Suggestions for a good Multimeter

I think many people turn buying a multimeter into some hugely complex process when it doesn't need to be. Like mobile phone buying, it's too easy to get lost in specs and what have you and end up buying something way overspecced for what you're actually going to use it for. In reality, anything half decent will do the job for the average amateur arcade collector.

For what its worth I have a Fluke 101 which is perfectly adequate for the things I'm ever going to use it for.
 
There is no comparison between the Extech ex330 and the Fluke 115. There is a huge quality difference between the Fluke and the Extech.(Fluke being high quality) On top of that the Fluke 115 is a true RMS meter while the Extech EX330 is not. That means innately the Fluke is more accurate. Non true RMS meters use averaging to come up with their readings and while useful they are less accurate. The Extech EX330 is also considered a "mini" DMM which is low on the cost scale for Extech. With it's K type thermocouple capabilities it may be targeting hvac techs. I hope this is helpful.

TL;DR = Extech is junk for kids, buy Fluke and only Fluke. Don't be a cheapass!


btw... tons of used working fluke's for sale on craigslist for $100, so awesome. just gotta look! :)
 
TL;DR = Extech is junk for kids, buy Fluke and only Fluke. Don't be a cheapass!


btw... tons of used working fluke's for sale on craigslist for $100, so awesome. just gotta look! :)

Sears is having a "hot buy" sale online only on those right now. with in store pick up it's just $80.
http://www.sears.com/fluke-115-mult...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CJPXr6_0o9gCFQ96YgodjJsM8w

The test lead set with the alligator clips is on sale there too.
http://www.sears.com/fluke-tl220/p-03481293000P?plpSellerId=Sears&prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=G4


If GameBro prefers more of a bench type one you can pick up a used Fluke 45 on Ebay pretty cheap.




Fluke 115 for $80.
I haven't seen them this low before.
 
There is no comparison between the Extech ex330 and the Fluke 115. There is a huge quality difference between the Fluke and the Extech.(Fluke being high quality) On top of that the Fluke 115 is a true RMS meter while the Extech EX330 is not. That means innately the Fluke is more accurate. Non true RMS meters use averaging to come up with their readings and while useful they are less accurate.
The Extech EX330 is also considered a "mini" DMM which is low on the cost scale for Extech. With it's K type thermocouple capabilities it may be targeting hvac techs.

I hope this is helpful.

Thanks but I'm looking for something more precise than that. They are rated for accuracy as are the Extech DMMs, I'm just not understanding the ratings.
 
About six months ago I upgraded from a GB GBT-200A to a Proster VC99 and am very pleased with it. It uses modern leads, has a stand, auto ranges, has memory, and so much more. It was on sale for around $60 IIRC. I bought extra leads and use it to test and repair everything video game I work on.

http://testmeterpro.com/proster-vc99/
The specs are listed near the end of the review. It's more accurate than what I had, but no comparison to a $400 unit! However, plenty accurate enough for 30+ year old electronics.

Scott C.
 
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That's great but that's not what I'm asking about. I can do a craigslist search as well but I'm looking to understand the accuracy numbers vs what I have now before buying something. I'm hoping someone can translate the accuracy numbers here.
 
Flukes are nice, but by no means necessary. I have two, and I use my Uni-T more than I do the Flukes, honestly. They're all accurate enough for arcade work, so it comes down to features IMO, and they all have their quirks.

I often use multiple meters at a time, but I like that the Uni-T has push button on/off, so I can stick it somewhere tight, leave it there, and turn it on/off with one finger (instead of having to grab it with two hands to turn a knob to power it on/off).

In my experience, there are <$10 meters, $20-30 meters, and then your $80+ ones. Any will do, but I'd recommend one of the $20-30 ones, as the quality is a little nicer. Any more than that is nice if you want to spend more, but isn't necessary for arcade work.
 
My only advice would be to not get the really cheap ones, the $5 jobs at Harbor Freight. When the batteries start dying, they give crazy readings which can screw you up for instance if it says your power supply is at 4 volts, so you adjust it up to 5, but find out it's really now at 7 because the meter had a battery dying.

