[Firam]

I have gotten tired of the multimeters in my circuit lab not working, so I think I should buy my own. Everybody should have a multimeter anyway though right?

I don't know what I want. I know that Fluke is a very good brand but expensive.

As far a features, I don't need more than the basics, DC voltage, DC current, AC voltage, AC current (maybe), capasitance, Beta test, Diode, Resistance. A lit display is good too. Inductance, temperature, frequency are optional.

What do you use?

 

[JustPhilbo]

This is the one that I have and I am real happy with it:
Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

Some folks recommend the even cheaper meter at HarborFreight:
Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

If you have a bunch more money, then by all means go with a Fluke.

 

[n_maher]

I've gotten some very good deals on meters through Ebay. It takes some watching and waiting but was worth it to me. Otherwise there are a multitude of threads here that you can search for.

 

[breakfastchef]

I bought the INNOVA 3320 auto-raning digital multimeter at Walmart a month or so ago when I was building a few Cmoys. Does everthing I need it to do: test battereis, trace voltage flows, match resistors, and check continuity. The unit probably cost around $20. This will last me for a long time.

 

[Uncle Erik]

I think they're discontinued, but see if you can turn up a used Fluke 12. I used one for years until I picked up the 187. It's a good meter, and I much prefer Fluke to anything but the HP benchtop gear.

 

[slowpogo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think they're discontinued, but see if you can turn up a used Fluke 12. I used one for years until I picked up the 187. It's a good meter, and I much prefer Fluke to anything but the HP benchtop gear.

This advice is getting to be outdated. I watched ebay fairly diligently for that model, and also that Craftsmen model that was actually a Fluke, for several months. I only saw two instances of them being there, and they ended up going for like $65. Might as well save yourself the trouble and spend $15 more on an actual brand-new Fluke.

 

[aamefford]

Check out Tangent's article How to Buy a Multimeter . Careful, though, Tangent makes a good case for getting a decent meter - i.e. spending more than you planned to...

 

[error401]

I picked up an older HP 974A handheld on eBay for a song. It specs about as well as some of the better Flukes and has served me very well. My only beef is that the frequency feature doesn't work as reliably as even my $5 chinese meter.

 

[nine]

The advice in the tangent article is excellent. The only recommendations I'd add are find something with selectable auto-ranging (auto-ranging or fixed range), and continuity buzzer.

I've ended up with 4 meters:

Fluke 79 - bought this new about 20 years ago. At the time, it was the top of the line non-RMS Fluke. In addition to the standard functions, it does diodes, frequency, and capacitance. The most useful non-standard feature is the continuity buzzer, which makes checking for cold solder joints, or buzzing out a cable real easy, and doesn't require looking away from your work. It's still my go-to for anything not at the workbench, and gets used at the bench a lot too.

Fluke 22 - this showed up at a local hamfest (flea-market) for $20, and was just too good of a deal to pass up. I mainly use it as a backup or if I'm making multiple voltage/current measurements, when it's faster to grab a second set of probes than move from the voltage to the current socket.

Fluke 8842A - These show up regularly on e-Bay for around $200, new price was $1000+. It's a 5 1/2 digit, 200,000 count bench-top meter with 4 wire resistance. It's great for things like resistor matching. I wouldn't recommend it as your first or only meter, as it has a few quirks (as do all of the high-accuracy meters), but If you're looking for an affordable high-accuracy meter, this is it. It also has no extra functions (AC/DC V, A, and Ohms only, and the AC was an option).

no-name PRC meter - I think this was about $5, it was actually given to me. I keep it around because it has a transistor tester built in.

hope this was helpful

nine