Multimeter Suggestion?

[tenwatt]

Locally, the only place I can pick up a multimeter is Radio Shack.  Which is the least expensive multimeter I can get away with using for pedal builds?

http://www.radioshack.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&kw=multimeter&origkw=multimeter&sr=1

[madbean]

One of the cheap digital radio shack ones will be okay to start off. You can also get some at Home Depot and Lowes. I actually just bought a new DMM at Home Depot this past week. It's pretty badass...only thing it doesn't have is hfe measurement for silicon transistors. But, my cheapo one does.

[tenwatt]

So the RadioShack® 15-Range Digital Multimeter will suffice?
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4214667

[CRBMoA]

That would be great. FYI - Harbor Freight generally has a 3-4 dollar DMM that will do all of that, too.

The have holes in the front for HFE testing, but I have not ever found or heard of that function being reliable.

But for less than the price of a cup of coffee, it is a good deal.

[gtr2]

I use this one most of the time over my bigger unit.  It's auto ranging, has a continuity beeper, and its very small.  I'd recommend this over the rat shack one, well that's if you have a Lowe's close by.  It's a stocked item.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_25730-85476-DM110-L_0__?productId=3028854&Ntt=multimeter&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl__0__s%3FNtt%3Dmultimeter

[jtn191]

My parents bought me that 15-Range when I told them I was gonna build a testing rig  

not what I meant...but it works fine and I'm not using my dad's MM anymore

[madbean]

Here's the one I just got. A bit spendy but it's nice. I've been using the same DMM for 5 years that I got free when I ordered my first soldering station from Circuit Specialists.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202521267/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

[tenwatt]

The closest Lowes is 30 minutes from here.  I went to The Shack during lunch and they sold me this 29-range meter for $20 since they didn't have the 15-range unit in stock.  WOOT!
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103176

[irmcdermott]

I bought this when I was Hong Kong. Works great. Doesn't do voltage, but my tiny RatShack one does. It does, however, do everything else i need it to!
http://www.uni-trend.com/UT603.html

[masterlk]

Hey folks - I have been looking for a MM myself. So when I read the specs on this model that Brian bought and it says for measuring resistance 400ohm - 4m ohm, does this mean that it won't read a 1M resistor? Sorry for the newb question, still learning.

Nick

Here's the one I just got. A bit spendy but it's nice. I've been using the same DMM for 5 years that I got free when I ordered my first soldering station from Circuit Specialists.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202521267/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

[irmcdermott]

it will.... think of "4m ohm" as "4M"

It wouldn't measure a 10M, like used at the input of the Slambox, but it will measure a 1M.

[CRBMoA]

One thing that often gets overlooked in these discussions is Continuity Testing.

I still use my 20 year old Rat Shack DMM for everything. I actually gave away my Harbor Freight DMM.

The Rat Shack auto ranges, no HFE or Capacitor measurements.

But HANDS DOWN the most important feature is an audible continuity tester for trouble shooting.

[madbean]

it will.... think of "4m ohm" as "4M"

It wouldn't measure a 10M, like used at the input of the Slambox, but it will measure a 1M.

It will read above and below what's stated... just outside the accuracy range specified in the specs. I read 10M and 47R off it no problem. I also measured a 470pF ceramic without problems.

Most likely you can find the same functionality in another DMM a bit cheaper. I bought the HD one cause it was convenient

[madbean]

Here's another:
http://www.harborfreight.com/general-merch/electrical/7-function-digital-multimeter-90899.html

$5

[irmcdermott]

it will.... think of "4m ohm" as "4M"

It wouldn't measure a 10M, like used at the input of the Slambox, but it will measure a 1M.

It will read above and below what's stated... just outside the accuracy range specified in the specs. I read 10M and 47R off it no problem. I also measured a 470pF ceramic without problems.

Most likely you can find the same functionality in another DMM a bit cheaper. I bought the HD one cause it was convenient

I stand corrected