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"James Horn" wrote in message ... Fluke's DMMs do cost much more than generic ones. They guarantee accuracy that the others can't touch. I've always been amused that Radio Shack and many other inexpensive DMMs don't publish accuracy specifications. If you want something for relative measurements (peaking, etc) and hobby use, you have a wider field available. If you use it for a living and it *has* to work - well, my Fluke 87 has served *me* wonderfully well. But modern IC technology has certainly made a lot of capability available for little cost elsewhere! Jim WB9SYN/6 (Not affiliated with Fluke) Some of the cheep meters are fine for most home use. It is when you drop them or accidently have them set for current or ohms while measuring voltage you will notice the differance. Then again you can buy about 10 RS meters for what a good Fluke will cost. It sure is hard to quit working long enough to run to RS to get another meter while on a job that depends on having a meter. |
James Horn wrote,
Fluke's DMMs do cost much more than generic ones. They guarantee accuracy that the others can't touch. I've always been amused that Radio Shack and many other inexpensive DMMs don't publish accuracy specifications. Actually, RS does specify the accuracy of at least one multimeter in the manual for that meter: the RS digital multimeter PN 22-812. I sure wouldn't depend on a Radio Shack multimeter in a work environment, though. The ruggedness just isn't there. 73, Tom Donaly, KA6RUH |
James Horn wrote,
Fluke's DMMs do cost much more than generic ones. They guarantee accuracy that the others can't touch. I've always been amused that Radio Shack and many other inexpensive DMMs don't publish accuracy specifications. Actually, RS does specify the accuracy of at least one multimeter in the manual for that meter: the RS digital multimeter PN 22-812. I sure wouldn't depend on a Radio Shack multimeter in a work environment, though. The ruggedness just isn't there. 73, Tom Donaly, KA6RUH |
Kyle2 wrote:
A cheap digital one from Maplin or RS will be just as accurate, save loads by not paying for a name. "CLinT" wrote in message ... I am considering purchasing a Fluke meter to do some alignments & repairs here. Can anyone reccomend a Fluke meter model or anothere brand model? 73 & thanks for all replies, CLinT remove ... "SO" to reply I have a 'Heath by Fluke' model SM-77 which works very well for me. It's not a true RMS meter, which might be a problem for some though. The newer models also measure capacitance and frequency, but if all you want is a DMM this one is fine. Fluke still makes this model, under their own model number. (It's the familiar narrow, tall meter with the 8 position knob to the left side and 4 digit display). I did manage to blow the low current fuse in the meter (guess what, it comes with a spare fuse, inside!). The 9 volt battery lasts forever (think I've changed it twice in 20 years, and one time was because I left the meter on for a week straight!). |
Kyle2 wrote:
A cheap digital one from Maplin or RS will be just as accurate, save loads by not paying for a name. "CLinT" wrote in message ... I am considering purchasing a Fluke meter to do some alignments & repairs here. Can anyone reccomend a Fluke meter model or anothere brand model? 73 & thanks for all replies, CLinT remove ... "SO" to reply I have a 'Heath by Fluke' model SM-77 which works very well for me. It's not a true RMS meter, which might be a problem for some though. The newer models also measure capacitance and frequency, but if all you want is a DMM this one is fine. Fluke still makes this model, under their own model number. (It's the familiar narrow, tall meter with the 8 position knob to the left side and 4 digit display). I did manage to blow the low current fuse in the meter (guess what, it comes with a spare fuse, inside!). The 9 volt battery lasts forever (think I've changed it twice in 20 years, and one time was because I left the meter on for a week straight!). |
In article FQ7vc.259$vK4.176@newsfe5-win, says...
