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Teensy Multimeter to Carry on Motorcycle?

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bwringer

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My wee Triplett meter seems to have a terminal case of confusion (perhaps spending half an hour underwater a few years back wasn't good for it), so it's time for a replacement.

What's a decent, VERY compact meter that has a tough case and can stand up to being bounced around on a motorcycle?

I need DC and AC voltage, resistance, and continuity (a continuity beeper would be great). Everything else is gravy.

So far, my front-runner is this little Amprobe:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0024V97V6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

However, the "case" is just a ****** vinyl wallet and the leads are permanently attached.


The Fluke 101 is the smallest Fluke and, well, you know, it's a Fluke. Still much larger than I want, and doesn't come with any sort of case for some damn reason. ($32 for a case)

Assuming this seller is legit (some question about whether this seller is actually selling a real Fluke or a knockoff) it's $50.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JT5RUUU/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Prices on these things seem to vary wildly for some reason, and knockoffs are rampant.

For my needs, compactness and toughness are far more important than .0000001 volt accuracy. Cheapness is good, too -- I'd rather not spend any time weeping roadside if it gets damaged.

Whatchya got? :D
 
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General Geoff

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I just toss one of the freebie Harbor Freight meters under the seat, inside a ziplock bag.

That mini Amprobe looks pretty neat though. The pictures show it to be at least twice the footprint of a credit card though.
 
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Infinia

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pocket meter

ANENG AN101 10 bucks shipped

for another 10 bucks buy a nice waterproof box
 

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JohnDeere1

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I have a greenlee that is smaller than my hand it also has a rubber cover to protect it without it makes it smaller yet not sure the new price as I bought mine for $1 from the dollar bin at my local pawn shop Pali the same for me ideal clamp meter and both work great.
 
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T45

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OP I have a cheap one. The key things about it are the size and form factor. Quality is passable and price point is right (not precious) . Its fine for motorcyle use.

61L-QwfWKCL._SL256_.jpg


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002YF1XG4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

IMHO you do not want any larger, any heavier, or significantly more expensive.

Most use cases are for trouble shooting battery 12v stuff and wiring harness, setting up accessorties. Invest your money on better quality electrical tools (heatshrink crimpers, etc) when doing setups and customizations....and you won't need to fcuk with troubleshooting in the field :pimpflash

Quality of course there will always be better so buy the best you can afford or find on sale but <$50 is the general right pricepoint. Have a better one for the shop if you need it.

edit: mine is ~ 7 years old, so check up on the latest reviews and make sure quality of what you are buying today is the same as the old ones.
 
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pstemari

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If you're dragging it through water, get a fluke 27 or 28. The eevblog guy dragged one down a rocky river behind a canoe and tossed it over a couple of waterfalls without damage.
 
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rattle_snake

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HF MM in everything I drive/ride including motorcycle. May be someone else's scoot to troubleshoot too...
 
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DFB

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Honestly I don't know how you can really beat a freebie HF Digital MM for something like that! :)

I carried this Radio Shack DMM for years and years on my tour bike till it crapped out...I was never able to find another. :dunno:

https://www.radioshack.com/products/radioshack-22-range-pocket-digital-multimeter

Everything was contained in the folding case, (thought it took a bit a finessing to get the probes wires wound in right so it would close. And was small enough that it would fit in a shirt pocket. Also had audible continuity which I liked.




I can second a cheap UN-T if the size works for you. One of UT 33's can most likely be had for less than $20 on Amazon. I have both a C and D. for around my bikes and in the garage They have rubberized protective cases. backlight button (which I really like in garage) hold button and both have audible continuity About the same size as the free HF meter. The C model has temp sensor setting too if that be of value.., could beat using your hand. ;)
 

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HanShotFirst

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DFB said:
Honestly I don't know how you can really beat a freebie HF Digital MM for something like that! :)

I carried this Radio Shack DMM for years and years on my tour bike till it crapped out...I was never able to find another. :dunno:

https://www.radioshack.com/products/radioshack-22-range-pocket-digital-multimeter

Everything was contained in the folding case, (thought it took a bit a finessing to get the probes wires wound in right so it would close. And was small enough that it would fit in a shirt pocket. Also had audible continuity which I liked.
Click to expand...

