Need recommendation for a new DMM/Digital Multimeter.

SET Man · « **on:** 24 Jun 2009, 05:13 am »

Hey!

OK, so my old Rat Shack meter bite the dust after 9.5 years of many projects together.

Now I'm looking for a new DMM that would fit my need of being a DIYer audiophile.

I've been checking out some but want to get some more opinions from you guys, maybe you know something that I don't.

The first one that I considered is the Fluke 117...
http://us.fluke.com/usen/Products/Fluke+117.htm?catalog_name=FlukeUnitedStates&Category=HMA(FlukeProducts)

About $160 I think I think it got all the features I need. One think that I would love for it to have also is the inductance measurement, but I think I could live without it.

Than there are is this Triplett..

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=391-111

Good price and seem to have enough feautures I need.

And also this of which the brand I never heard off...

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=390-513

It can do inductance also. Look a lot like my old Rat Shack. With that measuring capacitance will be tough with those holes that you need to stick cap's legs in.

So, what do you guy think? Any other I should consider?

Take care,
Buddy

mjosef · « **Reply #1 on:** 24 Jun 2009, 05:35 am »

I have had my Fluke 77 DMM since the mid 80's...wow, that's almost 3 decades...have to say I like the "feel" of quality. I think I paid 129. back then.

I recently picked up a Tenma capacitance meter for about 30.$, it doesn't have the quality "feel" of the Fluke, but it seems to perform quite well.
Take a look of their DMMs(handheld) over at MCM, they are affordably priced.
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/search.aspx?C=3830503&p=3

Poindexter · « **Reply #2 on:** 24 Jun 2009, 07:35 am »

Whut he sed. I have three Flukes, all bought on the 'bay for very reasonable bucks. Two 27s and a 73; one was calibrated a year before I got it, one about 2-3 years before, and one never. They all agree to the third digit. Nothing goes wrong with them. They don't die. They measure.

I'll never buy a Sears / RadShack meter again.

Heck, I'll never need to. They'll either bury those Flukes with me, or follow me fighting over 'em.

Poinz

whubbard · « **Reply #3 on:** 24 Jun 2009, 01:34 pm »

I got my Fluke 77-III on ebay. It was essentially brand new, but only cost about a 1/3 of the price.
If your willing to deal with ebay I think you'll find some true steals.

-west

JoshK · « **Reply #4 on:** 24 Jun 2009, 01:41 pm »

I have never owned a Fluke, but my next DMM will be a Fluke. I bought an LC meter for $45 and it seems to work quite well. I get very consistent readings. I'd opt for the Fluke and get a seperate LC meter.

BradJudy · « **Reply #5 on:** 24 Jun 2009, 02:40 pm »

I have both a Fluke 87 I bought on eBay and a Wavetek (now Amprobe) Meterman 25 XT that I bought new on eBay.

While the Fluke is heavier-duty, I picked up the Wavetek so I could do transistor hfe, basic capacitance and basic frequency stuff. I tend to grab the Wavetek for a lot of stuff and would probably be happy with it as my only meter, but it doesn't have the Fluke build quality.

TomS · « **Reply #6 on:** 24 Jun 2009, 02:43 pm »

I have a pair of Fluke 8060A True RMS meters I bought used on eBay and they are terrific for audio use, performing db, frequency, and relative measurements easily. Worth every penny and the function isn't really duplicated today AFIK.

Here is an example: http://cgi.ebay.com/Fluke-8060A-True-RMS-Multimeter-With-NEW-LEADS-TESTED_W0QQitemZ390061339761QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5ad177b471&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1205|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

Tom

SET Man · « **Reply #7 on:** 25 Jun 2009, 05:18 am »

Hey!

Thanks guys. Look like I go with the Fluke 117. Will get it soon

Take care,
Buddy

jtwrace · « **Reply #8 on:** 25 Jun 2009, 12:57 pm »

IF you want a Fluke but don't want to pay for the name, buy this: http://www.marteltesttools.com/

They are the compnay that makes the Fluke for Fluke.

SET Man · « **Reply #9 on:** 2 Jul 2009, 11:36 pm »

Hey!

Well, my new DMM arrived today by mail from Amazon...

Here is my new Fluke 179 next to my old Radio Shack DMM.

Yes, I was going to go with the 117 but after some research I decided to go with the 179 because of it higher accuracy and higher V capability. Also it could do temp but I got no need for that so at first I was going to go with 177 of which it is like 179 without temp but the price of the 177 on Amazon is pretty the same there from other seller on Amazon so I went for the 179

So far so good. Easy to use and the respond time seems faster than my old Rat Shack. But it lack the transistor test that the old RS have but no big deal I never use this anyway. Other than that it is easier to use especially measuring caps.

The quality and feel is also very good also. Should last longer than my old Rat Shack DMM And this thing is Made In USA!

Take care,
Buddy

doug s. · « **Reply #10 on:** 3 Jul 2009, 05:20 pm »

wow, that's a ton of cash for a dmm. i still have my old rat-shack, that has temp; it works fine. but, i lost it for a while, so i bought another dmm. which was all it took for me to then find my old at-shack dmm.

anyway, for those on a budget, for <$50, this one really is nice; specs not quite as good as the fluke, but close:

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/TENMA-72-7930-/72-7930

doug s.

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #11 on:** 5 Jul 2009, 12:55 am »

Congrats on the Fluke Buddy. It will serve you well for many years.
I've had a fluke 83 for almost 20 years, half of which was used daily in the auto repair biz. It was dropped, stepped on, and even took a bath in a bucket of antifreeze once.

Works perfectly to this day. Still using the original leads in fact.
Let the smoke out of a couple expensive fuses, but we won't talk about that.

Bob