Multimeter Buying Help.

[uncletater]

I am looking into buying a multi meter. The selections are huge. I am really not sure what I should look for. Any helpful tips on what to look for in a multi meter. I want one that will last, yet not break the bank either.

any help would be great!

Thanks

 

[brownbagg]

fluke

 

[Stick895]

I've had good luck with my Craftsman

 

[HORDERofTOOLS]

Need a lot more info to help you...
What are you looking to measure?
volts
amps
ohms
continuity
hertz
farads
ect...

How much will break your bank?

Selection is overwhelming, but personally I would not look at anything but a Fluke meter, I bought my 77 model new in 1987 and it has been flawless, left outside, dropped many times, never a problem, still has original probes too.

 

[98ssuck]

It really depends on what you are going to use it for. For a general meter I recommend a fluke 324 clamp meter. It will do ac/dc volts, ac amps, resistance, capacitance and tperatu everything you could ever need if you are just using it around the house.

 

[kd3pc]

+1 for fluke, I have an 8000A on my desk now, for kit building and basic trouble shooting. A Fluke 77 in my go bag, and another 77 in the garage.

they are very affordable on the auction sites, have even seen one or two here.

 

[Bearkat]

Fluke is the best, with the appropriate price. I have a pocket Ideal that has worked well. I have a larger Klein that has done everything I have needed with options to spare. It was a gift, but I think it retails for around $100. Can't see why you would need more if not using it multiple times a day, or in certain situation requiring a special meter.

 

[espyking83]

It really depends on what you're doing with it. If you just want to do Continuity checks, I'd say get a Craftsman. Anymore than that you should get a Greenlee. If your profession involves electricity, you need a Fluke. I couldn't imagine life without mine. You can find really good deals on Craigslist.

 

[Rex_A_Lott]

I use a Fluke at work, and you cant beat it. But for around the house, just checking for 6V, 12V and occasionally 110VAC....basic ohms etc...I use the cheap POS you get from Horrible Freight for 5 bucks. If I forget and leave it somewhere,I'm not out much. YMMV. Good Luck!

 

[Chilliwack Murray]

Unless you are looking for ultra cheap or ultra specialty, Fluke is the only way to go. They are nearly indestructible, nearly impossible to blow up or otherwise injure yourself by using incorrectly (especially important for the occasional user).

I've had several Flukes and several other brands over the past 25 years. Only ever retired the Flukes because safety standards change but they all still work. None of the others have survived more than 5 or 6 years of rough outdoor use.

In many situations the garage user would use it in, the Flukes are more accurate than any competitors in the same price range due to the way they measure AC voltages. This is particularly noticeable if you have a small generator or inverter. Other meters can incorrectly measure 20 - 60 volts higher on the same AC source - I've had many a service call for this. If you want an explanation of why, go to their website and search TRUE RMS and CREST FACTOR, it's too lengthy to get into it here.

Fluke 77 or 79 is a good all around meter. If you want automotive specific functions search those terms on their website. I think you can get a new 79 for under $100 and less on ebay etc.

 

[Totallymetal]

I use Fluke at work, Fieldmaster and Greenlee at home... Never had any problems with any of them, but if I needed a meter for home use I would definitely try this one.

http://www.harborfreight.com/ac-dc-digital-multimeter-37772.html

A co worker bought it for home use and has no issues and very impressed with it for the price... just my 2c

 

[Stuart in MN]

I use Fluke at work, Fieldmaster and Greenlee at home... Never had any problems with any of them, but if I needed a meter for home use I would definitely try this one.

http://www.harborfreight.com/ac-dc-digital-multimeter-37772.html

A co worker bought it for home use and has no issues and very impressed with it for the price... just my 2c

I'm an electrical engineer, and I have a Fluke in my toolbox at home, but for most people I agree that a cheap Harbor Freight meter will work fine. they have a cheaper version that's only $5.50, and I see they also have a couple with built in amp clamps at $10.29 or $12.99 that would be handy to have as well.

