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Multimeter question
- Thread starter Samg250ps
- Start date
espyking83
Well-known member
Are you just checking continuity and voltage?
I don't have any first hand experience with matco meters, but I'm sure matco doesn't manufacture them, they are rebranded from another manf.
Personally I'd go with a Fluke before anything else. They cost a bit, but it's worth it. $235 Wed get you a used 27fm, and you'd still have $135 to spend on something else. The 27fm is bombproof, fantastic little meter and it should do everything you'd want it to do. They're all over eBay.
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Personally I'd go with a Fluke before anything else. They cost a bit, but it's worth it. $235 Wed get you a used 27fm, and you'd still have $135 to spend on something else. The 27fm is bombproof, fantastic little meter and it should do everything you'd want it to do. They're all over eBay.
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SuzukiGS750EZ
Well-known member
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- Apr 26, 2012
- Messages
- 3,273
Do you need to pay weekly, or would you be comfortable dropping 200 on a good meter? This is the one I have... snapon rebrands this meter, but this is the OEM. I use it both in residential electrical as well as automotive. Will do temperature, diode, etc.
http://testproductsintl.com/194.html#.Vp2iEI-cFEY
http://testproductsintl.com/194.html#.Vp2iEI-cFEY
espyking83
Well-known member
As Rogue said if youre going to spend any kind of money over $50 then just go with a Fluke. FOr most trades we only need certain options, only the real ********* industrial electrical guys need all the bells and whistles. But if you need something accurate where you need to actually sign off on something, get a Fluke. I have a 179 and honestly as an A/C electrician even that is overkill for me, but the battery never fails, it's accurate, it can be calibrated, and is well built. Buy a FLuke just dont go too crazy.
espyking83
Well-known member
And any type of meter will check diodes. You can always reverse leads
FigureItOut
Well-known member
Good point.And any type of meter will check diodes. You can always reverse leads
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Brownsfan
Well-known member
Should probably link or give us model numbers to the meters in question.
RedneckWelder
Well-known member
Matco makes nothing themselves but toolboxes.
Not saying they are but the Matco ones look like relabled Kleins that you can get at Home Depot and likely cheaper.
Not saying they are but the Matco ones look like relabled Kleins that you can get at Home Depot and likely cheaper.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
If it costs more than a $100, don't waste your money on it. Keep yourself glued to ebay and you can save at least a $100 off list price on a new fluke. I got a brand new Fluke 77-IV for $170 shipped.
joel63
Well-known member
Do you need to pay weekly, or would you be comfortable dropping 200 on a good meter? This is the one I have... snapon rebrands this meter, but this is the OEM. I use it both in residential electrical as well as automotive. Will do temperature, diode, etc.
http://testproductsintl.com/194.html#.Vp2iEI-cFEY
^^^^^^^ Yes this a good meter in my opinion.
I believe Snap on sells it as EEDM 504
https://store.snapon.com/Automotive-Digital-Multimeters-Multimeter-Digital-Auto-Ranging-P647020.aspx
Can test diodes.
You can find them for less on Ebay.
I got my second one there.
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zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Another Fluke guy here. I had a moment of weakness about 20 years ago and bought a MAC, one of the stupidest thing I have done. All I own is Flukes and they have never let me down. My personal favorite is the Fluke 87, I have a few of them.
Mike.
Mike.
Moose364
Well-known member
You can't beat a fluke. When working with 480v it's the only brand I trust, you can find good deals in pawn shops on them,
Fluke is the only multimeter I trust, wouldn't even consider another brand...made that mistake before.
Ah, there are tons of good meter makers out there. Fluke just makes a reputable, cost effective product. Yes although flukes tend to be expensive they are down right cheap compared to some higher end meter makers.
scissorman
Well-known member
I own a Fluke 375 amp clamp and it will dod everything needed unless you have a need to check amperage over 600 amps then you'd be better off getting the Fluke 376 which comes with the I-flex cable which will allow for 2500amp AC.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
You can't beat a fluke. When working with 480v it's the only brand I trust, you can find good deals in pawn shops on them,
Good point on the pawn shop finds. Two of mine I purchased from pawn shops and they were in like new condition for less than half price. My other two I bought new because I couldn't find what I was looking for used.
Mike.
TomB19
Well-known member
Fluke is like SnapOn. It is extremely expensive and worth it for a small number of people. This is not an anti-Fluke post. If you can cut it, go for it. I would.
