Digital Multi Meter - what do you like?

[nbpt100]

I have this one coming today to keep with my car tools.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007ORQ7I6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

ETA: it came in. Nice little meter for the money.

I was looking at this and it does look like a nice comprehensive offering.

I have used there punches many times over the years but did not even know they offer DMM's. The have a good reputation in the electrical hand tool arena. I assume they are repackaging it.

Who makes it for GreenLee? Mastech?

 

[Cope]

I was looking at this and it does look like a nice comprehensive offering.

I have used there punches many times over the years but did not even know they offer DMM's. The have a good reputation in the electrical hand tool arena. I assume they are repackaging it.

Who makes it for GreenLee? Mastech?

Brymen. It is a well made meter, reads right with my Fluke 87V on volts and temp.

 

[Citation]

What do folks think about this Fluke meter?. Does not look like it comes with leads.

http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/tld/5877846407.html

The lower end Flukes don't come with an amp meter. You need that for automotive parasitic drain testing. The HVAC meter, I think it is the 116, has some functions missing that I want too.

For that money get a Fluke 27 of eBay. That meter is functionality no better than the older Fluke 72-3 you frequently see on eBay for less money. Good meter, bad price.

 

[njric71]

I'm looking to get a meter for auto work, but one function I really want is a tachometer. The only meter I have found that has an "RPM" setting is Innova 3340. Are there any others? Thanks.

I've been eye balling that Innova myself. Amazon has a really good price on them right now https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KIMHRQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Does anyone have experience with Innova meters? Are they 1/2 decent or am I looking at something of Harbor Frieght Quality?

 

[OldToolz]

I have a Klein an it works great ...

 

[pedrodagr8]

I've been eye balling that Innova myself. Amazon has a really good price on them right now https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KIMHRQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Does anyone have experience with Innova meters? Are they 1/2 decent or am I looking at something of Harbor Frieght Quality?

It is OK, but far from great. Certainly better than a Harbor Freight meter, in that it is UL listed but the accolades end there. Plus, it appears to have gone through UL certification quite a while ago as its CAT II 600V rating is dramatically overrated. Many of the settings actually have only a 250V limit and current safety regulations require the safety rating to be only as high as the lowest supported voltage. Actually, looking at the manual, the fuses are only rated for 250V and are glass fuses so honestly I have no clue how this passed safety testing at any higher voltages. DO NOT trust the CAT rating because they are no valid at all, at best this is a CAT II 300V meter. If you need the special automotive features, then it is an OK meter at best but otherwise, honestly the Klein or Brymen meters will blow this meter out of the water from a build quality perspective. Heck, even the CDM (Chinese Domestic Market) Fluke Meters will be dramatically better quality.

 

[nbpt100]

I just bought the Greenlee multi meter that Cope bought. Made by Bryman and has very good reviews. Final delivered price was around 54. Thanks to all who shared.

 

[nbpt100]

Just got the new Greenlee meter in and it seems real nice. My only complaint on day one is that the 9V battery that came with the unit was as dead as a door nail. So add another $6 for a new high quality battery.
We will see how it performs over time.

 

[Cope]

Just got the new Greenlee meter in and it seems real nice. My only complaint on day one is that the 9V battery that came with the unit was as dead as a door nail. So add another $6 for a new high quality battery.
We will see how it performs over time.

Did you notice the brass inserts and weather seal around the battery compartment? Nice on an inexpensive meter. Now find us an inexpensive case for them.

 

[Cope]

This guy from South Africa does some serious DVM tests. This is an in depth Brymen BM867 review.

 

[KevinFox]

Did you notice the brass inserts and weather seal around the battery compartment? Nice on an inexpensive meter. Now find us an inexpensive case for them.

I've been using these for the last while with good success:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Bag...32675789173.html?spm=2114.13010608.0.0.uUKfpy

 

[pedrodagr8]

I've been using these for the last while with good success:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Bag...32675789173.html?spm=2114.13010608.0.0.uUKfpy

Nice find! I like it.

Sent from my LGLS992 using Tapatalk

 

[6PTsocket]

I got a harbor freight cheapo for free. Will upgrade to a fluke later.

