Your favorite Multimeter?

[abk241]

And then I have this small collection of multi-meters.

Hickok 209A VTVM
Hickok 209A VTVM - Blackface
Navy issue Western Electric D-166852 VOM
Simpson 250 VOM
Tripplett 630-A VOM
A pair of Amprobe Clampons

An original 'Megger' built to mil spec by James G. Biddle Co. - also not a multi-meter but I couldn't resist posting it.

And somewhere around here is my old RCA VTVM.....MIA.

 

[Kody the Bear]

Fluke 77, and 97. Simpson analog is nice old school.

 

[toplessHO]

I use several different ones the Flukes are great,amprobe is handy for volts and amps but a pain for ohms,simpson 260 is the go to for analog. I even have a few of the $3 HF ones for any of my non critical 12v and battery testing
But with the new regs on Cat ratings most are obsolete on the jobsite.

 

[abk241]

I use several different ones the Flukes are great,amprobe is handy for volts and amps but a pain for ohms,simpson 260 is the go to for analog. I even have a few of the $3 HF ones for any of my non critical 12v and battery testing
But with the new regs on Cat ratings most are obsolete on the jobsite.

....the Amprobe clampons will measure volts, not resistance (no battery), while the newer Fluke and Ideal will measure volts and resistance.

 

[toplessHO]

thats why my comment to the amprobe being a pain to measure resistance with the inline battery holder thing that always falls apart

 

[abk241]

My apologies to you toplessHO....I had completely forgotten about that battery attachment.
Haven't seen mine in decades.

 

[LG63]

Fluke 116

I recently recommended this to a friend. With the 116 and an inexpensive generic clamp ammeter you're all set for most DIY automotive/residential projects.
If I wasn't already meter poor I'd have one myself.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I have a Fluke 87V in my box at work and a Fluke 27FM, military surplus, at the house. The 27 was very affordable on Ebay, came with case, manual, and HV probe.

 

[Aceman]

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

This is what I have:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008S1E8GK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I bought this several years ago, I don't recall why I didn't get the Fluke since all my other meters are Fluke. It is double the price though.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G1V5M8M/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[wyliesdiesels]

This is what I have:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008S1E8GK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I bought this several years ago, I don't recall why I didn't get the Fluke since all my other meters are Fluke. It is double the price though.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G1V5M8M/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Other than costing a lot more the 9062 only goes upto 400v and has inductive/non touch phase rotation reading capability. Since it only goes upto 400v, its useless for me....

The 9040 goes upto 700v with a CATIII 600v rating...

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I had a first generation Fluke 87 and an AC/DC clamp that was in my car when it was stolen. Best meter I ever used. Now I have a Fluke 179 and a newer version of the AC/DC clamp. It does everything I really need at this point.

Tommy

 

[JoelR]

I use a Sperry DM-6400 that I really like. Really not a fan of auto-ranging meters.

 

[bcradio]

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?

It may do more, but it doesn't do the same. It's like saying "Look at that proton accelerator, my pocket calculator can do more".

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Yeah Id love to see him use his tablet to test a 480v 3-phase panel!

Fluke cant be beat in that arena!

 

[Radix2]

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.

+1

I have a couple of fluke meters and typically end up using one of the $3 harbor freight meters for the simple reason that I have a half dozen of them laying around the shop, garage, ect. AND the fact that they do everything at the required accuracy needed to debug virtually any home or automotive trouble.

For most, home users a top end meter is basically another luxury you can consider along with any other... But IMO you still want some cheapies because it is one of the most useful tools to have and you want one at hand in places and at times that don't warrant risking a $100+ unit...

For someone just looking for a solid multimeter to use without a specific professional need, I would have a hard time recommending they spend more than $40 bucks on anyone of the many solid armored ones you can find out there - for example this Triplett 110 - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003YHCFTU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Background- EE, designer of embedded controllers, ac/dc motor drives, sensors and displays.