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Author Topic: Multimeter recommendations- help purchasing  (Read 2227 times)

Weaver

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Multimeter recommendations- help purchasing
« on: June 26, 2020, 12:23:21 AM »

my multimeter is getting a bit long in the tooth, so I looked around at Amazon for a replacement. I went to amazon.co.uk, fell in and drowned. Could someone recommend a model or help me choose one? Just the usual basic functions.
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Chunkers

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Re: Multimeter recommendations- help purchasing
« Reply #1 on: June 26, 2020, 09:32:47 AM »

My personal view is you want good auto-ranging and protection and with a nice big screen (my eyesight is crap) , there are some really good expert reviewers online, I like bigclive personally.

If you can afford it and the professional choice is usually Fluke (or maybe Amecal) but they are expensive, if you are prepared to buy direct from China (where they are made) on ebay and avoid the copies / counterfeits you can get them at much reduced prices and still with the same quality. I bought mine like this and its a great piece of gear and about 50% of retail price in UK. My Fluke is an FCH17 not sold in UK but I bought for £80, the UK equivalent on Amazon is around £200

If you just want it for voltage testing get a voltage tester, they are cheaper. For messing about and if you want super cheap you will need to do some research as there is some real crap out there, suggest you start with the reviews on YouTube.

C
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sevenlayermuddle

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Re: Multimeter recommendations- help purchasing
« Reply #2 on: June 26, 2020, 09:59:52 AM »

One suggestion I’d make is, take a look at what somebody who specialises, like RS Components, have to offer.

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/test-measurement/multimeters-accessories/digital-multimeters/

...RS do sell sone high end stuff, on that link, you probably want to order on ascending price. 


Or maybe others too, like Farnell. I personally like RS because they use Next Day Parcel Force, for my postcode at least.   Only downside is they’ve recently added a £30 minimum spend for free delivery for private (non business) sales, though it seems a bit sporadic whether they apply it or not.

Buying from Amazon, I’d probably just buy pretty much the cheapest, within reason.  That way, if it turns out to be complete and useless tat, it’s not cost me much.   And I’ll probably have learned a bit about DMMs in the process, so I’d be more confident spending more bucks on something better.

If you do go for Amazon, I find reviews on gear like this can be useful.  Fake reviews are easier to spot as genuine reviewers  generally want to show off a bit, demonstrating their understanding (or more often misunderstanding) of basic electronics.
« Last Edit: June 26, 2020, 10:02:02 AM by sevenlayermuddle »
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tickmike

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Re: Multimeter recommendations- help purchasing
« Reply #3 on: June 26, 2020, 10:09:07 AM »

+1 for using RS or Farnell.

I use a Fluke 73, years old, reliable just needs new battery now and again.

I also have my fathers AVO 9  ;D which still works well.
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parkdale

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Re: Multimeter recommendations- help purchasing
« Reply #4 on: June 26, 2020, 10:29:20 AM »

I also own a Fluke 73 which I bought years ago, but still works perfectly, but still pricey!
R S Components have this one https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/digital-multimeters/1611625/ which is good value and from a known source and should be at least Class 3 minimum compliant.
If your after the simplest type look for "Auto ranging" as you only have to select voltage/resistance etc and it will do the rest, and will save the hassle of turning the dial.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Fluke-101-Basic-Handheld-and-Easily-Carried-Digital-Multimeter-CAT-III-600V/273069256164? is the one I would go for.

Added Fluke 101 link
« Last Edit: June 26, 2020, 10:53:14 AM by parkdale »
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Weaver

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Re: Multimeter recommendations- help purchasing
« Reply #5 on: June 26, 2020, 11:14:30 AM »

Good tips thank you re RS and Farnell used to use both at work many moons ago. And using Royal Mail delivery is very important up here where we get constant geo-racism or whatever the word might be for discrimination against postcodes. What indeed would be a good word? - one that doesn’t trivialise and abuse the term ‘racism’?

Auto-ranging would be nice, a usability enhancement.

I’m utterly amazed at the low prices I’ve seen.

