Inexpensive Alternative to Fluke

[Randy]

I am in the market for a good quality DMM. I really have occasion to use
capacitance features and want the frequency counter feature. Is there
anything that compares with Fluke quality without the hefty price?
Thanks,
Randy

 

[Robert Baer]

I am in the market for a good quality DMM. I really have occasion to use
capacitance features and want the frequency counter feature. Is there
anything that compares with Fluke quality without the hefty price?
Thanks,
Randy

I do not know the price range you are looking for; check the Jameco catalog
for starters...

 

[Fred Abse]

I am in the market for a good quality DMM. I really have occasion to
use capacitance features and want the frequency counter feature. Is
there anything that compares with Fluke quality without the hefty price?
Thanks,
Randy

Not if you want robustness, and something that'll last ten years abuse.

There a a few other makers whose product compares with Fluke, but they're
all similar prices.

TANSTAAFL

 

[Kevin McMurtrie]

I am in the market for a good quality DMM. I really have occasion to use
capacitance features and want the frequency counter feature. Is there
anything that compares with Fluke quality without the hefty price?
Thanks,
Randy

TPI makes inexpensive Fluke wannabes. I have the TPI 183 and it works
well. Its capacitance and frequency measurements seem to be targeted at
AC mains electronics, though.

My favorite junk DVM is the Radio Shack 22-174. Its accuracy is
absurdly bad at 2 1/3 working digits but it crams in a heap of features
for under $99. This DMV is essential for hobbyists with a collection of
miscellaneous leftover parts.

 

[Randy]

Thanks all,
The responses are greatly appreciated.
Randy

 

[[email protected]]

I bought a Vellman DMM at allelectronics.com . It has a bunch of
features normally only found on expensive DMMs. It has: diode test,
ohmmeter, transistor tester, voltmeter, temperture(built-in sensor or
with included probe), 20k Hz meter, and ammeter(ammeter and voltmeter
for AC and DC.). The only complaint I have is its not autorange. While
thats a pain its only $45 which seems to be the cheapest here plus it
has what seems like the most featurs. If you going just for cheap the
same site has a DMM for $ 7.95. Atleast at that price if its destroyed
you can buy another one.

 

[John Robertson]

I don't recommend auto range for my techs. I find they take too long
to settle down and sometimes you miss-read the range. I much prefer
the dial where you know the range you are expecting and the meter
settles down faster (at least that is what it seems to me).

That Vellman sounds like an excellent buy.

John :-#)#

I bought a Vellman DMM at allelectronics.com . It has a bunch of
features normally only found on expensive DMMs. It has: diode test,
ohmmeter, transistor tester, voltmeter, temperture(built-in sensor or
with included probe), 20k Hz meter, and ammeter(ammeter and voltmeter
for AC and DC.). The only complaint I have is its not autorange. While
thats a pain its only $45 which seems to be the cheapest here plus it
has what seems like the most featurs. If you going just for cheap the
same site has a DMM for $ 7.95. Atleast at that price if its destroyed
you can buy another one.

(Please post followups or tech enquires to the newsgroup)
John's Jukes Ltd. 2343 Main St., Vancouver, BC, Canada V5T 3C9
Call (604)872-5757 or Fax 872-2010 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games)
www.flippers.com
"Old pinballers never die, they just flip out."

 

[Kevin G. Rhoads]

I don't recommend auto range

Agreed, heartily!

Personal preferences operate here, but auto-range causes
more issues than it helps with for me. Of course, I also
believe that any instrument that does NOT have a
d'Arsonval meter with mirrored scale is probably a toy;
so you can calibrate my opinions against your needs. ;-)