Can anyone suggest a decent multimeter? It doesn't have to be anything fancy and certainly not too expensive.
Work out what features you want. Just basic current/voltage/resistance? Continuity test? Diode & Transistor test? Temperature? Frequency? Most basic meters will have the first three, slightly better will have maybe one of the other two. Autoranging is very nice, especially when checking resistors. Avoid Radio Shack, their multimeters look hellish expensive, even by UK standards. A fellow American can show you a better deal. TBH, for a basic meter this will take some beating.
I found this one, which has a few more features than the one cpemma linked to,here . What do you think? I guess I'd be willing to spend at the most $60. But, that might be pushing it. Anyways, can you point me to an auto ranging multimeter as well? Thanks for the input
that looks pretty good - I'm kinda thinking about picking up one or two so that I can get multiple readings at the same time. I expect the accuracy sucks - but at that price you can't really complain. Also - I'd reccomend looking at Meterman multimeters. I currently use a 16XL. It's pretty good - fairly accurate. I'm probabaly going to pick up a fluke soon - but you can't argue with the price of the 16xl (I think i got it for $60 or so)
i just use those cheap £4.99 jobs (maplin had a buy one get one free so i got 2 for £2.50 each - complete with leads, battery and rubber backing. brilliant meters.
HI, I have bought several different model FLUKE meters at pawn shops for a REAL good price. All work very well. I sometimes use two at a time.
If you're looking at a $60 meter, you can always pay like $40 more and get a frequency counter, temperature, etc from Jameco. But yeah, I guess that gets into the "buying more than you really need" trap. I have that $5.90 one. Works great for it's purpose, and the continuity test is nice, for instance, to figure out which two leads from the power button on your case are leading up to it (those ribbon cable ones). Only thing is watch the fuse on those, it's almost cheaper to buy a whole new meter than a fuse haha.
I have an old radio shack digital multi meter (but hey... it works). If you feel up to it, i HIGHLY suggest buying a Fluke meter. they are the best. period. However, the functions you should definitely look for are auto ranging and the meter being digital. Other than that, just about every multimeter will do all the common tasks.
*whistles the mercadies advert 'oh lord won't you buy me' and mutters about a Fluke Scopemeter 190 instead of a car* Mind you it'd be cheaper to buy a 2nd hand car...
