what multimeter to buy?

[eetdirt47]

i've been through a few junk multimeters and i'm leaning toward a fluke but i dont know which one i need. if there are any other brands that are good for diagnosing and testing let me know what you think.

 

[yoopercharged]

I have both a Greenlee and an OTC one (Cornwell badged). They both are nice quality multimeters. Flukes are very good.

 

[Koffer]

Flukes are great , If I didnt already have a 88 Id be all over this one in the classified https://forum.ih8mud.com/mud-bay-miscellaneous-items/559963-fluke-88-dmm.html

 

[rusty_tlc]

What kind of measurements do you typically make?
Automotive?
Electronics?
Household wiring?

Some mix of the above?

 

[e9999]

I have a good fluke but admittedly I use a free HF one for non-accuracy critical stuff like finding out if the battery is charged or not or if there is a connection between 2 things etc. (Already busted the fuse in my Fluke once.)

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I have a Fluke 179. I like it but I have to admit it's way more than I need around the house. It cost a bit more than the model underneath it in price but I wanted something with an accurate temperature measurement capability.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I have a few Flukes and I can tell you they are tough. EBay EBay

 

[Pin_Head]

For automotive use, 90% of the problems can be diagnosed quickly with a simple test light and the other 10% can be done with a cheap multi meter. You just don't need the accuracy.

 

[Elbert]

if you want a DVM that will last and is of good quality pick your flavor in the FLUKE brand.

 

[yoopercharged]

IIRC, cheap ones have a higher current that goes through components when you're testing them, which can damage sensitive electronics.

 

[Trollhole]

I have a Fluke 12 that I've had for about 20 years but now that I have seen the 88 it might be on my birthday wish list.

 

[Mace]

For automotive use, 90% of the problems can be diagnosed quickly with a simple test light and the other 10% can be done with a cheap multi meter. You just don't need the accuracy.

I'll agree for the most part, but I was chasing alternator issues with a crappy multimeter and all it was doing was adding confusion to the issue.

I really like my fluke, I picked it up on Ebay as Navy surplus..

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Fluke and Greenlee are he best IMO

 

[Tapage]

Fluke and Greenlee are he best IMO

they are .. Fluke also have DC amp clamp which it's in my wish list ! and it's compatible with Fluke multimeters

 

[yoopercharged]

I like my OTC 3514. It's a simple quality unit with Temp, Dwell, and RPMs too. OTC , 3514 Stinger Automotive DVOM Multimeter There are cheaper places.

 

[eetdirt47]

i just bought gardner bender for now to set up my throttle position sensor and test some other things.

i do alot of stuff around the house and my beach cabin is going through a remodel including a chevy alternator wind generator and some solar panels. i like that fluke with the temp, rpm, and timing set up but i'll have to wait on a good auction on ebay or the classifieds here.

 

[Bruzzi]

Flukes are definitely the way to go if you want to get the best dmm.....but in a lot of cases it will be more meter than you really need for most DIY work. For automotive work I would go with either the 87 or 88.....I bought a 88 for work and took my old Bluepoint home and that's been well enough for what I need around the house, especially with the electrical systems most of these trucks have.

 

[agaisin]

I only recently started using a multimeter for auto diagnostics and just cycled through 3 multimeters in the $60 range - a Craftsman, Extech 330, and Klein MM1000. Hated the craftsman overall. Extech 330 gets high reviews from others and I think it's great overall but the Klein MM1000 seemed way higher build quality and had more features for about the same price (backlight, max/min). The leads on the Klein seemed way higher quality than the Ex330 and the Klein came with screw on alligator clips (nice!). The only thing I liked about the Ex330 was that there was a separate switch for AC and DC Voltage whereas on the Klein it defaulted to AC V and you had to push a button to toggle b/w AC and DC (easy to get used to).

Loved the Klein and all it's features except that the high energy fuses (440ma/1000v and 11A/1000v) were hard to find in a pinch and costly ($15 for the 11A and $10 for the 440ma fuse). Of course if you're dealing with high voltage those fuses could save you but if you're just a hobbyist/tinkerer and you sometimes accidentally blow a fuse due to stupidity or spikes in current the fuses for high end meters are costly and may be overkill. The Extech 330 (and 430) use readily accessible fuses (radio shack). If you are looking to spend $70 or less I'd suggest taking a look at the Klein mm1000 or ex430, and if you are looking at the $100 range take a look at Klein mm2000 and Ex430 (although the TK430 kit is about $120 so I wouldn't buy the Ex430 individually.

Regarding Flukes I don't have firsthand experience with them but I did look into their "compact digital multimeter" line (Fluke 113, 114, 115, 116, 117) and was surprised that only 115 and up had ability to measure current and even then it's only Amps not mA (except looks like 116 has micro Amps) - unless I'm missing something...

 

[e9999]

the fuses for the Flukes are costly too, same range of costs.

 

[agaisin]

Yep - as a matter of fact the 440ma/1000v and 11a/1000v fuses I got were Fluke fuses I got from Grainger and they are the same fuses for at least some of the other fluke models.

If cheaper/accessible fuses are a factor look into that ahead of time. Looked like Radio shack didn't carry any fuse > 250v period. The Extech 330 and 430 use cheaper fuses that are available at radio shack. The Klein mm1000 and mm2000 use the fluke-type 1000v fuses.