Advice Please: Cheap Meter Recommendations
Sear...@mail.con2.com
first), and it is becoming obvious that I just need to buy a cheap
meter with basic functions.
Can I get recommendations?(Reliablilty being the number one criteria).
Thanks.
Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.
Funfly3
<Sear...@mail.con2.com> wrote in message
news:1130691179.7...@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Ralph Mowery
> first), and it is becoming obvious that I just need to buy a cheap
> meter with basic functions.
>
> Can I get recommendations?(Reliablilty being the number one criteria).
>
that I used at work for 10 years and now have it at home. It was replaced
with a newer modle by Fluke.
That is a $ 300 to $ 400 meter. What do you think cheap is ?
Fluke seems to the digital meters as the Simpson 260 was to the analog
meters.
dkuh...@locl.net
cost arena was the Fluke 8060 and its replacement the 189. The 8060s
all lasted well over 20 years before failure, so far none of the 189s
have had any problems.
I am not sure what you mean by cheap as the low end Fluke meters were
inexpensive at around $300 new.
No if you want one of those throw away Chinese made multi-meters of
questionable accuracy, no built in idiot user protection, then go for
it. After a few of those you will find out how reliable the Fluke
meters really are.
Sear...@mail.con2.com
Funfly3 wrote:
> what do you need to measure and how accurate? volts amps ohms ETC
> <Sear...@mail.con2.com> wrote in message
Mostly volts and Ohms. I don't see going much over 30 volts and only
need to measure basic resistance so I can determining shorts and
whether or not a circuit is open or closed.
I also would like it to be digital. But the key is reliabilty.(I'd like
to use it for a few years).
Funfly3
<Sear...@mail.con2.com> wrote in message
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still working ??
Sear...@mail.con2.com
Well, I know a couple of guys who have been using cheap Radio Shack
meters for many years.
The first of the two 8060A meters I have began to work intermittantly
after the third time I used it.(I won it off of Ebay). And now doesn't
power up.
Because of Fluke's reputation I got another one(from a different
auction), and that one was only used one time. Now when I power it on
the display is very dim and doesn't do anything when I try to use the
buttons. This Fluke was definitely checked and recalibrated before I
received it, and the problem is defintely not the batteries.
So that's two (rarely used)Flukes that stopped working within about 2
or 3 years.
So now I'm pissed because I have a project that is way over due and the
Flukes are just *too expensive* to get fixed.
At least with a cheap one, you can throw it in the garbage without
worrying about it being a big loss.
Michael Black
(Sear...@mail.con2.com) writes:
> At least with a cheap one, you can throw it in the garbage without
> worrying about it being a big loss.
>
Then, you just buy what's cheap and available. If you are only spending
$10 or $20, you can also toss it in the garbage if it's not suitable.
It's when you are spending big bucks that you need recommendations.
I have a twenty year old Radio Shack that's still running, though I
took it out of regular use for other reasons. The replacement, in 1996,
was a Radio Shack too (I lusted after a bigger readout, and more functions,
so I splurged), and it too keeps running. I suspect that is the case
for most DMMs, unless someone is really careless. There are other issues
when buying a DMM, but most of those come into play when spending hundreds
of dollars, because you are going to an expensive meter for reasons of
good calibration or something else that's not there at the cheap end.
Have you actually checked to make sure that you have good batteries in
the Flukes?
Michael
James Sweet
> My second of two Fluke 8060A meters turned out to be crap(just like the
> first), and it is becoming obvious that I just need to buy a cheap
> meter with basic functions.
>
> Can I get recommendations?(Reliablilty being the number one criteria).
>
> Thanks.
>
What's wrong with the Fluke? If it's broken they'll repair and calibrate
it for a reasonable fee, the cheap meters are all about the same and
they're all relatively crappy, Fluke is the gold standard though some of
their low end stuff is Chinese now.
clifto
> My second of two Fluke 8060A meters turned out to be crap(just like the
> first), and it is becoming obvious that I just need to buy a cheap
> meter with basic functions.
They're known for display problems. You can get parts.
