What's a good digital multi meter?

[iScream]

I've got a Goldstar DMM I bought over 20 years ago when I was in electronics school. It was a great meter but it's gotten to where I have to mess with it a little to get it to work so I need to find a replacement before too long.

Back then Fluke was pretty much the standard but I have hardly kept track of what is out there at all. Any suggestions for something to replace it? I'm not completely sure what all features I want other than definitely a continuity tester with the tone and auto ranging would be nice. I have to select the correct voltage or amperage range on this Goldstar.

Can I get something that will last me another 20 years for $200 or so?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[Jlarson]

The Fluke 110 and 170 series meters fit in your range.

 

[WhiffySpark]

I like my 115

 

[Negen]

I like the fluke 117. It is a true rms model btw.

 

[iScream]

Thanks guys. So is Fluke still the brand others are compared against these days?

Holy **** there are a bunch of models when I search Fluke multimeter on Amazon. Guess I need to see what features are offered and try to figure out what I would use today. My Goldstar is very electronics oriented with transistor and diode testers and such. Not sure that I'll ever test another transistor in my lifetime.

 

[Brownsfan]

I really like my Klein MM2000. Only $109 @ home depot. Has a ton of features for a good price. I have been using mine for the past 3 years in a crappy on the road environment. Not one issue. It replaced and old fluke 73 that the LCD and continuity beeper stopped working. http://m.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-True-RMS-Digital-Multimeter-MM2000/202521275

 

[casestudies]

Fluke is tops in my opinion. They last and are accurate. Electrician friends of mine swear by them and have had theirs for 20+ years easy.

I have a Fluke 179. Has a 10A limit, True RMS and can use a thermocouple. I got it (barely) used in like new condition for under $200 on eBay a few years ago. It's been great.

 

[James-W]

Fluke is my favorite as well. There are other good ones, but if I have a choice, I prefer a Fluke.

 

[Jlarson]

Thanks guys. So is Fluke still the brand others are compared against these days?

Yes.


Here's a comparison of most of their meters

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&ved=0CFMQFjADahUKEwjcsc_dkLnHAhUPo4gKHVSMByM&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.transcat.com%2Fmedia%2Fpdf%2FFluke-DMM-Comparison-Chart.pdf&ei=LY3WVZznH4_GogTUmJ6YAg&usg=AFQjCNEXiBGDn5Ugazn40XVWVPfKP3AltA&cad=rja

 

[Mike777]

You can't go wrong when you're buying a DMM that starts with the letters f, l, u, k, and e.
I used to have one but someone liked it much better than me, I think mine was a model 77, been so long since it was carried away. It was a very good basic Fluke model and at the time the price was right as I won it as a door prize at an industry event.
I have a basic Radio Shack model now that works well enough for what I need around the house and garage.

 

[ddawg16]

Another vote for the 179.

But, one of the series 80 meters is also good.

Is this for home use? What do you normally use it for?

For the record....the one MUST HAVE feature is the magnet strap....it's a strap that attaches to the rubber case and lets you hang the meter on anything metal.

 

[R. Johnson]

The Fluke 77 is the basic choice for all general purpose uses. To get a fast responding continuity test you need the 77 IV (series 4). Should be under $100 on ebay second hand in good shape.

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[gooseadrian]

I have the 179 had for about 4 years now. Dam thing works well. Compared it to my buddy's snap on meter and his jumps all over the dam place.

 

[Chevy350]

I just went through this...my craftsman (extech) starting acting up, so I researched fluke. Wanted something U.S. Made...or assembled...the Fluke 11x line is made in china so that went out the window (even if they are good). I was looking at the 179, but then I strayed for the 87v which had a couple more options and seems to be an industry staple.

I also the considered the Klein MM6000 since it is made in the USA.

 

[Dagny]

Just got a 116 fluke in a kit with amp meter and magnetic holder have had other fluke products hard to beat.

 

[iScream]

Thanks again to everyone for the suggestions. I've really got to figure out what I really want to do with a meter.

The Fluke 179 is looking pretty darn good to me right now but is more than I planned to spend. I would kinda like to have the Duty Cycle/Pulse Width measurement on the 83V but I would have to give up true RMS to get that and pay quite a bit more. And I do have a USB oscilloscope.

The 115 meets my needs pretty well but .5 percent DC accuracy seems kinda crappy to me and I wouldn't get the lifetime warranty.

Do any of you guys use the temperature measurement on your 179?

How about the VoltAlert on the 117? That seems like it could be useful around the house and garage.

-Chris

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I have the 179. More than I need but I haven't regretted the purchase. I don't recall paying anywhere near what they go for today but I guess I've had it for about 10 years.

 

[torqueman2002]

Another vote for Fluke.

I use a 87 because it is GM's essential tool for engine diagnostics.

The 87 has a 1 mS Min/Max record function that is very useful for diagnosing sensor/circuit intermittents.

 

[Jlarson]

The 177 (no temp) can be found a bit cheaper then the 179.

You an probably find a 175 on sale for about 250-260 if you can live without back light and a little less accuracy.

 

[jackfork]

I still use a B&K Precision that I bought at least 20 years go. It is used weekly and still going strong. I have been very pleased with it. However, if I was looking for a hand held meter today it would be one from Fluke. I don't believe that the B&K meters are near what they once were.

You might check out EEVblog on youtube. He has several about buying meters.

 

[gooseadrian]

I bought my 179 four years ago. A guy in redo do beach sold it because he had only needed it for small house work. I am a diesel tech 6 days out of the week. My Sunday off I'm usually working on cars. But the 179 has served me very well. I have used the temp setting on it to do ac work and it's pretty accurate but I still prefer my mechanical temp gauge.

Oh and did I mention the guy I bought it off of three in a case and an extra set of leads? But wait THERE IS MORE!

I only payed 50 bucks for everything and it wasn't even dirty.

 

[casestudies]

I thought the 179 was a bit more than I needed, but figured I'd plan ahead. As it turns out I was building a energy monitor and had to measure current up to 8 or 9 amps to calibrate the sensor... Now I'm glad I bought the 179 for a bit more than the basic fluke that I was looking at like my dad's. I'd have liked a 87, but the price, even used, was a bit much for me at the time. Someday I may get one but the 179 has served me very well. It's what I used at work too and they get thrown around there by a lot of people.


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[rodsnratfinks]

I just did this search a few weeks ago and, based on my needs, I had my heart set on the 177 (or 179), but found the best deal on a new 87V (because I traded for it). Realistically, you can't go wrong with the 77IV, 11x series, 17x, or 8x series. Truth is, the 115 would satisfy most people's needs in a meter. I work on a lot of electronics, so I needed the sensitivity of the 177 at a minimum. The 87V is a nice step up, even though I may not use some of the features.

I will say though, that I will never buy another brand after my last DMM. I had a Bosch and the dial snapped off, just outside of the warranty period. Anyone want a paperweight shaped like a multimeter?

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[coralnut]

Interesting that everyone here uses handheld meters, and nobody seems to use a bench meter.