[johnwmclean]

I’d like to upgrade my multimeter to something a little fancier.

At the moment I have this:

IP67 Rated Cat III Autoranging DMM - Jaycar Electronics

The one I have does a fair job, it’s auto ranging so it can be slow at times to cough up a reading, it’s has limitations within reading sensitive measurements from my experience (which is quite limited). I’ll be using it for general DIY projects. I’d like to stick with auto ranging, as I love them cause I don’t have to think much

No budget has been set, I just won’t to get a gauge on what other builders are using.

 

[nux]

You can't go past a Fluke. I use a 179.

 

[smeggy]

Holy crap, that's expensive.

I'm sure it's good though.

 

[johnwmclean]

BRANDNEW FLUKE 179 MULTIMETER W BACKLIGHT & TEMPERATURE - eBay, Other, Computers Networking. (end time 26-May-09 08:45:17 AEST)

$169.00 - Not to unreasonable, they look the business too. I really like the Flukes.

 

[smeggy]

Bah, I still need a proper solder station..

 

[MisterX]

HP/Agilent 34401A Digital Multimeter, 6½ Digit - eBay (item 250401785031 end time May-05-09 02:26:28 PDT)

That is a pretty decent price for a used 34401A.

 

[Voodoochile]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nux /img/forum/go_quote.gif You can't go past a Fluke. I use a 179.

Ditto.
And while they are not inexpensive, they are also easy to sell and hold value fairly well, just in case you fall out of the hobby. It's money well spent IMHO.

As MisterX pointed out, there are lots of nice used pieces, too. HP, Fluke, Keithley, Tek. If you want a fancy bench meter, this is the way to go, as they are well north of $1K when new.

One word of caution- newer B&K gear, while functional, is of generally pretty poor construction. They used to make great gear back in the day. Fluke is really rugged, and very accurate these days, as is Agilent/HP.

 

[iriverdude]

You'd also want to get it calibrated.

 

[johnwmclean]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iriverdude /img/forum/go_quote.gif You'd also want to get it calibrated.

Is calibration a do once and your done thing, or is something that should be done periodically? Can I do it myself?

 

[iriverdude]

Done yearly, and you need very expensive equipment, which are also calibrated to do it.

 

[smeggy]

....by very, very expensive equipment...

 

[iriverdude]

As in 5 figures

 

[Uncle Erik]

Another vote for Fluke. You can save a few dollars buying used and they do hold their value. I've come close to buying a few of the older HP bench meters - I really love those - but I don't have the room for one right now.

 

[Nebby]

which is why companies offer calibration services so you don't have to pay the full cost of the equipment, only a portion of it

 

[aloksatoor]

fluke 115 does it for me

got it 100 buks shipped on amazon