Does anyone use analog multimeters anymore?

[MattVette89]

This is a real question. I got some older ones in a tool lot purchase and I prefer the digital type when working on cars. I don't know if there are industries or hobbies where it is preferable? Is it like analog vs digital watches where it is a personal preference?

What are your thoughts?

Matthew

 

[Mark in Indiana]

The response time on an analog meter is instant, compared to a DMM (unless you want to pay high $$$ for your DMM). I used analog clamp-on ammeters to set the ramp on temperature controllers on plastics extruders. Other than that, I prefer digital.

 

[Dagny]

Im an electrician and prefer the analog meters. Digital meters don't work in the cold weather. Also the ohms per volt number written on your manual is higher then most older digital meters. Newer meters have other features to eliminate ghost voltage but most analogs will not pick it up. Digitals are allways taking a new sample and blinking on and off kind of bugs me.

 

[ddawg16]

Each has it's use. I still have an old Simpson 260.

Analogs are good for seeing things that are bouncing around. Say, charge or discharge of a cap?

Some devices don't give accurate readings with digital VOM's due to the lower current. Case in point, some diodes.

Analog meters don't need batteries. (except for ohm readings)

 

[rsanter]

Yes there are still people that use them. There are still people that use ossoloscopes.
They are not worth that much but they are worth selling

Bob

 

[safariknut]

I still use my Simpson 260 that I brought home in 1967 and it works fine.The only problem is the D cell batteries are about $5 apiece now.

 

[n8n]

I occasionally use a Simpson 260; when you're looking for something that's transient and don't necessarily need a dead accurate measurement it's better than a DVM, although some DVMs have a LCD bar graph along the bottom of the display to provide the same functionality. In a pinch it can provide very accurate measurements as well if one of my Flukes isn't handy.

 

[MattVette89]

Thanks guys. Great info.

 

[Rickenbackerman]

Here's another instance where unless you have a fancy DMM with instant response time, you need an analog meter - reading the codes on an older car without OBD2. You count the number of times the needle bounces.

 

[volleyball]

I use my analog for tuning things. Great in radio circuits. I still have my FET meter

 

[Chevy-SS]

I have Mac Tools volt/ohm/tach/dwell analog meter and I use it all the time. Bought it in 1971 and it still works great. Yeah, I still have need for digital meters, but I love the utter simplicity of the analog.


-

 

[exmaxima1]

Yes there are still people that use them. There are still people that use ossoloscopes.
They are not worth that much but they are worth selling

Bob

There is no better way to track down a circuit problem than an Oscilloscope. I still have my Tektronix that I use to repair guitar amplifiers.

 

[zkling]

Yes, very handy as stated above for numerous reasons. I have one of those Microtanas that was my dad's. Not a bad little unit.

Yes there are still people that use them. There are still people that use ossoloscopes.
They are not worth that much but they are worth selling

Bob

There will always be a need for oscilloscopes. But with the advent of technology, they will keep getting smaller and more feature packed.

 

[safariknut]

Went to take some pics of my 260 and couldn't find it. Think I may have loaned it to someone.....now if I could only remember who!
Anyway here are some pics of others that I have. I'm glad I checked because one of them the one battery I left in it had corroded badly.Luckily the corrosion was confined to the battery box;the electronics weren't touched.
On the Triplett 666-K I took it apart to check the battery and found that the single C cell is soldered in place but still functioning. and no corrosion.
The AN meter I bought and never used.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I'm Sure I still have a couple of these buried somewhere,but I've been reaching for my fluke 77 DMM for almost 30 years and it's all I need.

Chris

 

[Ilikeike]

I keep an old analog one at our cabin. I have an old craftsman gray and red top box up there with my 3rd hand rejects. My second hand rejects are at home,shed and truck box. first line stuff at work.
I finally let go and tossed out my old amp-probe and anlog megohmeter after 20yrs.

 

[Bigplum]

I repair aircraft instruments , we use them all the time , a lot of the testing is written round them so it's difficult to change equipment on the older stuff

 

[rodsnratfinks]

I have an Eico VTVM that I just dug out. I think I'm going to start using it again:

 

[rodsnratfinks]

Here's another instance where unless you have a fancy DMM with instant response time, you need an analog meter - reading the codes on an older car without OBD2. You count the number of times the needle bounces.

Couldn't you also just use a test light for this?

 

[WWIIjeep]

On the Triplett 666-K I took it apart to check the battery and found that the single C cell is soldered in place but still functioning. and no corrosion.

Wow, that's one OLD Triplett 666, and in really nice condition for its age.

You might want to look under the C cell for more batteries. Yours may not have them, but later versions of the 666 had a pair of AA cells underneath the C cell, for the high ohms range.

 

[safariknut]

Wow, that's one OLD Triplett 666, and in really nice condition for its age.

You might want to look under the C cell for more batteries. Yours may not have them, but later versions of the 666 had a pair of AA cells underneath the C cell, for the high ohms range.

Thanks for the info.The C cell is out in plain sight and I didn't notice any other batteries but I will re-check today.Thanks again.

 

[DekeT]

I would use an analog meter if I could read the fine print.

 

[safariknut]

I would use an analog meter if I could read the fine print.

