Recommendations for a GOOD multi-meter?

79943 · Oct 21, 2009

Another Fluke fan here. I noticed where I work that Fluke meters were the ones we used most often in areas where NIST calibrations were required. Not just multi but temp, etc. so when I was disappointed with the one I had at home I replaced it with a Fluke and only wished I had started there. Dang, if someone from Fluke marketing stumbles across this thread they will have themselves a gold mine of endorsements.

Supa Sport · Oct 22, 2009

Fluke hands down, I use it on every piece of machinery that I work on. It's reliable and easy to use, and have never had a problem with them.

Schurkey · Oct 22, 2009

Mac-branded Fluke 88. Bought it in early '90's sometime.

Has needed ONE fuse, but holy crap are those fuses expensive.

Works just fine.

Replaced a "Fox Valley" (I think...) meter that also worked just fine; although it didn't have some of the extensive measurement capabilities that the '88 has. In some ways, I liked that Fox Valley unit as much as the Fluke. The '88 is smarter than I am, and I resent that.

Good luck, pretty much all the modern diagnostic meters EXCEPT Fluke are sourced from the Communists. My expectation is that even the OTC meters are Chinese--but they won't tell you on the OTC web site.

JWagner · Oct 22, 2009

There are a lot to choose from on Ebay.

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=fluke+77&_sacat=See-All-Categories

Rich-L79 · Oct 22, 2009

I'm surprised you've had trouble with Radio Shack multimeters. Maybe the quality of what they sell has dropped off. I bought my old-fashioned dial/needle multimeter more than 30 years ago and all I've ever done to it is replace the battery once or twice.

I have a $3 digital one from Harbor Freight that goes in my traveling tool box and which I really only use to check continuity on circuits and it's actually been pretty reliable as well. I'd never give up my Radio Shack oldie-but-a-goodie meter though! I find the digital meters hard to understand at some settings while my old dial/needle meter readings ALWAYS make sense.

floyd66 · Oct 22, 2009

I use a Fluke, had it for 20 years, no problems.

after reading this thread I am going to invest in Fluke shares.

Tom Mobley · Oct 22, 2009

I think my Fluke is a 175 model.

It does "True RMS" measuring of A/C voltage. Kind of a PITA actually. Takes it awhile to settle on a number. I've been using it on tube stereo amps that have 500V AC floating around. nice to have confidence in a meter.

dukess396 · Oct 23, 2009

I own a Fluke 88. It is a great tool! I work for a GM dealership, so mine gets a workout! It has 100ms max min capabilities to help diagnose intermittent open/ shorted wires, and amperage draws. It also has a magnetic strap so you can hang it all over the place. Very useful if you have ever tried to back probe 2 wires while looking at a meter wedged somewhere on the undercarriage. Pricey, but worth every penny, you get what you pay for!

d1_bradley · Oct 23, 2009

I remember my dad would only use his Simpson 260................ didn't like those new fangled digital meters

Tom Mobley · Oct 24, 2009

LOL, Simpson 260. I bought one off ebay when I first started working on tube amps. Still works. Reads the same as my Fluke on everything I've tried it on.

bikeron · Oct 26, 2009

d1_bradley said:
I remember my dad would only use his Simpson 260................ didn't like those new fangled digital meters

I just got a brand new in the box Simpson 269! I already have a 260. They still make them too. Railroad guys use a special version to do traffic signaling maintainance.

Ron

bulb122 · Oct 31, 2009

Rich-L79 said:
I'm surprised you've had trouble with Radio Shack multimeters. Maybe the quality of what they sell has dropped off.

These are roughly 7-8 years old. Maybe I was a little hard on their reputation.... the latest meter that died had seen a lot of use. And it's been rolling around in my mobile box for a couple years at least. Mine failed, and the one identical unit we had at work also suffered the same switch failure (made in China

). I still have one functioning low quality meter though. I'm gonna make do with that until I can afford a nice one.

The Fluke 88 automotive meter looks pretty sweet......but wi9th all the probes and rpm pickup it's over $300

I think I'm going to raid the change jar come spring time though.... :thumbsup:

Recommendations for a GOOD multi-meter?

79943

Supa Sport

Schurkey

JWagner

Rich-L79

floyd66

Tom Mobley

dukess396

d1_bradley

Tom Mobley

bikeron

bulb122

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