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Need multimeter recommendation.

I've no complaints with the $5 Chinese meters for the price, though they are more easily damaged by drops and by overvoltage... and they're typically 1 meg input instead of the 10 Megs of most meters. I'll usually reach for a Fluke first (have three) but sometimes you need a couple of measurements at the same time. And if you have a few, batteries won't ALL be dead at once...
 
You can argue either way. If you like nice things and the money isn't a problem, buy a Fluke. It's never a mistake and will last for years.

OTOH, a cheap meter from Sears or Radio Shack (do they still have meters?) or even HF, will do almost everything you need. Lots of digits of resolution is nice, but the reality is that most audio measurements don't even need to be very accurate. Even true RMS isn't really needed by 99% of those who want/have it.

A cheap meter also allows you to have two or three connected, which is often more illuminating than just one measurement at a time. As an example, when measuring the output of a power amp you want to have a meter on the line (hopefully with a Variac) so you can keep it at exactly 120 VAC as the power amp loads it down. Failure to do so will give you erroneous maximum power measurements.
 
Multimeter = muliple meters :). I can't just have one. I need one within hand reach when I need one. If I step on one, no big deal. I think of those thinkgs just like I think of screw drivers. That dictates cheap but usable.

With cheap HF meter, you need the battery in good shape. No meter works with weak battery. The internal resistance is ome meg, but not a problem most of the time or uless you are woking on tubes circuit resistances. I have multiple better meters in the rare occasion that I need one.
 
Of course, given the retro appeal of tubes, turntables, and other analog devices on this site, the use of a digital multimeter seems inappropriate. To be "correct" it seems that the only appropriate meter is an analog Simpson 260 (mine is in the rolltop case).

Steve
 
Go to harbor freight and buy some 6 dollar multimeters, then buy you a nice Simpson or radio shack clone with a meter, use the nice one when you are positive power is off because I have ruined plenty of them checking for ohms with power on.
When the 6 dollar one blows up, no loss, when the nice ones blow up you cry and search for another.
 
jsixis said:
Go to harbor freight and buy some 6 dollar multimeters, then buy you a nice Simpson or radio shack clone with a meter, use the nice one when you are positive power is off because I have ruined plenty of them checking for ohms with power on.
When the 6 dollar one blows up, no loss, when the nice ones blow up you cry and search for another.
Click to expand...

This is exactly the difference between bad and good multimeters - the latter do not die when you make a mistake of connecting it to high voltage circuit in resistance or current measuring mode.
 
If Fluke 87-V looks too expensive an excellent alternative would be Brymen, Extech, Agilent, Amprobe or BK Precision.

But still... the Fluke 87-V has a lifetime warranty by the best in the industry, and deservingly so. It is THE REFERENCE digital multimeter of them all. The Daddy.
 
May I suggest Extech. I have a Fluke MM, HP VTVM's, and Simpson VOM's but my go to meter is my Extech. Extech multimeters are built like tanks, are very accurate and much cheaper than the Fluke, HP (Agilent), and Simpson. They range in price from below $49.95 to $499.99 My Extech is 15 years old and thanks to it's auto off feature it is only on it's second 9 volt battery, and than only because I had a 2 pack and I had to use the 2nd battery for something. http://www.extech.com/instruments/categories.asp?catid=48

Here are three examples:

EX540: 12 Function Wireless True RMS Industrial MultiMeter/Datalogger
MultiMeter/Datalogger (up to 9,999 readings) with Wireless PC interface (915MHz) Amazon has this meter for $275 dollars.

EX540.jpg


and

EX230: 12 Function Mini Digital MultiMeter with IR Thermometer
Averaging, autoranging DMM with 4000 count large backlit dual LCD
Amazon has this one for $82 dollars. This one has a non contact IR thermometer with a laser pointer. I have one of these in a separate device and they are dead handy for scoping out over heating parts.

ex230_detail.jpg



MG300: 13 Function Wireless True RMS MultiMeter/Insulation Tester
MultiMeter/1000V Insulation Tester with Wireless PC interface (915MHz)
Amazon has this one for $366.00

MG300-insulation-tester-field-work350pix.jpg
 
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transmaster said:
May I suggest Extech.

MG300: 13 Function Wireless True RMS MultiMeter/Insulation Tester
MultiMeter/1000V Insulation Tester with Wireless PC interface (915MHz)
Amazon has this one for $366.00

MG300-insulation-tester-field-work350pix.jpg
Click to expand...

I do not think OP asked about $300+ multimeters. I that range Fluke or Agilent is way to go. One can even get new digital oscilloscope for less than $400. In more reasonable $100 range Extech is reasonable, but not the best option.
 
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Another vote for Tenma. We have had these at work for over 2 years now with no problems. Auto ranging, specs rival the Fluke at less than half the price.
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/72-7735

We know that it meets theses specs because we get it calibrated every year and it comes back as "received; within specifications"
Specifications:

Range
DC Voltage: 400mV, 4V, 40V, 400V, 1000V
AC Voltage: 4V, 40V, 400V, 750V
DC Current: 400µA, 4000µA, 40mA, 400mA, 4A, 10A
AC Current: 400µA, 4000µA, 40mA, 400mA, 4A, 10A
Resistance : 400Ω, 4KΩ, 40KΩ, 400KΩ, 4MΩ, 40MΩ
Capacitance: 40nF, 400nF, 4µF, 40µF, 100µF
Frequency: 10Hz~10MHz
Duty Cycle: 0.1%~99.9%
Input Impedance: 10MΩ
Dimensions: 6-3/4" (H) x 3-3/8" (W) x 1-1/2" (D)

Accuracy
DC Voltage: ±(0.8%+1)
AC Voltage: ±(1% +5)
DC Current: ±(1%+2)
AC Current: ±(1.5%+5)
Resistance: ±(1%+2)
Capacitance: ±(3%+5)
Frequency: ±(0.1%+3)
 
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I used a Fluke meter at work for about 25 years. It was far better than anything else we had.

Best Regards,
TerryO
 
Frequency response

The choice of meter strongly depends on what you hope to do with it. For example, if you want to measure the power output of an amplifier over the audio range, you will want to check the frequency response of your meter. Most inexpensive meters will not accurately measure voltages at higher audio frequencies.
 
dan_f said:
The choice of meter strongly depends on what you hope to do with it. For example, if you want to measure the power output of an amplifier over the audio range, you will want to check the frequency response of your meter. Most inexpensive meters will not accurately measure voltages at higher audio frequencies.
Click to expand...

The Tenma AC frequency response is only 40 Hz - 400Hz.
However, the Fluke 115 at $150, only goes out to 1KHz. On a new meter you are going to have to spend a lot more than that to get flat frequency response out to 20KHz. If you need to do that you are better off with a used benchtop meter like my Keithley 197. Accurate measurement of frequency response is a whole different level of test equipment. The OP is looking for a meter for general troubleshooting. For that, If you compare the specs of the Tenma above with the Fluke 115, I think you will see it stands up very well for 1/3 the price. Nothing against Fluke, I just want to say you don't have to spend $150 to get an excellent hand held DMM.
 
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