Society of Robots - Robot Forum

Electronics => Electronics => Topic started by: Melcin Powell on August 12, 2010, 07:36:56 PM

Title: How to buy a good multimeter
Post by: Melcin Powell on August 12, 2010, 07:36:56 PM

Well I've been doing some shopping on multimeters, and since i don't know much about them it is hard to know if I am getting a good deal. I did find this one but not sure if it is good or not http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007Z0TAY/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=AMH4W1K8OCGMX (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007Z0TAY/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=AMH4W1K8OCGMX). If you guys have some recommended multimeters that aren't to expensive (200 or lower would be nice) it would be appreciated.

Thanks

Melvin Powell

Title: Re: How to buy a good multimeter
Post by: blackbeard on August 12, 2010, 08:24:30 PM

anything FLUKE is good. everyone i know who uses multymeters professionally uses FLUKE meters and there are economical versions.

Title: Re: How to buy a good multimeter
Post by: tmoney68 on August 12, 2010, 09:01:57 PM

I use Extech instruments. They are very good (IMHO), and very reasonable.... usually less expensive than Fluke, which is considered top-of-the-line. You can usually get a nice kit of a couple of multi-meters for less than $200.

Here's a quick example I just googled:

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?client=ubuntu&channel=fs&q=extech&oe=utf-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=5909095291406190293&ei=6rNkTMbINYiMnQfkteDNAQ&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CEwQ8wIwAg# (http://www.google.com/products/catalog?client=ubuntu&channel=fs&q=extech&oe=utf-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=5909095291406190293&ei=6rNkTMbINYiMnQfkteDNAQ&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CEwQ8wIwAg#)

Title: Re: How to buy a good multimeter
Post by: vinito on August 12, 2010, 09:29:03 PM

Recommended reading:

http://www.robotroom.com/Multimeter-Reviews.html (http://www.robotroom.com/Multimeter-Reviews.html)

Title: Re: How to buy a good multimeter
Post by: billhowl on August 12, 2010, 10:13:33 PM

You can get this genuine
Fluke 17B 2.6" LCD Digital Multimeter Meter (2*AA included)
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.28659 (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.28659)
Fluke 15B 2.6" LCD Digital Multimeter Meter (2*AA included)
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.28658 (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.28658)
for USD$90.50  & USD$73.54 with free shipping

Title: Re: How to buy a good multimeter
Post by: Soeren on August 13, 2010, 01:48:12 PM

Hi,

Yes Fluke is THE multimeter to go for... If you're a pro with lots of cash, but for starting out, anything will work, so go for something below $10 to practise on - you can allways upgrade when you have some experience to apply to the selection process.

Cheap meters are pretty good. I have an extensive collection of handheld and lab meters (including 3 different handheld Fluke meters and 2 lab grade Fluke meters), but for the everyday job, i mostly use some of the $4 meters, as I don't really care if they break (none had so far, except a meter I built myself back in the seventies - it didn't like measuring the contact of an ignition coil, so the chip died from an inductive pulse).


I would personally NOT buy a Fluke from DealExtreme - they only trade in Chinese Knockoffs, whatever the self proclaimed "experts" (who rarely know what they're talking about) may write on their site. And then there is the issue with warranty.

Title: Re: How to buy a good multimeter
Post by: Melcin Powell on August 13, 2010, 01:54:42 PM

Alright well thanks a ton guys.