Multimeters

[Jononon]

UEI and HP/agilent are the only ones with there full line US made.

Are you sure about that? UEi's full line of DMMs may be US made, but their full range of products certainly isn't.

 

[rodm1]

Are you sure about that? UEi's full line of DMMs may be US made, but their full range of products certainly isn't.

I'm not sure of anything when it comes to made in USA and question if the company's are being truthful (Look at Eaton compressor) thats why i put I think in there. Post changed to reflect just the DMM's.

 

[AutoTech]

Howdy Folks,

Having (temporarily) run out of other tools to buy, i've decided it's time to buy a multimeter. Having survived without one, it's time i got that basic piece of diagnostic equipment.

I was planning to just buy one once, not buy one and upgrade later, but i found a Fluke 15B tonight for cheap, so bought it for the meantime. Might not be the best for my needs, but i've bought it now.

Now, for something more advanced, i was considering buying a Snap-on EEDM596DK, or a Fluke. I'm guessing a Fluke 88V/A? The Downside of the Snap-on is that it's made in Korea, i imagine the Fluke would be made around the same area too. But quality and capability is more important.

Snap-on:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1367&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Fluke:
http://www.fluke.co.uk/comx/show_product.aspx?locale=uken&pid=125


I was hoping you guys could help, i've read that the Fluke 88 is the "benchmark" and a top choice, but i'd like your input, as i know nothing about multimeters. Very limited experience with them. I did search, but got a message saying no result found.

Any accessories you guys would reccomend to go along with the meters?

Also, can anyone reccomend a good book/guide on how to use a multimeter? Like how you use it to test components and such. I'm clueless about this..

Thanks guys,
-Moose.

Moose this is the one I plan on getting, might consider this one also if you see very many Hybrid cars in London:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1367&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[SO/PW newbie]

I've used older Flukes in the past and they are great. I use a lower end Wavetek Meterman at work ( I don't use it very often though ), and that works nicely. I have seen someone damage a Fluke before, the ***** was trying to measure the voltage produced by an electronic spark ignitor ignition module for a heater. He was holding the the probe on he coil stud and the the other to ground while the thing was sparking... he was holding it there for about a minute... that meter never performed the same after that.

I also damaged my first wavetek by measuring voltage that was lighting a xenon lamp. The meter actually started buzzing and started to shake. It turns out later that it was upwards in the 5000v ballpark that I was trying to measure. The meter smelled real bad.
(so if something is labeled "WARNING!! HIGH VOLTAGE!!!" do not try to measure it)

 

[SS5150]

Who makes Cornwell's multimeters? I've got one at work that I bought for roughly $105, doesn't get alot of use but gets the job done when I need it too.

 

[krusty the clown]

Who makes Cornwell's multimeters? I've got one at work that I bought for roughly $105, doesn't get alot of use but gets the job done when I need it too.

depends on the model. they source from OTC,ESI and others.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Moose this is the one I plan on getting, might consider this one also if you see very many Hybrid cars in London:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1367&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

We have a lot of Prii and Civic hybrids in Londn. But no-one will touch them for anything other than tyres and brakes. They go to the main dealers for anything else. I won't touch them.

Leaning towards the Snap-on. Also, if i buy from the US and have it shipped here i save £200.