[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Multimeter (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 6/17/2012 7:15:23 PM EDT
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I've received two as gifts over the last year or so: Radio Shack one and a Craftsman one. Both have crapped out on me. So I figured I would just buy my own.
What would you guys recommend? |
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Fluke. Buy once, cry once. This is what we use at work. Its pretty nice. At home, I have an el cheapo. And after it breaks, I'll buy another el cheapo. I can buy a lot of el cheapos for the price of a Fluke! I think it all boils down to how much you are using it. |
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Did anyone mention Fluke yet? Actually, while I use Flukes at work, I wouldn't spend that kind of money on one to use around the house. I'm surprised to hear your Craftsman died, I've had great luck with my Craftsman and my dad used a different model Craftsman for years doing HVAC work without a problem.
ETA: I see you've decided. You really can't go wrong with Fluke. |
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Did anyone mention Fluke yet? Actually, while I use Flukes at work, I wouldn't spend that kind of money on one to use around the house. I'm surprised to hear your Craftsman died, I've had great luck with my Craftsman and my dad used a different model Craftsman for years doing HVAC work without a problem. ETA: I see you've decided. You really can't go wrong with Fluke. Yea I am not sure what happened. Sometimes it wants to turn on but sometimes it doesn't. Changed the batteries and didn't change a thing. |
I found one of these in a pile of stuff my last employer was going to throw away:
Can't say I'd go hunt one down on eBay if I needed a new one, but it's got a pretty high cool factor. ETA: Of course, this doesn't really answer your question. I just didn't think we needed another "Fluke" in this thread. 
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I found one of these in a pile of stuff my last employer was going to throw away: http://www.simpson260.com/270/simpson_270-5_01.jpg Can't say I'd go hunt one down on eBay if I needed a new one, but it's got a pretty high cool factor. say fluke is awesome or youll fuck up the thread |
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Fluke. Buy once, cry once. This is the only answer. As far as I am concerned they are the only meters. I have been working as a communications technician for twenty years, and in that time have used exactly two brands of meters, Fluke and Simpson. Nothing but Fluke Digital Multimeters, and Simpson Analog, I have never had an issue with a meter from either of these manufacturers that had a current calibration sticker on it. I have blown fuses in them, but that is easy and cheap to replace. In general the meters are issued to me, but when I provide my own tools, it is still Fluke. |
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I found one of these in a pile of stuff my last employer was going to throw away: http://www.simpson260.com/270/simpson_270-5_01.jpg Can't say I'd go hunt one down on eBay if I needed a new one, but it's got a pretty high cool factor. ETA: Of course, this doesn't really answer your question. I just didn't think we needed another "Fluke" in this thread. I had a unit similar to your picture that I loaned to my dad. He tried to test live voltage using the continuity scale. It no longer functions. |
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I found one of these in a pile of stuff my last employer was going to throw away: http://www.simpson260.com/270/simpson_270-5_01.jpg Can't say I'd go hunt one down on eBay if I needed a new one, but it's got a pretty high cool factor. ETA: Of course, this doesn't really answer your question. I just didn't think we needed another "Fluke" in this thread. I had a unit similar to your picture that I loaned to my dad. He tried to test live voltage using the continuity scale. It no longer functions. I can, indeed, confirm that this unit does not respond well to having power run through it on the ohm setting. Fortunately it was a small battery that I was testing, and it didn't (seem to) hurt it. 
