Which multimeter?

[chrisexv6]

Im an avid DIY-er, but not a pro. Was looking for a good value
multimeter........want something that will last and be fairly
accurate, but I dont think I need Fluke level quality (well, I could
*use* it, just dont need it).

Was looking at a Craftsman pro, which seems to be a rebadged Extech
470. Also looking at Ideal meters as well. Finally, Wavetek/MeterMan
have been recommended.

Within those 4 basic brands, what would be my best bet?

I can get meters for around the same price from each company, with
basically the same features (the craftsman/extech being
different.......it has IR temp, K probe temp, etc....but Im not sure
how important temp readings are.......I dont really use them now, so I
cant see it being a huge deal).

Looking at the Ideal contractor grade series, the less expensive
Craftsman/Craftsman Pro (which still seem to be Extech, judging by the
cases), and the *XP series of Waveteks.

Thanks in advance.

-Chris

 

[Eeyore]

chrisexv6 wrote:

Im an avid DIY-er, but not a pro. Was looking for a good value
multimeter........want something that will last and be fairly
accurate, but I dont think I need Fluke level quality (well, I could
*use* it, just dont need it).

Was looking at a Craftsman pro, which seems to be a rebadged Extech
470. Also looking at Ideal meters as well. Finally, Wavetek/MeterMan
have been recommended.

Within those 4 basic brands, what would be my best bet?

Many engineers I know including myself have a Fluke (at least one) for
'important work' but when it comes to a 'back-up' meter most I know are
happy with the widely available 'no-name' cheapies. They're surprisingly
good.

Until you CAN afford a Fluke I wouldn't fret excessively over it.

Graham

 

[Pierre-François]

No question, a FLUKE is the BEST!

pf

"chrisexv6" <charry@gmail.com> a écrit dans le message de news:
45b7f89c-efda-46c4-af38-106c346dfc6d@e25g2000prg.googlegroups.com...

Im an avid DIY-er, but not a pro. Was looking for a good value
multimeter........want something that will last and be fairly
accurate, but I dont think I need Fluke level quality (well, I could
*use* it, just dont need it).

Was looking at a Craftsman pro, which seems to be a rebadged Extech
470. Also looking at Ideal meters as well. Finally, Wavetek/MeterMan
have been recommended.

Within those 4 basic brands, what would be my best bet?

I can get meters for around the same price from each company, with
basically the same features (the craftsman/extech being
different.......it has IR temp, K probe temp, etc....but Im not sure
how important temp readings are.......I dont really use them now, so I
cant see it being a huge deal).

Looking at the Ideal contractor grade series, the less expensive
Craftsman/Craftsman Pro (which still seem to be Extech, judging by the
cases), and the *XP series of Waveteks.

Thanks in advance.

-Chris

 

[chrisexv6]

On Dec 8, 5:34 am, Eeyore <rabbitsfriendsandrelati...@hotmail.com>
wrote:

chrisexv6 wrote:
Im an avid DIY-er, but not a pro. Was looking for a good value
multimeter........want something that will last and be fairly
accurate, but I dont think I need Fluke level quality (well, I could
*use* it, just dont need it).

Was looking at a Craftsman pro, which seems to be a rebadged Extech
470. Also looking at Ideal meters as well. Finally, Wavetek/MeterMan
have been recommended.

Within those 4 basic brands, what would be my best bet?

Many engineers I know including myself have a Fluke (at least one) for
'important work' but when it comes to a 'back-up' meter most I know are
happy with the widely available 'no-name' cheapies. They're surprisingly
good.

Until you CAN afford a Fluke I wouldn't fret excessively over it.

Graham

Thanks for the advice.

So you're saying the cheapo Sperry meters at my nearest HD are pretty
decent?

I actually need to get 2 meters.....my dads meter died and I wanted to
replace it with something decent (he bought a decent Radio Shack meter
back when they actually sold the things!!! auto ranging, etc). And I
need one for my limited use. So at least one needs to be decent, auto
ranging, etc. Also happens that my dad is an EE.

