http://www.minipachina.com/products-16893-5714-item-17432.htmlGot mine from DealExtreme for $38.29 so this falls into the Sub $50 range
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.42269 Quite a few user photos there too.
Has the usual Volts/Amps/Resistance stuff. Resolutions for each mode are on the minipa website. Also does capacitance, frequency, and duty cycle.
CAT II 1000V rated meter.
Test probes are CAT III 1000V / CAT IV 600V Rated. Mine also came with the temperature thermocouple. The carrying case is a nice touch. It's not padded but it'll protect your meter from scratches etc.
Dave will be disappointed to know the short circuit tester/buzzer is latched and has a bit of a delay. The fuse is not accessible without dismantling but the main fuse is "resettable". The screw for the battery cover has a threaded insert
![Tongue :P](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/tongue.gif)
The autoranging is reasonable. It's not instant but it usually finds its way within a second. Backlight is white and lights up the display quite evenly.
Now, time to tear it apart
![Grin ;D](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/grin.gif)
Back Panel Off
![](http://i.imgur.com/2NMl7l.jpg)
Front of PCB (LCD lifted and hinged on the LED backlight leads)
![](http://i.imgur.com/vaXSol.jpg)
Where the action happens
![](http://i.imgur.com/GWdpWl.jpg)
Main IC FS9922-DMM3
![](http://i.imgur.com/iYuI4l.jpg)
The entire package
![](http://i.imgur.com/FB3ytl.jpg)
All up I'm pretty happy with it as a cheapy meter. Nothing about it annoys me. I don't have a Fluke or anything to compare voltage/current readings with but it reads a solid 5.00V on my regulated bench PSU.
I know Dave can't review the many hundreds of sub $50 meters out there but here's another (in my opinion) good option to consider when buying.
Hmmm looking at the datasheet, looks like it also has RS232
![Cheesy :D](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/cheesy.gif)
Pin 94 Low enables TX on Pin 92. I'll have to take it apart again, but it doesn't look like those pins are connected to anything on the PCB.