I know I will need one sooner or later

[bravodog]

Ok all the time has come for me to buy a multimeter.  Now I would like a good one that wont break the bank like the fluke meters I see here locally  any input on one would be more than welcome. <---- in other words BR@VO dont know what to get 

[kam]

would you like a bench multimeter or a portable one? Would you like to measure also large current values? Like for example 10-20 or 200 amperes, or just a few miliamps.? You want it for your electronic projects? for electrical measurements?

[spic0m]

First of all as kam said what type you need and what range of values you are going to measure?
If you need just to verify volt existance for example anything would do the trick, but if you need accuracy then you should consider buying something of better quality, after all this is something you buy for years to come where the value/money factor counts alot.
Fluke isn't so expensive as you may thing, giving 70 -80 euros or $ isn't much for a good multimeter, of course there are many good brands around.

[bravodog]

Well here are a couple I have been looking at

This one plugs into a pc but I would have no idea how to use it LoL
http://www.apogeekits.com/multimeter_dvm345di.htm

These are some other candidates
http://www.apogeekits.com/multimeter_dvm850bl.htm

http://www.apogeekits.com/digital_multimeter_dmm810.htm

http://www.apogeekits.com/capacitance_meter_dvm6013.htm

http://www.curiousinventor.com/store/product/256

http://www.curiousinventor.com/store/product/257

http://www.mpja.com/products.asp?dept=55

And the group from your guy's fav. spot futurelec
http://www.futurlec.com/Multimeters.shtml

So which one do I choose?  I know the pc hook up one is more expensive and probibly more of what I will need down the road but I don't think the wife will let me drop $70.00 - $100 bucks on the more expensive ones for a hobby item.  Any thoughts or suggestions ??

[spic0m]

Don't want to dissapoint you but your choices aren't the best ones.
Let's forget from start anything in the price range of 3 to 12$, i've used them as a (poor student and they suck badly.
Velleman on the other hand isn't exactly famous about their instruments, i don't even know if they manufacture them or buy ready and place the brand sticker.

You should consider buying something between 35 to 60$ and from someone that is a manufacturer.
Some good and cheap choices (among many other) are Extech and Amprobe with their 300 (Extech) and 200 (Amprobe) series.
They are priced reasonably and of good value for money quality.

Of course this is my opinion, the call is up to you. 

[bravodog]

Don't want to dissapoint you but your choices aren't the best ones.
Of course this is my opinion, the call is up to you. 

That is why I am asking    Being as I am a complete Noob at this and have no idea what to get.

[kam]

Nice... then

1. Do you want it portable or over-bench?
2. High accuracy (==high price ) or medium?
3. You want it for electronics or electrical measurements?
     3.a If for electronics, you want also capacitance and transistor measurements?
     3.4 If for electrical, you want to measure large amount of current?
4. Will it operate in harsh environments?


Please answer the above to give us a guideline

[spic0m]

Kam, the price range bravodog has, doesn't give him that many choices, especially for bench.

[bravodog]

1. portable is fine
2. medium accuracy is good for now since I wont be doing any pic programming any time soon
3. 3a yes to all 3 ( I think?)
   3b  no not going to use for large current, mostly dc car voltage & current
4. depending on my dog's, harsh environment ? no

Help any??

[spic0m]

I think the links i posted should cover your needs.

[kam]

Cheap and inaccurate solutions:
http://www.apogeekits.com/multimeter_dvm850bl.htm -> Cheap solution, very low accuracy
http://www.apogeekits.com/digital_multimeter_dmm810.htm -> Cheaper than the first with accordingly accuracy
http://www.apogeekits.com/capacitance_meter_dvm6013.htm -> Not a multimeter, this is capacitance meter

Just "better than before" solutions, up to $30:
http://www.mpja.com/prodinfo.asp?number=16372+TE -> Much better solution, no transistor tester though^***
http://www.mpja.com/prodinfo.asp?number=16562+TE -> Same as before, but with extra auto range selection (that you pay $10 extra to get it)


"No way" solutions:
http://www.apogeekits.com/multimeter_dvm345di.htm -> Expensive solution, very low accuracy, fancy (and almost useless) PC connection
Futurlec -> A nice place to get almost all of your electronic parts, very good prices and fair transport charges, except LCDs and Multimeters...


If you go for as expensive as $80 or more, then consider the links spicom gave you, or better, search for a fluke. There is indeed great difference. For example, i measured the output of my power supply (that should have +5 and +12 volts) with a cheap multimeter. About $13... And then i measured with the fluke. Here are the results:

Voltage	Cheap	Fluke
5V	5.4	5
12	12.6	12
17 (5+12)	16.8 ( )	17

That is the meaning of accuracy. If you do not mind having those readings, then go for the cheapest. There is no reason to spend more, really.



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
^*** There are ways to measure transistors yourself manually... No need of extra tools or features

[spic0m]

What i suggested is priced around 35- to 55$ depending on the features and the store you buy it.
Fluke is out of competion since for the cheapest one you have to pay around 200 -250$

[bravodog]

What i suggested is priced around 35- to 55$ depending on the features and the store you buy it.

Ok spic0m:  as far as Extech goes I only saw the model 310, 320 and the 330 but no 300?

And with Amprobe I saw a 220 and a 240

So tell me oh great guru's of electricity which one should I get LoL  <----- Remember Total Noob to this stuff LoL

[spic0m]

The ones you saw are the 300 series and 200 series respectively.
Check for prices in your favorite shops and buy the one with the more features your pocket can handle.
In terms of accuracy they are all almost the same.