Sears.com digital VOM w temp. $25

[AlphaGarage]

A nice DVOM on sale at Sears.com. Reg $65, on sale for $25

Link
Seems to be available for local pick-up also.

8-function, 20-range multimeter offers true RMS readings for accurate voltage, current and temperature. CAT III-600V rating. Audible and visual warnings to help improper test lead input.

* High-resolution meaurements including AC/DC voltage/current with 0.1mV resolution
* Measurements are displayed on large, back-lit LCD with 1 in. high digits
* 2000 count display, 0.5% basic accuracy, battery check, measurement hold functions
* Includes audible continuity check and diode test
* Complete with CAT III test leads, multi-position tilt stand, protective holster
* Test lead holder, K-type temperature probe, owners manual
* UL listed
* Faceplate helps match measurement dial position to the correct test lead inputs
* Low current range allows it to be used with current clamp-on adapters

 

[JayL]

Do you happen to know who manufactures this multimeter and where? I have an aging Fluke 77 which is now going 10+ years old. I wonder if the CM above would be a good backup just in case my Fluke decides to call it quits. The price is very encouraging. tks

 

[ToolGlutton]

I did not see extra features compared to my $9.99 basic Craftsman Multimeter except that this one has an temperature probe. Why should I need a temperature probe?

 

[Kartman]

Do you happen to know who manufactures this multimeter and where? I have an aging Fluke 77 which is now going 10+ years old. I wonder if the CM above would be a good backup just in case my Fluke decides to call it quits. The price is very encouraging. tks

I have read that Extech makes the multimeters for Craftsman.

 

[nissan_crawler]

I did not see extra features compared to my $9.99 basic Craftsman Multimeter except that this one has an temperature probe. Why should I need a temperature probe?

Coolant temp, ac temp, ****** temp, power steering temp, all sorts of things.

 

[JayL]

Coolant temp, ac temp, ****** temp, power steering temp, all sorts of things.

Can it only measure liquid temperature?

 

[ToolGlutton]

Good excuses for excess tool collection.

Coolant temp, ac temp, ****** temp, power steering temp, all sorts of things.

 

[TheToolMan]

This meter is junk but for $25 you cant beat it, I repair electronics for a living and use a fluke daily. If i was an auto guy or at home user i would buy this meter, As for a back up it would be great,

 

[JayL]

This meter is junk but for $25 you cant beat it, I repair electronics for a living and use a fluke daily. If i was an auto guy or at home user i would buy this meter, As for a back up it would be great,

Which Flukes are good nowadays? Probably soon I would need a new one. My Fluke 77 is still ok but sometimes the audible sound of the continuity test is intermittent . I wonder if it's about to quit anytime now.

 

[Danglerb]

The Craftsmen meter seems ok quality, I have a slightly different autoranging model I picked up for about the same price on sale. The thermocouple is nice, its a very FAST measuring device and accurate. I use it any time I want to know either immersion or contact temps, basically when the IR isn't the best choice, AC vents etc.

Poked it in the AquaKleen sink the other day and found the temp was 114F.

OTOH I must have a dozen other meters around the house and garage, this is my only thermocouple and the only reason I bought it.

 

[nissan_crawler]

This meter is junk but for $25 you cant beat it, I repair electronics for a living and use a fluke daily. If i was an auto guy or at home user i would buy this meter, As for a back up it would be great,

I wouldn't be so quick to judge. My $2.99 HF meter reads almost identical to my $450 Fluke 88.

 

[TheToolMan]

i have a fluke 87III i use this as my main meter. If i need to use 2 meters at the same time i use my 79III as a second. I also have a fluke 158 meter I use to test motors and dont forget the ol 2 channel 99B scope-meter. If i needed a no frills meter i would buy a 79III. Or you could get a meter from harbor freight for $2.99 and be ok

 

[rsanter]

I did not see extra features compared to my $9.99 basic Craftsman Multimeter except that this one has an temperature probe. Why should I need a temperature probe?

block and head temps
exhause manifold temps

and if you are a real car guy that does a little racing then you can measure tire temps across the face of the tire to judge tire patch contact and can even be used for fine tuning alignment (for racing)

bob

 

[JayL]

The Craftsmen meter seems ok quality, I have a slightly different autoranging model I picked up for about the same price on sale. The thermocouple is nice, its a very FAST measuring device and accurate. I use it any time I want to know either immersion or contact temps, basically when the IR isn't the best choice, AC vents etc.

