>-----Original Message-----
>From: Robert Ussery [mailto:uavscience@FRII.COM]
>Sent: 21 April 2004 18:41
>To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
>Subject: Re: [EE]: DMM reccomendation?
>
>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: pic microcontroller discussion list
>>[mailto:PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU] On Behalf Of llile@SALTONUSA.COM
>
>
>>>Actually I need a quick course on how to use a multimeter. I
>bought an
>>Extech handheld multimeter
><snip>
>>7. Finally we are ready to use your new Extech meter.  Here
>is what you
>>do:  Place the meter on a firm, flat surface, cock back your
>right leg,
>>and strike the meter firmly and briskly with your right toe.  Step
>>firmly on the top of the case until you hear a satisfying crunching
>>sound.  If any parts are still whole, you may need to pound
>them with a
>>large hammer or squeeze them between vise jaws.  Propane torches can
>>also be useful here.  Now go to radio shack or your favourite online
>>retailer and get another meter, any brand besides Extech.
>
>Yeah, I know what you mean... I thought I was getting a good
>deal, buying an Extech Multiview 110 from Jameco for $40. Not
>so, my friends.
>
>I've got to say that I haven't experienced _any_ of the issues
>you mentioned (i.e. poor display, eats batteries, missing test
>leads, etc.), but I have had my share of trouble with it. It
>has a little beeper in it to signal <10ohms on the ohmmeter,
>and this sucker sometimes starts randomly beeping and requires
>a sharp rap on the case to shut it up. Sometimes, the readings
>will drift and jump around for no apparent reason, until the
>DMM is rebooted.
>
>OTOH, this DMM fills my needs, and is sufficient for my level
>of use. It would seriously suck as a lab meter or a
>professional tool, but it does fine in my basement workshop.
>Beats the heck out of my old RatShak analog meter.
>
>TTYL
>
>- Robert

I have an oldish Radio Shack (Micronta branded) analog meter and it has to
be one of the most usefull instruments I own.  It has a FET input stage so
doesn't load the circuit any more than a DMM would, and has a large scale
for decent resolution (the whole thing is not much smaller than an AVO 8).
It has survived the last 10-12 years of quite heavy use without complaint
(although the needle does sometimes stick to the left of the scale if you
accidently have the test leads reversed when measuring voltage).

Regards

Mike




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