"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.

I echo what Eike has said. I own and use an older 85 (also gave one to
a son to take to University). It works in all conditions including,
something especially important one would think to this group, in the
presence of a lot of RF.
The low resistance range has been invaluable. The sensitive AC
range allowed me with ease to tell if 240 VAC water heating elements
were operating by measuring the voltage across the straps going to the
elements. (Not between!) Recently, I used the capacitance feature to
verify that a control line was almost certainly open at its far end
(that was a long way up a hot tower).
Good tools pay! I can raise penny pinching to an art form, but I
use Klein safety harnesses, HP calculator, and Fluke meter. 73 Mac
N8TT
P.S. My answer to the question is to buy something in the 80 series.
--
J. Mc Laughlin - Michigan USA
Home:


"Eike Lantzsch, ZP6CGE" wrote in message
...
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 prefer a Fluke anyway. This is why:
When measuring resistances in a cabinet with a running Variable
Frequency Drive I got nothing but house numbers with the feature
rich no-name-multimeter, that I was using by then. When using
a Fluke I got correct readings. The reason: The cheap MM was
sensitive to the RFI, which the VFD generated - the Fluke was
undisturbed by the massive RFI. That was the model 77 which
is old now. But you may find a used one as a bargain.
If you want to measure with strong RF-fields present then there
is a difference and you get what you pay for. TANSTAAFL.
If you go for bench meters also konsider used Keithleys and
BBC Metrawatt.

Kind regards, Eike