Can anyone recommend a multi-meter?

[MarkDonMel]

Hey all,

I have a b-day and christmas coming up, so I have an opportunity to get one of these, I hope.  

I guess I'm looking to get a decent one, maybe between 30 and 50 dollars, no more than fifty I mean.

http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=misc%2fsearchResults.jsp&BV_SessionID=@@@@1242957196.1070594820@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccdladckdikeehfcgelceffdfgidgnj.0&MID=9876

How's this one?  I like the beep confirmation of continuity, and definitely want to get a digital readout screen, I already have a cheap analog meter.

Anything I want to look for as far as features?  

Thanks, Matt.

[MarkDonMel]

Actually, I found this one...

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/4633

Seems better?

Thanks, Matt.

[ExpAnonColin]

From CS, you can get a DMM for free with an order of over 50, I believe.

Someone was saying there was a $3 DMM, too.  Other than that, you can find a ton of decent DMMs for 30-50 dollars.

-Colin

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

If it helps, I'd be happy to use the circuitspecialist one Matt! And while you are at it, get a couple of $3 ones for the hell of it, so you can check other shit while the 'best' meter is hanging off the circuit.

[ErikMiller]

http://www.techbuys.net/ has some good deals. I have their TM-104 and am pretty happy with it. The socket for the transistor tester is kind of sketchy, but it works.

$22 with capacitance, etc.

The TM-109 has auto-ranging, which is a nice thing.

BTW, Matt, there have been some good past threads on multimeters. Have you checked them out with the search function?

[keninverse]

Radio shack made a great *true RMS* DVM that had a diode checker, HFE, capacitance, resistance AC/DC V, cont. and two nose pickers.  Excellent DVM and I paid $15 for mine.  You'll see these pop up on evilbay but watch out...

[Jim Jones]

Hi Matt,

I just wanted to compliment you on your choice of "handle".   I love Grand Funk!  

Jim

[MarkDonMel]

Right on,  thanks for the advice all.

I did read some other posts about this, but a lot of them were outdated and the product, or links, were either no longer being made, or discontinued, or non-existing.  I did find some though.  I was hoping to find someone who had used one of the models I had found as well.

I basically want a reliable meter with decent life, that will measure transistors, hfe or whatever it is called, and has some other features that will be useful for this kind of use (building stompboxes), and I heard that true RMS is also a type that I will probably end up wanting to have available as I gain more knowledge.  I am new to this, I have a cheap analog meter, but basically used it for testing current, and checking batteries.  I want one with more options that will do some more advanced features than that when I eventually learn more about what I need. And, digital as well.

I would like to buy one at a store so I can check it out.  So, radio shack would be cool if they had a good model, I don't want one with scetchy parts or sockets or whatever they are.  I guess I could also just go there and ask the saleperson, but I think they work on commission...?

I appreciate all the advice as always.  Thank you very much all.

Matt.


And yeah, right on thanks Jim.  I don't know too many people into them, aside from a buddy of mine. So, that's nice to hear.  Thanks.