> Can I get recommendations?(Reliablilty being the number one criteria).
Fluke 77. Mine's been through the mill for a dozen years and is still
within 1%.
--
If John McCain gets the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination,
my vote for President will be a write-in for Jiang Zemin.
James Sweet
Well if you decide to dump those 8060's I'll gladly take one off your
hands, I just looked them up and they're true RMS, very nice meters.
dkuh...@locl.net
buying two bad units off an ebay auction.
I don't think the Fluke meters are the REAL reason the project is way
overdue.
Sear...@mail.con2.com
Junk? I never said anything negative about the company. You need to
re-read my opriginal post.
The two meters I have just happened to crap out on me, so I concluded
that they are not worth spending all that money on(initially or to get
repaired).
I just need a cheap one that is accurate.
Do Little2
news:1130693569.0...@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
>
> No if you want one of those throw away Chinese made multi-meters of
> questionable accuracy, no built in idiot user protection, then go for
> it. After a few of those you will find out how reliable the Fluke
> meters really are.
Obviously, you haven't seen some of the latest Chinese imports.
They also have reasonable accuracy just like Fluke.
Besides that they offer some conveniences that Fluke, apparently
hasn't dreamed up as yet - at any price - such as:
Reading the output values out loud and probes with buildin LED's.
Two features that are frequently very handy. The overpriced Fluke's
are facing some real competition!
Sear...@mail.con2.com
Fluke repair and recalibrate "for a reasonable fee"?
It cost twice as much to get one of these repaired than it does to get
a used one on Ebay.
James Sweet
But how great of a bargain was the used one off ebay that doesn't work?
It was probably sold cheap on ebay for a reason, IIRC they're about $350
retail.
NN
would be the best way to go. Don,t even think about a warranty. On
the flip side, I found a craftsman (sears) vise grip pliers that were
not working good and walked into sears and exchanged them for a new
pair on the spot. Fluke has there manuals available in pdf fromat
(just photocopied ones) for all models as a free download.
Chinese stuff? Think "short term" . They put cheaper vacuum cleaner
motors in things that require the more expensive continuous duty
motors. won,t cover a abused burnt out motor. Pretty slick cache 22
argument.
Doug Kelly
change. Also use a Vellman DMM--same thing, cheap, wouldn't trust too much,
but you know, it does the job. I, like everyone else, am surprised that you'd
be having so many problems with Fluke meters. I mean... can I have one? :P
If you're looking for something to just USE and get a quick test for
diagnostics or something... yeah, go to a RadioShack or other electronics
store, and don't expect to spend more than $10-20. I know both of mine are
under $20 apiece. Just remember, you get what you pay for.... they may not be
the most accurate things you can get.
James Sweet
He bought cheap used high end meters that were probably abused and
having problems to begin with and that's why they were cheap, what does
one expect? I have a couple cheap DMM's and they work fine as second
meters, but they're all pretty much the same, and none of them are worth
having fixed when they fail.
Sear...@mail.con2.com
They were working when I got them.
Are you now suggesting that the previous owners somehow knew that the
meters would fail soon, or that Fluke meters are garbage?
You are referring to one of the same two meters we were discussing when
you said that you would "gladly take one off (my) hands", correct?
Sear...@mail.con2.com
Ok. So you're saying that a used Fluke 8060A gotten from Ebay is not
worth a cheapo meter from Radio Shack, correct?
James Sweet
Yes because I'd send it to Fluke and have it repaired and calibrated,
it's a lot cheaper than buying a new one and it has true RMS which is a
feature all of my meters lack and it's very handy when working with HID
lamps and ballasts.
Franc Zabkar
keyboard and composed:
>My second of two Fluke 8060A meters turned out to be crap(just like the
>first), and it is becoming obvious that I just need to buy a cheap
>meter with basic functions.
I have the same negative experience with Fluke stuff. One day when I
get sick of looking at my dead PM97 Scopemeter (AUD$2750) I'll take
out my frustrations by stomping on it.
>Can I get recommendations?(Reliablilty being the number one criteria).
