Fluke DMM around or under $200?

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Hey guys. Tons of fluke meters out there. Thinking about upgrading my current Looking for a simple one for automotive and household, preferably true rms. DC, ac, min max, continuity, ohms, amps measurement. I currently have this:
https://www.testproductsintl.com/digital-multimeters-dmms/194-digital-multimeter/

But I've had issues with it since I bought it. I like my grandfather's 87A but it's out of my price range. I like the screen and the meter but don't need ALL the bells and whistles the one I have now has. Plus the continuity buzzer is quiet.

 

[Stuart in MN]

What's your price range? A quick check showed a number of used Flukes on eBay for $125 or less. I like this model 87, we have one like it at work. Buy it now price of $120, but there are other models currently selling as low as $75. https://www.ebay.com/itm/FLUKE-87-III-True-RMS-Multimeter-W-Leads/273550594568

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Looking for new, under say 220. I know I won't find that locally but any website is fine in my books. Or, if any other brands are on par with them quality wise I'm willing to consider!

 

[Jim greengo]

I'm not a huge fluke fan,I've always had good luck with UEI and Or Field Piece stuff though.
I use and abuse my stuff more than most,and they hold up well.

 

[danb35]

Reconsider used--a 27/FM will easily do what you need, is built like a brick, and can be had well under $100 (and with a little bit of patience, you should be able to get a 87V under $200). If it has to be new, Brymen makes some good, solid stuff; I've been quite happy with my BM257.

 

[Max]

$220 will get you a nice Fluke. For handhelds, I've had a 115 for many years that has been a workhorse. It has true RMS, min/max, and it's around $170. The 117 also looks very nice at $180.

A handheld DVM has a lot of different attributes to think about. Besides initial accuracy, there is stability, durability, safety, quality (e.g. probe wires), features, and cost. The Fluke is great in all areas except for cost. Safety is very important to me, but it isn't to everyone, and it's much less important if you only work on low voltage things like cars. (A Tesla would be an exception to this rule. ). Still, I am very much in the camp of buy quality once for tools.

Max

PS. I just did a survey of my electronics bench meters - three HP, three Fluke (including a 335D beast), and one Tek. I've got another half dozen more in storage...

 

[biggziff]

Why buy new? Take that extra $100 and upgrade to a higher-end, used Fluke. Silly to piss away money on new when there are so many nice used out there.

 

[Evan(CA)]

I have this kit brand new never used I'd be willing to make you a deal on

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fluke-116-...f:g:QaUAAOSwUm5b5f7U:rk:6:pf:1&frcectupt=true

 

[electroman187]

Offer this guy $200 https://www.ebay.com/itm/Greenlee-D...k:1:pf:1&LH_ItemCondition=1500&frcectupt=true

I have 2 of these and they are awesome. Lifetime warranty. FWIW, I use Fluke at work and they have all been solid, but I really like this one - especially for value. Downside: it's kind of a brick and the backlight times out. Very high accuracy and resolution, very robust, dual display, lots of features. I recently used the differential temperature measurement feature to optimize hydronic water flow in my furnace circuit.

 

[Evan(CA)]

Offer this guy $200 https://www.ebay.com/itm/Greenlee-D...k:1:pf:1&LH_ItemCondition=1500&frcectupt=true

I have 2 of these and they are awesome. Lifetime warranty. FWIW, I use Fluke at work and they have all been solid, but I really like this one - especially for value. Downside: it's kind of a brick and the backlight times out. Very high accuracy and resolution, very robust, dual display, lots of features. I recently used the differential temperature measurement feature to optimize hydronic water flow in my furnace circuit.

Or buy my new one for less?

 

[Showkey]

Or buy my new one for less?

Roger that.........new $224 from Greenlee or amazon

https://www.greenleestore.com/produ...KxL8NAQ82-ccuwJ3dVw4wvY3ckyUTswEaAtFBEALw_wcB

 

[Citation]

The ebay listing is for a DM-860A vs the 820A. I have an 820A. If you hunt around on ebay you can get them for well under $100. I think I got mine for about $50 in used, dirty but fully functional condition.
Here is a fancier logging version for $110
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Greenlee-D...ShippingMethodStandard!46208!US!-1:rk:14:pf:0
I don't see any current ebay deals on the 820A.

I'm fan of the Brymen based meters. I would also consider the Matco DM257 which is a smaller, Brymen based meter but again really nice.
This is the more basic version (same as Greenlee DM200A)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Matco-Tool...h=item591619ab3a:g:ZasAAOSwL~FblrqY:rk:4:pf:1

I wouldn't miss true RMS but it lacks a temp measurement which I would personally miss.

 

[Mgraves235]

you can get a used Fluke 87V for well under $200. Check local pawnshops.

I'm an electronics tech and you can get a pretty solid meter new for less than $100.

Uei, fieldpiece, Amprobe, UNi T, Brymen, Extech, all make great meters. Even the rebadged meters that the big box stores sel under the Klein and Greenlee names are decent for the money.

If you're fixated on Fluke, the 117 is a pro level electricians meter and it goes for aroun $130 new.
Basically, once you get above $50 USD, you can be sure you're getting a decent meter, especially depending on your usage and requirements.

I own thousands of dollars worth of test equipment, and my main meter is a Fluke 87V, but my backup meter is a $50 Amprobe, and my "keep in the car" meter is a $20 Craftsman. They all get the job done.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I own thousands of dollars worth of test equipment, and my main meter is a Fluke 87V, but my backup meter is a $50 Amprobe, and my "keep in the car" meter is a $20 Craftsman. They all get the job done.

What kills me around here is that people will spend a lot of money on a "name brand" meter and throw it in the tool box and haul it out once or twice a year and expect it to be perfect.

Calibration/certification services are NOT cheap ! The lab I used to work in had most of the test equipment labeled as "not calibrated, for estimate purposes only". The volume of equipment was too high, the cost of keeping it calibrated was too costly, and being within 0.1V or so was actually "good enough" !

Besides, you can't just hook up some random jumper and clips and expect to get correct, repeatable reading in the MICROvolt range !

 

[Dingleburry]

Used 87v