The only complaints Ive heard about the cheapies is that the readings
tend to fluctuate a lot, making it hard to get a "read" on what the
value really is.

Thanks again.

-Chris

 

[Rich Webb]

chrisexv6 wrote:

On Dec 8, 5:34 am, Eeyore <rabbitsfriendsandrelati...@hotmail.com
wrote:
chrisexv6 wrote:
Im an avid DIY-er, but not a pro. Was looking for a good value
multimeter........want something that will last and be fairly
accurate, but I dont think I need Fluke level quality (well, I could
*use* it, just dont need it).
Was looking at a Craftsman pro, which seems to be a rebadged Extech
470. Also looking at Ideal meters as well. Finally, Wavetek/MeterMan
have been recommended.
Within those 4 basic brands, what would be my best bet?
Many engineers I know including myself have a Fluke (at least one) for
'important work' but when it comes to a 'back-up' meter most I know are
happy with the widely available 'no-name' cheapies. They're surprisingly
good.

Until you CAN afford a Fluke I wouldn't fret excessively over it.

Graham

Thanks for the advice.

So you're saying the cheapo Sperry meters at my nearest HD are pretty
decent?

They're probably fine. Haven't tested those specific meters but the
cheap ones are okay for many uses. If you stick with electronics,
professionally or as a hobby, you'll acquire one or two or several more
(and better) DMMs over time, so don't agonize too much over whether the
inexpensive ones are appropriate for any conceivable use.

I actually need to get 2 meters.....my dads meter died and I wanted to
replace it with something decent (he bought a decent Radio Shack meter
back when they actually sold the things!!! auto ranging, etc). And I
need one for my limited use. So at least one needs to be decent, auto
ranging, etc. Also happens that my dad is an EE.

One possible solution is a Meterman 37XR, a pretty good meter (got one,
I like it) from these guys http://www.web-tronics.com/37prectrurms.html
and they will include a http://webtronics.stores.yahoo.net/my-68.html
for free (be sure to add the magic code to the order form).

I have a couple of their previous "free" DMMs (the older models weren't
autoranging) that live in the garage and trunk of the car, plus one at
the office in place of a sexier personal meter (and I don't get torqued
if it is "borrowed").

#disclaimer: just an occasional, and satisfied, customer at Web-Tronics.

The only complaints Ive heard about the cheapies is that the readings
tend to fluctuate a lot, making it hard to get a "read" on what the
value really is.

Not my experience that fluctuating readings is a general problem with them.

--
Rich Webb Norfolk, VA

 

[Eeyore]

chrisexv6 wrote:

Eeyore wrote:
chrisexv6 wrote:

Im an avid DIY-er, but not a pro. Was looking for a good value
multimeter........want something that will last and be fairly
accurate, but I dont think I need Fluke level quality (well, I could
*use* it, just dont need it).

Was looking at a Craftsman pro, which seems to be a rebadged Extech
470. Also looking at Ideal meters as well. Finally, Wavetek/MeterMan
have been recommended.

Within those 4 basic brands, what would be my best bet?

Many engineers I know including myself have a Fluke (at least one) for
'important work' but when it comes to a 'back-up' meter most I know are
happy with the widely available 'no-name' cheapies. They're surprisingly
good.

Until you CAN afford a Fluke I wouldn't fret excessively over it.


Thanks for the advice.

So you're saying the cheapo Sperry meters at my nearest HD are pretty
decent?

Well.... I don't actually know that meter but I've yet to meet a truly bad one
from any supplier !

I actually need to get 2 meters.....my dads meter died and I wanted to
replace it with something decent (he bought a decent Radio Shack meter
back when they actually sold the things!!! auto ranging, etc). And I
need one for my limited use. So at least one needs to be decent, auto
ranging, etc. Also happens that my dad is an EE.

