Need new multimeter
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Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,052
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville FL
Need new multimeter
My cheap multimeter crapped out on me so I decided I need to invest in a nicer one. Any recommendations? Not anything crazy expensive either please.
Thanks
Thanks
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,561
Likes: 5,595
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
harbor freight digital china cheapie red one. you can usually find it on sale for $2.99, or just buy it for $4.99
i have had one for 3 years now. it is the truck meter.
4 times i have put 12 volts to the current side while not paying attention to what i was doing when putting the probes into it, and it still works great.
Digital Multimeter - Save on this 7 Function Digital Multimeter
i have had one for 3 years now. it is the truck meter.
4 times i have put 12 volts to the current side while not paying attention to what i was doing when putting the probes into it, and it still works great.
Digital Multimeter - Save on this 7 Function Digital Multimeter
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
What's your primary use? I have a basic Fluke automotive meter and have gotten about twelve years out of it now. I've replaced the fuse a couple of times (never loan your meter out) and it's still going strong.
Thread Starter
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Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,052
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville FL
harbor freight digital china cheapie red one. you can usually find it on sale for $2.99, or just buy it for $4.99
i have had one for 3 years now. it is the truck meter.
4 times i have put 12 volts to the current side while not paying attention to what i was doing when putting the probes into it, and it still works great.
Digital Multimeter - Save on this 7 Function Digital Multimeter
i have had one for 3 years now. it is the truck meter.
4 times i have put 12 volts to the current side while not paying attention to what i was doing when putting the probes into it, and it still works great.
Digital Multimeter - Save on this 7 Function Digital Multimeter
Probably should have put that in my first post lol
Id like to keep it under $50 if possible
Pretty much just basic automotive things. Back probing sensors, checking voltages, etc.
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 40
From: EXTREME southwest CT
I have two meters in my toolbox.
A MeterMan 33xr unit that is a bit beyond your budget. (about $100)
http://www.amprobe.com/Amprobe/usen/....htm?PID=73030
(Wavetek has now merged w/ Amprobe.)
And a solid analog unit that is MUCH better for chasing shorts and such.
The needle reacts instantly when you're wiggling wires, and you can see it trending unlike digital units.
There are LOTS of Simpson 260 variants out there.
I like my -6 PM model with a mirrored scale and easily resettable circuit breaker.
http://www.simpson260.com/
These can be found on Ebay all day for around $50 ($300 new)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SIMPSON-260-...item56468158e2
If I were you, and could have only one, that's the way I would go.
A MeterMan 33xr unit that is a bit beyond your budget. (about $100)
http://www.amprobe.com/Amprobe/usen/....htm?PID=73030
(Wavetek has now merged w/ Amprobe.)
And a solid analog unit that is MUCH better for chasing shorts and such.
The needle reacts instantly when you're wiggling wires, and you can see it trending unlike digital units.
There are LOTS of Simpson 260 variants out there.
I like my -6 PM model with a mirrored scale and easily resettable circuit breaker.
http://www.simpson260.com/
These can be found on Ebay all day for around $50 ($300 new)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SIMPSON-260-...item56468158e2
If I were you, and could have only one, that's the way I would go.
Last edited by ArdWrknTrk; Oct 16, 2011 at 03:50 PM. Reason: Add picture
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Hotshot
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From: The Big, Oregon
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,476
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From: Frequently frozen MN
Wow, a SImpson 260 -- haven't seen one of those in a while. Pretty good meter.
The fluke 77 has a little analog bar under the digits that gives you a hint of which way things are going. I think that it updates every 1/4 second or so.
I do agree that analog meters are nice for some things, but fluke makes an awfully nice meter in the 77. I was in electronics when I still worked, and we used the 77s pretty much all of the time. The accuracy can be very nice sometimes. Also, you can drop your fluke, and it will probably be OK -- Simpson -- not so much. The meter movement can be damaged fairly easily.
I have one of the yellow harbor freights as well ( had more, but they disappeared). I've compared voltage readings with my 77, and it's right on.
It's a cheap meter, but it actually works pretty well. Probes aren't very good.
hj
The fluke 77 has a little analog bar under the digits that gives you a hint of which way things are going. I think that it updates every 1/4 second or so.
I do agree that analog meters are nice for some things, but fluke makes an awfully nice meter in the 77. I was in electronics when I still worked, and we used the 77s pretty much all of the time. The accuracy can be very nice sometimes. Also, you can drop your fluke, and it will probably be OK -- Simpson -- not so much. The meter movement can be damaged fairly easily.
I have one of the yellow harbor freights as well ( had more, but they disappeared). I've compared voltage readings with my 77, and it's right on.
It's a cheap meter, but it actually works pretty well. Probes aren't very good.
hj
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA (Northside)
This is a good meter for the price
Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more
Have had one for 10ish years, good meter (backup for fluke 116 meter).
Also have a cheap analog meter.
If you can pick up a working simpson meter cheap, do it.
Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more
Have had one for 10ish years, good meter (backup for fluke 116 meter).
Also have a cheap analog meter.
If you can pick up a working simpson meter cheap, do it.
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 40
From: EXTREME southwest CT
This one is freshly calibrated and comes with new leads.
It goes off in an hour.
I would buy one for the < $65 bid that is on it right now. (except I already have one)
They are, and always have been, the standard of industry.
SIMPSON 260 TYPE 8, NEW LEADS, MULTIMETER | eBay
It goes off in an hour.
I would buy one for the < $65 bid that is on it right now. (except I already have one)
They are, and always have been, the standard of industry.
SIMPSON 260 TYPE 8, NEW LEADS, MULTIMETER | eBay
Cranky Old Guy
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,562
Likes: 6
From: Raphine, Virginia
I've had my Simpson 260 for 45 years. My Fluke for about five. Won't live long enough to see if it outlasts my old one, but it sure is smaller and easier to set somewhere. Simpson is great for the workbench, but working on a vehicle the Fluke wins hands down.