Author Topic: What multimeter should i get? (Read 44898 times)

Ian · « **on:** March 23, 2011, 12:55:12 pm »

hi
So i just broke my CHEAP $3 meter. So i am looking for a new one. i found this one at jamceco http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_645618_-1 its nice but it only goes down to 200mA. Is that ok. i am just learning electronics but i wont to get more into it. i would like it to have a temperature sensor on top of all the other normal stuff. Also do i wont the ohm meter part to go below 200ohms? Also the meter needs to be sub $35. I am NOT rich so i can not afford a $50-$100 meter. here is the data sheet for the meter http://download.siliconexpert.com/pdfs/2009/10/18/9/14/28/913/xtch_/manual/mn35_mn36data.pdf

Simon · « **Reply #1 on:** March 23, 2011, 01:33:39 pm »

get an amprobe AM220

and read around, there are alsready 2 topics currently on cheap multimeters

slburris · « **Reply #2 on:** March 23, 2011, 03:17:51 pm »

How about this:

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/8883

This is the meter that Circuit Specialists gives away as
a free gift with a large order, but you can order it
by itself for $28.

I keep giving them away to friends every time I place an
order, and they seem happy with it.

I probably wouldn't use it on the mains, but for low voltage
work, it seems to do OK. It's not going to replace either of
my Fluke's, but it's definitely several steps up in quality
from the cheapest meters.

On the other hand, you can occasionally pick up a meter
for $1.99 from Harbor Freight. It's worth almost every penny :-)

Scott

Ian · « **Reply #3 on:** March 23, 2011, 04:23:19 pm »

thanks thats exactly what i wont. Any other suggestions?

Russel · « **Reply #4 on:** March 23, 2011, 06:59:28 pm »

Grainger has a few Agilent meters marked down quite a bit. They might be worth considering the clearance price.

The U1251A is marked down from $431.75 to $130.65 while stock lasts.

Mechatrommer · « **Reply #5 on:** March 23, 2011, 07:51:23 pm »

if you deal with HV? Fluke (i'm sure your life is much more worthy than your pocket money), but if only you deal with LV? Uni-T (specifically UT71A

). my 2cents

Ian · « **Reply #6 on:** March 23, 2011, 08:20:43 pm »

Quote

The U1251A is marked down from $431.75 to $130.65

@russel Thanks thats is a good deal. but its still $130 thats a lot for a multimeter.

Kiriakos-GR · « **Reply #7 on:** March 24, 2011, 12:02:43 am »

Quote from: Ian on March 23, 2011, 08:20:43 pm

Quote
The U1251A is marked down from $431.75 to $130.65
@russel Thanks thats is a good deal. but its still $130 thats a lot for a multimeter.

Some times , like this one, I am getting truly confused.

This forum has the logo that indicates that is a place for electronic engineers,
the most people who had join in, did it because Dave had made so many interesting product reviews,
so to help us, by offering awareness .

There is so many choices , that ends to the sub group of 50$ , and the up come are,
that even the 50$ group , it is almost the entry level, with out sacrificing the basic protection that some one expects from an such an device.

And another one poster needs something even cheaper and asks for an advice ? By saying I am NOT rich !!

Dear friend this is not a club of rich people , and the price points of the multimeter's its fixed ,
and depends in so many technical factors than likes .

I do not have an opinion to offer about the bottom cheap instruments,
but I like to listen how the ultra cheap that you got died .

insurgent · « **Reply #8 on:** March 24, 2011, 03:13:14 am »

Quote from: Russel on March 23, 2011, 06:59:28 pm

Grainger has a few Agilent meters marked down quite a bit. They might be worth considering the clearance price.

The U1251A is marked down from $431.75 to $130.65 while stock lasts.

That's a damned good price! I've ordered the U1252A (The cool display on the '53 can't outweigh the 8 hour batter life!) and hope it makes it through. It'll be another 5 years before the B models will be on sale like this.
I hope it last though, as it will take another 5 years before I get out of the dog house with the wife for spending $150 without maternal oversight!