Right. The combination of one really good meter with a cheapie as back-up is a
sound one. Auto-ranging is a must with your serious meter.

The only complaints Ive heard about the cheapies is that the readings
tend to fluctuate a lot, making it hard to get a "read" on what the
value really is.

I haven't actually seen that myself. As a bonus the cheap meters often also
have things like thermocouple inputs at no great expense which can come in
useful.

Graham

 

[chrisexv6]

On Dec 8, 10:47 am, Eeyore <rabbitsfriendsandrelati...@hotmail.com>
wrote:

chrisexv6 wrote:
Eeyore wrote:
chrisexv6 wrote:

Im an avid DIY-er, but not a pro. Was looking for a good value
multimeter........want something that will last and be fairly
accurate, but I dont think I need Fluke level quality (well, I could
*use* it, just dont need it).

Was looking at a Craftsman pro, which seems to be a rebadged Extech
470. Also looking at Ideal meters as well. Finally, Wavetek/MeterMan
have been recommended.

Within those 4 basic brands, what would be my best bet?

Many engineers I know including myself have a Fluke (at least one) for
'important work' but when it comes to a 'back-up' meter most I know are
happy with the widely available 'no-name' cheapies. They're surprisingly
good.

Until you CAN afford a Fluke I wouldn't fret excessively over it.

Thanks for the advice.

So you're saying the cheapo Sperry meters at my nearest HD are pretty
decent?

Well.... I don't actually know that meter but I've yet to meet a truly bad one
from any supplier !

I actually need to get 2 meters.....my dads meter died and I wanted to
replace it with something decent (he bought a decent Radio Shack meter
back when they actually sold the things!!! auto ranging, etc). And I
need one for my limited use. So at least one needs to be decent, auto
ranging, etc. Also happens that my dad is an EE.

Right. The combination of one really good meter with a cheapie as back-up is a
sound one. Auto-ranging is a must with your serious meter.

The only complaints Ive heard about the cheapies is that the readings
tend to fluctuate a lot, making it hard to get a "read" on what the
value really is.

I haven't actually seen that myself. As a bonus the cheap meters often also
have things like thermocouple inputs at no great expense which can come in
useful.

Graham

Well Sears sorta came thru. Last week I had ordered their equivalent
of the Extech 470. It was on sale for 79.99 - 40.00 instant discount
- another 10%. After a week of fighting with them about my in-store
order that never showed up, they finally got one in stock and gave it
to me. For 33 bux, this meter is worth it.

Still need a meter for my dad.....was interested in the Ideal 61-354,
True RMS, auto ranging, etc. Cant get it pretty inexpensive, just
didnt know if its any better than anything from Home Cheapo or Lowes.

-Chris

 

[Eeyore]

chrisexv6 wrote:

Eeyore wrote:
chrisexv6 wrote:
Eeyore wrote:
chrisexv6 wrote:

Im an avid DIY-er, but not a pro. Was looking for a good value
multimeter........want something that will last and be fairly
accurate, but I dont think I need Fluke level quality (well, I could
*use* it, just dont need it).

Was looking at a Craftsman pro, which seems to be a rebadged Extech
470. Also looking at Ideal meters as well. Finally, Wavetek/MeterMan
have been recommended.

Within those 4 basic brands, what would be my best bet?

Many engineers I know including myself have a Fluke (at least one) for
'important work' but when it comes to a 'back-up' meter most I know are
happy with the widely available 'no-name' cheapies. They're surprisingly
good.

Until you CAN afford a Fluke I wouldn't fret excessively over it.

Thanks for the advice.

So you're saying the cheapo Sperry meters at my nearest HD are pretty
decent?

Well.... I don't actually know that meter but I've yet to meet a truly bad one
from any supplier !

I actually need to get 2 meters.....my dads meter died and I wanted to
replace it with something decent (he bought a decent Radio Shack meter
back when they actually sold the things!!! auto ranging, etc). And I
need one for my limited use. So at least one needs to be decent, auto
ranging, etc. Also happens that my dad is an EE.

