Cheap Multimeter

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#83
Perry Babin said:
This is only for the amateur that will use it a few times to repair their own amp. For someone in the business of repairing amplifiers, I strongly recommend Fluke meters.

Two of the most important 'requirements' are that it's auto-ranging. I've had too many problems with people who could not get their meter on the correct range.

Another requirement is that it must not read DC as AC. Too many cheap meters will read 12v DC as a significant AC voltage when the meter is set to AC voltage but connected to a DC source. This interferes with readings where you need to see if there is AC voltage on a point where where there is a DC bias (like on the drains of the power supply FETs).

The meter also needs to be relatively fast. Most cheap auto-ranging meters take about 1 second to step through each range. If it has to step through 5 ranges, that's 5 seconds per reading. That's extremely annoying. The meter shouldn't take more than a second to read the value of a resistor. This one takes longer than 1 second but it's better than several of the others that I've tried.
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Nice, for $30 I'm all in! where did you buy it Perry?
I'm exactly that kind of guy 🙂 (no, not too cheap, just the every now and then amp repair guy 😀)
 
#84
If you're referring to the VC97, ebay. The used Fluke 12s are a better deal even though they cost a bit more. If you think the vc97 would be good enough, go buy the extech 3320 from walmart. It's $25. If you don't like it, you can return it.

The UT61A was probably the best cheap meter so far. If you're going to buy a budget meter from ebay, try to find one of those.

Most people don't realize how bad a cheap meter is until they use a good meter. Cheap meters will generally get the job done but a good meter will provide reliable readings and won't leave you guessing as to what the readings mean (read through the comments for other meters for examples).
 
#85
Got a UT61E also after the Fluke 17B. Never a meter too many. 🙂 Very fast, faster than the A, 22000 count, true RMS, PC logger, capacitors range fine, continuity mode fine & non screechy. Check at places like DinoDirect and Ebay. Even near $50 with bonus coupons, normally around $60.
 
#87
luka said:
look at
EEVblog #99 - $100 Multimeter Shootout - Extech Amprobe BK Precision Ideal UEi Uni-T PART 1of2 - YouTube=

and

EEVblog #99 - $100 Multimeter Shootout - Extech Amprobe BK Precision Ideal UEi Uni-T PART 2of2 - YouTube=

or

EEVblog #91 - $50 Multimeter Shootout - Extech EX330, Amprobe AM220, Elenco, Vichy VC99, GS Pro-50 - YouTube=

for cheaper units
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I was JUST about to recommend watching these videos. The videos are a little old now, but I would stay away from those Vichy/Victor brands or one's you really haven't heard of.

I have a lot of trust in a brand called Amprobe. Amazing value. They are a reputable brand and they have a lot to live up to so their products do not dissapoint and are quite cheap in comparison to similar specced equipment.
 
#88
I've been using a tenma for years, worked great bouncing around in our shop at Circuit City and still works fine for my current job. The only thing that's ever worn was the leads and I just blew the fuse a few days ago (like an idiot.. measuring too much current) If I remember, it was about $30 total, but of course models have changed several times since then.
 
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