Fluke 110 Series

[Dillithium]

Hello All,

I've been eyeing multimeters for a while now, and never really thought about Fluke since they are so damn expensive, and as a DIY I can't really justify a 500 dollar DMM. I've never really looked at the prices of their 110 series however, and they are pretty affordable.

They don't have the wide range of functions the 80's and 280's have, but for me it's good enough I think. I'm looking at getting the 115.

I basically want it for motorcycle, automotive(nothing complicated like RPM measuring, or scales etc), and homeowner (110/230V) and small electronic stuff, ranging from 5-12 volt.

In that range I'm looking for resistance measuring, DC/AV volt measure in volts and millivolts, and Amp measuring with a milli-amp accuracy. I'm really not an experienced DMM user, so I will not be using any fancy options like capacitance or true RMS but I don't want to have to replace mine if I ever do find the need for something like that.

Basically, would the 115 suit my uses? Or would it be wiser to spend the little bit extra for the 117 or even higher? Or are my desired uses so simplistic that Fluke is a waste of money for me?

Also, the Ohm scale seems a bit on the high side on the 115, it says the range is 600 ohm to 6 Mega ohm. Is that a good scale that will be able to do it all? it seems to me that 600 ohm is a bit high to start with, especially if you use the resistance feature to check for wire breakage.

Any advice or schooling on DMM's would be appreciated, I searched but the 110 series has not been discussed.

 

[chard98]

Looking at your usage description, The 115 should be a good choice. The price is good, Amprobe and Extech make similar meters with the same features that cost a bit less. I have all 3 meters, It just depends on what you want to spend and how often you are going to use it. I use my meters daily at work, so I use higher end Flukes, but the mid range meters work well.

 

[kc-steve]

I have a Fluke 111 that I purchased from an electronics manufacturer that went out of business recently. In fact, I bought 3 other brands as well. At first I was going to sell the Fluke but after looking through the operator's manual I decided to keep it.

Fluke models have come a long way since I used them professionally in the 1980s and 1990s. They have far more uses than most of us actually need. So I think it is best to look at the capabilities of the voltmeter before you make a decision. For many of us home DYIers, even a $5 Centech from Harbor Freight is adequate. I don't say that lightly, I speak from over 30-years professional experience in the electronics industry.

Steve

 

[Dillithium]

Posts like yours Steve make me question getting a fluke, and just settle for a sub 50 dollar DMM. Because my needs just aren't that specific. I might have to look around some more, having a Fluke does have a second kind of cool to it though.

 

[Hootbro]

Sounds to me like anything in the Fluke 112-117 series will do you well. You can find these at times new for $100 and sub $100 used on Ebay quite often.

Even at a hobbyist and DIY'r level, spending the extra coin on a Fluke is money well spent. They will last you many, many years beyond anything those HF cheapie meters will. Once you have handled both a cheapie HF meter and a Fluke, you will want the Fluke hands down.

 

[bw77]

I bought a Fluke 179 on Ebay about a year ago, used, but in like new
condition. Price was not much more than a new 115. I wanted a made in
USA meter, and the 115 is made in China.

 

[coolreed]

Flukes are really good meters used throughout the electrical/electronic industry. Pretty much the standard.

You want to get a meter you can always depend on. It may save your life or save you from severe shock if you are measuring high voltage/high current sources.

Be Safe.

 

[bibman]

Flukes can also take a lot of abuse.

 

[The Frisco Kid]

Flukes can also take a lot of abuse.

This is the main reason I would rec. the Fluke. It'll take a drop or two from the ladder or workbench (not guaranteed to survive these, but mine sure has!)

For hobby/DIY use, I'd say skip the Fluke and get just about any "pro-sumer" level DMM.