Best Secondary Multimeter Recommendation to a UT-61e < $150 US

[bizzlebot]

Hi everyone! I already have a UT-61E which I love and works great for what I use it for. That being said I'm looking to buy a secondary multimeter in the US around the sub $150 mark. I mention the UT61E because that already has USB capabilities so that is not a selling point necessarily for a second meter. The work I do is primarily low voltage and amperage musical equipment if that helps.

One thing I wouldn't mind is a transistor gain tester (like the UT-61A seems to have) but that is by no means a requirement and I have a test jig setup for that and my current multimeter.

I've read through the 2015 multimeter sheet and these seem like in the range but of course I'm not sold with just this list. 115, DT4252, MM2300, BM257, DM-510A, HT32, UT71C

Thanks so much in advance!

[Lightages]

Generally a transistor test is a sign of a poor quality meter. It would be better to buy one of those cheap transistor multi-testers from ebay for around $20 and get a multimeter that actually is built correctly.

You can get the UT139C which is built safe enough for electrical work around the house, also has temperature, back light, non-conact voltage detector, and for $50.

If you insist on spending $150, with the money left over from a cheap transistor tester, you can buy the Brymen BM257s which s one of the best multimeter in its price class, if not the best.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brymen-BM257s-Digital-Multimeter-6000-count-Brand-New-Fluke-alternative-/200922627340
This ebay store belongs to our good friend iloveelectronics on the forum. He also sells the UT139C. I have both meters and have no hesitation recommending them. PM iloveelectronics for maybe a better deal if he can outside of ebay.

The other meters, have their pluses and minuses. The UT71C is a nice meter but I don't think it gets you much more than you have with the UT61E. The DM510A, if it is a Greenlee, is a rebranded Brymen. Some of the Greenlees an be purchased on ebay for a good price, but not all of them are as good as a price as the Brymen directly. The Fluke 115 is not that good a buy, not many features and missing uA if I remember correctly. The rest? Well I don't wave time to try and figure out which models and manufacturers they are.

[EEVblog]

The BM257 is quite a nice compact meter, not a bad choice at all.

[Neganur]

Approaching from a different angle, I'd say a meter at the $150 mark is probably going to supersede your 61e.

I have two of the 61e's and they're really nice. However, as others in this forum pointed out, its accuracy and stability over temperature is not the best and the 71 series will be an upgrade in exactly those points. I have not looked at the other options in your list.

Another thing to keep in mind is that for example a used HP3478A is also a very nice meter if you can live with it being a bench meter.

[poorchava]

You don't give your location, but if you live in EU, then perhaps some Brymen meter bought from TME in Poland would fit the bill.

Other than that - for $150 you can buy a second-hand Fluke 87, even in EU (I bought mine for about 125€ from polish auction site).

[omgfire]

$150 mark
I mention the UT61E because that already has USB capabilities so that is not a selling point necessarily for a second meter.
The work I do is primarily low voltage and amperage musical equipment if that helps.
One thing I wouldn't mind is a transistor gain tester

$20 transistor tester
+
$80 LCR meter DER EE DE-5000
+
$50 Uni-T UT139C

[bizzlebot]

Thanks everyone for the awesome recommendations! I think the first thing I'll see if I can do is check out a used Fluke 87 (I really hadn't considered Used but I don't mind used equipment at all and I've seen the 2 reviews on the eevblog youtube). If not I might go with the bench HP3478A as pointed out or maybe the Brymen.  This would be my primary bench meter so having a bench enclosure is not something I considered but could work just as well and might be a better option. I really appreciate the responses and I'll post back once I make a decision and get one!

Side note: The reason I'm not going for an LCR meter is I already have one that works for my needs but its a great suggestion to go along with the rest but I will be checking those transistor testers on ebay.

[dom0]

Why not a good 5.5 digit benchtop DMM (used)?

[retiredcaps]

I think the first thing I'll see if I can do is check out a used Fluke 87 (I really hadn't considered Used but I don't mind used equipment at all and I've seen the 2 reviews on the eevblog youtube).

If you are looking at used, consider the 87 III instead of the original 87 I. The III has slightly larger lcd digits and less likely to have the faded digits problem that happens on the I.

If you have patience, you can get a 87V for $150 USD.  The 87V has larger digits than the III.