I bought a new Voltmeter

[RickP330]

Hey Gang,
For those that were following my previous thread:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18143&highlight=RickP330

Here are the results for those who want to live vicariously through my purchases LOL. I was considering the Fluke or a similar model from Sears, but all of the ones I was looking at were around the $240 mark. Plus I was going to have to drive around to find a sears that actually had it. It didn't look like any of the ones around here actually stocked the Fluke.

So I E-mailed my snap on dude and he was more then happy to stop by work here and sell me the meter below for $199



I don't have much Bluepoint stuff, but this one actually didn't look too bad. I didn't have the cash on me so I probably could have saved a few bucks too Anyway, it's nice to cruise the truck. I also picked up a nice telesopic inspection mirror I've really needed for a while.
RP

 

[Stuey]

Hmm, I wonder who makes that. I haven't had luck comparing it to Extech or Fluke's offerings. I doubt that S-O manufactures it themselves though.

Congrats on new purchase!

 

[dauntless]

I bought a bottom of the barrel Extech 22-816 a few years ago for $80 at Radioshack and she still serves me well (haven't even blown a fuse). My friends love their Fluke's but I don't have that kind of dime to be dropping.

It's hard to make out much detail from the pic you posted but it definitely looks like a full-featured multimeter. Enjoy!

 

[billymade]

Your situation is classic, you need a tool to make money but don't have the cash on hand. In steps the tool truck, they show up at your work and you can make payments, while you make money with your tools. Even if you aren't using it to make money; you can make payments every week. There is a reason this marketing/distribution model works with technicians. For those of you not in the auto repair business, here is situation that shows that "price" is less of an issue but financing/convenience/service is. Whether this is bad is up for debate but this situation shows why the truck purchase process works.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Your situation is classic, you need a tool to make money but don't have the cash on hand. In steps the tool truck, they show up at your work and you can make payments, while you make money with your tools. Even if you aren't using it to make money; you can make payments every week. There is a reason this marketing/distribution model works with technicians. For those of you not in the auto repair business, here is situation that shows that "price" is less of an issue but financing/convenience/service is. Whether this is bad is up for debate but this situation shows why the truck purchase process works.

Works great for those in the field, but seems to blow hot and cold for most others as evidenced by the ongoing attention this topic gets. I know I am more outspoken and guilty of bitching about this than most but I have just been burned so many times in the past I really resent it!

 

[billymade]

I'm actually not defending the truck "sale" but thought this situation would show how "easy" the process of purchasing a tool is when you are in the repair field. The financial impact is well known but I think this may be insightful (maybe even a eye opener) for those who do not purchase anything from a truck, much less set foot in one. Convenience, service and being able to use a tool right away is seductive (if it is needed to do your job and make money; it may be imperative) .

 

[RickP330]

Oh no,
I paid cash via Debit card. I don't do the credit thing and please don't turn this thread into a finacing debate. It is just that if I had green "cash" I could have gotten a few dollars off.
I just wanted to show off my new tool It is auto ranging.... lemme find the link...

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1369&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Here it is!! Thanks all.
RP

ps BTW Tooltopia had the fluke 77 IV for some 240 bucks. I think functionwise this meter has all I need that it has, should be similar quality and saved $40 bucks delivered to my door? Hope I did okay here!!

 

[billymade]

Sorry, I stand corrected! It sure looks similar to Fluke but I'm sure someone here knows who the OEM is. I do not want to aggravate you or hijack the thread but if financing wasn't a issue (you paid immediately) why did you buy your tool off the truck and not at a brick/mortar retailer? Just curios as to why you chose to purchase your multimeter this way.

 

[RickP330]

I do not want to aggravate you or hijack the thread but if financing wasn't a issue (you paid immediately) why did you buy your tool off the truck and not at a brick/mortar retailer?

Hey, No problem. It really looked like it was going to be a web order for me and I was going to be spending $240.00 on the fluke and have to wait a week for shipment. Sears didn't stock it locally and I'm not really too sure where else to go for it. I didn't want the garbage from the Home Deepload or Lowes. So I just called my SO dealer and for $200 had it delivered to my door that day. That's basically my reasoning for buying it this way. I have no problem buying off of the truck because quality of the tool is important to me and I've never gotten anything off the truck I really didn't like....
Rick

 

[billymade]

Cool, thanks for the reply!

 

[malibu101]

That is a very nice meter!
Has a nice range of features like frequency, duty cycle and relative resistance.
I'm impressed by the capacitor testing feature. I've never seen that in a tester like that. I have a cap tester as part of an HID testing kit.
The hi-res millivolt range is a great help for auto sensor testing.
I say you made a verygood purchase.

Now, make sure you know (or learn) what the tool can do for you.
It's more than just a 12 volt voltage gauge

 

[garfunkle24]

The only thing missing is a Pulse Width function. You can figure it out if you have frequency and duty cycle though. Nice meter, i'm sure it will serve you well.

 

[RickP330]

Hey, Thanks guys. Don't worry, I've used it for more then 12V DC measurments already LOL. Glad I passed muster on this purchase!
RP