Can anyone suggest an decent digital multimeter? - Page 3

pinballlooking · 12-19-16, 11:02 PM

I keep those free HF meters in my car and truck just in case you need one in a pinch.
I still have a couple Simpson 260 I always liked that meter.

Xringer · 12-19-16, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC_Hacker

On the front it says: "Southwire" and also: "10020N"

-AC

This one? Southwire 10020N 3-in-1 Pocket Multimeter CAT IV

jeff5may · 12-20-16, 06:49 AM

The mighty 260, WOW! Brings back old memories, where most electronic techs were also amateur radio operators, and were somewhat of an engineer. Worked really well with motors and relay controls and tractors, not so well with high-impedance circuits (vacuum tubes/digital). Not something that would fit in your pocket. Tough as a brick, though.

Xringer · 12-20-16, 08:04 AM

That does bring back some really old (1968) memories..
Radio Shack made a look-a-like meter. I was a Tech and my buddy was a General class.
He needed a glass surface to grind down a 40 meter crystal. He used the meter face!
The glass turned so white with micro-scratches, you couldn't see the readout with wetting it.
He would spit on the glass when he needed to check a voltage! LOL!
I offered him $5 for the meter. He just gave it to me, free..
I sprayed the glass with clear krylon (antenna spray) and it was readable!

I used that meter for about 20 years before selling it for a new TRS digital..

My Ham gear isn't used much these days. I'm avoiding the basement's cold and Radon..

Daox · 01-13-17, 01:01 PM

I ended up going with the Mastech MS8229 (one I posted). Actually it ended up being a Christmas present. I just got it the other day as it was on back order. It seems pretty well built solid unit. I love that it comes with a temperature probe. I've had many instances when I would have liked to have a meter with a temp probe on it and now I do. The other meters are nifty too (lumens, decibel meter, etc.). Another neat feature is when you turn the dial to a specific meter, it lights up what terminals to plug your probes into. I've made that mistake twice with harbor freight meters, and while its not an expensive mistake, its annoying.

pinballlooking · 01-13-17, 01:09 PM

It looks nice. You will have to come back after you have used it a few times and give a review.

12-19-16, 11:02 PM	#21
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	I keep those free HF meters in my car and truck just in case you need one in a pinch. I still have a couple Simpson 260 I always liked that meter. __________________ Current project Aquaponics system , Passive Solar Greenhouse build To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Solar Install 12.5 Kwh- To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Mini Split installs - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. EV Chevy Volt - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

12-20-16, 06:49 AM	#23
jeff5may Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: elizabethtown, ky, USA Posts: 2,428 Thanks: 431 Thanked 619 Times in 517 Posts	The mighty 260, WOW! Brings back old memories, where most electronic techs were also amateur radio operators, and were somewhat of an engineer. Worked really well with motors and relay controls and tractors, not so well with high-impedance circuits (vacuum tubes/digital). Not something that would fit in your pocket. Tough as a brick, though. Last edited by jeff5may; 01-14-17 at 07:25 AM..

12-20-16, 08:04 AM	#24
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	That does bring back some really old (1968) memories.. Radio Shack made a look-a-like meter. I was a Tech and my buddy was a General class. He needed a glass surface to grind down a 40 meter crystal. He used the meter face! The glass turned so white with micro-scratches, you couldn't see the readout with wetting it. He would spit on the glass when he needed to check a voltage! LOL! I offered him $5 for the meter. He just gave it to me, free.. I sprayed the glass with clear krylon (antenna spray) and it was readable! I used that meter for about 20 years before selling it for a new TRS digital.. My Ham gear isn't used much these days. I'm avoiding the basement's cold and Radon.. __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

01-13-17, 01:01 PM	#25
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	I ended up going with the Mastech MS8229 (one I posted). Actually it ended up being a Christmas present. I just got it the other day as it was on back order. It seems pretty well built solid unit. I love that it comes with a temperature probe. I've had many instances when I would have liked to have a meter with a temp probe on it and now I do. The other meters are nifty too (lumens, decibel meter, etc.). Another neat feature is when you turn the dial to a specific meter, it lights up what terminals to plug your probes into. I've made that mistake twice with harbor freight meters, and while its not an expensive mistake, its annoying. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

01-13-17, 01:09 PM	#26
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	It looks nice. You will have to come back after you have used it a few times and give a review. __________________ Current project Aquaponics system , Passive Solar Greenhouse build To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Solar Install 12.5 Kwh- To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Mini Split installs - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. EV Chevy Volt - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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