Your favorite Multimeter?

[2cool2hear]

What's your favorite and why? What can it or can't do?

I'm looking for a reliable multimeter that will last me years, trying to avoid buying a junk.

Right now I'm experimenting with Make: Electronics book, learning about electronic components, then I'm going to need a multimeter to be able to use it on things such as cars, house appliances, electronics, high-power equipments such as welders, etc. Suggestions are welcome!

Many thanks

 

[randomtwinkie]

Fluke is the only place to turn.

 

[ssbtech]

According to the description of the book...

This Make: Electronics Book will make you want to lick a battery! That will actually be your first assignment as you begin the lessons in this unique and colorful guide that uses "learning by discovery"” to teach basic electronics.

... all you need is your tongue

Heck, my grandfather taught me that trick when I was 6 years old.

 

[2cool2hear]

I just looked online...Dang, Fluke sells millions different types of multimeters! And expensive. With that money I can buy a tablet that does more! is there a good way to find out which one will give what I need?

 

[browntown]

Fluke is the only place to turn.

Indeed, as you grow, no other make has more accessories or availability in the hand held electronic meter market than fluke. I like my 115, and have the accessory lead kit for it and it does most of what I want around the house and with the project cars. I still want to get a clamp meter and maybe a temp probe. But my dad, who trained as an electronic engineer, still uses an old analog swing needle style for most things. He's just comfy with it, and says most of the time, you don't need 5 digit precision, you just want to see what makes the needle jump - he's probably right.

 

[zkling]

Favorite? Fluke 27FM. If I could only have one? Fluke 87 later series.

The 27fm is a basic meter (Volts, Ohms, Amps, cont) but very accurate and rugged.
The 87 will do almost everything one would need outside of specialty work including frequency and cap measurements. Beyond that you are pretty much going to need a scope.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Fluke for sure.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Ive had lots of different meters over the years,My fieldpiece meter Ive had 3-4 years now with built in amp probe/clamp does everything Ive ever needed it to do for electrical and hvac service work.

 

[Ainsley]

As others have mentioned Fluke is the way to go if you only want to buy once. If you don't have the money for a fluke right now check out the greenlee or klein meters, a definite step down from fluke but they can get the job done.
I picked up a Mastech ac/dc clamp meter because I needed the DC clamp aspect for a lot of automotive lighting projects I was working on. Seems to work alright for the money.

 

[Mr onetwo]

I picked up a Fluke 27/FM military model after getting good advice from members here.It was cheap and really rugged.It is a great true RMS meter.I also got a clamp on amp attachment on Ebay for,so I can do anything I want with it.

 

[Doxhog]

I have two Flukes (one is clamp on) and an old Simpson. Both brands have served me well.

 

[Maddoglips]

Fluke AC/DC clamp Multi meter. Can't go wrong and the DC clamp range is a Big bonus.

This will cover the average Jo who just needs to know/test the basics and tbh, most will never really need more unless it's a more specialised task, but then you aint the average Jo.

Oh just in case, the DC ability is awesome to show your m8's who play with shorting out the solenoid on their cars how many amps a starter actually draws. Once they see and you explain the severity of the possible damages, they'll think twice before sticking a screwdriver or what ever in there again.

Good luck on choosing, as at end of the day, it'll only be you who decides what you comfortable with using.

 

[wagzilla]

Fluke 233 in Electric Multimeter I Had it for the past two years and it really helps when you are by your self, they have some good utube video's on it. I hope that helps

James

 

[Moose364]

If you don't know a lot about them then Fluke 113 it auto set itself to AC or DC I have that one then I have a Fluke FM334 clamp meter. and PAWN SHOPS is where I get mine less than 1/2 price and they always have a bunch of them, I picked up my FM334 for $39.99 and it's a 259.00 meter online, and I think I paid 49.00 for the 113

 

[kd3pc]

Fluke

even an old one from the auction sites...will last you a lifetime. I have an old 8000A on my bench and a pair of 77 series II or III for the shop and travel.

Can't go wrong with the Fluke meters

 

[Prometheus]

I just recently went through the same thing you are as far as finding a good multimeter.