Thank you to all, and keep ’em coming if you’re willing.
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jelv

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Re: Multimeter recommendations- help purchasing
« Reply #6 on: June 26, 2020, 11:14:59 AM »

It depends what you want to use it for. My needs are very simple - I wouldn't pay more than £5 to £10, the one I bought I got from one of the cheap tool stalls at a country fair - it looks very like this: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Lorenlli-Multimeter-Continuity-Voltmeter-Ohmmeter-Yellow/dp/B088682NQW/ref=sr_1_11?crid=3EYARJGZVKJIP&dchild=1&keywords=multimeter&qid=1593166160&sprefix=multi%2Caps%2C151&sr=8-11
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Weaver

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Re: Multimeter recommendations- help purchasing
« Reply #7 on: June 26, 2020, 11:24:52 AM »

My needs will be basic testing, buzzing out tests, fault finding. nothing high end nor anything that requires very high voltage, current or very hugh frequencies.
« Last Edit: June 26, 2020, 12:42:31 PM by Weaver »
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4candles

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Re: Multimeter recommendations- help purchasing
« Reply #8 on: June 26, 2020, 11:43:03 AM »

I agree with jelv that you don't need to spend a lot for general home use.
I'm very happy with my £10 Powerfix meter from Lidl a few years ago. They reappear in the store every so often, and there's a detailed look here -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=16&v=ufx3rhCTmpY&feature=emb_logo
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roseway

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Re: Multimeter recommendations- help purchasing
« Reply #9 on: June 26, 2020, 12:31:08 PM »

I loved this line in the link jelv quoted:

"New (1) from £0.01 + £32.97 Shipping" ;D
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sevenlayermuddle

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Re: Multimeter recommendations- help purchasing
« Reply #10 on: June 26, 2020, 12:31:28 PM »


Giving it more thought...

Apart from two Avo 8s in a cupboard, I’m still using a cheap DMM I bought in Maplin, about 10 years ago.

Features I like....

Mine has a maximum resistance scale of 20MΩ whereas I see some may be somewhat less. I do find the larger range is useful as it can sometimes confirm that unexpected leakage is present. It’s  no substitute for a proper leakage tester as used by an electrician but, since I don’t possess such a thing, so it is better than useless.

One thing mine has, and I’d miss, is a transistor gain test.   I thought that was a common feature, but actually seems more rare than I thought.  Probably of no interest to OP.

Mine also has a capacitor measurement.  That is useful but less so, and again, probably not much relevance here.

A feature I’d like to see but not sure if any have it, is auto power off.  It is so easy to find myself picking it up after a few weeks disuse, to find I’ve left it switched on and battery flat. :-X
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licquorice

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Re: Multimeter recommendations- help purchasing
« Reply #11 on: June 26, 2020, 02:14:04 PM »

I agree with jelv that you don't need to spend a lot for general home use.
I'm very happy with my £10 Powerfix meter from Lidl a few years ago. They reappear in the store every so often, and there's a detailed look here -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=16&v=ufx3rhCTmpY&feature=emb_logo

You mean you aren't still using your trusty Meter Multi Range 12D like me?  :) :)
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g3uiss

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Re: Multimeter recommendations- help purchasing
« Reply #12 on: June 26, 2020, 03:30:13 PM »

I also have my fathers AVO 9  ;D which still works well.

I still use my AVO not found anything it can’t do very well

[Moderator edited to fix the broken [quote] tag.]
« Last Edit: June 26, 2020, 04:03:48 PM by burakkucat »
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licquorice

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Re: Multimeter recommendations- help purchasing
« Reply #13 on: June 26, 2020, 03:34:33 PM »

[quote

I also have my fathers AVO 9  ;D which still works well.

I still use my AVO not found anything it can’t do very well

Yep, can't beat a good analogue meter, all this digital stuff will never catch on!!  :lol: :lol:
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burakkucat

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Re: Multimeter recommendations- help purchasing
« Reply #14 on: June 26, 2020, 04:14:28 PM »

Yep, can't beat a good analogue meter, all this digital stuff will never catch on!!  :lol: :lol:

I have a new and unused "Detector No4, Mk10" tucked away somewhere in The Grotto.

A "Beattie Bellman" branded "Beckmann Industrial BIL/86/1 MMF1A" is my DMM of choice.
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