multimeter questions

[bradreece]

Is Fluke the only decent brand of meter?

 

[srmofo]

I would say its the brand that all others are measured against, but Ive also got a couple of cheaper import truck brands and they function just as well for what I need.

I can also find parts for my fluke almost anywhere, however I have been unable to locate the amp fuse for my cheaper cornwell meter anywhere besides the website for $12 each!

 

[Davefr]

IMHO there are a ton of "decent" meters. (like the higher end CM/Extech).

Flukes are over rated and not without problems like flakey LCD display contacts.

Fluke shines in breadth of product offering and their quality accessories. Their test leads are excellent!!

In a professional setting Fluke is probably best but for general purpose use you can get a lot of meter for prices well below Fluke.

 

[RRmech]

I use the same Tripplet meter on the RR.....inside and outside.....for 25+ years.

Steve

 

[0.511MeV]

Fluke is certainly not the only decent brand of multimeter. There are many good brands. Agilent are quite good IMO. I also like BK Precision (very cost effective). Since you said multimeter and not digital multimeter, I'll also say Simpson are excellent (and pretty much a requirement if you work analog circuitry at all).

 

[Tarheelgarage]

Look at the UEI product line. They make some very rugged meters and have a model for automotive use.

IMHO, Fluke is way over rated these days for what they deliver vs cost.

 

[shoturtle]

Greenlee has a decent one. If you use it on a daily bases, the fluke are like the Snap On of multimeters. I have 1 fluke personally, and 2 form work. They have a huge line of meters. And the calibration level meters are without equal in the industry. But they cost allot more.

But if you do not need that level, no reason to pay 500+ dollars for one. Their general uses stuff is very good, a bit more expensive then the other brands.

 

[Sparkfarmer]

You pretty much get what you pay for when it comes to multi-meters. If you use it everyday or want it to last a lifetime, don't cheap out.

 

[JASTECH]

I have Fluke, C'man, Amprobe, Simpson, Greenlee and Keithley. I think they have their place, but must be accurate.

 

[Lotek]

The problem with a cheap meter is that you can't trust it, a member here was chasing his tail recently because of a bad meter reading. If you invest in any tool, get a quality meter, you can work around the lack of almost any other tool.

 

[BajaScout]

I was an Electronics Technician in the Navy for 20 years. Mainly used Fluke and Simpson meters. Both worked great. Guess Simpson is still around:

http://www.simpsonelectric.com/

 

[el tanque prohibido]

Is Fluke the only decent brand of meter?

There's other decent brands, but Fluke has the most factory support; and by that I mean lots of informative literature and lots of replacement parts available. Plus I've heard their customer service is second to none.

 

[Danglerb]

Fluke is the brand for people who treat meters like a wrench, otherwise any meter will work fine. Good leads and plenty of adapters, back probes, clamps, etc cost me more than most of the meters.

I use three meters the most; Craftsman 82369 AC/DC clamp meter, Mastech MS8211 pen meter, and the Power Probe III.

 

[lutter94]

I like my cheap craftsman meter. I use flukes at work, but don't need one for personal use.

 

[kissmeimgerman]

Simpson for analog meters and fluke for digital is what I use

 

[vintagefan]

Fluke meters are now mostly made in China, at least the ones that you'll find most of us interested in purchasing/using. I've been using fluke for decades, and while the China meters are still usable, there is definitely a difference in my experience.

Higher end meters like the 87V and some of the scopes, etc., are still USA made, but if you're going for a lower end fluke, there is absolutely NO good reason to not consider Extech, BK precision, Amprobe, or any of the other decent quality meters out there.

As a general rule, look at spending $80+ on a decent True RMS meter. One model I like is the Extech EX505, it has a large display, plenty of features, reads accurately next to my Fluke, and is waterproof/resistant.

I also really like the BK precision model in that same price range.

You should also take a serious look at UEI, they are made mostly (if not all) in Korea, and are a VERY good quality product.




Quite frankly, whenever I encounter someone who thinks Fluke is the only meter that is any good, I automatically am inclined to discount anything else they say... it just shows a general lack of knowledge about the industry. Someone above had mentioned Agilent, that's also a seriously high quality product.

