What's your favorite digital voltmeter?
 

I'm in the market for a digital multimeter. Anyone have any favorites they'd recommend? - Thanks

I like my Fluke but I don't remember the model because I am here and it is sitting at home doing nothing

My digital meter is like a son to me

Regards
CD175

Hey, we're practically neighbors! I used to live in Mansfield before we bought a house in Taunton. I'm in the HVAC trade and I've always used a Fluke 87 True RMS Multimeter. It may be overkill for working purely on automotive electrical systems, but it's the best one I've ever used. They run about $300, depending on where you buy it. There are other models that are cheaper, but I would highly recommend going with Fluke as far as the brand is concerned.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002YFD1K

what are your needs?

At work i use a $1000 fluke 789, at home i use a $20 crappy tire/princess auto.

Heh, heh... I get it (ie, your son is at home doing nothing, too).

At least your meter is not locking the keys in the car!

:D

Me, too...

;)

It's according to what you are using it for.
But assuming you are just going to be using it around the house, I would buy something that when it breaks is a throw away. B&K makes 50 dollar DMM's that will handle most jobs.
Check out www.matelectronics.com
I work in electronics and still use my Beckmans and of course a old RCA meter.

FLUKE

I've had one for about 18 years now & it's still going strong.

Old stuff but gets the job done.
Fluke 36
Fluke 83
Snap ON analog
Sun analog
And the one that gets used the most, $19.95 Radio Shack that fits in your pocket.
Really depends upon what you need one for.
Even working on new stuff, at times the old Snap On and Sun with sweep needles are better diagnostic tools than digital. Try checking the .5 volt AC pulse on a pick-up or crank trigger and you'll see what I mean.

ditto the tiny radioshack deal, thats one I bought when I was repairing computer monitors years ago.
dont know nutin about those expensive meters nor would I have a clue what to do with one.
I have several cheap meters, none cost over $20-30 and they have all worked for many years. My favorite is one that is at hand when I want it. I keep one in my battery/alt/charger stuff area, one in my ignition stuff area, one next to my big toolbox and one in my raceday toolbox. Oh yeah a $5 one I got on sale at where else, harbor fright. I keep that one in the trunk of my Cadillac along with pliers screwdriver and ducttape.
When all I'm doing in my little deal is checking continuity, voltage, occasional diodes etc. What is the point of having a fluke? Maybe having a fluke is like having the expensive torque wrench I bought on a whim, the one that I always double check using a $20 sears beam I bought 20 years ago LOL Sometimes the tool you already have is the only one you need.

I have a Fluke 88 I bought when I still worked on car for a living. I bought it after I went to the GM electrical diagnosis class and on the first day the instructor picked it (a Fluck 87) up and dropped it saying it would be the last Multimeter you would buy. Needless to say I was sold. I bought the 88 because it could check RPM and dwell.

http://www.amazon.com/Fluke-88VA-Del...2498605&sr=1-1

Fluke Process meter
Fluke 87

I suggest a Simpson 260 (or 270) if you want a meter with a needle (such as for current measurements).

But for garage work, a Fluke 12 has been my fave for almost 20 years. It is smaller than the 87 series, has big buttons, a big enough display, a rubber 'boot' for durability (and VISIBILITY in a dimly lit garage) and has meaured everything I ever needed it to both easily and accurately.

I prefer the Model 12 (to the Model 11) because it measures capacitance, so if you suspect a 'condensor' crapped out, you measure it.

Meter
 

I use a Fluke 115, which I think was about $150. Its a very good meter, but for home/ auto any $50 meter will probably do, unless you have a something like an ls1 motor with modern electronics.

FLUKE 88 is what I use.

GREAT meters.

Mike

If you are using it to make a living, Fluke is great, just read all the previous posts. I have a Fluke 87. Otherwise, get an inexpensive one. For playing with cars, I like analog meters. I like to see the needle sweep. I have had an analog Ammeter in my garage for 15 years and still works great. You can still get them new for about 50 bucks.

I like the Fluke meters because they auto range, and they are very durable and easy on batteries. Been using a Fluke 87 for almost 20 years now working on cars, and I bought it used! I also have a cheaper TIF 250 I carry with me and it seems to be pretty bulletproof as well. Meters that have an inductive ammeter clamp are nice because you don't have to wire the meter into the circuit in series to check for amp draw. Likewise since we love older cars, having the dwell and tach features are nice as well, which my Fluke does not.
I still have a sears home tune up engine analyzer I bought in the 70's for dwell and tach.
It has the analog sweep meter. These are cheap and can often be found at garage sales.:)