Buy a cheap meter, any cheap meter, and calibrate it to +-/0.02% with
a precision reference circuit costing ~$5.
You can build your own single-chip precision voltage reference using
Maxim's MAX6350 (5.0V), MAX6341 (4.096V), or MAX6325 (2.5V):
http://pdfserv.maxim-ic.com/en/ds/MAX6325-MAX6350.pdf
"The MAX6325/MAX6341/MAX6350 are low-noise, precision voltage
references with extremely low, 0.5ppm/°C typical temperature
coefficients and excellent, ą0.02% initial accuracy. These devices
feature buried-zener technology for lowest noise performance.
Load-regulation specifications are guaranteed for source and sink
currents up to 15mA. Excellent line and load regulation and low output
impedance at high frequencies make them ideal for high-resolution
data-conversion systems up to 16 bits."
-- Franc Zabkar
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.
Sear...@mail.con2.com
Well, that is not what I need a meter for. And as far as cheaper than
buying a new one. That's a new Fluke. I was looking for a reliable
cheap meter that is relatively accurate so I won't have to spend money
on a "new Fluke" for the simple purposes I need a meter for.
stic...@gmail.com
(Well, if you buy them somewhere other than eBay)
That'd be a big attraction for me. I have a $20 multimeter I can use
when it's off being repaired.
Charles Schuler
> Junk? I never said anything negative about the company. You need to
> re-read my opriginal post.
Well, you did use the word "crap".
Lots of electronic stuff with intermittent problems winds up on eBay.
> The two meters I have just happened to crap out on me, so I concluded
> that they are not worth spending all that money on(initially or to get
> repaired).
For any one serious about electronics, a Fluke meter is a good investment.
Sorry that you had bad luck.
Bob Shuman
with it and what features you require. Based on what you have stated, I
would think a cheap DMM from Sears or RS would meet your needs just fine.
You just will need to make sure you double check your function before you
connect your test leads since they will not offer any overvoltage protection
(measure voltage or current on the resistance setting for instance.)
Bob
<Sear...@mail.con2.com> wrote in message
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JANA
probably dumped them to get new ones, due to them failing.
Fluke will service their products at a reasonable rate, in respect to their
value. They have a high quality produce and will make sure that their
products are properly calibrated before shipping them back out to their
customer.
If you want a new good meter, the Fluke should be of the first
consideration. They are very stable and accurate. If the meter is properly
taken care of, and not abused, it should last many years and maintain its
accuracy.
--
JANA
_____
<Sear...@mail.con2.com> wrote in message
news:1130691179.7...@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
My second of two Fluke 8060A meters turned out to be crap(just like the
first), and it is becoming obvious that I just need to buy a cheap
meter with basic functions.
Can I get recommendations?(Reliablilty being the number one criteria).
Thanks.
Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.
Do Little2
"JANA" <ja...@ca.inter.net> wrote in message
news:3smn42F...@uni-berlin.de...
>
> If you want a new good meter, the Fluke should be of the first
> consideration. They are very stable and accurate. If the meter is
> properly taken care of, and not abused, it should last many years
> and maintain its accuracy.
True, and the same principle holds for plenty of other meters.
But unlike Fluke, there are (or were) manufacturers that
will include a circuit diagram of the meter with the sale.
Another good point to consider is that for most basic electronic
servicing anything beyond 1 - 3% accuracy is not required and
that makes many Fluke's a waste of money!
Mike Berger
is from the sellers. I wouldn't jump to conclusions about Fluke
based on that. Maybe they sold them for a reason besides just
not needing them anymore.
Dave Plowman (News)
Do Little2 <lis...@space.com> wrote:
> Another good point to consider is that for most basic electronic
> servicing anything beyond 1 - 3% accuracy is not required and
> that makes many Fluke's a waste of money!
There is such a big choice on the market no one is forcing you to buy
Fluke. Personally, I find mine a delight to use - same as any well crafted
tool. In the same way as my Makita cordless drill does over a 20 quid
Chinese one that still drills holes or drives screws after a fashion. ;-)
If all you want of a DVM is occasional use then it makes no sense to pay
for a Fluke - but use it a lot and it starts to make sense.