I love the things.

They're great to stash around the house. But the leads do fall apart, the transistor check socket wears out after a couple of checks and the ohms function does not zero out but what heck,it's free. The volts function is amazingly accurate. I checked it against a $300 Tektronix.

I have had good luck with various Craftsman DMMs. Typically in the $30 range, but with Christmas coming they will be discounted to probably <$20.

The most important feature is the outside rubber bumper !

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[6PTsocket]

I bought the cheapest one I could find at Radio Shack in 1996, and it lasted until 2014. Unfortunately, the batteries leaked inside it and ruined it. I bought another from there, and it works great for my needs at home. Kinda hard to find one of those stores around, though.

If that happens again try some plain white vinegar on a cotton swab. You would be amazed how much of that blue gumfus cleans right up.

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[6PTsocket]

I think the one to get all depends on the individual and the need. I have used Fluke, Triplett, HP, Craftsman, Radio Shack, Simpson, Beckmann over the years and have in my kitchen drawer the free red one from HF. I would say Fluke are highly regarded except for some very old models, no longer made, that fail. I think the oldest one I have now is an HP.

The only meters I remember that have not given good service have been some other nearly free ones, unknown names from China, a Radio Shack and an Eico.

The HVAC technicians that I have watched all have meters that include capacitance, as furnace and AC motors have capacitors..

Low quality leads have failed me more than meters. You can get decent ones easily, esp. on eBay.

Be careful of battery leakage, whichever you get.

Eico?That goes way back. Did you build the kit? Was it a portable VOM or a plug in VTVM. I had a PACO VTVM myself.

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[6PTsocket]

With you on this one. I have had a Fluke 88 for a long time. I started with a Kent Moore for those who remember that one. The Fluke 87 or 88 is the last meter you will ever need if you need one to make a living day in and day out. As for a simple meter for home you can easily find a decent meter in the 40-50 dollar range that will do all you need. Stay away from a meter that looks great but cost 10-15 bucks. Those are usually dead in a week or two

Kent Moore is a brand that manufactures special tools for car repair, usually geared to work a particular car. They sell mostly to car dealerships. It is the same company as OTC and another special tool brand, Miller. I would bet that the meter is a rebrand of somebody else.

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[6PTsocket]

Eico had almost as many different products as Heath did. They sold kits as well as assembled units. Allied Radio carried Eico products in their catalog for many years.

Before this digital stuff, the portable meter standard was the Simpson 260.

I own several meters. One of my favorites was purchased at Sears for $40. It's the older version of this one:

Craftman Professional

I also have a Midtronics PDF40 that I find very handy.

I still have a Fluke 88. I reach for it when I think I need the min/max function. I have had trouble with the display going out. And it never fails if I lend it to someone I'll have to replace $15 worth of fuses.

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[6PTsocket]

My entire life I wanted to get a good multi meter so finally @ 56 y/o I bought a used Fluke 87v in great shape for $200 from a coworker, this is overkill for most things I will ever do but so is a tool box with over 50 screw drivers too... YMMV!

I have over 50 screw drivers but a lot of them are the HF set you get for free when they are not giving away the cheap meter. I am amazed that I have yet to chew up a blade one any of them.

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[555]

My preference is Fluke. I knew some of the folks that worked for Fluke and I was impressed with the manufacturing and repair service quality. I've also got a Greenlee which has been a great meter. I mistakenly took a free Harbor Freight meter once, it blew apart in my hands when I tested a 120v circuit.

 

[scissorman]

I own a Fluke 375 and love it, although they are around $275-300 range but you get what you pay for and testing equipment isn't where to skimp out.

 

[oldtools]

I like Fluke multimeter. I have 9 Fluke multimeters and 2 Fluke scopes. I also have 15 Simpson 260. I would like to get a Gossen though.

 

[nbpt100]

Did you notice the brass inserts and weather seal around the battery compartment? Nice on an inexpensive meter. Now find us an inexpensive case for them.

Yes. I was also thinking a good fitting case would be ideal. Although the protective rubber sleeve does have slots on the back side to store the probes.
Protective caps are included to protect the probe tips.