I have the impression that some people have a small difficulty to translate correctly what they watch in all those videos in relation with the continuity speed found on some DMM units. I think that I have to clarify few factors, so this myth to have an end.
Yes it is a myth.
Why?
Some years back the continuity mode or function was a dedicated tool.
If you had move the range switch to the continuity mode, the DMM behaved with the maximum speed as response, and the beep sound was instant.
Later on, some manufacturers they started to mix the continuity mode with the resistance measurement mode.
This move started to cause some hysteresis in the performance (speed) of the continuity mode, because the DMM had to measure first the resistance and Beep if the resistance is low as 0-100 ohms, so low resistance belongs to the sphere of what we describe as sort connection.
The continuity mode also got married with the Diode testing mode,
and because of that, it also become slow in the area or responsiveness.
Let’s make a first synopsis:
1) True continuity mode = 100% fast or Zero delay
2) Continuity + Ohms mode = 95% fast or 5% delay
3) Continuity + Diode mode = 70% fast or 30% delay The above synopsis is what happens with the Fluke 87V and 28II.
But what really maters are that none of that Fluke DMM has a true continuity mode.
Any multimeter that has a dedicated continuity mode, can easily take the victory in this case, because it will be 100% fast.
How we can tell if the continuity mode are:
1) Single?
2) Mixed with Ohms mode?
3) Mixed with Diode mode?
The answer is really simple, there is symbols next to the range switch!! What Dave admires in all those reviews? He admires the faster behavior of the continuity in the mixed modes.
It is known that they are slow, and so the faster device wins the credit.Still even me that I love him, I have to scream at him and protest,
Because he never explained in depth in those reviews, the essence of the continuity mode. LOL
Last round:The technical part of what causes the hysteresis,
It is known.
One DMM could had slow CPU and it needs more time to calculate and respond,
and usually the one with the slow CPU, it would also had a slow beeper circuitry.
More responsible than anything today is the CPU, and I would describe all those latest DMM, as computers dressed as multimeters.
Currently those Fluke 87V and 28II are the true winners in the mixed Continuity + Ohms mode, even the latest Agilent U1272A it looks to be slower but equally fast at both modes.
a) Continuity + Ohms mode = 90% fast or 10% delay
b) Continuity + Diode mode = 90% fast or 10% delayWe say goodbye at the 300$+ range and we get down to the 100$ one.The faster DMM at the 100$ shootout was had a dedicated True continuity mode,
But the reviewer forgot to point out this detail. !!
There is no chance one 100$ DMM to have fast continuity mixed mode, this is simply impossible. But it could have a single super fast continuity mode, but this is a mater of choice.
Its up to you, to select the one that does well what you have as primary need in your head.
It’s pointless to nag about the continuity response, if you had selected the DMM mostly because of the low price factor.