Klein MM600/700 DMM vs Fluke 115/117 vs ????

[ddc9999]

Hello all,

I have read a lot of reviews online of DMM's as well as posts on garage journal. Was hoping to get your direct feedback on recommending a DMM. My last DMM was a Radioshack one I bought in 2009 out of college, and it finally crapped the bed.

My use cases are working on my car, house, appliance repair, and I fix everything for my large family so I transport a lot of tools. I am not a professional and would not be using it often (about once every month or two). I did read that since I have a hybrid car, I should look at a CAT III 1000V meter, though I don't see myself doing too much diagnostics on the High Voltage part of the car and for that would probably pay a dealership.

I have an engineering degree so I know how to get the most out of a meter, but some of these ultra fancy meters seem like overkill for my use cases as I won't use it every day; that said, I don't mind paying for quality. I was hoping to not break the bank (aka spend > $200)

The Klein MM600 & 700 caught my eye as they are less than $100, have a lot of features, seems rugged yet also compact enough for traveling with. Most importantly, I know and trust the brand, but maybe I shouldn't with their DMM's. I know about Fluke Quality (I have a 116 at work) and I bought myself a set of Fluke Test Leads for my home DMM. The 117 or 115 seem like a good option, but they aren't CAT III 1000V which maybe doesn't matter, and they don't do mA directly or micro_amps at all, which is a con, but not a deal breaker.

Any guidance before I drop my hard earned cash of a new DMM? Should I stay away from Klein DMM's? Is the Fluke 115/117 and its CAT III 600V and no mA / micro_amp setting a deal breaker?

As always, thanks for taking the time out of your day to help a guy in need.

 

[Bert_]

I've bought the mid range ones like the Klein, mine were Ideal, and my opinion is buy the Fluke. Even if you have to go used the Fluke is just a better meter. I have a couple of the original grey body Fluke 77's and they just plain work, they are probably close to 30 years old. I doubt Klein makes their own meters.

 

[cybrdyke]

Neither Klein nor Ideal make meters. They are outsourced to other manufacturers.
Buy the Fluke
CD

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Fluke is the best. I have quite a few fluke meters- wiggy style T5-1000, 87v industrial multi-meter, 381 wireless clamp meter and 1507 megometer.

With the exception of the wiggy style meter, mine are all high end expensive models. for what youre doing, you could get a lower end fluke and be set.

 

[ddc9999]

Thanks for the info. I went with the Fluke 117. The 115 was more than adequate comparatively, but it wasn’t much more to go with the 117 compared to the already high price of the 115.


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[Tooldeals?]

Good choice. I actully use my 117 before my 87v quite often ****

 

[Jc2043]

I have an older 26 iii (same as 79 iii). This is the best meter I’ve ever owned. True RMS and simple to use yet full featured. I use company meters at work (engineering) but the fluke is in a class by itself.

 

[Farmall450]

Thanks for the info. I went with the Fluke 117. The 115 was more than adequate comparatively, but it wasn’t much more to go with the 117 compared to the already high price of the 115.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

Good choice. i finally bit the bullet on a 87 V and couldn't be happier.

 

[strutaeng]

I bought a Fluke 114 last year and really like it. However, I was trying to diagnose a battery drain on my Mom's Escape and it doesn't measure current.

So I bought the Klein MM700. It's a nice meter. The leads are much nicer (more flexible than the Fluke.) I actually use it now more than the Fluke. But it's used for home wiring checks and auto diagnostics. Not anything super duper critical.

For my uses, either works fine. Fluke 117 seems like it has really nice features. One thing I don't like on the Klein is you have to hit the "Sel" button to toggle between AC and DC, for example.

 

[ddc9999]

I bought a Fluke 114 last year and really like it. However, I was trying to diagnose a battery drain on my Mom's Escape and it doesn't measure current.

So I bought the Klein MM700. It's a nice meter. The leads are much nicer (more flexible than the Fluke.) I actually use it now more than the Fluke. But it's used for home wiring checks and auto diagnostics. Not anything super duper critical.

For my uses, either works fine. Fluke 117 seems like it has really nice features. One thing I don't like on the Klein is you have to hit the "Sel" button to toggle between AC and DC, for example.

Thanks for the feedback. FYI, if you want to check a parasitic battery drain on a car, and you don't want to use Amps, you can do it with voltages (and for a current estimate as well, voltage + resistance using I =V/R). There are reasons to do this other than if your DMM can't measure current, such as it being safer for your DMM. If you open a door with your DMM in series with your battery you could fry it. If you have a touchless entry, you could even wake up your car without you knowing.

Far safer (and quicker) is to measure the voltage drop across each fuse. You should be reading a consistent (small) value for every fuse, but the circuit that's draining your battery will be higher. If you could measure the fuse's resistance (also very small), you could calculate the current by I = V / R. Since each fuse will have roughly the same resistance, the only way for a higher voltage drop to occur is if there is more current going through that circuit... aka it has a parasitic drain occurring. I'm sure there are cases this won't pick up that connecting your meter in series with the battery would, but this is how I would start 100% of the time due to its speed, convenience, and safety.