Top-posting corrected -- Please don't top-post. See this link for the reason why: http://www.html-faq.com/etiquette/?toppost "CLinT" wrote in message ... I am considering purchasing a Fluke meter to do some alignments & repairs here. Can anyone reccomend a Fluke meter model or anothere brand model? 73 & thanks for all replies, CLinT remove ... "SO" to reply A cheap digital one from Maplin or RS will be just as accurate, save loads by not paying for a name. Perhaps. However, one thing that I've learned, after being in the electronics/RF field for 25+ years, is that it is not wise to cut corners on your test gear. It should be looked on as an investment as opposed to an expense. Fluke multimeters are, IMO, well worth the higher price for the warranty, support, and how long they last. Case in point: I bought an original model 77 back in 1984. Here it is, 20 years later, and the thing is still with me and still working great. I've checked its calibration three times in the entire time I've had it (most recently, about two years ago), and it has always been right on. I've gone through perhaps four batteries in that time as well. Find me the "cheap one from Maplin or RS" that will compare to that kind of durability and reliability, and I will cheerfully STFU. Now, as to recommendations: Pretty much anything in the 20, 70, or 80 series will do nicely. Choose what you want based on what feature set you want. Top of the line is, as I recall, the 87 series. Be prepared to spend between $150-$400, depending on which model you settle on. Happy hunting. -- Dr. Anton T. Squeegee, Director, Dutch Surrealist Plumbing Institute. (Known to some as Bruce Lane, ARS KC7GR, kyrrin (a/t) bluefeathertech[d=o=t]calm -- www.bluefeathertech.com "If Salvador Dali had owned a computer, would it have been equipped with surreal ports?" |
In article FQ7vc.259$vK4.176@newsfe5-win, says...
Top-posting corrected -- Please don't top-post. See this link for the reason why: http://www.html-faq.com/etiquette/?toppost "CLinT" wrote in message ... I am considering purchasing a Fluke meter to do some alignments & repairs here. Can anyone reccomend a Fluke meter model or anothere brand model? 73 & thanks for all replies, CLinT remove ... "SO" to reply A cheap digital one from Maplin or RS will be just as accurate, save loads by not paying for a name. Perhaps. However, one thing that I've learned, after being in the electronics/RF field for 25+ years, is that it is not wise to cut corners on your test gear. It should be looked on as an investment as opposed to an expense. Fluke multimeters are, IMO, well worth the higher price for the warranty, support, and how long they last. Case in point: I bought an original model 77 back in 1984. Here it is, 20 years later, and the thing is still with me and still working great. I've checked its calibration three times in the entire time I've had it (most recently, about two years ago), and it has always been right on. I've gone through perhaps four batteries in that time as well. Find me the "cheap one from Maplin or RS" that will compare to that kind of durability and reliability, and I will cheerfully STFU. Now, as to recommendations: Pretty much anything in the 20, 70, or 80 series will do nicely. Choose what you want based on what feature set you want. Top of the line is, as I recall, the 87 series. Be prepared to spend between $150-$400, depending on which model you settle on. Happy hunting. -- Dr. Anton T. Squeegee, Director, Dutch Surrealist Plumbing Institute. (Known to some as Bruce Lane, ARS KC7GR, kyrrin (a/t) bluefeathertech[d=o=t]calm -- www.bluefeathertech.com "If Salvador Dali had owned a computer, would it have been equipped with surreal ports?" |
In article FQ7vc.259$vK4.176@newsfe5-win, Kyle2 wrote:
| A cheap digital one from Maplin or RS will be just as accurate, save loads | by not paying for a name. If you're on a tight budget, these things are hard to beat -- http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...70&pricetype=S Yes, three bucks. They won't hold a candle to a Fluke, but for doing simple voltages or resistances, they're hard to beat. They're accurate (at least the ones I've tested) within 1 or 2%, at least for DC and AC voltage (I don't expect them to do accurate RMS readings on non sinusoidal signals, however) and resistances. They're cheap enough that you can dedicate them to a given operation -- you need to know the voltage on your power battery all the time? No problem -- just slap one of these on it. Personally, I own like ten of these things, scattered throughout the house and car, and a few better multi-meters for when I need them. -- Doug McLaren, Give a man a fire and he will be warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he will be warm for the rest of his life. |
In article FQ7vc.259$vK4.176@newsfe5-win, Kyle2 wrote:
| A cheap digital one from Maplin or RS will be just as accurate, save loads | by not paying for a name. If you're on a tight budget, these things are hard to beat -- http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...70&pricetype=S Yes, three bucks. They won't hold a candle to a Fluke, but for doing simple voltages or resistances, they're hard to beat. They're accurate (at least the ones I've tested) within 1 or 2%, at least for DC and AC voltage (I don't expect them to do accurate RMS readings on non sinusoidal signals, however) and resistances. They're cheap enough that you can dedicate them to a given operation -- you need to know the voltage on your power battery all the time? No problem -- just slap one of these on it. Personally, I own like ten of these things, scattered throughout the house and car, and a few better multi-meters for when I need them. -- Doug McLaren, Give a man a fire and he will be warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he will be warm for the rest of his life. |
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