DMM Recommendations
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I would like to see some recommendations for a Digital Multimeter. The Fluke 187 is a little out of my range but something between my Walmart $29.95 special and the Fluke would be nice.
73 KI4DGH Chuck G. _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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I just purchased a Fluke 112 and I like if very much. This is the first DVM
that I have had that measures capacitance and frequency. Other than that it is just like most other DVM's. It is also a bit smaller than my previous Fluke 8020B. I purchased it locally for $149.95 plus tax but I could have got it cheaper on e-bay. -- John K7SVV ----- Original Message ----- From: <[hidden email]> To: <[hidden email]> Sent: Monday, January 10, 2005 12:01 PM Subject: [Elecraft] DMM Recommendations >I would like to see some recommendations for a Digital Multimeter. The >Fluke 187 is a little out of my range but something between my Walmart >$29.95 special and the Fluke would be nice. > > 73 KI4DGH > Chuck G. > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > > > -- > > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.6.9 - Release Date: 1/6/2005 > > -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.6.9 - Release Date: 1/6/2005 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Chuck Gehring
I just Got a B+K Precision model 2707A from Kiesub Electronic Supply for
$91 and change. It isn't autoranging like the Fluke but I figure I can turn a dial. You may be able to get it a little cheaper at Mouser but I ordered mine at the same time I ordered my Hakko 936. K2/100 with all the goodies arrives Wednesday. Good Luck. -- R. Kevin Stover, ACØH _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Chuck Gehring
Chuck -
A couple of months ago I picked up a Velleman DVM, Model DVM890. It is a 3 1/2 digit, manual range instrument. It does all the usual functions (Ohms, DC Volts, AC Volts), plus capacitance, temperature (it comes with a probe), transistor Hfe, diode checking, AC and DC amperes (to 20 amperes), and audio frequency to 20 KHz. The temperature probe works from -50 to +1000 degrees C ( -60 to +1800 degrees F). I use it to check temperatures of soldering irons and my solder pot. It does not do inductance. But, for my money, it rates as a very good buy. About the same size as a Fluke 8020. It has HUGE (1 inch character height) display digits - good for us old guys <grin>. Accuracy wise, it compares nicely with my Hewlett Packard 3478A units. I did a quick Google search, and came up with the following link, advertising a unit for $49.00 + postage. http://www.ba-electronics.com/dvm890.htm You may be able to find a better price by doing a more extensive search. or perhaps find a local dealer that will match that price. . 73 - Jim, KL7CC ___________________ [hidden email] wrote: >I would like to see some recommendations for a Digital Multimeter. The Fluke 187 is a little out of my range but something between my Walmart $29.95 special and the Fluke would be nice. > >73 KI4DGH >Chuck G. > >_______________________________________________ >Elecraft mailing list >Post to: [hidden email] >You must be a subscriber to post to the list. >Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > >Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm >Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > > > _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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Check your local Home Depot or Lowe's home centers and hardware stores.