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I found one of these in a pile of stuff my last employer was going to throw away: http://www.simpson260.com/270/simpson_270-5_01.jpg Can't say I'd go hunt one down on eBay if I needed a new one, but it's got a pretty high cool factor. ETA: Of course, this doesn't really answer your question. I just didn't think we needed another "Fluke" in this thread. What I learned on back in the olden days; I now have a Fluke and an old school multimeter. |
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Quoted: Replace the blown fuse inside. Quoted: I found one of these in a pile of stuff my last employer was going to throw away: http://www.simpson260.com/270/simpson_270-5_01.jpg Can't say I'd go hunt one down on eBay if I needed a new one, but it's got a pretty high cool factor. ETA: Of course, this doesn't really answer your question. I just didn't think we needed another "Fluke" in this thread. I had a unit similar to your picture that I loaned to my dad. He tried to test live voltage using the continuity scale. It no longer functions.  Simpson was the FLUKE of their day years ago. I had a 260 at one time. Now I've got a couple of FLUKES though.  |
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Quoted: I still have my 260 I found one of these in a pile of stuff my last employer was going to throw away: http://www.simpson260.com/270/simpson_270-5_01.jpg Can't say I'd go hunt one down on eBay if I needed a new one, but it's got a pretty high cool factor. ETA: Of course, this doesn't really answer your question. I just didn't think we needed another "Fluke" in this thread. Oh, and my daily use DMM is a Fluke  |
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My $3 chinese tool sale digi meter has worked perfect. Check out extech also they seem to hold up in work environments. Here is a link to a review of some in the $50 range. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoeUgMFLyAw
He has one for $100 range also http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3WGaiYF2sk |
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Fluke FTMFW
a Simpson 260 is good if you're working on a lot of old stuff. I have 4 Fluke DMM's (hand held) a couple Fluke Differential Volt Meters a Fluke digital thermometer most have been through the (My former) company PMEL lab and pass every time. they did the Simpson as well, it's better than new. (All the DMM's were used on avionics, and were the only mfg's authorized for use by the company) |
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If you want a serious, accurate meter, you will want one that says Fluke on it.
I've had my Fluke 73 going on 15 years now or so. It's been rock solid accurate, up until about three or four years ago when the voltage reading was getting all kinds of screwed up. I thought about buying another one, but first I called Fluke's customer service department. I spoke to a very nice young lady who spoke fluent English, explained my problem to her, and she e-mailed me an RMA to send my meter in for inspection and repair. She said it shouldn't be no more than about $100 if it's not covered under warranty to fix, which I was 110% cool with. About two weeks later, I got my meter back, rebuilt, scary accurate as ever, with an invoice in the box that said "no charge." The only multimeters I use are Flukes. ETA - I'm an automotive tech by trade, so I really need an accurate meter. For the average guy tinkering at home, sure, Fluke meters might be a little overkill. But if you don't mind spending the money and you want a super high quality meter, Fluke is the only option, IMO. |
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Fluke. Buy once, cry once. Agreed I have two Flukes, great products very durable in a harsh industrial environment. If you need one with a clamp get one with the right size if you have tight areas...or not. Very durable is an understatement. I found one that I thought I lost in the bed of my old truck tucked under the tool box buried in sticks and leaves. Still works! |
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I have both a Greenlee voltages tester, and a multimeter. Both have never failed me. We have 'em at school. the amp clamp crapped out and it made me look like a tard and almost made me flunk. Teacher: go ahead and check your amperage on your circuit Me:*puts amp clamp on circuit conductor; 0A*  FFFFUUUUUUUUUUU
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Nearly 20 years ago I gave my dad my Simpson 467 digital meter.
