Need to Purchase New Volt/Multi Meter

[88bmwjeff]

So, I'm in the market for a new volt/multi meter. Amazon has a bunch of off-brand ones that do not seem to be that expensive. What are people's thoughts here? Choose one with a relatively high rating, or continue searching for one at an alternate store. Does anyone have any suggestions for one? Thanks in advance.

 

[GTRider]

I wouldn’t classify this as expensive, and Fluke is a very solid brand.

Amazon.com

Best,
DeVern

 

[jandhumphreyme]

I asked an electrician friend for multimeter recommendation, he suggested, Extech MA440, as I don't make a living with one. Reasonable price, good accuracy.

 

[rhbike]

I will second Fluke. If all you need is to check for voltage, a cheap test light can suffice. But if you need more than that, it's better to get a meter that is reliable and accurate. I used a Simpson bench meter for decades, from when I used to design/make custom computer boards, but that wasn't too handy for non-bench needs. I finally sprung for one of Fluke's better handheld meters with an optional clamp-on accessory. I only use the clamp-on for measuring current.

 

[omega man]

I have a couple of Simpson 260’s, some Fluke, OTC and some of the ones Harbor Freight used to give away with “coupons”. My favorite as it’s easier to use and I don’t have to remember how fancier ones operate is a Radio Shack 22-813.

I also have a couple of those. (NLA new)
With all that said, it depends on what you are going to use the meter for. I like the simplicity of the RS unit and use it weekly. The battery check feature is a great way to check on the condition of a device that has multiple alkaline batteries as with a device with 4 batteries will frequently have only one bad battery pulling the device down. I always check the complete battery load as well as the “new” batteries to be installed.
You are not going to be able to detect any real voltage fluctuating with a simple digital meter and will need a meter with a “sweep” meter such as the Simpson 260.
Fancy meters are great but I find that I have to think about their operation if I don’t use them regularly.
HTH
OM

 

[88bmwjeff]

Thanks for everyone's advice. While a Fluke meter would be a really good choice, it seems to be geared more towards the professional. I'm leaning towards the Klein MM420, which is about half the cost of the entry level Fluke. Klein seems to make good quality tools and should be sufficient for my needs.

MM420 on Klein's Website
MM420 on Amazon

 

[PGlaves]

I have several. Some mid-grade. Some cheap. The one thing I like the best is auto-ranging. One knob selection for AC volts, one for DC volts, one for ohms, one for diode test, etc. I find this a bit more convenient than my others.

 

[kbasa]

Thanks for everyone's advice. While a Fluke meter would be a really good choice, it seems to be geared more towards the professional. I'm leaning towards the Klein MM420, which is about half the cost of the entry level Fluke. Klein seems to make good quality tools and should be sufficient for my needs.

MM420 on Klein's Website
MM420 on Amazon

I have a few Klein tools for home electrical repair. I have a current detector that works on contact or in the vicinity of electricity, a gizmo you plug into an outlet, light bulb socket or attach with leads that will tell you which breaker controls the circuit and a pair of wire stripper from them (pretty sure). Decent stuff that has kept me from getting electrocuted so far.

My multimeter is the same one I got when my wife worked at Radio Shack in the late 70s, but I also bought a great big green thing at Harbor Freight that has a digital gauge. I probably use the HF one more: https://www.harborfreight.com/elect...-testers/5-in-1-digital-multimeter-98674.html

For my home user purposes, those two keep me covered. Iv'e got a freebie HF meter that will go in my tool roll before I roll out next summer.

 

[omega man]

Thanks for everyone's advice. While a Fluke meter would be a really good choice, it seems to be geared more towards the professional. I'm leaning towards the Klein MM420, which is about half the cost of the entry level Fluke. Klein seems to make good quality tools and should be sufficient for my needs.

MM420 on Klein's Website
MM420 on Amazon

The Klein products are good. Usually the Home Depot has a good assortment so you can see the items in person.
OM

 

[gloucesterman]

Fluke small multi meter, $29 on Amazon. Can't beat Fluke.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VNLS296?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

 

[robsryder]