They have had good buys on brand name 3 1/2 digit meters of late. Stuart K5KVH _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Chuck Gehring
Chuck, KI4DGH, wrote:
I would like to see some recommendations for a Digital Multimeter. The Fluke 187 is a little out of my range but something between my Walmart $29.95 special and the Fluke would be nice. ---------------------------------- I have cheap meters and expensive meters. On the high end, a Bel Merit probe type meter and a Fluke DMM. On the low end, A Radio Shack and a freebie DMM that came with an order from Mouser a while back. Curious, I compared all of them closely, using a variety of voltages and resistances. They are ALL produce readings within 1% or one digit of each other. There are three significant differences though. 1) Speed. The RS and cheapie meter take about 2 or 3 seconds to produce a reading. The Fluke and Bel Merit are virtually instantaneous. Reading about the design of these meters, it seems that they all tend to use the same divider chain for the ranges, and that modern manufacturing technologies ensure that the accuracy of these dividers are very good. That also determines the accuracy of the readings. The highest priced items in the meter are the chip that takes the analog input from the range divider and drives the digital display and the digital display itself. The cheaper I.C.s are slow. That's why the RS meter takes 2 or 3 seconds to produce a display while the more expensive meters look almost instantaneous. 2) Resolution. To hold down costs, many cheaper meters have only 3 or 3-1/2 digit displays. That is usually adequate for just about anything you might do. My RS, Fluke and Bel Merit all have four digit displays, typical of better meters. Also, some meters have a little row of dots or bars that vary with the reading. That's handy when making an adjustment when peaking a voltage, but it's pretty useless in a slower meter where you have to wait for a couple of seconds after making a change to see the results! 3) Durability. Robust packaging helps keep a meter working after hard physical use. Cheaper meters tend to skimp here. Still, one can be careful. I have an old d'Arsonval movement VOM (common wiggly-needle type of meter from the 1960's) that I still prefer when the oscilloscope isn't handy for peaking a circuit adjustment. It's a nice Radio Shack meter, but it is absolutely fragile, I'm sure. Still, I've had it for 40 years and it's still working FB. I just don't take it up a tower or other dangerous places. It stays on the bench or packed away in its box <G>. I do use my Fluke more than most. The Bel Merit, which fits easily in my shirt pocket, goes up masts or towers with me and generally anywhere where I want to travel "light" because it's small. Its disadvantage, being a "pen" or "probe" type instrument in which the display is an integral part of the probe, is that it's sometimes hard to see the display when holding the tip on the circuit. Also it doesn't do current measurements. In spite of its slower speed, the RS meter gets LOTS of use because it analyzes transistors showing the correct pinout along with an hFE reading directly and measures capacitor values from a few pF to many microfarads - as well as doing the common voltage/current/resistance checks. Neither my Fluke or Bel Merit offer all of those features. Frankly, if I had to take only one meter, I'd take the Radio Shack for its versatility. The model I have isn't made any longer, but I think the replacement is RS 22-812 (http://tinyurl.com/58fmn). The web page doesn't mention capacitance measurements in the features list, but the instruction manual says it does. This one has added a PC interface and a protective boot. It's about $70. If you're on a real tight budget, a cheaper meter will suffice. The only ones to really avoid at all costs are the older d'Arsonval meters built for use before solid state, like the venerable Simpson 260's and the like that many OT's use. They are FB meters, but load the circuit they test much more than modern DMM's and, more importantly, they drive the Ohms measurements with far more voltage and current than is safe for most solid state electronics. You can destroy a lot of modern circuitry by simply making a resistance check with one of those. Any of the modern DMM's are quite safe in that respect. Even the cheap ones. Ron AC7AC _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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I just bought a VC97 autoranging DMM with a counter to 30 mhz. for 29.95
from" kaitometers" and they have abunch more you can drool over...John KF7OM ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ron D'Eau Claire" <[hidden email]> To: <[hidden email]>; <[hidden email]> Sent: Monday, January 10, 2005 1:22 PM Subject: RE: [Elecraft] DMM Recommendations Chuck, KI4DGH, wrote: I would like to see some recommendations for a Digital Multimeter. The Fluke 187 is a little out of my range but something between my Walmart $29.95 special and the Fluke would be nice. ---------------------------------- I have cheap meters and expensive meters. On the high end, a Bel Merit probe type meter and a Fluke DMM. On the low end, A Radio Shack and a freebie DMM that came with an order from Mouser a while back. Curious, I compared all of them closely, using a variety of voltages and resistances. They are ALL produce readings within 1% or one digit of each other. There are three significant differences though. 