I need to remove my glasses to read it as I am nearsighted.

 

[Rickenbackerman]

Couldn't you also just use a test light for this?

You could, yes. I guess that never occurred to me since I do have a test light, but I never use it!

 

[theoldwizard1]

Simpson 260 is still the "gold standard" in analog meters. It is still being sold today.

Digital meter are more likely to read "ghost voltage" than an analog meter.

 

[Pumpman1968]

When I started doing electrical work back in the mid-80's, all the "old timers" used analog meters...........pretty much all they had. I'm a creature of habit and after 30 years in the industry, I still use them....including my analog amp probe.

 

[n8n]

I still use my Simpson 260 that I brought home in 1967 and it works fine.The only problem is the D cell batteries are about $5 apiece now.

I won't use an alkaline anymore, mine seems to work fine on a Tenergy Centura D-cell (NiMH) despite the slightly different voltage.

 

[rharman]

Many moons ago, I built a Heathkit VTVM. Sure wish I had it now, just for grins.

 

[38 Dodge Coupe]

Like others have said about the analog, I have my dads old Simpson 260 which is what I grew up using. I also have a digital meter that I use as well, but I prefer the Simpson.

 

[Dave455]

Yes, much prefer analogue! Mine's an old British made Avo. Lab equipment really, and a bit too good for car repairs, but I use it if I need it!

More important than analogue or digital is the quality of the meter. I'd rather have a decent digital than a crappy analogue, though most of what I see around at the mo is crappy irrespective!

Megger still seem to do some decent stuff, but more geared to the electrician than vehicle diagnostics though!

 

[bonneyman]

I'm converting over to analog meters wherever possible. Got a Simpson 260 bench meter and 3 Amprobe beetle clamp meters. Plus several other analog meters. When the digital's finally quit I'm switching over and not looking back.

Although I might keep the one digital meter around and use it as an electronic thermometer. really like how that function works.

 

[930cabman]

Does anyone use a flip phone anymore?

BTW, I prefer an analog meter

 

[bonneyman]

Does anyone use a flip phone anymore?

BTW, I prefer an analog meter

Yes I do!

 

[pi_guy]

Each has its place.
There are features the DVM can do out side of the temp mode that are not available in analog mode. But searching for an intermittent connection an analog works best.
In full sunlight the analog makes life easier.

but why bring up a thread from 5 years ago

 

[Roberts210]

Got this one from a retired mechanic some years back for a few $. It comes in handy!

 

[Farmer J.]

Does anyone use a flip phone anymore?

BTW, I prefer an analog meter

I don't know enough about electricity to understand a multi meter so stick to using a test light, but just got a new flip phone!.. from amazon... cost £19.75 so it's really plasticy .. but it does make and receive calls perfectly and sounds really clear which is an improvement on my last one.. unfortunately it's not much of a 'status symbol' so doesn't fulfil the purpose of most of the modern 'smart' phones on the market.. also it's not 'branded' with the name of some designer or company to give it that 'premium' appearance which is so important these days.. so I have rectified these deficiencies by 'branding' it as a 'Snap-On' phone!

That should give it the required look of quality.

Please note:

-The sticker I applied does say 'Made in USA' on it, but that's the truth and OK as the sticker was indeed made in the USA by a chap called Jim from Oregon who sells stickers on eBay.

-It is also in fact perfectly in keeping with a lot of the goods sold today by Snap-On, ie. cheaply made plastic **** from China with their name stuck on to it!



I wonder how long it will be before I am able to wind up some envious mechanic by telling him that it's the limited edition 'Snap On phone'!



As everybody these days seems to spend quite some time playing with their new 'phones I thought I should have a bit of fun with mine too..

J.

 

[DadsTools]

I still prefer an analog multimeter, even though at times a digital has an advantage. The dial gives me a "feel" for the behavior of what I'm measuring. Same thing with a wrist watch--I want to see the hands and the dial, not just a number readout, gives me a "feel" for the time and how long it will be until such-and-such and hour.

And yes, I have just a flip phone. I never text, just make and take calls. I refuse to be a member of the modern zombie apocalypse.

 

[Farmall450]

I occasionally use a Simpson 260; when you're looking for something that's transient and don't necessarily need a dead accurate measurement it's better than a DVM, although some DVMs have a LCD bar graph along the bottom of the display to provide the same functionality. In a pinch it can provide very accurate measurements as well if one of my Flukes isn't handy.

If you have a cheap digital, then yes. If you have a high end one, then no.

 

[bonneyman]

The main gripe with me and digital meters is the batteries. They're either going dead at the worst time, or they bulge and leak caustic goo into the meter and ruin it. Test lights/continuity checkers are cheap and quickly replaced if the battery goes ****. Could be the quality of batteries has dropped but it is what it is.

Very rarely do I need to actually measure ohms, so, going to an analog Amprobe without the battery and a test light with a battery was a no-brainer. Though after years of using digital meters exclusively it took a bit to get back in the analog swing of things. Have two digital clamp meters left - when they die I'll be all-analog.

Analog always!

 

[CoogarXR]

Does anyone use a flip phone anymore?

BTW, I prefer an analog meter

I think I still had my flip phone back when this thread started.