--
*Gaffer tape - The Force, light and dark sides - holds the universe together*
Dave Plowman da...@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.
Do Little2
"Dave Plowman (News)" <da...@davenoise.co.uk> wrote in
message news:4dc28d1...@davenoise.co.uk...
[snip]
> If all you want of a DVM is occasional use then it makes no sense
> to pay for a Fluke - but use it a lot and it starts to make sense.
... And about as much sense as limiting oneself to one manufacturer.
There are many good manufacturers out there with excellent meters.
For multiple input recorder/meters, Westronics (now Thermo) beats
Fluke any day.
As per subject line: In my opinion Extech, Wavetek, Instek all have
nice meters that are a lot cheaper than Fluke and just as good. For
even less expensive meters visit "The Source" formerly Radio Schack
and your local hardware store may also stock some useful meters.
--- Expensive does not always mean that it is the best!
Chuck
>My second of two Fluke 8060A meters turned out to be crap(just like the
>first), and it is becoming obvious that I just need to buy a cheap
>meter with basic functions.
>
>Can I get recommendations?(Reliablilty being the number one criteria).
>
>Thanks.
>
>Darren Harris
>Staten Island, New York.
How about a Fluke 12? It can take an over voltage hit that wiil
destroy lesser meters and it costs a little over $100.00 new. Chuck
Franc Zabkar
<stic...@gmail.com> put finger to keyboard and composed:
3 years for the PM97.
Doug McLaren
<Sear...@mail.con2.com> wrote:
| My second of two Fluke 8060A meters turned out to be crap(just like the
| first), and it is becoming obvious that I just need to buy a cheap
| meter with basic functions.
|
| Can I get recommendations?(Reliablilty being the number one criteria).
It sounds like cheap is the #1 criteria ...
If so, go down to your local Harbor Freight Tools, and find their
digitial meter that's usually on sale for $2.99, and buy 10 of them.
I suspect I'll get a lot of flack for even suggesting them, but I've
had nothing but good results from them. I've found them to be
accurate within 1% and I've never had one break except when they were
physically abused.
And at $3 each, I can have them all over the house, and if I do break
one, just throw it away.
Mostly I use them to do low voltage DC measurements, low amperage
measurements and simple resistance checks, and they work extremely
well for that. They don't have the features that better models have
(like true RMS) but they're pretty good, and awesome for the price.
--
Doug McLaren, dou...@frenzy.com
Let's organize this thing and take all the fun out of it.
John-Del
Sear...@mail.con2.com wrote:
> ......and it is becoming obvious that I just need to buy a cheap
> meter with basic functions.
>
Count me in as another in the minority with bad Fluke experience. I
had an 8060 die, and an 87. My current 87 was making constant beeping
noises, as if the probe was installed in the amp jack while in volt
mode. I took it apart and snuffed the beeper, and it's still running,
but that's what my other 87 was doing for about a year before it
croaked. I have a 77 as a backup, and it's been troublefree.
The best meters I ever used were the old Beckman meters when they were
still made in USA. I still have a Beckman 100 and the yellow HD100
version. They both work perfectly, but I'm spoiled by the autoranging
of my Fluke (not to mention the recording function which I use almost
daily). The Beckmans were also able to read the DC value on a high
pulse (like a horiz out) when the Flukes would spazz out. The newer
Flukes work ok in this regard.
BUT, when all is said and done, I will still replace my dying 87 with
another Fluke.
John
James Sweet
>
> Well, that is not what I need a meter for. And as far as cheaper than
> buying a new one. That's a new Fluke. I was looking for a reliable
> cheap meter that is relatively accurate so I won't have to spend money
> on a "new Fluke" for the simple purposes I need a meter for.
>
You obviously don't need a high end meter, just go buy a cheapie, all
the cheap meters are pretty much the same so get whatever one you find
on sale that has the features you need, which most any meter will have.