new multimeter

[testas86]

Hey guys i want to get a new multimeter cus the one i have is giving me issues (mastech mas830L) and since i have no idea what a good one would be i was wondering if someone could give me some advice on which one to buy. I mostly like to tinker with tvs (LCD/Plasmas) and various computer components.

[ipman]

Re: new multimeter

It depends on your budget.
Best one are from Fluke, Agilent, Gossen-Metrawatt, etc. But they do cost several hundreds dollars/euros.
Narrow your search and maybe we can work something out.

[digge]

Re: new multimeter

I recently got an Agilent 1242B, very happy with it and its about the best i could find to my specs and budget. However as ipman said, give us more details on what budget you have what you are going to use it for, what kind of circuits are you gonna measure. What kind of measurements do you do, like do you need to measure frequency and stuff, or is the standard volts and ohms enough.

[ipman]

Re: new multimeter

Also Uni-T, known also as Uni-Trend, sell nice meters if you are taking in account value.
But don't expect quality like those hundred dollar ones.

[testas86]

Re: new multimeter

well i would like to spend the most 100-200 and i just try to fix tvs and computer components. so ill need to test volts, ohms, and capacitors if possible

[ipman]

Re: new multimeter

You can get a used Fluke on e-bay for that amount.
Will measure capacity, but not ESR.

[ratdude747]

Re: new multimeter

You can get a used Fluke on e-bay for that amount.
Will measure capacity, but not ESR.

yes.

ESR is usually a separate meter, some will also do capatence.

if you need all things, I'd find an esr meter that does the ESR and capatence and a digital multimeter for the rest.

If you ever get into power supplies, an anlalog meter and perhaps even a home brew tester (I have pics of mine somewhere) are helpful.

[testas86]

Re: new multimeter

ok so i guess ill invest in a multimeter that can do capacitance as well. do you h ave any model suggestions to look up on ebay?

[Krankshaft]

Re: new multimeter

Check out these videos comparing meters in the $50 and $100 dollar price range:

$50.00 multimeter shootout:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoeUgMFLyAw

$100.00 multimeter shootout:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-_dUB8vy8U

Make sure you get a True RMS meter it's a function you'd rather have and not need than need and not have.

[alexanna]

Re: new multimeter

A feature on my DMM that I really like is the Min/Max record.

[Jack Crow]

Re: new multimeter

Guys,
I am way over the top with DMM's.

For normal stuff I use a Fluke 77III meter.
For more advanced stuff I have had a fluke 8060A for years.

For off the wall stuff I have this thing. Got it cheap on Ebay
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9010884...n/photostream/

In the one volt range it can see all the way down to one microvolt (1x10-6 volt). I can watch the chemical decay in a D cell with it.

A very handy tool for once in a while work.
The four wire ohms feature don't hurt either.

For casual repair duty, the Fluke 77 is very hard to beat.
The other two take some doing to use well.

Where did all this come from, ages ago I used to repair and calibrate instruments. HP745 AC calibrator and 746 amplifier. Fluke 335 DC standards, all kinds of wacked out stuff.

Most people don't need nor want that level of detail, yet it comes in handy at times.

Jack Crow

[Krankshaft]

Re: new multimeter

Haha Jack so I'm not the only one who went nuts and bought a Fluke ? I've got an 87-5.

Alex on my Fluke I've got a Min / Max / Average and a hold function I love both of them as well .

A great example of this functions usefulness.

I had to check a magnetic position sensor on a car a few days ago. They only generate a voltage with the engine cranking and I couldn't crank and check the meter under the car at the same time.

So I hooked the meter up to it on the AC scale activated the hold function and cranked the engine for a few seconds. The meter held the value and I was able check the sensor output voltage.

Turns out the TDC sensor was shot and the ECU didn't throw a code for it. It's the little things like not having to leave the work area and haul someone outside to help that makes these extra meter functions so valuable.

[Jack Crow]

Re: new multimeter

KS
Your so right.
Like anything else in life, owning tools is not the same as being good with them.

J

[ipman]

Re: new multimeter

@Jack Crow: your tools are far from being cheap. They are maybe ten times more than the user started this tread's budget.

I have a Fluke 189. Nice meter, but much more expensive than requested. A 179 is my backup meter, also too much for his budget.

Sure, the most expensive meters are feature-rich, but that's what the advanced users expect.

[Krankshaft]

Re: new multimeter

I put some links a few posts up the videos review meters in the 50 and 100 dollar ranges.

If you can't afford that save up. If you spend any less than 50 dollars you're getting a horribly designed (partially current unfused if it has a 10 amp range) possibly dangerous Chinese piece of crap.