That's the one to get. Small, light, decent, cheap.
 
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iron block

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Two more options at opposite ends of the pricing scale:

1. El cheapo / disposable for $14 shipped. 2000 count. Very basic, but the size is right and the case seems somewhat reasonable. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-Pocket-Digital-Multimeter-Voltmeter-Ammeter-Ohmmeter-Tester-Meter-US-Ship-/121670814065?hash=item1c54254971:g:gR4AAOSwdIFXxTQ5

2. A better quality one with what looks like a very durable rubber protective case. 6000 count. It is being promoted by the EEVBlog fellow, who has pretty good taste in meters. But he wants $90 shipped. Ouch. Lots of other options in that price range. Still, you might take a look: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sanwa-PM300-Pocket-Multimeter-/222636071088
 
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Ralf99

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Another vote for Uni-T, but the pen style:

502d0b849f5bc184e36ef80a10cf2bd2.jpg

These are very compact, and seal them inside a ziploc sandwich bag to keep them out of the way of water.

One of the bigger benefits of this style of meter is they often have an LED light moulded in to the body at the probe end - great for troubleshooting problems in confined spaces at night.
 

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OP
B

bwringer

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DFB said:
Honestly I don't know how you can really beat a freebie HF Digital MM for something like that! :)

I carried this Radio Shack DMM for years and years on my tour bike till it crapped out...I was never able to find another. :dunno:

https://www.radioshack.com/products/radioshack-22-range-pocket-digital-multimeter

Everything was contained in the folding case, (thought it took a bit a finessing to get the probes wires wound in right so it would close. And was small enough that it would fit in a shirt pocket. Also had audible continuity which I liked.
Click to expand...

To be honest, I do have a stack of the HF freebies, and I issue them to friends and family who don't have a meter around. They're bulky and don't hold up well to being bashed around on a bike, though.

I carried one of those Radio Shack meters for years, too, and it was tiny and worked better than it had any right to. Radio Shack is pretty much gone, so that meter is no more. I suppose I could gamble $10 on fleaBay and order a very similar meter from one of those sketchy Chinese sellers -- "All-Sun" has one like this. Hmmmm...

And as all of you know, we who carry tools end up using them to sort out other people's **** far more often than our own.
 
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WhiskeyRanger

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DFB said:
Honestly I don't know how you can really beat a freebie HF Digital MM for something like that! :)

I carried this Radio Shack DMM for years and years on my tour bike till it crapped out...I was never able to find another. :dunno:

https://www.radioshack.com/products/radioshack-22-range-pocket-digital-multimeter

Everything was contained in the folding case, (thought it took a bit a finessing to get the probes wires wound in right so it would close. And was small enough that it would fit in a shirt pocket. Also had audible continuity which I liked.
Click to expand...

I still have mine... somewhere. Great little meter, used it for years... I'm thinking about 15-20?
 
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PureLeaf

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I use the Fluke 101 as my travel meter. I keep it in a back pack at all times. It has excellent reviews on its robustness on eevblog. Price is around 50 dollars.

71AuWptHNeL._SL1140_.jpg
 
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kf4zht

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Calhoun, GA
KnurledNut said:
I have a Amprobe DM73C pen probe.
Its fairly compact.
The alligator clip and ground test lead are nice to have included.



And heres a case for it:



https://www.blackandtanleatherworks.com/products/multi-meter-case
Click to expand...

Another vote for this one, but mine is branded Meterman DM73B. It's my Jeep toolbox meter. Plenty accurate, the pen style is easy for getting a read on that buried connector while laying in the dirt. It has a hold button for when you can't see the display.

Only beef is it uses LR44 batteries. They claim 100hrs on a pair, but finding good ones can be a pita. Good flip of that is you can carry a spare pair for literally a couple grams of weight and about 1 cubic centimeter.
 
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T45

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mbshop said:
Hmmm, in all my riding days I never thought or needed one. Traveling the world ?
Click to expand...

This is standard expedition or adv touring tool kit. w/ maybe 2.0-1.5kg tool allowance.
 
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