It mainly comes down to what functions do you want/need. If you're planning on doing electronics you're going to want a milliamp range, diode tester, DC volts, and probably capacitance tester. For car/house stuff you'll want an mainly just amp, AC, and DC volts. Pretty basic stuff. True RMS is nice and depending how far you get into AC based electronics and will become more necessary the farther you dig in, but not an absolute necessity.

It all depends on how much you want to use it and for what. If you want all the functions I listed above, it kind of knocks out some of the cheaper flukes (110 series) because they don't have a good mA range. For about $50 you can get a UniT UT-61E from ebay that is decent, but certainly not a "lifelong" meter. But, if you're just playing and learning then $50 to start isn't a bad investment. If you're ok with used you can sometimes get older gen Fluke 87s (like a gen III) for <$100 on ebay. I kind of like the Brymen stuff (they're an OEM in Taiwan, a lot of the Greenlee stuff in the US is made by them). I actually just got a Greenlee 820A for $85 and it's an awesome meter.

Most people will probably wind up with multiple meters - a cheaper one that if it blows up you won't be too sad about and a nicer one. It might be wise to start with a decently inexpensive model, figure out what you use the most and like about it and then use those criteria to get your "lifetime" meter.

Hope this helps.

 

[mojo3120]

Nothing wrong with Fluke, but may want to look at the Agilent meters as well. To me, the Agilent's seem to be more bang for the buck.

 

[Jawn]

No complaints with Fluke here, other than the price. I borrow them occasionally at work, but haven't ponied up for one at home yet.

At home, my best meter is a rebadged Metex like this: http://sigrok.org/wiki/RadioShack_22-168

It was about a $130 meter new, I bought it on closeout for about $40 in the early 2000s. It's been pretty solid for me.

 

[pi_guy]

My top meter is a Martel Process calibrator.
I have 2 flukes a AC powered one for bench work and the automotive series one 87.
Then I have a simpson analog type.
Then I have a portable scope with built in multimeter. The collection of probes & can break out box for the scope cost more than the scope $600

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Fluke!!

Yeah Harbor Frieght will work for anateur work but dont go using it on 480v panels unless u want to end up in the burn unit in your hospital!

 

[Speedy Petey]

A Fluke T5-1000 is all the meter a homeowner will ever need.

 

[Nick Danger]

A Fluke T5-1000 is all the meter a homeowner will ever need.

I have a T5-600 and I love it. Easy to use and rugged.

But it couldn't help me find out what was draining the battery on my car. I need a second meter for milliamps and millivolts.

 

[GuyllFyre]

What's your favorite and why?

My favorite is one that works when I need it to.

 

[chops101]

Flukes hands down. When precision matters.

Bought my gear when I was young and a component level bench tech, so Flukes made my paychecks possible.

Like Snap On to a pro-wrencher.

 

[domain]

Fluke 116

 

[arsco]

I have fluke
76 I think 20 something year old basic dmm
t5-600
116
323
2ac
1lac

 

[Uncle_Charlie]

He's just comfy with it, and says most of the time, you don't need 5 digit precision, you just want to see what makes the needle jump - he's probably right.

I've heard the same thing from an old guy I know who is a retired EE. He never cares how far the needle jumps, only that it does.

 

[Scsmith42]

I have several, including Fluke, Ideal, Simpson, Greenlee, Blue Point and some cheapies. My "go-to" meter is the Ideal. It's a clamp on style and works well.


Scott

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I have several Fluke models:

87V Industrial DMM
381 Industrial clamp meter
1AC2 Non contact voltage tester

 

[Aceman]

I use Fluke for pretty much everything except a rotation meter.

 

[LifeLongWNYer]

Flukes are good, but don't leave them where they will freeze. I have a model 87 which lasted a LONG time, but last winter I left it in the garage and it froze HARD.

Now it is a paperweight. Fluke wanted more to fix it than a brand new one would cost.

I'm sure some you you will say that you leave your in your trucks all winter, with no problems, BUT......

JBP





.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I use Fluke for pretty much everything except a rotation meter.

What brand rotation meter do u have? Is the Fluke one bad or u jus bought something else?

Flukes are good, but don't leave them where they will freeze. I have a model 87 which lasted a LONG time, but last winter I left it in the garage and it froze HARD.