EEVblog · « **Reply #9 on:** March 24, 2011, 07:07:46 am »

Quote from: Russel on March 23, 2011, 06:59:28 pm

Grainger has a few Agilent meters marked down quite a bit. They might be worth considering the clearance price.

The U1251A is marked down from $431.75 to $130.65 while stock lasts.

Damn, that is insanely CHEAP!

Dave.

Ian · « **Reply #10 on:** March 24, 2011, 07:43:38 pm »

thanks all i think i might go with this one tell me your thoughts
here is it at radio shack http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3623264

and here is the specs for the meter http://www.extech.com/instruments/product.asp?catid=49&prodid=296
and the pdf page http://www.extech.com/instruments/resources/datasheets/MN15_MN16.pdf

just make shore you look at the specs for the mn16 model.

insurgent · « **Reply #11 on:** March 24, 2011, 08:33:27 pm »

Quote from: Ian on March 24, 2011, 07:43:38 pm

thanks all i think i might go with this one tell me your thoughts
here is it at radio shack http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3623264

Hi Ian,

For that price you may want to buy the meter that Radio Shack used to carry that used to run around $75. I have one and it's IMHO a very decent meter.
The downside compared to the one you listed are that it can't accept a K type thermocouple directly. It has a temperature range but it's expecting 1mv/deg C via an adapter. The original adapter is no longer available but there are others out there (but they run $35 - $100) depending. If temp measurements are important to you, this may be a deal breaker. Also the max capacitance is 40µF vs 100µF on yours (but it has a 4 nF range).

Otherwise, it's more accurate than the one you are looking at, has a higher input impedance (10M vs 7.8M), a 400mv DC range, does 1000V DC/750V AC and has an RS232 interface. It also has that all-important transistor tester

The manual is here:
http://support.radioshack.com/manuals/ome22-812.pdf

You can get them new in box on EBay for $24.99 + $13.93 and they have "Make offer" enabled so you may be able to get it for less. Just don't bid $15 because I tried that and they didn't accept

I was just looking for a second meter like the one I has so I could perform simultaneous voltage/current measurements. Now I'm hoping to score one of the Agilents.
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-PC-INTERFACE-46-RANGE-DIGITAL-MULTIMETER-/250781211869

Of course, others on here smarter than myself may know of a reason *not* to get the 22-812!

Good luck

Ian · « **Reply #12 on:** March 24, 2011, 08:39:37 pm »

thanks

Ian · « **Reply #13 on:** March 24, 2011, 08:53:18 pm »

Hi
What about this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mastech-MS8233B-Digital-Multimeter-AC-Voltage-Detector-/200590239627?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eb41c278b#ht_3521wt_1139

or this one http://cgi.ebay.com/VC97-3999-Autorange-multimeter-compared-w-FLUKE-15B-New-/180642851154?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a0f272952#ht_2643wt_905

or this one http://cgi.ebay.com/New-VC97-4000-Auto-range-multimeter-compared-w-FLUKE-/180642863317?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a0f2758d5#ht_2431wt_905

or this one http://cgi.ebay.com/MS8221-Auto-range-multimeter-compared-FLUKE-15B-light-/170557168510?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27b5ffdb7e#ht_2435wt_905

or this one http://cgi.ebay.com/VC6243-Multimeter-Inductance-Capacitance-compared-Fluke-/190512715945?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item2c5b7158a9#ht_4197wt_905

or this one http://cgi.ebay.com/MS8221-Auto-range-multimeter-compared-FLUKE-15B-light-/300501515151?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45f7493b8f#ht_2449wt_949

buffalo960 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 25, 2011, 02:25:07 am »

Quote from: Russel on March 23, 2011, 06:59:28 pm

Grainger has a few Agilent meters marked down quite a bit. They might be worth considering the clearance price.

The U1251A is marked down from $431.75 to $130.65 while stock lasts.

