PICdude wrote:
> I need to get a few more DMM's, and looking for something semi-decent  =

> and low-cost (<$50 would be nice), but I'd really like them to be  =

> benchtop types so I can stack a few.  For these I don't need any super  =

> accuracy (a percent or more error is fine), but I want reliability,  =

> which is why I'm avoiding the off-brand ebay products for now --  =

> unless someone has good reviews on them.
> =

> The usual AC/DC volts, current, resistance, and continuity is all I  =

> need for these, but frequency would be nice to have too.
> =

> Anything available in the range?  I can find a bunch of decent  =

> handheld models that meet these specs, but I'd prefer it in benchtop  =

> form factor.

You need to revise your price range requirement up a little if you want =

quality... $100 or so will get you "decent", $200 will get you "very =

very nice". <$50 will get you floor scrapings and "what's cheapest this =

week" specials.

Just about any Fluke meter will meet those specs, a 25 or 27 (IIRC the =

only difference is that the 27 had Min/Max) can be had for pennies on =

the likes of Ebay. Seems the military were quite fond of them -- drop =

one on your foot, and you'll be needing medical attention, but the meter =

will most likely survive with no more than an additional scratch or two...

I've stopped skimping on multimeters. Those pound-shop specials are =

never even remotely close to calibrated. I once had one read +1.1V when =

connected to a 2.54V 0.1% reference IC -- my Fluke came up within 1 unit =

of the least significant digit if memory serves. That's not mentioning =

the one that read 0V on a live AC circuit (think of the safety =

implications of THAT!)

YMMV. But I know where my money's going when (if?) my Fluke 25 dies. The =

meter cost me =A320 used, it's on its second set of test leads and its =

second battery. It's like the Duracell Bunny, no matter what I throw at =

it, it just keeps going and going...

YMMV, of course.

-- =

Phil.
piclist@philpem.me.uk
http://www.philpem.me.uk/

-- =

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