 

[48RON54]

I'm an electrical engineer, and I have a Fluke in my toolbox at home, but for most people I agree that a cheap Harbor Freight meter will work fine. they have a cheaper version that's only $5.50, and I see they also have a couple with built in amp clamps at $10.29 or $12.99 that would be handy to have as well.

x3.... I have a fluke, but only because I use it so much at work on generators. If I just needed one from time to time to check some things on a car or around the house, I would buy a cheapo one.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I use a Klein cl2000. I haven't come across anything I couldn't do with it. Fluke is another good choice.

 

[Bosque]

Harbor Freight has some free ones. Can't beat that!!! *Troll *NotSerious.

 

[uncletater]

Basic uses would be to test continuity,volts, amps, ohms
Mostly will be used on 12v car things. Anything 120 in the garage gets done by my electrician.

I will not need this for work. It would be a hobby tool. My electrician suggests I get a Greenlee or Craftsman.

 

[rlitman]

Unless you are looking for ultra cheap or ultra specialty, Fluke is the only way to go.

Oh good grief. And unless you're ultra cheap, Stahlwille is the only way to go for wrenches?

There are plenty of good multimeter makers, and I can think of several that eclipse Fluke.

Extech is a good maker. They make most of the Craftsman meters as well as other brands (they're owned by FLIR BTW).
Fieldpiece is one of the best out there.

Look for one with a protective fuse (HF meters are unfused and dangerous).
Look at the CAT II and CAT III voltage ratings, etc.

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

Fluke is the standard of the industry, period.

 

[Sunbimmer]

Unless you are looking for ultra cheap or ultra specialty, Fluke is the only way to go. They are nearly indestructible, nearly impossible to blow up or otherwise injure yourself by using incorrectly (especially important for the occasional user).

my thoughts exactly.

 

[uncletater]

Thanks for the input so far. I am aware that Fluke is a great brand. Was hoping for other ideas from personal experience.

And no I am not cheap. I just see no need to spend a lot on a tool that may only get used a couple of times per year. Already have too many of those! Anyone want to buy a Bosch Laser Level

I was not entertaining the HF free one either.

Something the middle of the road that is accurate and basic that I dont need an electrical engineering degree to figure out.

 

[PWC Repair]

For basic stuff around the house just get a Craftsman or Sperry or Ideal from your local big box stores for $30-40. It will do most everything Joe Homeowner needs it to do. This looks like a good buy....the non-contact voltage detect is very handy. http://www.lowes.com/pd_464310-295-...uct_price|0&Ntt=multi-meter&page=1&facetInfo=

 

[uncletater]

thanks

 

[brownbagg]

i started out saying fluke, because its good, but another one that prove the test of time is simpson

 

[Streetbu]

Get a free one from HF when they have the coupon and a Fluke for the nice stuff. I use my cheap one when I can, good when I NEED to. Don't want to drop my Fluke in water or off a ladder.

 

[Rookie2]

I've used UEI clamp meters since 1995 when my employer sold them. you can buy a used one for under $100.00

 

[Brownsfan]

Basic uses would be to test continuity,volts, amps, ohms
Mostly will be used on 12v car things. Anything 120 in the garage gets done by my electrician.

I will not need this for work. It would be a hobby tool. My electrician suggests I get a Greenlee or Craftsman.

Klein mm2000 at Home Depot. $100 and does everything and true RMS. The CL2000 shown above is also a great value. Does ac/dc amps and true rms for $140. I have both and do automotive electrical for a living and these have been fantastic for the money
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-True-RMS-400-Amp-AC-DC-Digital-Clamp-Meter-CL2000/202266606

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-True-RMS-Digital-Multimeter-MM2000/202521275?keyword=mm2000

 

[summertime blues]

simpson 260( old school) amprobe, and HF that 18 years old and been to hell and back
if you get a HF get a good set of leads for it

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Functions I use most are Voltage AC for home (up to 240Volts), DC for automotive (up to 32 Volts).
Ohm meter, mostly for checking continuity, an audible feature is nice (it beeps).
Look for a meter that has a replaceable fuse. Also pay attention to the leads/probes.
It is good to get the "Fluke" style plug ins at the meter. Replacement leads are easy to find with various types of probes or clips.

