Multimeter Purchase

M0ses · #1 10-11-2009, 09:18 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/Digital-LCD-Volt...item4148e5ee71

This is a LOT less expensive than the one on Stewmac. Why?
And is there any reason I shouldn't buy it?

jworrellbass · #2 10-11-2009, 09:21 PM

I paid $12 at HD for mine, works great.

Musiclogic · #3 10-11-2009, 09:25 PM

multimeters are very diverse in pricing due to where they are made and how accurate, along with amount of seperate functions. these are things to look at as far as what YOU need the meter for. For simple bench tests such as conductivity, and ohms resistance, cheap meters will do a serviceable job, if you are looking for something extremely accurate, that you can count on for many years, look to Fluke Meters everytime. If you want the one from Stew Mac, you can also look to Craftsman, MCM Electronics, etc for similar meters at lower prices.

UncleFluffy · #4 10-11-2009, 09:27 PM

The cheap ones are not only less accurate but they have a fair chance of dying on you at an inconvenient point.

Tedstor · #5 10-11-2009, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M0ses

http://cgi.ebay.com/Digital-LCD-Volt...item4148e5ee71

This is a LOT less expensive than the one on Stewmac. Why?
And is there any reason I shouldn't buy it?

How often will you use a MM? What will you use it for?

If you only plan to use it once in a great while for amp tweaks and troubleshooting, that $15 model might be ok. I've never heard of that brand before, so I can't comment.
However, I bought a Sears/Craftsman model for $40 about 12 years ago. I've used it to repair Marine/Navy fighter jets, luxury cars, amps, household stuff, etc, etc. It still works perfect and will likely outlast me.
When it comes to tools, I typically don't buy high-end, but I do try to buy middle-of-the-road. Its a philosophy that so far has served me well. I think you'll find paying an extra $25 will get you a MM that will work better and last a lifetime. 10 years from now, you won't even remember how much you paid for it. But you won't have to buy another. JMHO.

M0ses · #6 10-11-2009, 09:42 PM

Thanks for the input, guys. I understand what you're saying about the range of stuff here. Unfortunately I'm a jobless teenager with no money and one heck of an expensive hobby. I simply can't afford to pay for what I don't absolutely need. For now I will have to go with the low end of the spectrum if I want any at all; someday I'll get a real (nice) one. I just needed to know that I wasn't buying something that simply wouldn't work, or give me any kind of usable readings.

UncleFluffy · #7 10-11-2009, 10:23 PM

Buy the cheap one. If you only use it occasionally, you'll be fine. If it breaks, you'll know it's time to buy something better.

(edit) - that's not particularly cheap for one of that quality. Try here for a more reasonable price. (They're based in Singapore, but shipping to the US is reasonable - I get a lot of stuff from them).

Jim Campbell · #8 10-11-2009, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M0ses

http://cgi.ebay.com/Digital-LCD-Volt...item4148e5ee71

This is a LOT less expensive than the one on Stewmac. Why?
And is there any reason I shouldn't buy it?

is a multimeter what you need or would a clamp meter do.....ohms amps volts ac/dc continuity all are included in a decent clamp......i picked up a fluke for a hundred used and its decent stuff,though my work unit has a freq/hz function and costs a lot more....there should be all kinds in the pawn or local cl that you can try out before going to e bay

HogieWan · #9 10-12-2009, 06:58 AM

Radio shack has cheaper ones that do a good job. Some of the markup at StewMac is because you're more likely to get everything at one place and they need to make more on inventory that they don't move as quickly.

scottyd · #10 10-12-2009, 07:12 PM

I've got 3 cheapos, they all give different readings, I'm going to get a better one first chance I get. Reading resistance on coil windings is all I really use mine for, that and checking grounds.