeltu]

Re: Radio Shack Multimeter w/ PC Interface on Sal

haveblue,

Most likely if it works with win2000 it will work with xp... if not..then run it's software in Compatability mode /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[TrueBlue]

Re: Radio Shack Multimeter w/ PC Interface on Sal

Everybody did see the same multimeter on a one day, 7/17/04, web only, RadShack sale of $39.99?
RadShack PC multimeter for one day...$39.99

 

[wholeflaffer]

Re: Radio Shack Multimeter w/ PC Interface on Sal

Here's one for $39.95 that might be useful:

http://www.web-tronics.com/indmmwrspcin.html

Orders of $50 or more get a(nother) multimeter free, too.

No endorsement of this site should be implied...I haven't received my first order yet!

 

[TrueBlue]

Re: Radio Shack Multimeter w/ PC Interface on Sal

You'll have to give us a mini-review of the DDM PC multimeter when you get it...OK?

How long ago did you order it?

 

[wholeflaffer]

Re: Radio Shack Multimeter w/ PC Interface on Sal

Ordered it Friday. I might have it by the end of this week.

I'll be glad to write it up...it's emotionally hard to buy a DMM on the web without having a chance to "feel" its quality of construction, but I decided to take the chance. By writing it up, I can hopefully spare others the same degree of uncertainty! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I'd also be curious to know whether it speaks ASCII, since the Radio Shack model apparently doesn't. That would make it relatively easy to write or integrate software for it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[markdi]

Re: Radio Shack Multimeter w/ PC Interface on Sal

I have wave star for my tektronix ociloscopes and multi meters but I am going to buy one of those cheap meters for a christmas present

 

[jtice]

Re: Radio Shack Multimeter w/ PC Interface on Sal

wholeflatter, That site is actually an off shoot of CircuitSpecialists.com
I have ordered from them before, they seem great.
The free DMM has been workin fine for me for a few months now. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[wholeflaffer]

Re: Radio Shack Multimeter w/ PC Interface on Sal

Excellent /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif! Always feels better when someone has a good word to put in /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif.

 

[rdshores]

Re: Radio Shack Multimeter w/ PC Interface on Sal

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif to CircuitSpecialists.com also. I got a capacitance meter and an inductance meter and a free DVM.

 

[wholeflaffer]

Re: Radio Shack Multimeter w/ PC Interface on Sal

This order, including the meter, should be on my doorstep when I get home from work this afternoon /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/santa.gif. I'll try to get initial impressions to you by tomorrow, and later on (if worthwhile) a bit more of a writeup, on this thread.

 

[BillRoberts]

Re: Radio Shack Multimeter w/ PC Interface on Sal

Do either of these meters store datapoints?

Or do you nedd to be hooked to a PC to collect them real time?

 

[TrueBlue]

Re: Radio Shack Multimeter w/ PC Interface on Sal

The DMM has to be hooked to the computer through the RS232 port to store information long term. Without the PC the meter is just a simple multimeter.

 

[wholeflaffer]

Re: Radio Shack Multimeter w/ PC Interface on Sal

Still playing with the Circuit Specialists meter, but as haveblue said, this meter does not store datapoints internally. My initial impression of this cheap meter is very positive! And yes, to answer my previously asked question, this meter speaks in well-documented ASCII bytes.

Some meters do, though...they have an internal clock/calendar (or at least a timer) that triggers the recording at programmable intervals.