At work we use Flukes. At home I use a Tenma that was probably about $30 new. I've had it for years.

 

[Tarheelgarage]

UEI makes some high quality meters.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

For work I will measure with nothing else but my Fluke 1587, but if you wanted something basic for at home I would go with Extech or Bluepoint. I won't use my Bluepoint for critical work, only because the measurement resolution is not high enough. Not because it ever failed.

But if you just want to check basics, AC or DC Volts, and continuity......Look in the 150-200 range new or 75-100 bucks used.

If you want to know what features to look for- True RMS and Autoranging.

 

[Techie1961]

I have 3 broken UEIs and 1 Fluke that works. Find a basic model of the Fluke line and your golden. Good support and warranty and lots of accessories like thermocouples and such.

 

[68 Coupe]

I personally own a couple of Fluke meters that are my main "go to" for anything that requires accuracy. They are my favorite for several reasons, and are made about 20 miles from me. I also have a craftsman that has worked well for many years, and a clamp meter for higher voltage testing.

That being said, I have purchased at least 2 dozen of the HF meters over the years. They used to have them for $1.99, I think the best price now is $2.99 (or free of course). I buy these to throw in the rigs, take to wrecking yards, the track etc., and have given out quite a few as "gifts" whenever I get asked to loan out a multimeter! I have had these sit in a truck box, exposed to heat, humidity and freezing for about 10 years and (to my amazement) still turned on when I needed to check a connection. Are they the best meters? No. Are they extremely accurate, or good for higher voltages? Probably not. Will I keep buying them to bang around in the truck for diagnosing 12V systems away from the shop? For $2.99, HELL YES!

 

[Jackfre]

For climate control work I like UEI & Fluke. I use the micro amp range all the time for flame rectification, meaning proving flame in place of of the old thermocouple. Any electronic ignition system will use micro amps. The symbolis not ma, that is milli amps. The micro amp symbol is kind of a long nosed U
No question Fluke are great. For 25 yrs I've had great service from UEI. I really like their combustion analyzer.

 

[coffeebean]

harbor freight free with the coupon. i have little idea of how to use it but i have it

 

[fastev]

Fluke 87V does just about anything you could possibly need to do outside of specialty instrumentation/electronics work. Even then, you're probably covered. Slightly more pricey than some mentioned, but probably your last meter.
Want to go really big? Fluke 789 will source current as well.

 

[Darryl2]

I bought a Fluke 87 III 20 years ago, the Fluke 87 V's are the one to go with now.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Sure Fluke meters are great, but they are WAY OVERKILL for the average person. Here are some PRACTICAL features you should get in a meter that costs less than $50, maybe less than $30 !

• Audio continuity tester
• Rubber housing
• Good leads

The last is the most difficult, because beside needing good probes, you going to need an assortment of clips, back probes, piercing probes, lead extensions with couplers and at least 2 sizes of alligator clips.

You will wind up spending more on these accessories than your first meter, but that is okay. Good quality accessories will out last a couple of meters !

 

[LG63]

I recently read about the Fluke 17B on another forum. It's not built for the US market but is available on Ebay for about $110 Based on Ebay sales numbers it looks like it has quite a following.
Anybody here own one?

 

[exmaxima1]

I am looking into buying a multi meter.

I am a fan of Fluke meters, and I use them daily. But I also keep a cheaper meter handy for loaning out---Sears sells them for under $10 and they work fine:

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-mult...p-03482141000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

 

[sprntpshr]

I have a Fluke 25 bought off Ebay for $25, works just as good as the one we bought at work for $400.
It is going to need the fuses replaced as the last person who borrowed it tried to measure volts with the leads plugged into amps. Need the 3A and 15A fuses now, anybody have them kicking around or know of a dependable supplier? Haven't found a local source.