NMD? (I need a new Multimeter)

[davent]

I got an Extech MN47 from Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Extech-Instruments-MN47-Function-MultiMeter/dp/B003WFJ0UG

Plenty good enough for what I'm doing, and I use it 100% for pedal circuit testing and part value verification. It doesn't measure transistor gain, but I have a separate tester for that.

I won't cut it for heavy field use, but it's good enough (and then some) for most hobbyists. The non-contact voltage detection is also handy if you're replacing household outlets or similar.

I've had one of these Extechs for a number of years now and works great. I've also an old Fluke bench top found on ebay and a few cheapies with the hfe function. The Extech is the one in constant use.

https://www.amazon.com/Extech-Instruments-EX330-Autoranging-Temperature/dp/B000EX0AE4/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1490917184&sr=1-1&keywords=ex330

dave

[Timko]

Thanks community!  After these responses, I think I'll pick up an Extech.  I'm sure down the road I'll pick up a 2nd (and 3rd) one, but this looks perfect for my needs now.

[Timko]

I got this for 12 US and it seems to work really well for testing components.  It goes lower than my VC97 for measuring CAPs  plus the lever socket thingy makes life easy.  That is the real technical term for those blue lever socket thingies.  It's not a DMM but it is a good supplemental  device.

What is this and where do I get it?  This looks really handy.

[EBRAddict]

I've gone through several of those, they aren't bad for the price, but they don't hold up very well. I found the cap measurement and lead/pin identification for diodes and transistors worked great. hFE not so good. It's a low resolution device so there's big gaps between what it will show, ie you may see 77 hFE and the next step is 112, with nothing in between.

The screen cracked on one pretty easily, the other the voltage regulator flaked out. On another one of the buttons crapped out. I found the one with the character LCD screen (not the graphics one) held up better than the others.

[somnif]

What is this and where do I get it?  This looks really handy.

You can find them all over Ebay and amazon. A few are even in kit form to satisfy your DIY craving. Can usually be found by just searching "Transistor tester" (even though most will test many things beyond that) and are about 20$ these days. Yeah build quality is... debatable and accuracy is what you'd expect for 20$ but if you're a hobbyist on a budget they're not bad.

[lego4040]

Blearyeyes, I got one of those with the case and it works great. I love the features and addin extras you can attach. I need to use it and learn more of its features

[Timko]

So a quick follow up:  I began researching some multimeters, and I stumbled upon a forum devoted to nothing but them. Holy balls, talk about information overload.  The forum is dedicated to a lot of testing gear that is very expensive, but what a great resource none the less.

Check out my post here and the suggestions people have given:
www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/hello!-new-member-with-multimeter-questions/msg1178553/

The Uni-T UT139C seems to be a very popular $50 DMM.  This forum not only looks at features, but construction and safety of the boards and components inside (super cool).  On top of that, I think I'm going to try to fix my wonky DMM with help from these people!

[thesmokingman]

fluke 179 ... not because I'm a fluke elitist but because I wanted to buy one meter and be done with it. I'd suffered with the fluctuation and crappy readings of cheap digitals for years before making that move.

[Timko]

Here's a cool list of recommended DMMs:

http://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/a-list-of-recommended-multimeters/

The Brymen's are also very well reviewed, and should be on the level of the Fluke.

[Benumb]

I'm going with the Mastech MS8229. cool price. need temp and condo

[krisk]

Has anyone tried one of these? http://www.ebay.com/itm/FLUKE-101-Portable-Handheld-Digital-Multimeter-Tester-F101-15B-Smaller-Version-/351230522178?hash=item51c6f87342:g:yM4AAOSw9IpXxp0-#rwid

[somnif]

Has anyone tried one of these? http://www.ebay.com/itm/FLUKE-101-Portable-Handheld-Digital-Multimeter-Tester-F101-15B-Smaller-Version-/351230522178?hash=item51c6f87342:g:yM4AAOSw9IpXxp0-#rwid

As a note if you're going to buy a fluke, Ebay is not an authorized retailer, so no warranty. And that model is only 8$ more from amazon. I'd pay for the peace of mind at that rate.

[lego4040]

I bought one of those 12$ tranny testers and love it as a 2nd tester for the small stuff

[Timko]

FYI, this is the one I ended up getting after quite a bit of research.  It cost me $38 from Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Signstek-UNI-T-UT139C-Digital-Multimeters/dp/B00XOSD79G

If I was going to buy a more expensive ($100+) meter, I believe I would go this this one in terms of quality vs. features
https://www.amazon.com/EEVblog-BM235-Brymen-Multimeter/dp/B01JZ1ADCO

Now I'm on the hunt for some new probes for testing.  These look AMAZING (alligator clips, spring clips, tiny bendy leads to getting into boards), but at $50, my leads would cost more than my DMM...
http://probemaster.com/8000-series-test-lead-master-kits/

[davent]

The type of lead i use most besides the probes that came with my meter are the grabber type. I bought a pair of Pomana's from Digikey and they're really nice quality, just wish i bought ones with longer leads.



dave