On a fluke, they don't give bad readings, they just don't turn on if the battery dies, and I've heard lots of people say that the $20 jobs like Craftsman or whatever don't do that either.

So just stay away from the really really cheap ones. If you can afford a low end Fluke get that and you'll never need another one for arcade work.
 
I wish someone could compare those Fluke and Extech accuracy specs and interpret them for me.

Dave Jones, an Australian electronics engineer, has a YouTube channel with quite a few videos reviewing and tearing down multimeters. Most of his electronics engineer knowledge and experience is over my head, but I do watch some of his videos anyways. Perhaps in some of his videos he may explain your questions about accuracy. He does a review of the Extech EX330. He will do accuracy tests of the meters he reviews. And he does have a video explaining counts, accuracy, resolution and calibration. EEVblog #26.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4JFeU-o2kc&list=PLvOlSehNtuHtUPt0bli2ITgziieHzeweC
https://www.youtube.com/user/EEVblog/search?query=Digital+multimeter
 
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Dave Jones, an Australian electronics engineer, has a YouTube channel with quite a few videos reviewing and tearing down multimeters. Most of his electronics engineer knowledge and experience is over my head, but I do watch some of his videos anyways. Perhaps in some of his videos he may explain your questions about accuracy. He does a review of the Extech EX330. He will do accuracy tests of the meters he reviews. And he does have a video explaining counts, accuracy, resolution and calibration. EEVblog #26.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4JFeU-o2kc&list=PLvOlSehNtuHtUPt0bli2ITgziieHzeweC
https://www.youtube.com/user/EEVblog/search?query=Digital+multimeter

Wow, great info, thanks! That's exactly what I was looking for and he really liked the EX330 too.
 
Can someone link a nice one in the $10-20 range on Amazon? The only thing I'll use this for is arcade repair.
 
Can someone link a nice one in the $10-20 range on Amazon? The only thing I'll use this for is arcade repair.

$20.87 - "True RMS" ANENG AN8008: https://www.amazon.com/Alloet-True-RMS-Digital-Multimeter-Voltage/dp/B072JMBLJS/ref=sr_1_1



And if you got an hour to watch his other suggestions under $50...

Comparison Sheet: http://www.eevblog.com/files/EEVblog_50_Dollar_Multimeter_Shootout.pdf

$xx.xx - Amprobe AM220: (NO LONGER SOLD)
$30.90 - Vichy VC99 (Samyo VC99): https://www.amazon.com/Multimeter-R...oltmeter-Thermometer/dp/B00FMWMZXG/ref=sr_1_1
$38.34 - Amprobe AM510: https://www.amazon.com/Amprobe-AM-5...al-Non-Contact/dp/B007FZFTZO/ref=pd_sbs_328_1 ( same price: https://www.tequipment.net/AmprobeAM-510.asp )
$43.19 - Extech EX330: https://www.tequipment.net/ExtechEX330.asp
$43.78 - Global Specialties Pro-50A: https://www.tequipment.net/GlobalSpecialties/PRO-50A/
$48.69 - Elenco M-2625 (Jaycar Digitech QM1535): https://www.amazon.com/Elenco-Auto-Ranging-Digital-Multimeter-degrees/dp/B0002HDGUM/ref=sr_1_1
$49.95 - Elenco M-2625A: https://www.tequipment.net/Elenco/M-2625A/Multimeters/?rrec=true

 

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So yeah, even though I have a $500 Fluke 233 meter, I still dropped $20 on one of these,
why the hell not! haha super quick shipping (gotta love amazon 2-day free prime), and
it arrived today, stuck 2x AAA batteries in it and it powered on. I'll test it later side-by-side
against my Fluke to see how it stands up in accuracy amongst other things...
 
Dave Jones, an Australian electronics engineer, has a YouTube channel with quite a few videos reviewing and tearing down multimeters.
https://www.youtube.com/user/EEVblog

Dave Jones has a great channel, it's great on his disassembly vids when he pulls something apart and gets frustrated at how crap it's been built inside.

His technical and explanatory vids are also a very interesting watch, he's got a lot of passion for his subject.
 
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