Multimeter Suggestions

[ThisBrian]

I need a new one, but don't want to get another cheapo/freebie one. Needs to do all the good stuff, capacitance etc. Thanks 

[Noplasticrobots]

I'm sure if you don't want cheap, Fluke should have something for you.

[ubersam]

I was looking at some Fluke DMMs to replace my dying unknown-brand DMM. They definitely not cheap, a little too "not cheap" for my pocket. After taking into consideration what I actually needed (as opposed to what I wanted). I also read a bunch of spec sheets and compared features between all the DMMs I considered. After all that, I ended up ordering an Extech EX420. Spec. sheet wise, it seems like it will do for me.

[brett]

Here's my main DMM (I got it on sale for US$16):
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=QM1535&CATID=&keywords=multimeter&SPECIAL=&form=KEYWORD&ProdCodeOnly=&Keyword1=&Keyword2=&pageNumber=&priceMin=&priceMax=&SUBCATID=The specs are about right for pedals and amps (probably don't need duty cycle).

The thing that this DMM doesn't have is a transistoor tester.  I use a very cheap separate DMM for this (US$7).

Unless you're very serious, you don't need:
RMS volts
Fluke brand
Fancy leads
Temperature probe
Duty cycle

[boyersdad]

Very nice meter. Would be nice to have all that with transistor tester too.

What exactly do the transistor functions provide anyway? Never had a meter that had one (and up until around December I mainly used an analog meter anway )

[JonFrum]

I couldn't afford a Fluke, so I bought a Craftsman at Sears. It reads all resistances about 2-5% low. Penny wise...

Next time I'll get a Fluke.

[GibsonGM]

I've got an Extech I'm pretty happy with.  It does have temp probe, which I use for various things not related to DIY, so that's cool.  Capactitance, diode, frequency.  Was about $45...not a bad company, IMO.

[zarathustra]

I've been using a Mastech, like this one. I snagged mine on eBay for ~$20. They seem to pop up there pretty often for about that same price. It's definitely a budget meter, but it does all the important stuff (including diodes and transistors), and I haven't had any problems with it yet (knock on wood).

[Ronsonic]

If it works, it's a Fluke.

Haunt the pawnshops - occasional good deals on Flukes to be had there. I've got a 27 I paid about $30 at a pawnshop and an 8050 that cost $40 on ebay. You won't beat that.

I've got my Flukes for workhorse multimetering. I've got two old radio shack things that have a really good transistor checker and a seperate LCR meter for caps and coils.

Really easier and cheaper for me to pick them up seperately along the way.

Ron

[markm]

My "freebie" from Circuit Specialists is great......so far.