Now it is a paperweight. Fluke wanted more to fix it than a brand new one would cost.

I'm sure some you you will say that you leave your in your trucks all winter, with no problems, BUT......

JBP

Good tip, Thx

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

My favorite is one that works when I need it to.

 

[ixlr8]

I have a 30 year old Fluke, did all I needed around the house and cars. Always left it in the unheated garage. Froze every winter but always came back to life with no issues... up until the last few winters. Then segments started dying, over the last 3 years it has gone from fine to unreadable. Displays are no longer available for it so I am now searching for a new meter. Flukes are expensive... but you get what you pay for. You pay for the ruggedness, the accuracy and the safety. Most of the cheap junk, $80 or less, does not have a good safety rating and are an accident waiting to happen. Most of the Fluke meters are at least CAT III rated which means that they can handle 600v without issues.
Check out this thread from not too long ago;
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=258934

 

[pedrodagr8]

I have a 30 year old Fluke, did all I needed around the house and cars. Always left it in the unheated garage. Froze every winter but always came back to life with no issues... up until the last few winters. Then segments started dying, over the last 3 years it has gone from fine to unreadable. Displays are no longer available for it so I am now searching for a new meter. Flukes are expensive... but you get what you pay for. You pay for the ruggedness, the accuracy and the safety. Most of the cheap junk, $80 or less, does not have a good safety rating and are an accident waiting to happen. Most of the Fluke meters are at least CAT III rated which means that they can handle 600v without issues.
Check out this thread from not too long ago;
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=258934

Actually, the CAT III part of the rating deals with the type of installation they are rated for. The second part is the voltage rating. You can have CAT III 200V ratings.

As for your meter, take it apart and clean the rubber connectors between the LCD and the board with alcohol. Also clean the contacts on the board with a pencil eraser followed by cleaning them with alcohol. This should restore the digit function. Those old connectors can build residue over time that stops them from functioning.

The best bet is to get replacement connectors but this is an easy and more or less free fix that should work for a while. The connectors for most models can be found on ebay.

 

[abk241]

Caig Labaratories puts out a complete line of cleaners and lubes for all types of electrical contacts.
Check out their Deoxit products here

http://www.deoxit.com/

 

[Telcoguy]

I'm a Fluke fanboy. I have the 113 for the simple stuff I do at home, I used the 115 when I was working in marine maintenance, now I use a wide variety of their communications tools on a daily basis.

 

[Tarheelgarage]

Old DMMs from mid to late 90s were very well built and cut no expense.

Two of my favorites:

Kal Equip 3002
Mac ET302

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

I have a 30 year old Fluke, did all I needed around the house and cars. Always left it in the unheated garage. Froze every winter but always came back to life with no issues... up until the last few winters. Then segments started dying, over the last 3 years it has gone from fine to unreadable. Displays are no longer available for it so I am now searching for a new meter. Flukes are expensive... but you get what you pay for. You pay for the ruggedness, the accuracy and the safety. Most of the cheap junk, $80 or less, does not have a good safety rating and are an accident waiting to happen. Most of the Fluke meters are at least CAT III rated which means that they can handle 600v without issues.
Check out this thread from not too long ago;
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=258934

How many of you guys have ever actually seen anything over 240v working around a garage?Id say most of the meters on this forum rarely see anything over 12v dc,or 120v ac.
My fieldpiece and uei meters Ive had and used over the years(and still do)are used on everything from 24v ac transformers to 277/480v without ever giving me any trouble.
I see know reason for the typical guy in the garage to shell out $500.00 plus for a meter,its right up there with buying $50,000.00 worth of snap on tools to change your own oil at home or buying an f800 tilt bed truck truck to haul your kids quad runner to the woods.
Overkill ,that's all Im saying.

 

[abk241]

Can't say as I favor any one meter over another...they all serve their purpose well.

Amprobe AM18 DMM
BK Test Bench 388A DMM
Fluke 112 DMM
Fluke 334 Clamp On DMM
Ideal TestPro 401/450 Clamp On DMM

and of course there is the old faithful wiggy...not a multi-meter as most of you already know.