1) Speed. The RS and cheapie meter take about 2 or 3 seconds to produce a reading. The Fluke and Bel Merit are virtually instantaneous. Reading about the design of these meters, it seems that they all tend to use the same divider chain for the ranges, and that modern manufacturing technologies ensure that the accuracy of these dividers are very good. That also determines the accuracy of the readings. The highest priced items in the meter are the chip that takes the analog input from the range divider and drives the digital display and the digital display itself. The cheaper I.C.s are slow. That's why the RS meter takes 2 or 3 seconds to produce a display while the more expensive meters look almost instantaneous. 2) Resolution. To hold down costs, many cheaper meters have only 3 or 3-1/2 digit displays. That is usually adequate for just about anything you might do. My RS, Fluke and Bel Merit all have four digit displays, typical of better meters. Also, some meters have a little row of dots or bars that vary with the reading. That's handy when making an adjustment when peaking a voltage, but it's pretty useless in a slower meter where you have to wait for a couple of seconds after making a change to see the results! 3) Durability. Robust packaging helps keep a meter working after hard physical use. Cheaper meters tend to skimp here. Still, one can be careful. I have an old d'Arsonval movement VOM (common wiggly-needle type of meter from the 1960's) that I still prefer when the oscilloscope isn't handy for peaking a circuit adjustment. It's a nice Radio Shack meter, but it is absolutely fragile, I'm sure. Still, I've had it for 40 years and it's still working FB. I just don't take it up a tower or other dangerous places. It stays on the bench or packed away in its box <G>. I do use my Fluke more than most. The Bel Merit, which fits easily in my shirt pocket, goes up masts or towers with me and generally anywhere where I want to travel "light" because it's small. Its disadvantage, being a "pen" or "probe" type instrument in which the display is an integral part of the probe, is that it's sometimes hard to see the display when holding the tip on the circuit. Also it doesn't do current measurements. In spite of its slower speed, the RS meter gets LOTS of use because it analyzes transistors showing the correct pinout along with an hFE reading directly and measures capacitor values from a few pF to many microfarads - as well as doing the common voltage/current/resistance checks. Neither my Fluke or Bel Merit offer all of those features. Frankly, if I had to take only one meter, I'd take the Radio Shack for its versatility. The model I have isn't made any longer, but I think the replacement is RS 22-812 (http://tinyurl.com/58fmn). The web page doesn't mention capacitance measurements in the features list, but the instruction manual says it does. This one has added a PC interface and a protective boot. It's about $70. If you're on a real tight budget, a cheaper meter will suffice. The only ones to really avoid at all costs are the older d'Arsonval meters built for use before solid state, like the venerable Simpson 260's and the like that many OT's use. They are FB meters, but load the circuit they test much more than modern DMM's and, more importantly, they drive the Ohms measurements with far more voltage and current than is safe for most solid state electronics. You can destroy a lot of modern circuitry by simply making a resistance check with one of those. Any of the modern DMM's are quite safe in that respect. Even the cheap ones. Ron AC7AC _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Chuck Gehring
In a message dated 1/10/2005 7:02:56 PM Pacific Standard Time,
[hidden email] writes: I just bought a VC97 autoranging DMM with a counter to 30 mhz. for 29.95 from" kaitometers" and they have abunch more you can drool over...John KF7OM Tried Googling "kaitometers" but shows nothing. Would like to look to see what they have. Do you have the link? tks geoff k6tfz _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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Geoff,
I googled on "kaito meters" and found some references. The one I like in general is: http://www.multimeterwarehouse.com/. The VC97 page is: http://www.multimeterwarehouse.com/vc97.htm. I plan on picking up one myself. -rick, K7LOG -----Original Message----- ... Tried Googling "kaitometers" but shows nothing. Would like to look to see what they have. Do you have the link? tks geoff k6tfz _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by ac0h
I have a fluke 112 and I love it and hate it the auto ranging is great but
the auto shut off is a pain in the *** well you get the point but I would recommend the fluke 112 to anyone with that warning. ----- Original Message ----- From: "R. Kevin Stover" <[hidden email]> To: <[hidden email]> Cc: <[hidden email]> Sent: Monday, January 10, 2005 2:40 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] DMM Recommendations > I just Got a B+K Precision model 2707A from Kiesub Electronic Supply for > $91 and change. > It isn't autoranging like the Fluke but I figure I can turn a dial. > You may be able to get it a little cheaper at Mouser but I ordered mine > at the same time I ordered my Hakko 936. > K2/100 with all the goodies arrives Wednesday. > > Good Luck. > > -- > R. Kevin Stover, ACØH > > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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