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Mid-Priced Digital Handheld Multimeters

toxcrusadr

toxcrusadr

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I’ve been looking for a DMM to upgrade from my old analog meter. I was hoping to find some additional features that analog meters usually don’t have, particularly capacitance and inductance testing. I thought this might be useful for other intermediate level hobbyist types so I'm posting the results.

There are a couple of threads at AK on meters, and recommendations are made in passing in a lot of other threads. I picked out some of the models recommended by AKers. Most recommendations are for very inexpensive ones that have only basic features, or high end ones recommended by the pros. I was looking somewhere in between.

There are a huge number of meters out there, so I shrank the pile by limiting the price range. It would be rare to find a decent meter (not throwaway) under $50 with either cap or inductance modes. I set the upper end rather arbitrarily at $100, so that cuts out most of the really nice meters that the pros amongst us use. I ended up with 10 models, I’m sure there are many more that would fit the requirements, but this gives a pretty good idea of the market.

Of course, I'm open to suggestions and revisions and will update the table accordingly. Please post your suggestions.

In this price range various features such as true RMS and tests for diodes, transistors and temperature showed up so I included them in the chart.
Prices are for a new unit as of Apr. 2012, from online stores, no ebay sellers and no used prices included. There is good used equipment out there, it just wasn’t part of this project.
 

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I'll look them up, thanks. Your link went to a page of Marantz schematics - were you aiming elsewhere?

BTW I meant to say that only two models so far offered both capacitance and inductance tests in the price range. One, the Precision Gold WG020, I found at a couple of UK distributors (49 Pounds) but not at any US retailers. The other was the Parts Express 390-515 at $95.
 
From your list only I would pick the British meter, since it has transistor, capacitance and autoranging.
 
For capacitance meters, I always look for ones that have the best resolution or smallest measurement (i.e. 10pF) . Most large caps are marked on the outside so a meter to measure them is usually not needed. Inductance measurement is not very common for standard meters but sometimes useful. You might be better off getting two different devices for regular meter stuff and full reactance/RLC measurement. I'm a firm believer in buy-once-cry-once - got me a Fluke 87V - it can take a beating a still keep on going. It will do capacitance to a resolution of 10pF (range of 1100 pf) and you can probably get a used one under $200 - not mention they are made in USA and have a lifetime warranty.
 
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Fluke meters are indeed high quality and can take a lickin'. Unfortunately they don't do HFE transistor measurements, none of them.
 
I hear a lot of good things about Fluke, and the used option would probably put a very good meter in the same price range. The Flukes with these kinds of features are way above this price range new, but that's probably because they're good meters.

Thanks for the thoughts on capacitance. Sounds like it would have been a good idea to include the low end of the range on the chart, but I'll leave it to shoppers to do their own research on that at this point. I was aiming more at matching caps for crossover building and recapping, so the max. value was important. Just wasn't thinking about low value ones.

I did find a couple of Extech meters that fit the criteria and will add those to the list.
 
Hey avionic, do you have any of the Peak brand products? I'd be interested in your opinion on them. If not, hey, it's your birthday!
 
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List updated with a couple of Extech models. They are on sale right now at testequipmentdepot.com. Thank you ChrisMarantz.
 
toxcrusadr said:
List updated with a couple of Extech models. They are on sale right now at testequipmentdepot.com. Thank you ChrisMarantz.
Click to expand...

Be sure to show us a picture when you have made your choice. There's no better smell that a new piece of test gear right out of the box :D
 
I've got an older Calterm at work that looks like it's been to hell and back but it still works perfectly. Never actually tried out the cap or inductance modes or the transistor test functions. I don't need those functions at work. Stupidly, here at home where it would be useful, I do not own a meter that does either function, nor do I own a working transistor tester.
 
I did not find any Calterm models currently available in this class. They seem to market inexpensive meters to auto mechanics. If anyone knows different, point me to em.
 
Maybe we need a Used High End Meters thread. The 87V is like $400 new. Don't get me wrong, I'd love it. :yes: :D
 
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