i need a new multimeter... help????

bandmaster188

my £4.99 multimeter from amazon dosen't appear to be measuring mA, so i think its time to upgrade as i'm getting a bit more hands on with my amps. i know i should invest in a fluke but they are a bit out of budget for me at the moment. any suggestions on some cheaper reasonable quality ones. i have just seen a new fluke on ebay for £40 but it does appear very basic http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Fluke-101-Handheld-and-Easily-Carried-Digital-Multimeter-/161288099731?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item258d851793

what do you reckon clever techy folk?

EdGrip

That's basically a nicer, newer version of my Fluke 12B, which has served me well for more than half my life. Fluke's Fluke, man. ^_^

EdGrip

(That Fluke doesn't measure current either - it's a slightly more niche function.)

bandmaster188

EdGrip said:

(That Fluke doesn't measure current either - it's a slightly more niche function.)

there is the 15b model for 50 squid that does measure current, which would probably be quite useful for doing amp stuff

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FLUKE-15B-F15B-Auto-Range-Digital-Probe-Multimeter-Meter-/321389420921?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item4ad44d6179

 

 

 

EdGrip

If I were you, I'd save up the extra and get the 15b. You'll be sorted forever.

bandmaster188

i know i know i know, but its 50 quid. i was hoping to spend a tenner and get twice the performance of my  £5 skytronics meter :P

Gagaryn

I got a Socket & See DM240 for about £25 on eBay and it is excellent, they pop up there pretty regularly. Same as this -

http://www.applegate.co.uk/b2b-products-services/alpha-electronics/socket-and-see-dm/DM240-2283843.html

Gagaryn

Better link with more info but silly price - 

http://www.mcl-media.co.uk/socket-see-dm240-safety-digital-multimeter

EdGrip

I'm sure it's a totally cracking meter. The name makes me cringe. It makes me think of all those cans of earthily-named "Start Ya Bastard!(tm)" engine sprays and additives.

Gagaryn

Put me off too to be honest but it's really good.

bandmaster188

looking closer at those cheaper range flukes, on the boxes they are marked as saying "not for sale outside of china"

thats a bit of a worry!

equalsql

I picked up an Aidetek VC97  off ebay for about £23 last year and have been very impressed with it.
It's Fluke clone but I think it uses the same chipset as the fluke. Wide ranges and can read capaitor values too.  Definitely worth a look if you are on a budget.

ICBM

The Maplin 'Precision Gold' range is actually pretty decent and good value for money, if not in the same quality league as a Fluke.

bandmaster188

cheers fellas, quite like the look of that aidetek and the maplin ones. now to do some secret shopping so i don't get a slap from the mrs!

bandmaster188

what about this for £20 ????http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/precision-gold-pg017-digital-multimeter-gw24b

just bought this so don't tell me its shit!!

 

Gagaryn

That'll do the job! :-)

ICBM

That's a good one. I've got the older PG012.

ROOG

My maplin precision gold is still going strong 25 years down the line

bandmaster188

Cheers for the vote of confidence

thermionic

I once ordered a £150 Fluke when I worked for a telecoms company - for my own use in the lab. Less than six months later HR called me in one morning and told me to pick up my stuff and leave before they called security (along with the other 25 people they made redundant that day). Not a day goes by that I don't regret taking that Fluke with me!

Danny1969

When I got my Fluke 20 years ago it was £200 and another £120 for the calibration from RS

That one got nicked by I got another exact one to replace it which I still have