You could also step down one notch and pick up an Amprobe. They are substantially cheaper than Fluke, a few models are sold at Home Depot, and the company is owned by Fluke. It's the Blue Point of meters.
... but for people who are as poor as I am, who still want a really good and durable meter, I think it's tough to beat Extech.
Something like Extech's EX330 provides amazing value and is super durable. Check out the YouTube reviews of this meter. People chuck them around, drop them from heights, etc. They are quite durable, although not as durable as a Fluke. They go for just over 50 bucks.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Extech-EX33...hash=item4af746f42c:m:mShSTgEqYQh-2_SQAzSFbWw
You could also step down one notch and pick up an Amprobe. They are substantially cheaper than Fluke, a few models are sold at Home Depot, and the company is owned by Fluke. It's the Blue Point of meters.
... but for people who are as poor as I am, who still want a really good and durable meter, I think it's tough to beat Extech.
Something like Extech's EX330 provides amazing value and is super durable. Check out the YouTube reviews of this meter. People chuck them around, drop them from heights, etc. They are quite durable, although not as durable as a Fluke. They go for just over 50 bucks.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Extech-EX33...hash=item4af746f42c:m:mShSTgEqYQh-2_SQAzSFbWw
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ddawg16
Well-known member
Either buy a Fluke or go to HF and get a few of their $5 MM's. For $5, they work quite well.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Either buy a Fluke or go to HF and get a few of their $5 MM's. For $5, they work quite well.
There is a lot to choose from between those 2 ! The HF meter is not bad, especially when it is a freebie. So what if it is +/-10% !
IMHO, the most important feature for a meter is a rubber boot, so that WHEN you drop it, maybe the case won't break into a dozen pieces.
Sears has some reasonable ones in the $15-$30 range, when they are on sale. Some even come with a non-contacting voltage detector.
scooterGA
Well-known member
I agree with the rest. Fluke and you will go no wrong. I have had a Fluke 88 automotive meter for many years and they have never blinked once. Worth the money for the reliability and the longevity of service.
Brownsfan
Well-known member
My best bang for the buck meter recommendation is the Klein MM2000. I bought one a couple years ago from Home Depot to hold me over until I get another Fluke. My fluke 115 just took a dump and I needed a meter now for work. That was at least 3 years ago. I liked it so much I bought the Cl2000 ac/dc clamp meter from Klein to go with it. The Kleins are my shop meters and my road meter is a Milwaukee I got from Home Depot on clearance for $30. It's a hell of a meter for 30. Point is I was a Fluke only guy and was so impressed by the Klein I never replaced it with a fluke.
cmanningjr
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2011
- Messages
- 98
Fluke is my main meter as a maintenance electrician. At home I have Ideal, Fluke and a couple of the $5 HF ones for knocking around the shop.
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ihateminimumwage
Well-known member
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- Jan 26, 2012
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- 3,960
Matco meters appear to be re-branded Brymen Meters (even use the same model numbers). The Kliens look to be variations of the same meters as well.
I have a Craftsman amp clamp meter that still works great at home, but use Flukes at work.
I have a Craftsman amp clamp meter that still works great at home, but use Flukes at work.
Brownsfan
Well-known member
I have had mine fora few months now and no issues at all. It's in a pretty ****** environment too. Temperature extremes moisture etc. What kind of issues have you had? The only thing I don't like about it is the continuity beeper is a little too quiet. Wish it was louder.I have one of those Milwaukee meters, they are not reliable. Nothing but regret on buying that one.
Bobcat753
Well-known member
Fluke is THE best. I love my 88V. I want to buy another so I can have one in my truck and one in my shop.
Whatever you buy don't get one with integrated magnets. I had a Klein CL2000 and the Neodymium magnets screw'd up the meter real bad.
Whatever you buy don't get one with integrated magnets. I had a Klein CL2000 and the Neodymium magnets screw'd up the meter real bad.
I have had mine fora few months now and no issues at all. It's in a pretty ****** environment too. Temperature extremes moisture etc. What kind of issues have you had? The only thing I don't like about it is the continuity beeper is a little too quiet. Wish it was louder.
It's slow at updating voltage fluctuation. Resistance has been all around really spotty...reading high, low or giving me a dead short. Sometimes it would read high, then it would change to a dead short and I'd have to turn it off and it would read it correctly, sometimes.