Right. The combination of one really good meter with a cheapie as back-up is a
sound one. Auto-ranging is a must with your serious meter.

The only complaints Ive heard about the cheapies is that the readings
tend to fluctuate a lot, making it hard to get a "read" on what the
value really is.

I haven't actually seen that myself. As a bonus the cheap meters often also
have things like thermocouple inputs at no great expense which can come in
useful.


Well Sears sorta came thru. Last week I had ordered their equivalent
of the Extech 470. It was on sale for 79.99 - 40.00 instant discount
- another 10%. After a week of fighting with them about my in-store
order that never showed up, they finally got one in stock and gave it
to me. For 33 bux, this meter is worth it.

Sounds like a good buy to me !

Still need a meter for my dad.....was interested in the Ideal 61-354,
True RMS, auto ranging, etc. Cant get it pretty inexpensive, just
didnt know if its any better than anything from Home Cheapo or Lowes.

True RMS tends to be pretty costly. Unless you know you truly need it, I'd give it a
miss.

Graham

 

[PeterD]

On Sat, 8 Dec 2007 13:19:35 -0800 (PST), chrisexv6 <charry@gmail.com>
wrote:

Well Sears sorta came thru. Last week I had ordered their equivalent
of the Extech 470. It was on sale for 79.99 - 40.00 instant discount
- another 10%. After a week of fighting with them about my in-store
order that never showed up,

You too? I had the exact same fight with Sears (garage door openers)
and swore I'd never, ever order anythign from them again. Either they
have it in stock, or I shop elsewhere! What a PITA, four weeks of "be
here in one to three days" and hundreds of emails all saying basically
tough, we take no responsibility! <bg>

they finally got one in stock and gave it
to me. For 33 bux, this meter is worth it.

I canceled my order, went back to the hardware department. There the
stuff was on the shelf, picked it up went to the register and bought
it that way. Oh wait, when I got to the register, it was all on sale
that week--I saved almost 15% over the original order! Cool...

Still need a meter for my dad.....was interested in the Ideal 61-354,
True RMS, auto ranging, etc. Cant get it pretty inexpensive, just
didnt know if its any better than anything from Home Cheapo or Lowes.

Do you have to go new? If not, there may be some great buys on eBay
for high-end meters... You may even find some NIBs that have been
sitting for a while.

-Chris

 

[chrisexv6]

On Dec 9, 10:30 am, PeterD <pet...@hipson.net> wrote:

On Sat, 8 Dec 2007 13:19:35 -0800 (PST), chrisexv6 <cha...@gmail.com
wrote:



Well Sears sorta came thru. Last week I had ordered their equivalent
of the Extech 470. It was on sale for 79.99 - 40.00 instant discount
- another 10%. After a week of fighting with them about my in-store
order that never showed up,

You too? I had the exact same fight with Sears (garage door openers)
and swore I'd never, ever order anythign from them again. Either they
have it in stock, or I shop elsewhere! What a PITA, four weeks of "be
here in one to three days" and hundreds of emails all saying basically
tough, we take no responsibility! <bg

they finally got one in stock and gave it
to me. For 33 bux, this meter is worth it.

I canceled my order, went back to the hardware department. There the
stuff was on the shelf, picked it up went to the register and bought
it that way. Oh wait, when I got to the register, it was all on sale
that week--I saved almost 15% over the original order! Cool...



Still need a meter for my dad.....was interested in theIdeal61-354,
True RMS, auto ranging, etc. Cant get it pretty inexpensive, just
didnt know if its any better than anything from Home Cheapo or Lowes.

Do you have to go new? If not, there may be some great buys on eBay
for high-end meters... You may even find some NIBs that have been
sitting for a while.



-Chris

Actually Ebay is where I found the Ideal meter in question for a good
price, 35 bux shipped. Not bad, and its brand new in box.

