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Need multimeter recommendation.

gagelle

gagelle

Super Member
Could someone recommend a multimeter? I have no experience but I want to tech myself the basics on an amplifier that's already in bad condition. I've never used a multimeter. My priority is durability. Should I buy new or try a used one? What brand is the most reliable? Thanks in advance for any help.
 
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http://www.fluke.com/fluke/usen/fluke-87v-ex.htm?PID=56141

Lets not mess about. You need a Fluke. :smoke:

87V_01_200p.jpg
 
SoundOfSound said:
Fluke is really the industry standard. They are built to last forever. You could probably find a good used one on CL or the bay that would outlast and be more accurate than a brand new El-Chepo brand. :thmbsp:
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You may not need 87 model, which is their relativly high precision (50000 counts) model, but you still can get 117 for much less money.
 
for_p1 said:
You may not need 87 model, which is their relativly high precision (50000 counts) model, but you still can get 117 for much less money.
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The cool thing about the 87 model is that it has a built in capacitance meter. I think the more recent models have an even wider range of measurement choices. Great for checking old caps. :thmbsp:

My first generation 87 cuts off at 5uF. :tears:
 
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SoundOfSound said:
The cool thing about the 87 model is that it has a built in capacitance meter. I think the more recent models have an even wider range of measurement choices. Great for checking old caps. :thmbsp:

My first generation 87 cuts off at 5uF. :tears:
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For capacitors you better get a dedicated LCR/ESR meter. Simple DMM is only useful to sort them by capacitance. But to check capacitor parameters at different frequencies, you need ESR meter.
 
Hard to beat a Fluke for reliability. The Tenma meters from MCM are a bargain and should hold up well for a hobbiest.
 
Pandovski said:
Lets not mess about. You need a Fluke.
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This reminds me of a comment made at one of my old jobs, when I used to work at a body shop. I used to bring my tools in every day in one of those black and yellow Stanley rolling tool boxes. This one guy says something to me along the lines of "why don't you get a REAL tool box like mine", and points to this huge Snap-On tool chest that was about the size of a small car standing on it's side.

A couple of days later, I brought in the transmission from my car to use the huge vise we had on the shop. I had to clamp the transmission case in there, lock the trans by engaging two gears at once, and remove the 5th gear retaining nut which is locked in place by having a small section peened over. The previously mentioned motormouth guy comes up and asks what I was doing. "Fixing my transmission" was my reply. "You can repair transmissions?" he says "can you fix the one in my car?" I just looked at him and said "you should be able to do it yourself with all the tools in your fancy Snap-On tool chest."

It is not the tools you have, rather how you use them. You should be able to do most work on this old equipment with a simple meter from Sears. The day you realize you need more than your Craftsman meter can give you, then go out and buy yourself a Fluke.

Lee.
 
jancumps said:
Ahh, this is true. You don't need the best of the best to start. You can most probably spend the rest of your life with a proper basic quality meter.
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The more experiencve you have, the more you feel deficiencies in tools you use. At one point you want tools without second thought about if it shows measured value correctly or if it breaks etc. This is when you won't consider Fluke or Tektroniks price premium excessive.

But for occasional hobby use you can start with Amprobe AM-140-A. This is the same as Extech 560a and both of them are re-branded Brymen 857a DMMs from Taiwan. You probably won't find less expensive DMM if you need thrue RMS and 50000 counts.
 
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I've owned my Fluke 77 for over 15 years. Fluke builds excellent equipment. On the other hand, if all you are looking to do is check continuity and basic voltage measurements, the $3.00 meter from House of China (Harbor Freight) will work (and they can be free with a coupon). A discriminator for my use, since I also do automotive work, is the capability to measure 10 amps or more.

Steve
 
gagelle said:
Could someone recommend a multimeter? I have no experience but I want to tech myself the basics on an amplifier that's already in bad condition. I've never used a multimeter. My priority is durability. Should I buy new or try a used one? What brand is the most reliable? Thanks in advance for any help.
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A Fluke like that will cost you $330. Can you afford it?
http://www.amazon.com/Fluke-FLUKE-8...=UTF8&qid=1366148667&sr=8-1&keywords=fluke+87

You'll also have the used option via eBay, CL, Amazon, etc.....
 
azrocketman said:
I've owned my Fluke 77 for over 15 years. Fluke builds excellent equipment. On the other hand, if all you are looking to do is check continuity and basic voltage measurements, the $3.00 meter from House of China (Harbor Freight) will work (and they can be free with a coupon). A discriminator for my use, since I also do automotive work, is the capability to measure 10 amps or more.

Steve
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We got one of these free with some purchases at China Tools. It wasn't very good, it didn't even measure voltages right. If your buying cheap, I'd go with a $20 craftsman one.

Lee.
 
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