Multimeter suggestions?

[mj64]

My 20 year old multimeter is toast, can anyone recommend a good one that I can pick up locally, as I want one this weekend? I know I want True RMS, not so sure about autoranging. Sears seems to have quite a few that look decent. Budget is up to $100.

 

[lexi60]

This is the meter I use for my job.Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more
This is my at home meter. Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more
Less features but tested side by side, Just as accurate.

 

[Quinic]

I have enjoyed the reliability and accuracy of the Fluke brand.

 

[Java_Az]

I wasnt too worried about true RMS so i just got one of these for 33 bucks. It will do everything a Fluke 115(besides RMS) will do Plus some. The VC99 will do uAmps. The best thing was that @ 33 bucks iI had money left over for Beer.
VC99 3 6/7 Multimeter analog bar C F better FLUKE 17B | eBay

 

[Marb]

Get a small digital multi-meter from Radio Shack. Cheap, portable, simple and easy to use and fairly accurate.

I've had these for many years and have never had any issues - haven't even had to replace the batteries.

Hmmmm, I just went to the RS site for a link and it appears they don't sell these little pocket meters anymore... at least online :/

 

[mj64]

I wasnt too worried about true RMS so i just got one of these for 33 bucks. It will do everything a Fluke 115(besides RMS) will do Plus some. The VC99 will do uAmps. The best thing was that @ 33 bucks iI had money left over for Beer.
VC99 3 6/7 Multimeter analog bar C F better FLUKE 17B | eBay

Wow, this guy did not like that one at all: EEVblog #91 – $50 Multimeter Shootout – Extech EX330, Amprobe AM220, Elenco, Vichy VC99, GS Pro-50 | EEVblog - The Electronics Engineering Video Blog

What are uAmps? Couldn't find a definition and I'm not familiar with it.

 

[Rocketman]

1000 little micro amps is 1 milli amp
1 million little micro amps is an amp.

and then there are pico amp meters, and femto amp meters, and ,, and

Seems small except to small things.

A multimeter with 10 million ohm input resistance will suck 1 microamp from a ten volt supply.

(you need to use the miniature version of ohms law)

 

[Java_Az]

Wow, this guy did not like that one at all: EEVblog #91 – $50 Multimeter Shootout – Extech EX330, Amprobe AM220, Elenco, Vichy VC99, GS Pro-50 | EEVblog - The Electronics Engineering Video Blog

What are uAmps? Couldn't find a definition and I'm not familiar with it.

Microamps are expressed as uA . comes in handy when testing how much much your batteries are draining with your circuit in the off state. He does some micro amps testing in his shoot out in the video. Really watching that video is why i bought it. The reasons he didn't like it didn't really bug me all that much. As far as measuring it did pretty well in all his tests very close to the fluke . I also wanted a 6000 count readout since i work up to 6 volts a lot and it is nice to get the extra digit when testing. He really went off about the back fold out stand , and i would have to agree it is pretty sucky but not too big a deal to me. He .....ed about the leads not being rated too. But i never plan to use it on high AC voltage only low DC so that didn't bother me much. Really not a bad meter for the price.

 

[nanovapr]

and me, I am still waiting for the nano-ampere-hour meters...

 

[Marb]

This is what I was trying to avoid - as in NOT scaring people away from DIY stuff with their own multi-meters "KISS" - Keep It Simple Stupid

Some just "get it," some don't and the rest are either happy letting others do it, or want to know just enough to be dangerous (that's me, btw lol) - so I was trying to share a 'simple solution'

 

[CraigHB]

I like the Extech meters, nicely priced. I have an EX420, not RMS though. When I replace it, I'll get the next model up that has true RMS. They seem to have all the features of a Fluke, but with a considerably lower price tag. I know the OP wanted to pick up a meter locally, but for someone who doesn't mind buying online, you can get them factory direct from ShopExtech. I didn't look at that review video that was posted a few messages up, but I like mine a lot and it has worked well for me.

 

[Bizrad8381]

I found this at my local walmart it was $25 at the store pretty good in my opinion tested batteries with a fluke meter at work and this was exactly the same reading and its auto ranging. Equus-3320-Innova-Auto-Ranging-Digital-Multimeter

 

[jamess71]

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/...ab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_2304.jpg

Great to get you going without too much $ and even has a transistor tester. I have one and it works great.

edit here is the right link

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-function-digital-multimeter-90899.html

 

[Jair]

I have an extech 411. It's pretty nice, but if I were buying again I'd drop the RMS and go with the model that had more features I would use.

Check out EEVblog for multimeter reviews and also to learn why you don't want to buy a cheap multimeter.

 

[mj64]

Thanks to everyone for their input. Anyone have any thoughts on this one?

Shop Amprobe AM-60 Digital Multimeter with NCV & Logic Test at Lowes.com