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I need a new multimeter — Parallax Forums

I need a new multimeter

turbosupraturbosupra Posts: 1,088
edited 2011-02-13 13:05 in General Discussion
My multimeter finally met the trash can and I need another one, I wouldn't mind some opinions on this one or suggestions for other DMM's.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Equus-3320-Innova-Auto-Ranging-Digital-Multimeter/14644666

I was actually planning on spending a little more, but this one is available locally and looks pretty decent. Thoughts?

Comments

  • localrogerlocalroger Posts: 3,452
    edited 2011-02-11 17:32
    Autoranging can bite you in the posterior. I'd advise getting a meter that is at least capable of manual ranging as an option, because there are some situations that confuse the autorange function and it will go nuts on you. From the pics it doesn't seem like this one has a manual range option.

    I have had decent results from the cheapo meter Harbor Freight sells for $3.99. I did have one just plain go bad and start returning bogus results, but I've had two others I've been using for years and they're so cheap you don't have to worry about dropping them in a puddle.
  • $WMc%$WMc% Posts: 1,884
    edited 2011-02-11 17:53
    turbosupra wrote: »
    My multimeter finally met the trash can and I need another one, I wouldn't mind some opinions on this one or suggestions for other DMM's.

    http://www.walmart.com/ip/Equus-3320-Innova-Auto-Ranging-Digital-Multimeter/14644666

    I was actually planning on spending a little more, but this one is available locally and looks pretty decent. Thoughts?
    '
    I would really look at a Fluke DMM
    '
    If you can afford it their the best.(Made in USA too)
    '

    http://www.fluke.com/fluke/usen/products/categorydmm.htm
  • sam_sam_samsam_sam_sam Posts: 2,286
    edited 2011-02-11 18:34
    You can also look at Sears they also have some good meters like this I have one like this but not this model

    http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_03482139000P?prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3

    localroger
    Auto-ranging can bite you in the posterior. I'd advise getting a meter that is at least capable of manual ranging as an option, because there are some situations that confuse the auto-range function and it will go nuts on you.    ..........>>>>

    Very important thing to have in a meter this dose happen

    I hope this helps
  • tonyp12tonyp12 Posts: 1,951
    edited 2011-02-11 18:49
    I have this one, pretty good.
    http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0207743
    or here:
    http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/DVM-850BL/3-1/2-DIGIT-LCD-MULTIMETER-W/BACKLIGHT//1.html
  • davejamesdavejames Posts: 4,047
    edited 2011-02-11 19:32
    localroger wrote: »
    Autoranging can bite you in the posterior. I'd advise getting a meter that is at least capable of manual ranging as an option, because there are some situations that confuse the autorange function and it will go nuts on you.

    LR - pray tell? What situations?

    DJ
  • kf4ixmkf4ixm Posts: 529
    edited 2011-02-12 06:18
    $WMc% wrote: »
    '
    I would really look at a Fluke DMM
    '
    If you can afford it their the best.(Made in USA too)
    '

    http://www.fluke.com/fluke/usen/products/categorydmm.htm

    i second the fluke, after 20+ years in industrial maintenance, i wouldn't use anything else! best features and quality for the money.
  • eod_punkeod_punk Posts: 146
    edited 2011-02-12 07:11
    I recommend the Exthech EX330, amazon carries it for $60. The EEV blog did a review of $50 meters and this one did very well on it.
    http://www.eevblog.com/2010/06/04/eevblog-91-50-multimeter-shootout/
    http://www.amazon.com/Extech-EX330-Autoranging-Multimeter-Thermometer/dp/B000EX0AE4/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I4YSAE25MD24K&colid=1XHET1JKT9BJX
  • skylightskylight Posts: 1,915
    edited 2011-02-12 07:23
    If you use it to read non sinusoidal voltage such as from the output of triacs in dimmer circuits, then a True RMS meter is essential for accurate measurement as an ordinary meter will give false readings
  • localrogerlocalroger Posts: 3,452
    edited 2011-02-12 07:44
    DJ -- If you try measuring the resistance of a circuit that has an inductor in it, an autoranging meter won't work. They can also be impossible to read if they are trying to track a rapidly changing voltage. I would agree with $WMc% that Fluke is the best, but they are pricey; I got mine at a pawn shop. Few other brands are as fast and responsive as Fluke. But if you just need basic functionality and money is tight, I'd advise looking at Harbor Freight. I use my HF meters in field situations and break out the Fluke when they aren't good enough.
  • Peter KG6LSEPeter KG6LSE Posts: 1,383
    edited 2011-02-12 08:21
    I use Extech .
    1/2 the cost and more things in meter ..relative measurement BACKLIGHT ! takes fuses you can get anywhere , Auto off , Does CAP, freq , Duty, cycle
    auto and MAN ranging the digits are 1 inch high and are easy to read ,True RMS ..


    the Only part I miss is a 20A vs a 10A shunt inside and the TEMP uses a adapter to type K . there is not a dedicated jack right on the meter .

    It was $89 ... the Fluke I looked at ( still missing teh back light ) was over 300 .


    Peter
  • davejamesdavejames Posts: 4,047
    edited 2011-02-12 08:22
    @LR - How is it that autoranging won't work in this particular instance?

    Just curious - I'm not barking....this type of information may come in handy during class discussions.

    Thanks,

    DJ
  • turbosupraturbosupra Posts: 1,088
    edited 2011-02-12 10:24
    Hi Peter,

    I really like the backlight feature too, my old one did not have that.

    Which model Extech do you have?
  • UnsoundcodeUnsoundcode Posts: 1,532
    edited 2011-02-12 17:45
    Hi , choice of multimeter depends on your needs , things to consider are cost, measuring ranges, accuracy and safety. If your main use is to be electronic testing I would think all the meters mentioned would be suitable in the majority of cases even for use on household voltages with care. If your going to use your meter in an industrial environment I would use a high quality meter with a Cat ll or lll 1000v rating. It also pays on occasions to have an analog meter, I have seen times when a digital can read a "ghost" voltage where an analog will pull it down to zero. My personal pick for hobby use would be the higher priced Extech but I do love the look of the Harborfreight CenTech , what an unbeatable price for a digital.

    Jeff T.
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2011-02-12 18:49
    Ever since mutlimeters have become digitally driven, I have become distrustful of them.

    Heathkit used to have two multimeter kits - one was a fairly conventional multimeter with battery supply to operate the resistance measurements. I built on, fully understood it, and could easily rely on the results.

    The other kit was more sophiticated as in required an AC power supply, amplified small signal and so on. Though I never built one, it too was easy to comprehend.

    But nowadays, vendors want you to dole out more cash on the perception of value rather than the demonstration of value. Schematics are no longer available for evaluation. Thus, just about everyone will recommend a Fluke. I wish it were that simple. The vendors want to confuse us into spending a premium in the hopes that we won't regret what we have bought.

    And so, I have a digital multimeter of mediocre standard AND a cheap conventional multimeter that I seem to trust more AS I do understand its limitations.
  • Peter KG6LSEPeter KG6LSE Posts: 1,383
    edited 2011-02-13 13:05
    Jeff you are right .. I would NEVER use a HFT on a 3
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