Advice on choosing a multimeter

[johnrairchild42]

I'm looking for a new multimeter that will last me a few years and was after some advice. I like Fluke's range and have this one in mind:

http://www.newark.com/fluke/fluke-11...eld/dp/83K1721

I think it does everything I need, but just wanted to check there's no point looking further up the range? I'm primarily going to be using it for tinkering with Arduino kits, audio amps etc.

I was originally trying to stick to a $200 budget… Is there any point shelling out more for a high precision device just in case I need one down line?

Fancier alternatives include:

Fluke 177
Fluke 87-5

Also which would be best for reading capacitors?

Thanks
John

[retiredcaps]

Re: Advice on choosing a multimeter

Also which would be best for reading capacitors?

I see you asked this question over at eevblog as well so you should get some opinions there.

Let me answer the capacitor question first. If you are troubleshooting, you will most likley need an ESR meter to get any valuable readings from a capacitor.

While some Flukes can measure capacitance no multimeter can measure ESR.

For the $200 budget, see my previous post with respect to the $100 category especially since you are in the USA.

http://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/ee...864/#msg143864

http://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/he...649/#msg142649

http://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginne...895/#msg142895

I think you can easily get some sort of used Fluke 87 (either original, III or V) for easily under $200.

Maybe get an original used Fluke 87 and an used Fluke 117. You might need both if you have to measure voltage and current at the same time. Both should be obtainable for under $200 with some patient bidding.

[mariushm]

Re: Advice on choosing a multimeter

You don't buy a multimeter to measure capacitors. They only measure capacitance, which is pointless and doesn't help you determine if a capacitor is good or bad.

You'd need a LCR meter to measure leakage, esr etc.. but on a budget you can get a simple esr meter like Blue ESR, Esr Micro and so on. I have esr micro and it does the job just fine.

And since you also posted on eevblog I think it's pointless to repeat what those guys said about 117 from Fluke.

Check out Martin's youtube channel for some multimeter reviews :

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB46F445E454CD696

Have a look at Agilent's offerings and the Agilent meters Martin reviewed, they have quite a few good models that give more features for the money.

[DavidOH]

Re: Advice on choosing a multimeter

I was looking at the Fluke 115/117 today on the Sears outlet page. Not that I need a fluke but the prices were not bad.

http://www.searsoutlet.com/115-Multi...de=buyUsedOnly

http://www.searsoutlet.com/117-Elect...de=buyUsedOnly