Poked it in the AquaKleen sink the other day and found the temp was 114F.

OTOH I must have a dozen other meters around the house and garage, this is my only thermocouple and the only reason I bought it.

by CONTACT TEMPS do you mean I can measure metal temperatures like for example in disk brake rotors?

 

[Danglerb]

by CONTACT TEMPS do you mean I can measure metal temperatures like for example in disk brake rotors?

Thermocouples have pretty high ranges, not sure exactly how high this one goes, but I would use an IR for that, since it might be touchy to get a good thermal contact with the thermocouple bead. Its not like you would hold it on with a finger. They use them for EGT, so I guess it should work.

 

[JayL]

How does the temperature probe of this CM multimeter actually look like or can you describe it please. tks

 

[AlphaGarage]

It looks almost identical to the ExTech EX410

Details here: ExTech410

 

[peter_x]

You can almost get the two separately for $25. I guess this way it's less room taken in your chest.

 

[Hip2u77]

by CONTACT TEMPS do you mean I can measure metal temperatures like for example in disk brake rotors?

It will measure air or surface temps from -4 to 1382°F. (That's taken from the Extech's ex410's specs.)

 

[senlow]

This meter is junk but for $25 you cant beat it, I repair electronics for a living and use a fluke daily. If i was an auto guy or at home user i would buy this meter, As for a back up it would be great,

To call it junk is a bit harsh. Most occasional meter users don't need the quality or accuracy of a Fluke. Anyone who can justify the cost of a Fluke should own one. I have not found a better handheld meter.

The Crapsman meter appears to have all the features that a mechanic would need. I think that is a good deal for $25.

 

[Crasen]

I have used various voltmeters of many different brands. Fluke, Greenlee, Exteck, and even Harbor Freight. I have not seen any noticable difference in accuracy of ANY of the meters. Some may have had more features than others but all of them performed their intended function as good as the others. I have had a Harbor Freight meter that the leads would randomly fall out of the meter though. I am not sure if that is common with them or not.

 

[JayL]

I wonder how this multimeter compares with the one OP posted. Do you think it's a better one? Anybody have this on their toolbox? tks

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...t_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

 

[MAD]

I wonder how this multimeter compares with the one OP posted. Do you think it's a better one? Anybody have this on their toolbox? tks

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...t_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

The one in your link has a tachometer and dwell function. I don't know about the quality of that one. I have an old Actron made analog tach/dwell that still works well though. The recent Craftsman meters have seemed very well made for the money too.

 

[speed bump]

I did not see extra features compared to my $9.99 basic Craftsman Multimeter except that this one has an temperature probe. Why should I need a temperature probe?

It is also true RMS and you can use a clamp on ammeter with it.

The only thing I don't like about it is I want something that is auto-ranging.

 

[jesselyons2002]

To me I think all basic multimeter are the same. This is why I want to get a oscilloscope. So I can see really how the sensor im working is really working.

 

[Danglerb]

A meter is a tool, and as long as it works the one I bought today at HF for $2.07 does the same job as $100 meter. If I see one of the automotive type meters cheap enough I may buy it, just for a few features like a tach, but what really gets used are the basics voltage, current, and ohms (continuity).

Things worth paying more for are rugged construction, usually a rubber "coat", not easily ruined by normal dirty shop handling, and a really good set of probes and clips.

I'm still looking for a "nice" easy to use current shunt (goes in series with battery cable and allows full amperage measurement, but retains some accuracy even at milliamps).

Scope would be nice, even an incredibly crappy one with a tiny display would suit me. Crank position sensor is the only thing I can think of I want to look at the shape of the signal on, but sure would be handy at times. As long as a new sensor is cheaper than the scope, good chance I will continue to swap in a new sensor and skip buying a portable scope.