Just ordered one of these. Hope it gets here

reagle · « **Reply #15 on:** March 25, 2011, 03:14:11 am »

Hmm, 1251 through 1253 are all on clearance, which one do i get that is Da question

insurgent · « **Reply #16 on:** March 25, 2011, 03:32:05 am »

Quote from: Ian on March 24, 2011, 08:53:18 pm

Hi
What about this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mastech-MS8233B-Digital-Multimeter-AC-Voltage-Detector-/200590239627?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eb41c278b#ht_3521wt_1139

or this one http://cgi.ebay.com/VC97-3999-Autorange-multimeter-compared-w-FLUKE-15B-New-/180642851154?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a0f272952#ht_2643wt_905

or this one http://cgi.ebay.com/New-VC97-4000-Auto-range-multimeter-compared-w-FLUKE-/180642863317?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a0f2758d5#ht_2431wt_905

or this one http://cgi.ebay.com/MS8221-Auto-range-multimeter-compared-FLUKE-15B-light-/170557168510?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27b5ffdb7e#ht_2435wt_905

or this one http://cgi.ebay.com/VC6243-Multimeter-Inductance-Capacitance-compared-Fluke-/190512715945?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item2c5b7158a9#ht_4197wt_905

or this one http://cgi.ebay.com/MS8221-Auto-range-multimeter-compared-FLUKE-15B-light-/300501515151?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45f7493b8f#ht_2449wt_949

Ian: I wouldn't get that MS8233B, VC6243 ; There's no reason to get a non-autoranging meter these days. Just frustration for you and unnecessary wear and tear on your selector switch.
The VC6243 is an LCR meter so you are going to be missing out on voltage and frequency measurement capabilities.
The MS8221 looks OK feature-wise. The accuracy is a less than the Radio Shack I suggested.
The VC97-3999 seems to me to be the best out of the lot. Comes with some nice looking leads and a temperature probe. Spec-wise the accuracy seem to be about the same as the RS and adds a 20A AC/DC range, 200µF range and does 30MHz in the frequency range. What's interesting is that "RS232" shows on the display in the pictures but there is no mention of it in the specs and there doesn't appear to be a port for it. Perhaps it has potential hackability once you decide to void the warranty??

reagle · « **Reply #17 on:** March 25, 2011, 04:13:03 am »

Watched both blogs episodes on 1253 and went with 1252. I can get a pretty screen on something else, does not need to be a DMM

I ordered a couple- if I end up not needing two, I may offer one for sale to somebody outside US who can't get on this deal.

toli · « **Reply #18 on:** March 29, 2011, 10:23:26 am »

Hi Guys,

I want to order one 1252 using this clearance sell as well. I've noticed they require a company name, since I'm a student I don't have a company name, does this mean they wont sell to me?

Any chance one of the members here is willing to help out with ordering (obviously I will cover all charges. but seems they wont sell to non US residents), if anyone is willing to help, please let me know.

Thank you,

grenert · « **Reply #19 on:** March 29, 2011, 12:25:47 pm »

Just fill in your name again, or "none" in that blank.

toli · « **Reply #20 on:** March 29, 2011, 12:31:11 pm »

Thank you. Unfortunately they only ship to the US, and I'm not from the US. If anyone can help me with the ordering process I'll greatly appreciate it.

guy2600 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 31, 2011, 09:02:16 pm »

Just bought the 1253, thanks for the tip :-)

saturation · « **Reply #22 on:** April 01, 2011, 11:22:33 am »

Still a number of those 1253a left, surprising, but the other models sold fast; I wonder how many were forum readers?

Excavatoree · « **Reply #23 on:** April 01, 2011, 02:45:58 pm »

I thought those would be the first to go. Of course, we have no idea how many they had of each.

metalphreak · « **Reply #24 on:** April 01, 2011, 04:29:15 pm »

The U1253A is all over ebay now. Everyone is trying to cash in and make a profit on them (except for Dave ofcourse, he got his way before the sale

)

U1253A is out of stock at Grainger now despite still being listed. I was going to order one using PriceUSA


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Author Topic: What multimeter should i get? (Read 44898 times)

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