For something to carry on the bike then small and inexpensive is my choice. I use something like this -

https://www.amazon.com/ALLOSUN-Multimeter-Capacitance-Frequency-Continuity/dp/B08HK295HK/ref=sr_1_5?crid=27RFE4RMJEKCO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.oqdi8h5r4ZABN58psMPpHXiguDQaxIp6_669htTcqfil7cFpRvM8o2IJBbsg9_wZiPdX5595mdKdbCl2IUAwxWo2cx5qI-hdmw_nnKPQaOw6H1YlXeQ1orbA1njvg3vIWPyoV6wILYb4_1iBh4QRvVxhLcXVQ0_CTQ-SS9H00CqyJ64FaYErcGPrjzAzn3RMNaXjPBfiu4H-npjRYO3Gn80rAmHzoySQuTPK9GPzNlwlRu3gs_81_e7fs3PEW9LIxQ2eqf2A0XNEgIGzzEQZxIZfKQNP82RAxe9Y2XuRTR0NlMk-UASFUI59A10IR3OFcgqfb-uwJQWOk82A0NAvLbc6Q-w5VXU11lrixQExjq8.KzclQ_Wifo5yP5OT0vI1FwLWMsF_Va-eguF8G9WJka0&dib_tag=se&keywords=small+multimeter&qid=1741027761&s=hi&sprefix=small+multimeter%2Ctools%2C66&sr=1-5

For use at home (including tinkering with electronics) there are many choices. Some devices have integrated oscilloscopes with the multimeter -

https://www.amazon.com/FNIRSI-Oscilloscope-Bandwidth-Multimeter-Generator/dp/B0D6VX6BFL/ref=sr_1_5?sr=8-5

There are a lot of pretty good, relatively inexpensive choices. Here are links to some that I've used and worked well for my purposes -

https://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-69149P-Multimeter-Noncontact/dp/B09C6MGD7J/ref=sr_1_5?s=hi&sr=1-5

https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-Applications-Measurements-Capacitance-Capabilities/dp/B01IH41CUW/ref=sr_1_8?s=hi&sr=1-8

Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

Fluke multimeters will tend towards the more expensive. Dave Jones of eeV Blog has a nice YouTube Video that explains why Fluke meters are more costly.

 

[robsryder]

Fluke small multi meter, $29 on Amazon. Can't beat Fluke.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VNLS296?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

I nearly pulled the trigger on this, if true. Alas, more checking reveals that one is only getting the soft case, not the actual multi-meter. A very misleading ad.

 

[riderr1150gsadv]

I have that Allosun meter and, for on the bike, it is the perfect size and does what I need it for. For home use I have a more professional meter. YMMV

 

[gloucesterman]

I nearly pulled the trigger on this, if true. Alas, more checking reveals that one is only getting the soft case, not the actual multi-meter. A very misleading ad.

Sorry, my bad, too quick checking my orders on Amazon. The meter itself is no longer available via Amazon. I paid $50 for it in 2017, still going strong.

 

[61996]

I've been using this one for what seems like decades. Its bulletproof.
And its on sale too!

Joe

 

[CaptCF]

I have a few Klein tools for home electrical repair. I have a current detector that works on contact or in the vicinity of electricity, a gizmo you plug into an outlet, light bulb socket or attach with leads that will tell you which breaker controls the circuit and a pair of wire stripper from them (pretty sure). Decent stuff that has kept me from getting electrocuted so far.

My multimeter is the same one I got when my wife worked at Radio Shack in the late 70s, but I also bought a great big green thing at Harbor Freight that has a digital gauge. I probably use the HF one more: https://www.harborfreight.com/elect...-testers/5-in-1-digital-multimeter-98674.html

For my home user purposes, those two keep me covered. Iv'e got a freebie HF meter that will go in my tool roll before I roll out next summer.

I have those same Klein tools. The second one was a big upgrade over

"click"
"NOW IS IT OFF?"
"NOOOO"
"OK HOW ABOUT NOW?"

followed by running around and resetting all the clocks and appliances I reset while breaker hunting

 

[kbasa]

I have those same Klein tools. The second one was a big upgrade over

"click"
"NOW IS IT OFF?"
"NOOOO"
"OK HOW ABOUT NOW?"

followed by running around and resetting all the clocks and appliances I reset while breaker hunting

No kidding. Our house has been renovated a couple times before we bought it and there are two sets of labels on the panel. Some match, some don't, so a rainy day project will be assigning numbers to the relays and labeling all the switches and outlets with that number in a tiny little Ptouch sticker where you won't even notice it.

The non-contact current tester works pretty well on bikes, I'm finding.

 

[omega man]

For circuit tracing a device like this is frequently adequate-

https://www.harborfreight.com/circuit-breaker-detective-96934.html

For a considerably more accurate trace, Greenlee is the one-



Both require a bit of practice due to wire “chase” proximity. The Greenlee shines on stacked wire proximity.

OM