Printer Friendly Forum Posts - what brand is a good DMM

I currently have DMM, im not sure on the name, but its a cheap 25.00 meter, I am looking to buy a new, the screen just goes blank, I put new batteries in it still, goes blank , so i am looking for a new one, and im just wanting to know what brand y'all use, model #, or suggest to get

thanks

There's several good brands out there- Fluke, Beckman Instruments, Simpson. You can now go to Sears and buy one of the more basic Flukes for about 120.00.

Get a fluke DMM, or a bluepoint.

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~The Rookie~
Rookie of the year that is...
Don't let the smoke out of your equiptment..it doesn't go back in.

stinger makes a good one too, im not sure how much it costs though

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i really like flukes but cheap ones will usually work fine if you dont do much work with one, autoranging is extreamly nice...

Regardless of what brand you decide to go with. I would ask you to consider this purchase as an investment, such as with any quality tool you will be using day in, and day out.

1. Does it have all the features you require?

2. Warranty, does the unit have the standard one year warranty, or does it offer a lifetime warranty in which it also includes recalibration without costs to the user?

3. Is the unit drop tested to with stand normal abuse without the *toy* like reliability which is prevalent in this market place?

4. Is the unit CAT III certified for DCV, and CAT IV for ACV which will protect you.

5. Accuracy: Is the unit accurate in all aspects of voltage, resistance, current, and time scaling. Which will enable you to be informed of the facts.

6. Human ergonomics: Does the unit function and operate with ease, without button pushing like a cheap arcade game?

All of these things you will find in a Fluke meter. The most important aspect is the customer service, after the sale. And from personal experiece with Fluke tech support and warranty dept, they are number one.

No BS, no grey . . .

Just my thoughts

Regards

EVIL Teken . . .

As mentioned here a decent Fluke would be a great choice depending on how much you plan to use it. Auto-ranging would definately be a big plus. Cheap meters will work for the basics, but can be very frustrating to use.

I bought a meter @ radio shack maybe 7 - 8 years ago and I loved it. I threw that thing around and abused it more than you can imagine and it still worked great everytime. Just recently it died on me so I picked up another radio shack meter. I guess times have changed because the new one was a total POS and I bought a sears one a few days later..Not too bad for a cheap meter, but not the greatest. Now I'm just waiting for sears to get in/order the fluke I want. Good luck,

Mike

i have a flute model #73

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mecp certified installer

flute model#73

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mecp certified installer

what do Y'all think about buying one at sears, they have a few I seen fluke model #73 also i looked at Fluke 111 and fluke 112 DMMs out of those the 112 said it has a IEC CAT III 600V safety rating, which TEKEN spoke of is this rare in meters because if i am correct the model #73 did not have this and niether did the 111....

anymore suggestions

ps those where in my price range about 150 bucks

thanks again you guys

I looked at some meters at sears the model #73 not badly priced I also looked at the 111 dmm and the 112 dmm, the 112 meter said it had IEC CAT III 600V safety rating, which teken mentioned, is this good? and do most meters have this rating?

thanks for your help

Doug

Doug,

I would suggest that you go with the 73 / 77 model. The primary reason is that it offers a Lifetime warranty, and the other 111 / 112 only offer a 3 year warranty.

All three meters are great choices. But, just so you know you will find much better, and more competitive prices on the internet.

So, my suggestion is to first go down and read over all the specifications via the fluke web site. Then go down to your friendly sears store, and play with them.

Having one in your hand, will let you know if this is the type of meter you need. You want to be comfortable with the tools you have at hand. So spend a few minutes asking questions and using the features, to see if they do what you need.

Any of the Fluke products will do what you ask, and will do them well. It comes down to costs, features, and warranty.

For the average *Shade Tree Mech* I would go with the unit with a Lifetime warranty, just in case.

Regards

EVIL Teken . . .

Also, the four levels of CAT are more important *IF* sometime down the road you will be working in alot of residential and commercial applications.

It will protect you from single and three phase over voltage conditions.

Better to have, then to need later . . .

This is one of those tools which you do not want to skimp on, as your safety is the paramount reason for selecting a great product that will be accurate, perform consistently, and protect you in an event of a over voltage condition.

Just my thoughts on that

Regards

EVIL Teken . . .

Thanks, Teken 4 your help

Fluke 73 ser 3 is a deadly meter. 600v cat 2 spec. You shouldn't need anymore than that unless you are planning to do some high voltage work anyways.

Had mine for 3 yrs now and it hasn't missed a beat and has everything I need.

Happy shopping!

