Multimeter for a n00b - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Ir0nman
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 20, 2014, 07:59:17 pm
content: Hi I've lost my old multimeter and I'm looking to buy a new one... I just watched the Fluke 17B tear down and it looks reasonable for the price tag - I'm not sure if it will be lacking feature I may later need (at the moment I only need a basic meter - that's safe).My budget is £150 (around 200 dollars).Any recommendations?

author: TorqueRanger
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2014, 08:17:32 pm
content: Used Fluke 87 ....

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 20, 2014, 08:37:27 pm
content: For that ind of money you can get a great meter that is safe too. The Fluke 17B certainly is a nice meter and safe, but not the best value for the money. Have a look on the forums here for information on the Brymen BM257 at $135 shipped to your door as an example. It is safe, very well featured, and very well built.

author: electronics man
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2014, 11:34:28 pm
content: Quote from: TorqueRanger on February 20, 2014, 08:17:32 pmdefinatly agree i just got one of ebay for £165, it is briliant, so if you try enough times then you can probably get one for £150.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2014, 08:48:38 am
content: Another 2 options:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/U1232A-Agilent-Technologies-Multimeter-Digital-Handheld-Vsense-/360833596409?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item54035bbbf9http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Metrel-MD9040-TRMS-Industrial-Digital-Multimeter-/331041249204?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET&var=&hash=item4d139897b4

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 21, 2014, 09:10:45 am
content: The 17B is ok, but there is better value to be had elsewhere.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 21, 2014, 04:49:50 pm
content: Quote from: Wytnucls on February 21, 2014, 08:48:38 amThat Metrel is a Brymen BM822 rebranded. Nothing wrong with that meter at all. I still think the BM257 is a better value at a much lower price. The Metrel lacks back light, temperature, non-contact EF detection, auto-detect, MIN/MAX, and Crest. What you gain over the BM257 is a bit of accuracy and 10,000 count on voltage and Hz functions. To me, the BM257 is smaller, lighter, more featured, and costs less.

author: 6E5
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2014, 05:03:55 pm
content: Fluke 27/FM is rugged and often comes with the 6KV probe option, for under $100. They are military surplus, so are often calibrated to the dot. The 27/FM is true RMS, while the 27 is only sine wave.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2014, 05:57:05 pm
content: The Metrel 9040 has a few extra features, like a dual display, faster bargraph with better resolution and aural/visual jack warning.I do agree that the cheaper Brymen 257 may be a better deal, with its higher AC bandwidth (10kHz), temperature and crest options.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 21, 2014, 06:27:31 pm
content: I stand corrected. The Metrel 9040 does not appear to be a direct rebranding of the BM822. It seems to be in between the 822 and the 827. Yes I missed the glaring addition of the dual display. To some people the Metrel might be a better deal but I think for most people the BM257 is still a better buy.

author: ethhanners
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2014, 11:34:08 pm
content: the extech ex330 is a good beginner meter

author: Luckymat
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 01:42:34 am
content: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/t24052/msg347179/#msg347179Get yourself bm257 and pc connection kit for arround $175(before mine started to do weird stuff) im happy with it.. No meter is perfect but this one is pretty good