 

[karl1672]

Love my Beckman Industrial; 20 years old and sill ticking.

 

[DanarchyCustoms]

My Diesel Electricity class required a Craftsman model (~$100) and since then I've used it plenty of times without a problem. Just like how you trust a breaker bar, a multimeter is something you have to buy and trust. Electronic issues are alot harder to diagnose when you have readings that contradict each other.

 

[nehog]

Another good brand is Amprobe... They were the leaders (years ago) in clamp on meters, well built. I bought a new digital one a few years ago, and love it. Great meter, tough, and accurate.

 

[Chief Geek]

I use alot of fluke equipment at work, but all my stuff is on the IT realm like the Etherscope and such. I do have my old fluke multimeter though. My father was an electrician for the power company and anytime one was dropped from any real height it was replaced and given out to whoever wanted it. I no idea how far mine dropped, but it's been going strong for 15 years now although I rarely touch it anymore. Mostly just a quality tool passed down so it sticks around.

There are plenty of quality meters out there and no reason you have to drop serious money on one unless you will be using it alot. Look into the brands listed above. The analogy of fluke = snapon has been made and is a good one. If you just need a wrench to change oil with a couple times a year, there's no reason to get snapon over craftsman.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk

 

[chard98]

I would think the answer you may be looking for would depend highly on what you are going to do with the meter. Quick readings, go-no go, or very accurate down to the tenths.
I have 11 Flukes, 3 Simpson 260's, Agilent,B&K Precision,2 Craftsman meters, and many more. Like it has been said, you normally get what you pay for, up to a certain point. The high end Fluke(289, 87-V)are great meters,but the 200 dollar cheaper Agilent works just as well. I'm currently waiting on a 100$ Amprobe that has very similar capabilities as my everyday Fluke 87-V. I will run them side by side and see how they stack up against each other. I work in industrial maintenance and use a meter every day. So trust in a multimeter is very important to me. Just a few thoughts.

 

[w1im]

There's other decent brands, but Fluke has the most factory support; and by that I mean lots of informative literature and lots of replacement parts available. Plus I've heard their customer service is second to none.

Cool,

I used a 40 year old Simpson to figure out a brand new pump unit on a 40 year old fire truck today.

 

[chard98]

I love my old Simpsons, I just hate to drop them. I have cracked the case wipe open twice, Moving around too fast, and off they go to the ground. My 1953 Simpson is so nice, I just take out of the case and look at it.

 

[vintagefan]

I use alot of fluke equipment at work, but all my stuff is on the IT realm like the Etherscope and such. I do have my old fluke multimeter though. My father was an electrician for the power company and anytime one was dropped from any real height it was replaced and given out to whoever wanted it. I no idea how far mine dropped, but it's been going strong for 15 years now although I rarely touch it anymore. Mostly just a quality tool passed down so it sticks around.

There are plenty of quality meters out there and no reason you have to drop serious money on one unless you will be using it alot. Look into the brands listed above. The analogy of fluke = snapon has been made and is a good one. If you just need a wrench to change oil with a couple times a year, there's no reason to get snapon over craftsman.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk

That is a good analogy for older flukes, or newer high end ones that are still made in the USA.

I would say that realistically though, any <$200 Fluke meters are now more accurately compared as Fluke = Blue Point, or Fluke = Genius

 

[Fordman7795]

Im in the market for a MM hopefully under $100 and made in US. Any chance? The 3 flukes at sears were china

 

[snorky18]

suprised no one had mentioned fieldpiece yet. I just bought the SC46. Everything I need, true RMS, ~$90

 

[PrecisionTools]

There are other great meters apart from Fluke.

Gossen's are great...

http://www.gossenmetrawatt.com/english/ugruppe/multimeters.htm

Agilent are trying real hard at the moment...

http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/product.jspx?nid=-34618.0.00&cc=AU&lc=eng

Keep an eye out for second hand if your budget cant stretch, Techtronix meters were excellent as well but I don't think they make them any more.