Thanks for the reply Catdoogan

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If we learn from each success and
each failure, then we can improve ourselves

ive been installing profesionaly for 7 years now and fluke is the only meter in my opinion, cheap meters are exactly that CHEAP if its somthing your going to be relying on pay the extra cash and get the best

Well I finally picked up my meter and went with the Fluke 73 III. It has all the basics you need for this industry not many people need anything above it. Went for I think $134.99 at Sears. It should hold me over until I get my old faithful radio shack meter fixed.

Mike

NowYaKnow wrote:

It should hold me over until I get my old faithful radio shack meter fixed.

LMAO... I think almost all new comers have purchased a Radio Shack DMM as their first starter unit.

Works great for most people, and does get the job done. I hope everyone who reads this thread doesnt get the wrong impression about alternative meters. With 2004 well under way, even the cheapest DMM does offer alot of bang for the buck, for those on a budget.

So buy what you can afford now, and save up for that Fluke when you are able to. It will make you realize that a name does come at a cost, which translates to unsurpassed reliability and performance.

Regards

EVIL Teken . . .

i save up for a long time planning the purchase of my fluke 112, but then my dad got it for me for chrismas this year. what a guy. i used my saved money to buy all the necessary test leads/connectors from matco.

i love it, couldnt be happier. it comes with the rubber shock case and is drop proof up to 1 meter with out the case i think (could be with). its back lit which isnt anything big if you have a shop light under the dash but its usefull when you do need it. plenty of features and its rather ergonomic.

i give it a 10 on satisfaction and overall value.

well thanks guys for your replys, I'm going to go with the fluke 73 at sears for about a 135.00...

Thanks again

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If we learn from each success and
each failure, then we can improve ourselves

Shop the Internet first, you can save a few bucks doing so.

Regards

EVIL Teken . . .

but what about the warranty, do you feel the warranty factor would be good online or better at a dept. store

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If we learn from each success and
each failure, then we can improve ourselves

I have a fluke #111 and like it.

Did you purchase it online or at a dept. store ?

Doug

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If we learn from each success and
each failure, then we can improve ourselves

fluke 87....has built in RMS and more, 77 is also good, might want to get one that has true amps(at least 10a) measureing so you can trace current 'leaks' and more....

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Danw2002, 20+ years doing custom nut ball things...in Seattle..

CLEAN INSTALL wrote:

but what about the warranty, do you feel the warranty factor would be good online or better at a dept. store

The warranty is the same from any authorized dealer. I just thought you should shop around to save a few bucks.

Not everyone has money to burn, or was born with a silver spoon in their mouth . . . posted_image

Shop around, and you will be surprised to see saving from 5% to 25% for various models.

Buying last years models, is always a guarantee on some savings.

The only thing left to say on the meter info, is to test the unit once a month, to ensure that all features are fully functional.

Very easy to do . . .

Regards

EVIL Teken . . .

Thanks again Teken.....

Im been looking....my paychecks though seem to be getting smaller posted_image no really and I am working the same amount of hours ???????????

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If we learn from each success and
each failure, then we can improve ourselves

CLEAN INSTALL wrote:

my paychecks though seem to be getting smaller no really and I am working the same amount of hours ???????????

LMFAO . . . Welcome to my world !! I have been working since I was ten years old. And I still feel that I am being paid $3.65 and hour . . . posted_image

Regards

EVIL Teken . . .

heh think we are all in that same boat... or close to it

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Currently, my main meters are a Fluke 88, BluePoint, some off-brand yellow Fluke-lookin wannabe, a Radio Shack data logging meter and a big boxful of Waveteks.

I've had the Fluke for about a decade now. Last year I personally calibrated it.. I was surprised how accurate it still was. I've got lots of extras for it; pressure vacuum module, IR temp probe, Thermocouple module, RPM pickup, half dozen current transformers, and a mess of various test leads. I really like the 'bed of nails' type aligator clip.. very helpful for probing wires.

I only wish the fuses for the Fluke were cheaper.. one day I'll set up a pair of test leads with an inline fuse to prevent popping the meter fuse.. at least I can find the fuses now at Lowes and Home Depot.. but they usually run about $5 each.

Of course, I recommend the Fluke meter.. but you can get a cheapo until you have the money for the Fluke.. once you have the Fluke, you can use the cheapo for doing current measurements. That's what I've ended up doing.. it saves me a fortune buying fuses. I always end up doing a current measurement, then attempting to measure voltage (but leaving the meter on current setting.. fuses don't last long like that.)

Also, it's sometimes handy to be able to monitor multiple points all at once..

Hope this helps..

Jim