Inexpensive multimeter

[sdjack]

Hi

In reading the forums concerning multimeters, the prevailing advice seems to be to buy a new or used Fluke. My challenge to this is that a new Fluke seems to be well over $100 and as far as buying used Flukes on ebay....that is great in theory....but its crap shoot whether you get one that is a fake from China, or a real one that is broken and/or has a rapidly fading LCD screen.

Every-time someone asks if there is a less expensive option, the person seems to be advised using the prevailing advice - - to buy a used Fluke Ebay or new a new one....is there really no other option for someone not planning to use it much but who wants a reliable device to build a Bottlehead Crack. I would rather not buy used through ebay and do nit plan to use it other than to build the Crack.

Thanks

 

[Jameson]

You absolutely don’t need a Fluke. This one was $30 and has served me well.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071JL6LLL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_dlT1_4JBEDRWC40682SQWJ1FE?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Doc B]

Yes, don't buy an old used Fluke. The displays can be garbage. My backup meter is a Fluke like that. PITA whacking it to get the display to work. My main meter is a crappy old Radio Shack one that just won't die. It was ancient when I got it and that was 20 years ago. It's plenty good for the things we are doing, as are inexpensive ones from Home Depot or whatever.

 

[Paul Joppa]

Here's another cheap one that is adequate:

https://www.harborfreight.com/7-function-digital-multimeter-63759.html

 

[Colonl_Charisma]

This is the one I use, and it even comes with some alligator clips. Happy building!

Crenova MS8233D Auto-Ranging... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KXX2OYY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

[Doc B]

To put this into perspective, the money you save not buying an expensive meter will pay for itself ten times over if you invest that difference into a better solder station. Way more significant return on your investment.

 

[Paul Birkeland]

The $7 meter that PJ linked to is surprisingly good.  The $23 meter at Harbor Freight is excellent, and after buying a new Fluke a couple of years ago, I will likely go back to the $23 Harbor Freight meter when the Fluke dies. 

A proper set of silicone meter probes is also nice to have, and you can get them for under $20.  This is another item that is no longer well made by Fluke.

 

[Thermioniclife]

Yeah, Fluke products are expensive and from what I here their customer service sucks.  At my last job the company supplied a Fluke 87
iii It worked fine and came with silicone leads. When I left I purchased a model 87 V for myself and it works fine but came with the
worst and I mean the WORST test leads I have ever seen, unusable. Do not buy there TL-75 lead set. So I spent a Hundo on a silicone set by Fluke that is actually is 2 sets of leads and a s load of attachments. Would I buy another Fluke again probably no. But having said that I also own a Fluke 23 from 1991 that works great. And I used that meter relentlessly for twenty some odd years and still serves as a volt meter on my variac and sometimes other duties. the battery lasts forever. The 87 v eats the battery like me eating Shrimp Scampi. And that's a scary rate trust me! I did however use the TL-75 leads for plate cap leads on 2 FP iii type preamps using 7193 tubes, at least I did not have to toss them.

 

[Thermioniclife]

So I forgot to make a point, take the advise and buy an inexpensive but recommended meter from the heavy weights here.

 

[Paul Birkeland]

Yeah, the leads that came with my Fluke 174 were so bad that I became accustomed to the operational problems that resulted from the wire breaking inside the jacket.  I repaired those leads three times, then threw them away when they broke the fourth time.

 

[canonken]

I bought a Fluke 101, which is a 'real' Fluke, though basic, that is designed for developing markets.  Under $50, small, light, but built like a real Fluke.  I brought it to work (where we have WAY more expensive and nicer things, including Fluke products) and the team was impressed by it.

That said, I am a bit of a brand snob and just wanted it after my Harbor Freight one failed in a smoky, pretty cool show (the inner 'fingers' failed and basically caused blue sparks and smoke to shoot out, it was pretty cool!).  For hobby use you need 1%, not 0.1% - so there are cheaper things that should work.

 

[EricS]

I have several of these meters:

https://www.amazon.com/Autoranging-Multimeter-Temperature-Capacitance-Transistors/dp/B075WRQYX5/ref=sr_1_15

They cost $20 and I've compared them to a 6-digit Agilent lab meter and found them to be VERY accurate.  The ones I have read 0.06% low on the DC scale and 0.25% high on the AC scale.  Lots of functionality for a pretty nice price.  I definitely would not go for a Fluke meter.

 

[debk]

As with Doc.  I have a Fluke and it is very nice.  I still have and use my old as dirt Radio Shack meter that refuses to die.

Deb