Well 4 years ago when i was a freshman in HS and my cuz took me on as an apprentice in his shop. But now its time to move on. I have been basaclly using his tools the entire time and now i am putting together my own tool kit. One thing i learned there was that DMM is probally your most important tool. And thus i am anal about finding the "perfect" one but i have yet to succeed. So i was wondering what is your meters and if you could link me to the features. I don't know all i want in a meter, but i will definitly know when i see it.
I prefer
Fluke meters. A little pricey perhaps but always accurate, rugged, and reliable.
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Support the12volt.comi use uei. i have 2 one has probe leads. the other is clamp on meter. i noticed tho its about 1-2 percent off of most flukes. my dad has about 5 flukes one is real cool. cant give the model #'s cause its top secret.
(i don't rember it) but if you can afford it go with fluke.
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I've got a mix of Craftsman meters and Fluke. I use my Craftsman meter (the cheapest auto ranging one they carry) on a day to day basis. When the Craftsman meter isn't 'good' enough to do something I break out the Fluke 189 or the Fluke 787.
The Craftsman meter I have measures frequency, which is nice. Back in the day, I had a Craftsman meter (middle of the road one) that was ran over by a 1997 Jeep Cherokee in the bay, still worked until the day it was stolen out of my truck!
In my personal opinion Fluke meters are completely overkill for day to day installations. But, like I said, there are certain instances (measure lock actuator wires on newer computer controlled cars, for example) that the speed of a Fluke meter really comes in handy.
The Fluke 89 is a great meter, as is the 85 also.
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Kevin Pierson
I think i am gonna go for the fluke. Meters pay for themselves, and why skimp now its acuracy and speed is probally gonna be a must in a couple years. But I saw an interesting feature on this craftsmen meter it had a signal out, were you can vary the Hz of the signal. Does a fluke meter have this?
My Fluke 189 will do frequency, I'm not sure about my 787 (the 787 is a process meter though, not for really needed for cars). I believe fluke makes an automotive meter, you may want to look in to that one.
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Kevin Pierson