But! We'll see if Sears keeps up their end again.......my original
intention was to get 2 of the 81079 meters, one for me and one for my
dad). The original in-store order I placed was cancelled because they
were convinced the store didnt have it (yet the store really did have
it). Called sears.com last night and, since the meter was in stock
online, told them I wanted the same deal I had last week and I wanted
them to ship it right to me. Oddly enough, it didnt take much for
them to agree!! We'll see if it actually shows up (its now out of
stock online).....if it does its a better value than the Ideal, but I
might pick up the Ideal just in case (Dad asked for one gift, would be
horrible not to get it in time!)

-Chris

 

[Jamie]

PeterD wrote:

On Sat, 8 Dec 2007 13:19:35 -0800 (PST), chrisexv6 <charry@gmail.com
wrote:



Well Sears sorta came thru. Last week I had ordered their equivalent
of the Extech 470. It was on sale for 79.99 - 40.00 instant discount
- another 10%. After a week of fighting with them about my in-store
order that never showed up,


You too? I had the exact same fight with Sears (garage door openers)
and swore I'd never, ever order anythign from them again. Either they
have it in stock, or I shop elsewhere! What a PITA, four weeks of "be
here in one to three days" and hundreds of emails all saying basically
tough, we take no responsibility! <bg


they finally got one in stock and gave it
to me. For 33 bux, this meter is worth it.


I canceled my order, went back to the hardware department. There the
stuff was on the shelf, picked it up went to the register and bought
it that way. Oh wait, when I got to the register, it was all on sale
that week--I saved almost 15% over the original order! Cool...


Still need a meter for my dad.....was interested in the Ideal 61-354,
True RMS, auto ranging, etc. Cant get it pretty inexpensive, just
didnt know if its any better than anything from Home Cheapo or Lowes.


Do you have to go new? If not, there may be some great buys on eBay
for high-end meters... You may even find some NIBs that have been
sitting for a while.


-Chris
http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/extech/clampmeters/ex800series.htm

Check out the EX830
That is a good all round tool box meter.
it comes with carry case and K-type probe along
with the built in IR sensor etc..

I suggested that to a friend of mine because he's a basic electrician
and auto mechanic.. He loves it..


--
"I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy"
http://webpages.charter.net/jamie_5

 

[Jimmie D]

"chrisexv6" <charry@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:7cf75111-82f1-49c9-a0ac-904557826545@y43g2000hsy.googlegroups.com...

On Dec 9, 10:30 am, PeterD <pet...@hipson.net> wrote:
On Sat, 8 Dec 2007 13:19:35 -0800 (PST), chrisexv6 <cha...@gmail.com
wrote:



Well Sears sorta came thru. Last week I had ordered their equivalent
of the Extech 470. It was on sale for 79.99 - 40.00 instant discount
- another 10%. After a week of fighting with them about my in-store
order that never showed up,

You too? I had the exact same fight with Sears (garage door openers)
and swore I'd never, ever order anythign from them again. Either they
have it in stock, or I shop elsewhere! What a PITA, four weeks of "be
here in one to three days" and hundreds of emails all saying basically
tough, we take no responsibility! <bg

they finally got one in stock and gave it
to me. For 33 bux, this meter is worth it.

I canceled my order, went back to the hardware department. There the
stuff was on the shelf, picked it up went to the register and bought
it that way. Oh wait, when I got to the register, it was all on sale
that week--I saved almost 15% over the original order! Cool...



Still need a meter for my dad.....was interested in theIdeal61-354,
True RMS, auto ranging, etc. Cant get it pretty inexpensive, just
didnt know if its any better than anything from Home Cheapo or Lowes.

Do you have to go new? If not, there may be some great buys on eBay
for high-end meters... You may even find some NIBs that have been
sitting for a while.



-Chris

Actually Ebay is where I found the Ideal meter in question for a good
price, 35 bux shipped. Not bad, and its brand new in box.

