Can anyone recommend a good meter?

[rspst14]

Hey guys, I think it's about time I finally got a meter to aid in my electronics projects.  I'm going to ask for one for Christmas, but I have no idea what kind to get.  I need something that can measure both voltage and resistance.  Can anyone recommend a good model in the $40-$60 price range?  Thanks.

Ryan

[Peter Snowberg]

I've owned a bunch of meters over the years and have been fairly surprised how well the functionality of a $20 generic unit stacks up compared to a $300 Fluke or Beckman.

The one I'm using the most right now is a Radio-Shack 22-174B which has a nice transistor checker in it. It's now a close-out item if you can still find one. At $40 I'm very happy.

There are so many options these days...

This one looks pretty cool at $30
http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/2895
see more here:
http://www.circuitspecialists.com/level.itml/icOid/2697

There is also a post about $3 meter here, but I would only use one like that for a secondary toolbox unit.

Take care,
-Peter

[ExpAnonColin]

You can also get that meter for free from circuit specialists if you do an order of 50 or more... not a bad deal.

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/level.itml/icOid/190

-Colin

[mike darling]

Any of the wavetek DMM's at ~$60 would be great. I paid that much for mine about 5 years ago - it's got all the functions I'd need - hFE test, freq counter, capacitance, diode check, continuity beeper, etc.  It is not autoranging, but I can live with that. Would like true RMS, but don't work enough with AC to really justify another meter.

mike

[aron]

A surprising place is ... SEARS!

Check out their multimeters, not bad for the price.

I think they are having a big sale recently.

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

Unless you are doing ultra-precision work, it doesn't matter a lot. I find a major issue, is how smooth the switching is & how well it sits on the desk. The kind of thing one doesn't think about, and then it drives you MAD!!

[casey]

i have a sears mulitmeter and it's been really good.
i also have a fluke that is a combination ammeter too.
it's useful, but i really prefer that sears....great unit.

[Marcus Dahl]

I just picked this multi-meter up today.
http://www.vellemanusa.com/Product.asp?lan=&id=18688

I've already got one that measures capacitance. I do wish I got this one instead.
http://www.vellemanusa.com/Product.asp?lan=&id=44367

I was tire of just trying transistors, and wanted to measure themn instead. I'm to lazy to build the tester.

[hair force one]

I've my brother's one, it's an ultra expensive Fluke one (300$!) he doesn't uses in his job. It autoranges but don't measure the Q's hfe (?), so i'm gonna buy a 10$ one that does ...