 

[shoturtle]

Im in the market for a MM hopefully under $100 and made in US. Any chance? The 3 flukes at sears were china

You will not find a MM made in the USA for under 300 dollars. It is like bicycles. If it is not over 1000 dollars it is more cost effective to import them.

 

[shoturtle]

There are other great meters apart from Fluke.

Gossen's are great...

http://www.gossenmetrawatt.com/english/ugruppe/multimeters.htm

Agilent are trying real hard at the moment...

http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/product.jspx?nid=-34618.0.00&cc=AU&lc=eng

Keep an eye out for second hand if your budget cant stretch, Techtronix meters were excellent as well but I don't think they make them any more.

Yes the Gossens are really good as well. But every bit as pricey as a high end fluke. Like Hazet and gedore compare to snappy.

 

[richfinn]

I would make a list of the features that are important to you before you worry about brand or which country its made in, all the decent manufacturers have a check list online so you can see what each meter can and cant do. The real truth about Fluke is that they have a lot of good features are intuitive to operate and robust in a trade setting. I,m a mechanic and the things I like on a meter are (besides the normal Volts/Amps/Ohms).

1. backlight (if I have to shine a light at the meter to see the measurement its bad)

2. min/max record function (great for one man volt drop tests)

3. pulse width measurement in milliseconds (good for fuel injectors)

4. Bar graph on the display (throttle potentiometers/fuel gauges/o2 sensors etc)

5. diode test

6. temp measurement (if you dont have an IR device)

Everyone will have different preferences and all that really matters is that your comfortable and safe using it to do your job IMHO

 

[0.511MeV]

Im in the market for a MM hopefully under $100 and made in US. Any chance? The 3 flukes at sears were china

Even the high end Flukes are only assembled in the US. I don't think enough of the supply chain exists in the US for a company to make an electronic device entirely in the US.

 

[BobbyC]

I picked up a Wavetek/Meterman (Amprobe) 34XR for $33 shipped from ebay (www.ebayitem.com/280838408209) a few weeks ago. It was new but out of the box and the only thing it didn't come with is the magnetic clip, not bad for a DMM that retails for $130. The guy kept raising his prices from his first auction but at $55, I think it's still a great deal on a DMM. Unfortunately, it's made in Taiwan but it feels like very good quality.

 

[shoturtle]

made in taiwan electronics are good, they make a ton of electronic and computer chips and stuff.

 

[BobbyC]

First, I hope I didn't violate any rules by posting an ebay link. I'm not affliated with the seller. I just bought one from him and it was sweet deal when I bought but still a sweet deal at the current price.

I've been very pleased with the quality and construction of this unit. I've just been on a "Buy USA" kick the last few years after reading an article about how the USA will no longer be a superpower because we're outsourcing everything now. (I'm Korean but came here when I was 3 yrs old). I bought my first american car ever last year (Ford F150). I know certain things can't be helped but I'm much more aware of what I buy and where it comes from.

 

[vintagefan]

Even the high end Flukes are only assembled in the US. I don't think enough of the supply chain exists in the US for a company to make an electronic device entirely in the US.

It does, and doesn't.

I recently came from a job at an industrial electronics manufacturer, and we didn't have any problems.

What doesn't exist, is a supply chain cheap enough that the heartless scum execs at Danaher are satisfied with it. One of the very first things they did after buying out Fluke (like they do with every company they take over) was start shipping successful American product manufacturing direct to China.

Shortly thereafter, I started seeing funny behaviors in Fluke meters that I only expected out of "cheap" units. When referring to their lower end products, IMO they are now nothing special.

Just Fluke's association with Danaher is enough to make me never want to touch the stuff again.

 

[98TJ]

I've been using Flukes for years. I have an old-school Fluke 75 that is still rockin' and I picked up a Fluke 233 for $170 on eBay.

Flukes are all we used for DMMs in the military and I've never had an issue with one.

 

[skruft]

Fluke is the best-known professional brand, but there are plenty of others, as the other posts note. I assume you mean digital multimeters.