Multimeters ? What to look for ?

[Sharpie]

I'm in the market for a multimeter but, don't know how far to go....price, feature wise and have been looking at a couple of products from one of our sister compaines:

 

http://www.fluke.co.uk/comx/show_product.aspx?pid=125&product=AUTO&type=2&locale=uken

 

http://www.fluke.co.uk/comx/show_product.aspx?pid=29983&product=HMA&type=4&locale=uken

 

or should I start small and if my needs grow, upgrade ?

 

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_217852_langId_-1_CarSelectorCatalogId__varient__categoryId_31477_crumb_33958-31562-38315_parentcategoryrn_38315

 

Thanks for any advice.

[steb9780]

I have that one from Halfrauds, been a good little meter for me personally. At has done everything I have needed so far.

 

I would say it's ideal for somebody that isn't using one professionally i.e. a occasionally/diy auto elctric user.

[uk-rich]

if you can afford it get the fluke, thats what i use and they are very good, good for me i didn't have to buy one

[Digsy]

I'm in the market for a multimeter but, don't know how far to go....price, feature wise and have been looking at a couple of products from one of our sister compaines:

 

http://www.fluke.co.uk/comx/show_product.aspx?pid=125&product=AUTO&type=2&locale=uken

 

http://www.fluke.co.uk/comx/show_product.aspx?pid=29983&product=HMA&type=4&locale=uken

 

or should I start small and if my needs grow, upgrade ?

 

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_217852_langId_-1_CarSelectorCatalogId__varient__categoryId_31477_crumb_33958-31562-38315_parentcategoryrn_38315

 

Thanks for any advice.

 

As with anything, it depends on what you expect to be able to do with it. I'm fairly well into hobby electronics but I've only ever had 2-for-1 £9.99 multimeters from Maplin.

 

What are you planning?

[Ian C]

Same here Digsy. I go into Maplins and ask for the cheapest and nastiest multimeter they have. £4.99 was my record. They can check resistance, they can read up to 20v, that's all I ever need.

 

-Ian

[Sharpie]

Thanks all

[jaymdee]

I got one for about £4 inc postage from Ebay. Works a treat, all the measurements you could ever need (and then some). Arrived next day too

[edge]

If you want a nice meter then its fluke for good value aswel. If you just want one for checking and not to bothered about accuracy then go cheapo.

[Chris Wilson]

There's some really nice Laptop and PC based automotive software these days, too, including some excellent oscilloscope software. Maybe that would appeal?

[T2 MSW]

The Fluke is an excelent peice of kit but it depends what you want - I have had my fluke for 5 years now and its been faultless.

 

My dad has had his since I can remember or since I first got involved in electronics so thats over 20 years then - still going strong - perhaps needs battery change every 10 years thats about it!

[Muffleman]

There's some really nice Laptop and PC based automotive software these days, too, including some excellent oscilloscope software. Maybe that would appeal?

 

Well I would be interested, you got any more information Chris ?

[Sharpie]

There's some really nice Laptop and PC based automotive software these days, too, including some excellent oscilloscope software. Maybe that would appeal?

 

Hehe, buy a scope.....it never crossed my mind

 

I work for the global market leader in scopes but, our products are more at the bench level in R&D dept's than at the belt level that I was looking for.

 

I think I'll start off small and work my way up..

[Chris Wilson]

http://www.picotech.com/

[Muffleman]

Thanks Chris.

[edge]

Or buy a fluke with a scope built in.