Whats a good multimeter?

[Floydian]

I'm looking for a good multimeter, under like $30, is there something I should look for specifically? I'm sorta new to electrical stuff, so was wondering if theres anything I should make sure is included in a good multimeter, or a specific model thats prefered maybe?

Thanks!

 

[Superdoopercooper]

For under $30, check out Radio Shack, or if you are near Fry's or another superdooperElectronics Store... check there too. RS isn't bad for the money... esp. if you find a better model on sale that day. Granted... in a class at school, me and a team of classmates designed and built a meter that was on par with, if not better that the "reference" RS meter .

If can dish it out... Fluke is considered near the cream of the crop... but there are many that will work just fine for someone like yourself who will probably (just guessing here) hobbyist projects.

Look for something that does Resistance, Capacitance, Diode Check, Continuity (beep), Voltage, Current, and one that measure Transistor characteristics can be useful but not necessary. Some also will measure TEMP.

Your meter MUST have (IMHO): Voltage (AC and DC), Current, and Resistance check at the minimum. Capacitance is very useful too.

 

[Floydian]

exactly the info i was lookin for, thanks!

 

[Floydian]

Radioshack multimeter
hows something like this one or
this one?
are any models in particular at this store - multimeter warehouse any good?

Thanks in advance,

 

[Jerboy]

<< Radioshack multimeter
hows something like this one or
this one?
are any models in particular at this store - multimeter warehouse any good?

Thanks in advance, >>



It depends on what you need. What kind of functions do you need and what kind of accuracy do you desire?

 

[Floydian]

i'm lookin for prob the best i can get under 30 dollars, whatever accuracy that is, i've got no idea heh, anyways, i just need it for hobbist use like cooper implied, so nothing really fancy, just best bang for the buck I guess
thanks

 

[Jerboy]

<< i'm lookin for prob the best i can get under 30 dollars, whatever accuracy that is, i've got no idea heh, anyways, i just need it for hobbist use like cooper implied, so nothing really fancy, just best bang for the buck I guess
thanks >>



The cheapest of cheapest($9 or so) gives you:

DC and AC voltage

Basic resistance

wire test(wire broken or not)

Next higher model gives you current measurement and other functions such as frequency.

multimeters in excess of $100 is usually calibrated and has pretty good overload(misuse) protection, easier to read display and higher accuracy. The top of the line is calibrated to NIST standard and comes with certificate of calibration.

 

[Superdoopercooper]

<< Radioshack multimeter hows something like this one or this one? are any models in particular at this store - multimeter warehouse any good? Thanks in advance, >>



No prob...

I think the second link you picked is decent. However, the prices/features in the last link you referenced seem to be the best bet. I think you'll get more for your money there. For example... the VC97 that appears to be $29.99 (see right column under "middle pricing...").. and it seems like it has an AWESOME array of features for the low price. I'm not familiar with the brands... but I would guess most mulitimeters are made in china... so that is why you're getting a ton of features at a low price. It may not be as accurate as some, but for you purposes, you don't care about voltage being 4 digits (single milivolts) accurate.

In fact... seeing that sight temps me to buy one!! Just make sure you do a check on the website if possible to make sure they're reputable and have decent return policy. Just to be safe too, use a reputable credit card (Gold Visa/MC, Platinum, Visa/MC AMEX... ) that has buyer protection... i.e. one that just inherently doubles manufactureres warranties up to 6 months... and which has online fraud protection. Don't want you to be scared... just want you to be safe. looks like a fairly thourough website, but you never know.

Hope this helps. P.S... I only glanced at 2 or 3 meters at the upper end of your price range... you should look more thoroughly... but use the VC97 as sort of the "reference" for features.

 

[jamarno]

Tektronix is also at the top, and this is one area where they're not the most expensive brand.

Sears has several meters, including some models that can send data to the computer's serial port.

The widest selection of meters can be found in the MCM Electronics and Contact East catalogs.

 

[nortexoid]

now this is "high tech"!!!

 

[MrThompson]

You could keep an eye on Ebay for an old Simpson. Way better than the low budget stuff from the Shack.