is this analog multimeter acceptable???????

tron guy

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Tron guy: That link you posted, it's ok for a bottom-of-the-line analog meter. You're still going to have to unsolder most resistors from a board to test them properly. Most of the time in solid state circuitry you'll get false readings in-circuit because of other resistors, diodes, transistors, and IC's connected to it. This is regardless of whether you use an analog meter or digital meter.

Analog meter are great for testing pots because you can watch for a smooth swing of the needle. That indicates a good pot. A bad pot would cause the needle to jump all over the place.

Most techs that use analog meters use the Simpson model 260 series. It's been in production for 60 years! Here is a website devoted to the history of them and rebuilding them:

http://www.simpson260.com/

At the shop of the old operator I worked at for 25 years, we frequently used a 50-year-old Simpson 260 because it was so accurate (and rugged).

If at all possible, buy a Simpson 260. New or used.
 
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simpson 260 vom is tough to beat (literally). We used them when i was in electronics school. All of my teachers were retired military electronics techs, and they all swore by them.
 
simpson 260 vom is tough to beat (literally). We used them when i was in electronics school. All of my teachers were retired military electronics techs, and they all swore by them.

Yep, That's how I was introduced to them. All my electronics instructors were retired military electronics techs from either the Air Force or the Navy. Also at my last job as a field tech for Crown lift trucks. They swore by them as well.
 
ok well I have 10 of them on my watch list now, hopefully I win one of them at a reasonable price, thanks.
 
unless you specifically want an analog meter, i'd suggest going with a digital auto-ranging meter. decent to good ones can be had for $10-$50 new with slight variations in features, or you can always drop a little over $100 on a Fluke and have a meter that'll last you the rest of your life.
 
I use my analog meter 90% of the time vs my digital one. A Simpson 260 will outlast it's owner many times over. I prefer analog meters.
 
Tron guy: That link you posted, it's ok for a bottom-of-the-line analog meter. You're still going to have to unsolder most resistors from a board to test them properly. Most of the time in solid state circuitry you'll get false readings in-circuit because of other resistors, diodes, transistors, and IC's connected to it. This is regardless of whether you use an analog meter or digital meter.

Analog meter are great for testing pots because you can watch for a smooth swing of the needle. That indicates a good pot. A bad pot would cause the needle to jump all over the place.

Most techs that use analog meters use the Simpson model 260 series. It's been in production for 60 years! Here is a website devoted to the history of them and rebuilding them:

http://www.simpson260.com/

At the shop of the old operator I worked at for 25 years, we frequently used a 50-year-old Simpson 260 because it was so accurate (and rugged).

If at all possible, buy a Simpson 260. New or used.


Thank Ken for the recommendation! I grew up using my dad's analog meter, and I have been using a digital for 15 years now, but I always wanted to have an analog for testing pots!
 
news year resolution I guess, get a decent multimeter. :)

I will be looking for the next few weeks.
 
I use my analog meter 90% of the time vs my digital one. A Simpson 260 will outlast it's owner many times over. I prefer analog meters.

I have on the toolbench my Grandpas 260 which my father also used (both electricians for GM)
It is reserved for special occasions :D
 
I use a Triplett 630 very nice.

Triplett_630-PL_VOM_scan.jpg
 
The one you bought isn't a Simpson 260, it's a Micronta which is sold at Radio Shack, or at least they used to be.

Heh, I have that one (the same one he won in the auction)...unfortunately, on one of my test leads, the banana plug broke so it won't stay in the plug.
 
The one you bought isn't a Simpson 260, it's a Micronta which is sold at Radio Shack, or at least they used to be.

ok what am I missing here? The auction says simpson 260, the description says simpson 260, and this guy is selling me a knockoff meter?
 
ok what am I missing here? The auction says simpson 260, the description says simpson 260, and this guy is selling me a knockoff meter?

Not sure if it's a "knockoff", but it's definitely a Radio Shack one...like I said, I have the same one. It doesn't really look anything like the other Simpson 260's for sale on ebay, other than being analog and black ;) I just checked mine...it's almost identical to the one in the auction...mine is model "22 224U", the one in the auction says "22 224C" on the dial.
 
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