Fluke 17B+ / RMS

[Fungus]

Yep, it seems to come down to the 115 and 257s.  I really hate to become a test case but maybe I'll give the 257s a try.  If it doesn't turn out to be a good meter I can dig a conservative hole and just stay there

If it's for a present then:
a) Maybe 'big and yellow' trumps 'features' when you're at college (17B+ way cooler than BM257).
b) Maybe TRMS isn't as important to him as the engineers here are imagining.

The 17B+ is a pretty good multimeter for a student

(In fact, it's a pretty good multimeter, period. I certainly wouldn't turn one down...)

[Electro Fan]

After looking at the images some more it looks like maybe the Greenlee 510A is the Brymen 257, not the 257s.  Note the 510A and the 257 both are marked 8A (Amps) vs. 10A on the 257s.

[Lightages]

Then yes, you are right, the Greenlee is not the S version. It is still a great meter either way.

[kasone]

Electro Fan,  I don't know if you have purchased your meter yet, but in the for sale section there is a new in the box Fluke 117 for $75.00 from a USA seller. It was a new listing yesterday. You may be interested.

[Fungus]

Electro Fan,  I don't know if you have purchased your meter yet, but in the for sale section there is a new in the box Fluke 117 for $75.00 from a USA seller. It was a new listing yesterday. You may be interested.

If I was a college student I'd rather have a meter with mA/uA and temperature.

[Marco1971]

Finally, as mentioned earlier, for excellent results in all situations a true AC+DC rms meter is required, which interestingly is not something included even in the highly regarded (by some/many) Fluke 87V.

Yes, No?  Thanks again

Yep, for TRMS AC + DC and displaying "both" at the same time, only at 287/289 series if we're talking only Fluke brand.

Hi, not limited to 287/289 models, 89IV and 189 did the same (page 38)

http://assets.fluke.com/manuals/87_89iv_umeng0300.pdf

Marco