Cheapish multimeter?

[BababooeyHTJ]

I need a cheap but accurate multimeter. I really don't want to walk into Home Depot and pick up some garbage. Does anyone have a good recommendation? What do you guys use? I don't need a Fluke 87.

I would like something accurate to a millivolt would be nice since there are a few things other than just my e-cig obsession that I will use it for.

Thanks

 

[derek88]

I got mine for $2.99 at Harbor Freight after you get it open it up and check it in your car before you drive home. Mine is .4 Ohms off but that doesn't make it to hard to figure out the resistance if you can subtract.

 

[Hellen A. Handbasket]

I've seen this one recommended here on the forum. I'm stopping in on Monday to get one to use with my new Buzz (on the way! YAY).

Shop IDEAL Resi-Pro Digital Multimeter at Lowes.com

I've had a couple of the Harbor Freight ones but I returned them. Made like a toy and very unreliable.

 

[Whistle_Pig]

I suspect that cheap & accurate are mutually exclusive qualities. I haven't done any recent price/feature comparisons, but years ago, when I was messing about with electronics, I purchased a Beckman. For equivalent features and performance, they were cheaper than Fluke. Perhaps not as rugged.

I don't know anything about this particular model, but here's a Beckman 3010 for $65.

How to Buy a Multimeter -- I found some suggestive commentary here. Beckman isn't available new any more, so YMMV on buying a used one.

FWIW, for my humble purposes, the Gardner-Bender DMM I bought at Home Depot has been fine. I don't actually know what the claimed accuracy of it is.

 

[BababooeyHTJ]

I suspect that cheap & accurate are mutually exclusive qualities. I haven't done any recent price/feature comparisons, but years ago, when I was messing about with electronics, I purchased a Beckman. For equivalent features and performance, they were cheaper than Fluke. Perhaps not as rugged.

I don't know anything about this particular model, but here's a Beckman 3010 for $65.

How to Buy a Multimeter -- I found some suggestive commentary here. Beckman isn't available new any more, so YMMV on buying a used one.

FWIW, for my humble purposes, the Gardner-Bender DMM I bought at Home Depot has been fine. I don't actually know what the claimed accuracy of it is.

If the GB meter is as bad as their wire nuts I'm scared. I've had bad experiences with both GB and Sperry tic testers. I may give that Ideal a meter a shot. Not a bad price and at least a reputable manufacturer. Most of their products are pretty good, excellent wire connectors at least.

 

[WillyB]

I've seen this one recommended here on the forum. I'm stopping in on Monday to get one to use with my new Buzz (on the way! YAY).

Shop IDEAL Resi-Pro Digital Multimeter at Lowes.com

I've had a couple of the Harbor Freight ones but I returned them. Made like a toy and very unreliable.

Seems like a decent choice.

Spend a bit more than $3. For final testing (continuity) and trouble shooting pick a model that has this:

Current, Resistance, and Audible Continuity

Also auto shut-off is nice.

For those wanting to double check their meter's ohms reading you can grab a 1% wire wound resistor or two for reference/testing. Not perfect, but not bad.

RW74U2R10FB12 Vishay/Dale Wirewound Resistors - Through Hole

 

[BababooeyHTJ]

I've seen this one recommended here on the forum. I'm stopping in on Monday to get one to use with my new Buzz (on the way! YAY).

Shop IDEAL Resi-Pro Digital Multimeter at Lowes.com

I've had a couple of the Harbor Freight ones but I returned them. Made like a toy and very unreliable.

Thanks for the tip. I just picked one up and it seems perfect for my needs.

 

[Hellen A. Handbasket]

You're welcome. Glad to hear it seems to be ok. I just passed on what I'd bookmarked from reading here as being recommended by a few on the forum, so the find credit goes to someone else (but don't remember who, ha).

I'm headed out this afternoon to get one.