RJBerto Posted March 26, 2013 Report Share Posted March 26, 2013 In the market for a new multimeter. Not looking to spend $150+ on a Fluke, so wanted to see if anyone here is getting on well with a sub-$40 model. Seems to be lots of junk out there. Bonus points if it can load test batteries.... Edit: These two models piqued my interest, the first being sold under many different brand names: http://www.amazon.com/Mastech-MS8268-Digital-Manual-Multimeter/dp/B0050LVFS0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1364326878&sr=8-3&keywords=multimeter http://www.amazon.com/Equus-3320-Auto-Ranging-Digital-Multimeter/dp/B000EVYGZA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1364326878&sr=8-2&keywords=multimeter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Hirtenstein Posted March 26, 2013 Report Share Posted March 26, 2013 i've got the mastech, it ain't bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toy Robot Posted March 26, 2013 Report Share Posted March 26, 2013 I'm just about to order a multimeter from Amazon, so this post is perfect timing for me. Looking forward to other people's responses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nwstudios Posted March 26, 2013 Report Share Posted March 26, 2013 For just checking cords and batteries just about anything will work. If you need to measure fast transients or with high accuracy then a Fluke will be the way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Waelder Posted March 26, 2013 Report Share Posted March 26, 2013 I've had an Extech pen-style meter for some years now and it has served me well. This model: http://www.extech.com/instruments/product.asp?catid=49&prodid=300 Easy to use, very accurate, all the functions you are likely to need in the field and it takes ordinary batteries. (AAA's if memory serves) And, it falls within your price range: http://www.amazon.com/Extech-381626-MultiMeter-Logic-Test/dp/B000I3VRCO I had a Beckman 73 before and preferred it but it's considerably more expensive (maybe twice the price) and, after a few years, it died on me for no explicable reason. The Extech is almost as good and, while not so cheap as to be given away as swag, it's not so expensive that one couldn't buy another. I also recommend having a second meter on the follow cart or in the bag you keep in the trunk. Harbor Freight has some meters that are so cheap they are almost swag: http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=volt+meter Similar products can no doubt be found at other retailers. The pen-style meters are easier to use but it's good to have a back-up. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted March 26, 2013 Report Share Posted March 26, 2013 Oh, so many options... I've had excellent results with Tenma, the house brand at MCM electronics ; (over 100 to hoose from, pick a price and style...) if needed, MCM customer service and support are tops, right up there with our usual suspects. if you call them on the phone, you can ask for professional pricing. Techni-Tool also carries a variety of options http://www.techni-tool.com/ Jensen tools... BTW, I still use and love my Tripplet analog meter http://www.triplett.com/shop/model-310-c/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan H. Chang Posted March 26, 2013 Report Share Posted March 26, 2013 Before Black & Decker took off one of their multimeters from the shelf, it used to be a great value and buy at roughly $20. Now, I would simply recommend one of the Extechs for a sub-$50 meter, I think the model was 310/320. Or go with a Klein Tools 200 series. I used to have something similar to what Max recommended, but not by that name and it was made in China, blue-colored. Gave it to a friend. If you're ever considering going up, say, $160-180+, The Fluke 116/117 models are going to hit the homerun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Wexler Posted March 26, 2013 Report Share Posted March 26, 2013 Lots of good suggestions and links here, I had no idea there were that many options and price points for voltmeters. Looking at the Harbor Freight site that David recommended I think I found the meter I'm going to use on my next battery block. Forget about all these expensive LED panel meters. This one is $9.00! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nwstudios Posted March 26, 2013 Report Share Posted March 26, 2013 If you don't mind spending a few dollars more the Fluke T5-600 sells for less than $90. Always been one of my favorites when I don't need a lot of accuracy and comes with a built in amp probe. http://www.amazon.com/Fluke-T5-600-Voltage-Continuity-Current/dp/B0006Z3GZU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Hirtenstein Posted March 26, 2013 Report Share Posted March 26, 2013 Lots of good suggestions and links here, I had no idea there were that many options and price points for voltmeters. Looking at the Harbor Freight site that David recommended I think I found the meter I'm going to use on my next battery block. Forget about all these expensive LED panel meters. This one is $9.00! voltmeter.jpg oh yeah that's sweet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
André Boisvert Posted March 27, 2013 Report Share Posted March 27, 2013 I have a tendency to forget to turn mine off, so auto-shutoff is a great feature to have on a meter. My previous, slim $40 one didn't have it, and I probably spent more on wasted button batteries than on the price of the meter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
André Boisvert Posted March 27, 2013 Report Share Posted March 27, 2013 Just noticed you have an Equus on your list. I've now had this one for several years. Inexpensive and it does everything I need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Norflus Posted March 27, 2013 Report Share Posted March 27, 2013 I have an older version of this: http://www.amazon.com/RadioShack-22-Range-Pocket-Digital-Multimeter/product-reviews/B000KKUY8I I like it because it is small and I can keep it in my kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Thomas Posted March 27, 2013 Report Share Posted March 27, 2013 I recently got an Amprobe PM15A http://www.amprobe.com/Amprobe/usen/Multimeters/Pocket-Multimeters/PM51A.htm?PID=73300 Really small, auto switch off, also does capacitance and frequency Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mastermixaudiomedia Posted March 27, 2013 Report Share Posted March 27, 2013 Good thread. I am in the market as my Radio Shack 22-810 mysteriously died after lending it. I've got a Fluke 99B but that's way overkill for most stuff(not to mention BIG)... so thanks for all of the suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Rose Posted March 27, 2013 Report Share Posted March 27, 2013 I picked up a Triplett 9007 last December for under $50. Very nice, very rugged. And they were running a promotion where you sent in the UPC and got a whole bunch of different test leads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Reineke Posted March 28, 2013 Report Share Posted March 28, 2013 I prefer a multimeter with an analog meter. An audible beep type continuity tester is handy as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJBerto Posted March 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2013 Thanks for all the replies. Think I'm going to go with the Klein Tools mm200.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toy Robot Posted March 30, 2013 Report Share Posted March 30, 2013 Went to Radio Shack today and bought none other than their old school analog model. It does everything I need including audible continuity and battery testing, it was less than $20, and I felt good about supporting a store that has some items I might one day need vs. ordering from Amazon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPSharman Posted March 30, 2013 Report Share Posted March 30, 2013 Since we're on the subject... Perhaps some links to meters that will accurately test lithium batteries (AA and/or 9v). Any that will rate performance of iPowers? Would love to know when my iPowers are getting a bit "long in the tooth", other than judging just performance. Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Steigerwald Posted March 30, 2013 Report Share Posted March 30, 2013 Dave Jones (from EEVBlog) did a great sub $50 meter shootout a while back And a sub $100 meter shootout a bit later: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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