What Multimeter to buy

[deep six]

I killed my good multimeter a while back testing voltages on my Galaxy Rectifier board. Now time to buy a new one.
Doing a search on Ebay revealed several "Too good to be true" DMMs out of China, some as low as a couple of dollars plus postage.
Had a quick look in my Jaycar catalogue and see they are offering some DMMs at a reasonable price but just wondering what anyone here can recommend as a good meter.

Cheers

Ric

[MartyJ]

A great multimeter is the Fluke 115 and with the basic electronic lead kit.  Not cheap, but keep your eyes open.  I got mine from DSE at a fairly good price.  I don't trust the ones on eBay coming from overseas.

Hopefully this meter should last me the next 15 years!

I had been through a real el_cheapo one, then a fairly expensive one from Jaycar before the Fluke

http://www.fluke.com/fluke/auen/digital-multimeters/fluke-115.htm?PID=55993

To be honest the lead kit I think will fit on any DMM.  Best thing I ever bought and perfect for pinball tech work

http://www.fluke.com/fluke/auen/Accessories/Test-leads,-Probes-and-Clips/TL80A.htm?PID=56757

[48]

OK  thinking you might be looking for an autoranging multimeter. 
If you can afford the $$$ then your best bet is a Fluke.  Unfortunately a lot of the Jaycar stuff can be found on Ebay
at 1/4 the price. Don't get me wrong I like Jaycar, just pointing it out to you.

[///]

I used to manage a Jaycar store, the meters aren't too bad. I'm not familiar with the current line-up, but stay away from the cheaper ones (<$50), we used to get a couple of them returned per week.
From memory the 1523 and 1524(?) were the most returned, Returns of the more expensive ones were very rare.

It's also worth checking the second hand stores/pawnbrokers for Fluke's. I scored a Tektronix DMM (better than Fluke 87's of the same vintage) for pocketmoney at a hockshop, one of the best purchases I've ever made.

[vinito]

Recommended reading:

http://www.robotroom.com/Multimeter-Reviews.html

[deep six]

Thanks guys
Will check out the pawnbroker option although I really don't have a lot of knowledge to make a good decision, still could be interesting, might wind up walking out with a radio controlled plane.

I see some Fluke 15 B and 17 B on a few different sites, these seem to be a meter for the chinese market.

So not real sure, 17b I can get for about $90, doesn't seem to be covered by Fluke australia warranty though, Any thoughts on the Fluke??

[MartyJ]

Thanks guys
Will check out the pawnbroker option although I really don't have a lot of knowledge to make a good decision, still could be interesting, might wind up walking out with a radio controlled plane.

I see some Fluke 15 B and 17 B on a few different sites, these seem to be a meter for the chinese market.

So not real sure, 17b I can get for about $90, doesn't seem to be covered by Fluke australia warranty though, Any thoughts on the Fluke??

I looked at a large range before I settled on the 115.  Does absolutely everything I need for pinball work.  The add on lead kit was just the icing on the cake.

On on eBay from a private seller at the moment http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Fluke-115-True-RMS-Multimeter-/320747474613?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item4aae0a0eb5

[ddstoys]

Best advice i can give is make sure it has AUTO OFF function i never remember to turn them off so there always flat when i need them next 

[deep six]

Thanks Marty.

Just put a snipe on the ebay one you mentioned, will see how I go.

Cheers

[MartyJ]

Good work!

Also has auto off and a back lit display when req..

[Strangeways]

Marty's on the money here - Fluke's are the best on the market. I had my first Fluke in 1993, it lasted me 17 years.

I need another meter as my Jaycar cheapie does not do the job anymore. It is 2 years old !

[chris288]

Go for a Fluke, I've got a Fluke 29 and its never missed a beat.

Think it cost about USD$100

[Replicas]

All great advice.
Fluke is the way to go.
Best by miles.

[MartyJ]

Thanks Marty.

Just put a snipe on the ebay one you mentioned, will see how I go.

Cheers

Did you win it?  If so $107.00 is a steal for one of those

[studley67]

you could buy 10 cheapies for that coinage