He uses it around the house and from time to time on his cars. I suspect that he is mainly using it as a continuity meter, although that old meter was pretty high tech in the day. I have been a Fluke fan ever since. |
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Quoted: I found one of these in a pile of stuff my last employer was going to throw away: http://www.simpson260.com/270/simpson_270-5_01.jpg Can't say I'd go hunt one down on eBay if I needed a new one, but it's got a pretty high cool factor. ETA: Of course, this doesn't really answer your question. I just didn't think we needed another "Fluke" in this thread. We had those exact meters back in 1968 in my high school electricity shop class. |
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I have both a Greenlee voltages tester, and a multimeter. Both have never failed me. This . I have a Greenlee from Lowes it has been through 4 years of shop use and not even needed a battery yet. I have used Flukes before and they are solid but for 10-15% of the cost of a Fluke consider a Greenlee |
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I found one of these in a pile of stuff my last employer was going to throw away: http://www.simpson260.com/270/simpson_270-5_01.jpg Can't say I'd go hunt one down on eBay if I needed a new one, but it's got a pretty high cool factor. ETA: Of course, this doesn't really answer your question. I just didn't think we needed another "Fluke" in this thread. I had a unit similar to your picture that I loaned to my dad. He tried to test live voltage using the continuity scale. It no longer functions. It is, most likely, easily repairable. OP get a Fluke. |
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If you want a serious, accurate meter, you will want one that says Fluke on it. I've had my Fluke 73 going on 15 years now or so. It's been rock solid accurate, up until about three or four years ago when the voltage reading was getting all kinds of screwed up. I thought about buying another one, but first I called Fluke's customer service department. I spoke to a very nice young lady who spoke fluent English, explained my problem to her, and she e-mailed me an RMA to send my meter in for inspection and repair. She said it shouldn't be no more than about $100 if it's not covered under warranty to fix, which I was 110% cool with. About two weeks later, I got my meter back, rebuilt, scary accurate as ever, with an invoice in the box that said "no charge." The only multimeters I use are Flukes. ETA - I'm an automotive tech by trade, so I really need an accurate meter. For the average guy tinkering at home, sure, Fluke meters might be a little overkill. But if you don't mind spending the money and you want a super high quality meter, Fluke is the only option, IMO. i am just curious, but what on an automobile requires scary accurate? especially from a fluke 73? |
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Quoted:
If you want a serious, accurate meter, you will want one that says Fluke on it. I've had my Fluke 73 going on 15 years now or so. It's been rock solid accurate, up until about three or four years ago when the voltage reading was getting all kinds of screwed up. I thought about buying another one, but first I called Fluke's customer service department. I spoke to a very nice young lady who spoke fluent English, explained my problem to her, and she e-mailed me an RMA to send my meter in for inspection and repair. She said it shouldn't be no more than about $100 if it's not covered under warranty to fix, which I was 110% cool with. About two weeks later, I got my meter back, rebuilt, scary accurate as ever, with an invoice in the box that said "no charge." The only multimeters I use are Flukes. ETA - I'm an automotive tech by trade, so I really need an accurate meter. For the average guy tinkering at home, sure, Fluke meters might be a little overkill. But if you don't mind spending the money and you want a super high quality meter, Fluke is the only option, IMO. i am just curious, but what on an automobile requires scary accurate? especially from a fluke 73? I say "scary accurate," I guess I mean just really accurate, or maybe stable is a better word. Like comparing my 73 to a coworker's Craftsman meter, especially checking impedance, my meter locks onto a specific reading and stays there, within one or two tenths of that reading. Other meters dance all over the place by several ohms. |
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Fluke. Buy once, cry once. Or, in my case, buy twice, cry twice
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn205/thecanuck11/20120426_173943.jpg Ever cry yourself to sleep? 
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Another +1 for Fluke My electric/networking bag is worth more than my work car. It's also made me way more money than my car has. There's a reason they cost a good bit, it's because they work, and when you "whoopsiedaisey" into a 240 with it, they dont blow up. |
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Another +1 for Fluke My electric/networking bag is worth more than my work car. It's also made me way more money than my car has. There's a reason they cost a good bit, it's because they work, and when you "whoopsiedaisey" into a 240 with it, they dont blow up. I have had my 87V submerged for an hour during a thunder storm. It dried over night, and was good to go the next day after being checked against some other meters. |
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Klien is a durable affordable unit...without breaking the bank on FLUKE. I replaced my Fluke with a Klien....if it lasts 1/4 of the life the Fluke did (12 very abusive years), it'll be monetary draw. I have a Klein MM1000 –– it doesn't want to work right now. Hoping it's just a fuse. Shoulda bought a Fluke...... 
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