new digital multimeter suggestion

[mordechai]

I've had it with my radio shack multimeter -- it gives unstable readings, with multiple numbers flashing across the screen, and only by accident am I able to determine which one is really the one I'm looking for (most recently, I was biasing a Rangemaster and number were ranging wildly -- I picked out the -6.76v reading that flashed momentarily, but that was lucky).

So it's time for a new multimeter.  Can anybody suggest one that I can pick up online that is easy and dependable?

[EBK]

Question first:  Have you tried changing the batteries in your meter?  Meters tend to get squirrelly when their batteries run low.

For simple DC measurements, I would not recommend anything fancy.

[Bunkey]

I don't know if Draper products are common where you are but I've had this thing for a few years and it's excellent.
Model no. DMM1A

It has sockets for measuring transistor gain too.

about £30 (UK) iirc.



I also made these clip-on test leads for exactly the purpose you mention and they're much more reliable than trying to chopstick the standard probes which come with most DMM's.

I'd really recommend this if you dont already have clip leads - They give a solid reading.

Built using cheap Amazon croc-clips (£3.50 Merriway 5amp pack of 10), 14awg wire (I think) and some banana plugs borrowed from my hifi - fit perfectly into the multimeter sockets.

[MaxPower]

I recommend one that has a transistor checker that will tell you if the transistor is npn or pnp, which lead is the emitter, the collector, and the base. And hfe of course. A good capacitance range (pf) will come in handy as well.

[DIY Bass]

I have a VC99 which has been good.  I do not trust the frequency counter but the other settings that I have used have been fine.  The test leads are cheap and I have had to replace them a few times but the actual meter I have had for about 10 years.  Actually, that is one thing before you replace your meter is try new leads.  Readings do get very squirrely when the leads are breaking down.

[Bunkey]

A good capacitance range (pf) will come in handy as well.

Second that, I do wish mine had the function.

[EBK]

Get the cheapest multimeter you can find.  Then buy a Peak Atlas DCA55 and LCR45 to go with it.

[davent]

Had my Extech 330 for quite a few years, served me well. still being made.
Lots of reviews on line going back years. https://www.toolnerds.com/multimeter/under-100/extech-ex330-review/
dave

[GibsonGM]

I've had the Extech MN26 (no longer available, other models replaced it) for a long time, probably 10 yrs. I am very happy with it, have had no trouble at all with it.

[davent]

Looking for new or different leads i've been very happy with Pomona's, lots of different length's and terminations.
dave

[Rob Strand]

The problem with cheap meters is they very hit and miss.  It's hard to judge the quality and reliability of the switches, meter terminals and fuse holders.  You don't know if something is cheap because costs have been cut, if they have been clever with their manufacturing or they simply are going for higher production volumes and lower margins.   All the cheap meters I've had at work have failed within about 2 years from bad contacts of various sorts (switches, fuses, terminals).   Performance was OK, on par with expectations.  Features were fine if you bother to do your research and select meters with the features you use.  Meters less than $100 generally have issues unless you are lucky.    Just think of good guitar vs cheap guitar it's the same set of issues.

Most multimeters don't hold up well for capacitances less than 1n.  Plenty will read nothing for 100pF regardless of  scale and displayed decimal points.   Flukes simply don't offer a range for low capacitance.  I think the capacitance range of the Brymen meters did actually work down into to small values.  Unlike professional LCR meters, cheaper Capacitance/LCR meters and many DMM capacitance meters won't work if there's any parallel resistance across the capacitor - that would definitely be the case for in-circuit measurements.   IIRC the Peak Atlas unit  did work with some parallel resistance but it had a problem with accuracy and sometimes produces a dodgy result - maybe someone can correct me on this.  This will show-up more on smaller capacitance scale.

[amptramp]

If you are getting erratic readings, it may be worthwhile to open the case and see if the circuit board is part of the selector switch.  If it is, some contact cleaner may restore it to proper operation.  I had one Radio Shack DMM that could be fixed that way (several times).

If you want a new one, get one with a maximum resistance scale of 20 megohms because most only go to 2 megohms and you will not be able to read some of the resistors used in LFO's or other high-impedance circuits.  I have a Radio Shack Micronta 22-183A that was cheap and uses separate switches for function and scale.  I have used it for over a decade and only low batteries will cause it to malfunction.

[merlinb]

I have a VC99 which has been good.

+1
Can't go wrong with a VC97 or VC99, great value for money.

[bluebunny]

Yep, another VC99 vote from me.  Had mine a few years now, on the recommendation of someone in this very forum.

[Sooner Boomer]

I've bought two of these from Amazon. They must be good; the first was stolen within a week (hence the second one). Does everything I need it to (except that I lost the adapter to check transistors).

https://www.amazon.com/AstroAI-Multimeter-Resistance-Transistors-Temperature/dp/B071JL6LLL/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=digital+voltmeter&qid=1580287627&sr=8-8

I've also have one of the best digital multimeters Radio Shack made about 20 years ago.  It's in new condition because I bought a small tool box to keep it in, and it got lost at the back of the closet.

[italianguy63]

+1 on the VC99.  Love mine.

MC

[bluebunny]

. . . on the recommendation of someone in this very forum.

+1 on the VC99.  Love mine.

I think it may have been you, Mark.   

[mwelch55]

Maybe it's just me, but I don't like auto-range multimeters.  Also don't like multimeters that automatically shut down after a certain period.  I have had the meter shut down in the middle of measuring something numerous times.  There are a lot of cheap meters out there and some are pretty good.  I haven't found any cheap meters that measure capacitance accurately.