Best Multi-Meter Under $50???

[UnGrounded]

Is this even a relevant question? Can an accurate and reliable multi-meter be had under this price? If not, at what price can a decent meter be had?

I need a multi-meter but I don't want to spend a bunch of cash!

 

[apurcell22]

That can get you alot of meter used on eBay.
Al

 

[UnGrounded]

Hmm, yeah, used modern test equipment scares me. In a world of micro-chips, I'm always paranoid of getting a glitchy or faulty equipment and never knowing the difference. I guess I could always test caps, resistors, etc., of known values to be certain of the item's accuracy. I'll check out the used market.

 

[Tom Bavis]

Military Fluke 27/FM used on eBay for $45 and a $5 Harbor Fright DMM as backup... the cheapies are accurate and reliable if not abused (but first overload will toast it...).

 

[westend]

Here ya go: Tenma from MCM

 

[gearhound]

I paid $19 for an Ideal DVM at Lowes or Home Depot (I forgot which store?)
It has worked fine checking AC & DC voltages plus resistance.

Steve

 

[addaz]

I've been using this Radio Shack model for years. Hasn't failed me yet.

 

[SolderIron]

The best meter is the one that is good enough within hand reach when I need it. That means a bunch of inexpensive ones all over.

 

[SaSi]

I still use a DMM I purchased some 20 years ago. It wasn't cheap back then but the likes of it retail for less than $50 now.

I've compared it's readings against a calibrated bench meter (Thurlby Thandar 1906 computing multimeter) and it's off by a little, basically in the AC mVolt range in low frequencies. But not by much.

The main reason I prefer the 1906 is it's RS-232 port that allows me to get the readings into my PC and automate speaker impdeance measurements.