- Thread starter 4String.
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vmaximus
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I have a cheapo from maplins, does what I want it to do, been kicked, dropped, still works, I don't know how accurate it is but good enough for me. Why pay for a full blown multi meter when you you only need it now and again.
500e
Always buy fire insurance a flood is a hard start
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Still have the Avo 8 with leather case bought when apprentice, an AVO 80, Fluke 87 & a Tenma 72-76780 + the odd crappy probe things you don't mind loosing
Like analogue meters have found both the Fluke & AVO can get strange interference especially in lorry's tractors with some tachos.
Getting older wish the buzzers were louder
Like analogue meters have found both the Fluke & AVO can get strange interference especially in lorry's tractors with some tachos.
Getting older wish the buzzers were louder
Ubique
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Doesn't that say a lot though? as a Yorkshireman I've been accused of knowing the cost of everything and the value of nothing - I'd argue it's the other way round - buy cheap, buy twice. Yer Fluke are expensive but they have a reputation to uphold, that costs. I've never had to replace a Fluke because it was no longer accurate or trustworthy. The 'I only use it now and again' argument is meaningless, either you want to indicate or measure something with a degree of trust and accuracy or you don't. If you do, then get something up to the job - repeatedly and with a good, trustworthy heritage. If you don't, well, keep licking the end of the batteries and wires.
brewdexta
The biggest tool in the box
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I didn't say it still worked though
The BT fluke died, i bought another multimeter. I kept the fluke to mend as I have a personal attachment to it, but never quite got around to it.
pedrobedro
Man at Matalan
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I bought a cheap one from Screwfix, it's £8.24 and does what I need. Only thing I miss is a beep for continuity that my old one did before I broke it.
Ross365
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The definition of Quality is "adequacy for purpose". So, that does bring us back around to establishing what is the purpose of this proposed acquisition? My meters are now just used for hobbyist activities in the house or the garage and for that they are perfectly good. If they are to be used in a Workplace, especially with high voltages or currents, maybe I'd be less sure about the Uni-T and Anegn. Horses for courses!
Rkweld
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You are going to get alot of fluke answers, market leaders, people get told the name, so people say the name, but they will not be the only good meters out there.
Judging on a 40year old gunson you probably do not need something too expensive.
Meters that I have come across being fluke, megger, klein, ethos, mainly in trained persons toolkits. Maybe more but I did not immediately recognise the branding or remember it!
Plenty of guys working on old vehicles using draper meters.
I have a cheaper multimeter, known brand, but also a decent voltage tester and use a proving unit.
Judging on a 40year old gunson you probably do not need something too expensive.
Meters that I have come across being fluke, megger, klein, ethos, mainly in trained persons toolkits. Maybe more but I did not immediately recognise the branding or remember it!
Plenty of guys working on old vehicles using draper meters.
I have a cheaper multimeter, known brand, but also a decent voltage tester and use a proving unit.
Ubique
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- 2,127
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- East Midlands
A voltage indicator & proving unit are a basic requirement for working on any kind of controlled SSW installation, a lot of 'older' vehicles with common rail diesel engines will have lethal voltages at the injectors and sometimes the headlights, it's just not safe to use a flaky multimeter or shonky leads any more.
premmington
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123hotchef
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there is its a ball ache swapping the leads around for ohms, voltage and amps, I do not need to do this with my other meters! Plus I forget often!
Gareth J
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I have gone through a few "draper grade" multimeters in the past. One, I think from Screwfix popped dramatically in front of me when measuring 400V DC. I was already plenty nervous as you might imagine. Very nearly new underwear time.
After that I bought the lowest spec (cheapest) fluke I could get. I think it was a "101" model.
That does just about everything and is great to use. There's some old, heavy, square, indestructible analogue thing that gets used in the workshop from time to time and I have a cheapo somewhere that does dwell angle, current and some other 12v specific stuff.
After that I bought the lowest spec (cheapest) fluke I could get. I think it was a "101" model.
That does just about everything and is great to use. There's some old, heavy, square, indestructible analogue thing that gets used in the workshop from time to time and I have a cheapo somewhere that does dwell angle, current and some other 12v specific stuff.
brewdexta
The biggest tool in the box
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I got my last meter from test-meter.co.uk, best price I could find and they will add a calibration cert for 20 quid if you need it. The sell all the usual brands so have models for all pockets. Being a Yorkshireman, I like quality commensurate with the use without digging too deep, I stand by Brymen being comparable quality to Fluke for less dosh.
This is the clamp meter I bought for general use, not cheap at 82 quid inc VAT but less than half the price of a similar fluke. I've had it four years and it hasn't skipped a beat yet. I've had the Brymen bench meter for about 5 years or so and that's been solid too.
My spark has used them both when he forgot his meter was in the other van and liked them.
If you don't need a clamp meter, this one sounds reasonable and gets good reviews.
I also have a B&Q special, only used when the neighbours come around in case they want to borrow one
This is the clamp meter I bought for general use, not cheap at 82 quid inc VAT but less than half the price of a similar fluke. I've had it four years and it hasn't skipped a beat yet. I've had the Brymen bench meter for about 5 years or so and that's been solid too.
My spark has used them both when he forgot his meter was in the other van and liked them.
If you don't need a clamp meter, this one sounds reasonable and gets good reviews.
I also have a B&Q special, only used when the neighbours come around in case they want to borrow one
MetalMonkey
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The cheapy ones are fine for what they are, basic diagnostics on simple electronics or automotive stuff - but if you ware working on mains, especially three phase - you want something that is designed with safety in mind.
A lot of the cheap meters do not have the proper HRC fuses or isolation gaps for transient overvoltages. Look for the safety category rating Cat III or IV and a UL listing, and be aware that a lot of those are faked on no-name brands.
I have used a BM079 clamp meter and a BM257S for a few years now and they have been excellent, I have a few cheapy meters too (and a couple of AVOs as i happens) but if I'm working on mains level I'll use one of those two for the peace of mind due to their safety ratings. Fluke gear is nice, if somebody else is paying for it.
premmington
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Never heard of these before (Dilog brand) - just had a google - they do look OK for the money