But! We'll see if Sears keeps up their end again.......my original
intention was to get 2 of the 81079 meters, one for me and one for my
dad). The original in-store order I placed was cancelled because they
were convinced the store didnt have it (yet the store really did have
it). Called sears.com last night and, since the meter was in stock
online, told them I wanted the same deal I had last week and I wanted
them to ship it right to me. Oddly enough, it didnt take much for
them to agree!! We'll see if it actually shows up (its now out of
stock online).....if it does its a better value than the Ideal, but I
might pick up the Ideal just in case (Dad asked for one gift, would be
horrible not to get it in time!)

-Chris

I really like to have a meter that does capacitance. Often I have to find
which end of a cable is broken and by measuring the capacitance from each
end I can tell without tearing both ends of the cable apart. My Fluke will
measure down to a few pF and it is a really great feature to have.

Good insulation is a must. My friend was measuring AC voltage in a 3 phase
panel and he got an arc from a screw on the case the the panel case. Not a
pretty site. Now he doesnt use cheap meters either.

If it works its a FLUKE.

Jimmie

 

[Jamie]

Jimmie D wrote:

"chrisexv6" <charry@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:7cf75111-82f1-49c9-a0ac-904557826545@y43g2000hsy.googlegroups.com...

On Dec 9, 10:30 am, PeterD <pet...@hipson.net> wrote:

On Sat, 8 Dec 2007 13:19:35 -0800 (PST), chrisexv6 <cha...@gmail.com
wrote:




Well Sears sorta came thru. Last week I had ordered their equivalent
of the Extech 470. It was on sale for 79.99 - 40.00 instant discount
- another 10%. After a week of fighting with them about my in-store
order that never showed up,

You too? I had the exact same fight with Sears (garage door openers)
and swore I'd never, ever order anythign from them again. Either they
have it in stock, or I shop elsewhere! What a PITA, four weeks of "be
here in one to three days" and hundreds of emails all saying basically
tough, we take no responsibility! <bg

they finally got one in stock and gave it
to me. For 33 bux, this meter is worth it.

I canceled my order, went back to the hardware department. There the
stuff was on the shelf, picked it up went to the register and bought
it that way. Oh wait, when I got to the register, it was all on sale
that week--I saved almost 15% over the original order! Cool...




Still need a meter for my dad.....was interested in theIdeal61-354,
True RMS, auto ranging, etc. Cant get it pretty inexpensive, just
didnt know if its any better than anything from Home Cheapo or Lowes.

Do you have to go new? If not, there may be some great buys on eBay
for high-end meters... You may even find some NIBs that have been
sitting for a while.




-Chris

Actually Ebay is where I found the Ideal meter in question for a good
price, 35 bux shipped. Not bad, and its brand new in box.

But! We'll see if Sears keeps up their end again.......my original
intention was to get 2 of the 81079 meters, one for me and one for my
dad). The original in-store order I placed was cancelled because they
were convinced the store didnt have it (yet the store really did have
it). Called sears.com last night and, since the meter was in stock
online, told them I wanted the same deal I had last week and I wanted
them to ship it right to me. Oddly enough, it didnt take much for
them to agree!! We'll see if it actually shows up (its now out of
stock online).....if it does its a better value than the Ideal, but I
might pick up the Ideal just in case (Dad asked for one gift, would be
horrible not to get it in time!)

-Chris


I really like to have a meter that does capacitance. Often I have to find
which end of a cable is broken and by measuring the capacitance from each
end I can tell without tearing both ends of the cable apart. My Fluke will
measure down to a few pF and it is a really great feature to have.

Good insulation is a must. My friend was measuring AC voltage in a 3 phase
panel and he got an arc from a screw on the case the the panel case. Not a
pretty site. Now he doesnt use cheap meters either.

If it works its a FLUKE.

Jimmie


yeah, I just got my self a FLuke 289 meter.

--
"I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy"
http://webpages.charter.net/jamie_5