Poll :  How many multimeter's do you own ?  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2010, 02:43:34 pm
content: Lets see how big spenders you areI own three digital, plus one analog ...The rule of thump says that you must have at list two, so to compare their accuracy,or better the health status of them , by making double measurements , from time to time .Just add the number of them ..Soon I will start another Poll , with brands , so to vote your favorite brand name.

author: switcher
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2010, 04:25:04 pm
content: I read on another forum somewhere, years ago:'multimeters are like wood-working clamps, it's impossible to have too many'

author: eswets
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2010, 06:31:51 pm
content: I have about 10 meters. 3 fluke 87's the rest are lower grade than the fluke. Most of the cheap ones where about $50-100 and are from name brand companies (probably they just put there name on them) and seem to be as accurate as the Flukes for what I use them for. I am an electrician so I keep 5 in my truck and the rest in my electronics lab. I have been luck I only had to buy 1 fluke and bought one hundred dollar one, all others were given to me or found on the job and no one claimed it. I am guessing that most people will only need about 2.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 08, 2010, 08:29:16 pm
content: I put 4 but now I think of it is 5 but then i bet one of those cheap digitals will fail soon

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2010, 11:05:12 pm
content: QuoteAll digitals are cheap to manufacture.What a consumer calls as miracle , are to bereasonablepriced andreliable.And my old " ProS Kit " had do that since 1992, but I can not start dancing,because I just have only one model of them (as brand ) .So, I do not know , if its the Brand that belongs in the worthy ones, or just this model !!

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2010, 12:15:59 am
content: Fluke 77. My first 'real' DMM. How only used when I need 4 meters to measure both V&I in and out of a voltage regulatorFluke 87 original (Used so much the sockets wore out, but replacements were available)Fluke 87 III (bought because it was cheap, but now my main DMM )Fluke 287 (bought on an "I want a new toy" whim, rather disappointed by startup and autorange time, but min/max display is handy)HP34401A, bought on ebay when I was doing a lot of high-precision work, now mainly used for stuff like datalogging battery run-down tests as it has the RS232 port and Agilent's handy Excel tool, and when I need high resistance precision to find shorts on PCBs...and an ancient Pantec pen style DMM - very handy for the 'small' version of the on-site toolkit - nobody seems to make a DMM this small anymore.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2010, 12:29:41 am
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on May 09, 2010, 12:15:59 amI am interested too , for one pen style DMM , and they are hard to find.I also look this larger version of pen style.http://www.uni-trend.com/UT15C.html#But I can not make a decision ...

author: switcher
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2010, 09:52:02 am
content: ^^ No, that's not a 'pen' DMM, that's a voltage indicator, intended for use by electricians.It no doubt has an input impedance of a lot less than 10M.You want something like a Wavetek DM73, or and Iso-tech ID-17

author: switcher
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2010, 10:02:07 am
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on May 09, 2010, 12:15:59 amVery nice!

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2010, 10:15:13 am
content: Quote from: switcher on May 09, 2010, 09:52:02 amTrue , but we are electriciansHiding as snipers in an electronics related forum. LOLWith voltmeter and continuity buzzer , in our village we call it ashalfDMM .

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2010, 10:30:46 am
content: On the subject of small DMMs, this is the Pantec in the middle, with battery to scale.This is something like 20 years old. All it does is AC/DC volts, ohms and continuity beep, which is all you need on the sort of job where you didn't expect to need to take a meter with you - basic things like checking batteries, fuses, continuity and that there is power.Below is the nearest equivalent contemporary unit I could find. Much bigger and chunkier. OK it 'feels' nice but I'd rather it was smaller.A nice addition is a non-contact voltage detector, and a tip that retracts by turning the nose. It also has diode test.A really dumb feature is you need a PZ0 screwdriver to replace the battery - for a tool designed for on-the-move use, this is just plain dumb.An issue with the Pantec is it uses LR44 buttons.I just can't understand why someone hasn't made a modern equivalent with improved funcitonality.It doesn't need to be super accurate - an MCU with 10 bit ADC would probably be fine.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2010, 10:39:45 am
content: Well when we go to this small sizes, what bothers me , its the "Easy to Use part " .If you can do the test (measurement) with a single hand , then its an successful one .The other hand usually holds the ladder , or supports your balance when you "fly" over the ground level.The little UNIT-T does have the correct "Grip" for the job , even if its not as tiny, that you will expect.Edit:I just did it , got theUNIT-T15Con Ebay for €23.91 EUR, the "FLUKE T140" identical product goes as 100 EUR retail,any way in 10 days I will have the chance to have a close look at it.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2010, 02:52:47 pm
content: Wow, only 38 voters own multimeters ?Very interesting percentage ..

author: slburris
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2010, 03:32:09 pm
content: I seem to collect both multimeter and oscilloscopes. At least collecting multimetersis a bit cheaper.So for multimeters, I have 7:Fluke 87-VFluke 73-IIIFluke 8505AFluke 8502AFluke 8860AHeathkit IM-2215Heathkit IM-1212Scott

author: Excavatoree
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2010, 04:28:18 pm
content: Uh, how do I explain this?Worse, these aren't even all of them. It's an old picture, and I didn't get all that I had in it. (top part of picture is cut off, some 88 automotive meters in their grey cases.)I'm most proud of my 86's, and my XEROX 87 and XEROX 87-III, and my re-branded Square-D 70 series. (not pictured)Not to mention the Caterpillar branded Beckman that I got because of my involvement with heavy equipment, and some other non-Fluke meters that I own. (no, I don't work for Caterpillar)

author: armandas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2010, 05:21:53 pm
content: Can you please adopt me?

author: dengorius
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2010, 05:37:53 pm
content: Lol when bruce wayne goes EE

author: safarir
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2010, 06:34:08 pm
content: WOW,

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2010, 06:54:51 pm
content: WOW. Some with original boxes! Impressive.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2010, 06:56:12 pm
content: Quote from: Excavatoree on May 14, 2010, 04:28:18 pmRentals ..I came close to work for a company that offers tools with rent .( I would do the maintenance of them , plus cleaning , so to be ready for the next customer )Some companies gets tools by leasing , and at the end of the contract , sales them as lot.So I am not surprised by the picture .

author: switcher
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2010, 08:43:26 pm
content: Excavatoree, that's brilliant!Nice one!

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 14, 2010, 10:51:16 pm
content: Yikes!Collecting can be a sickness!That's well over $10,000 worth of gear on ebay.I threw a few together the other day for an attempted promo shot:Dave.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2010, 12:32:49 am
content: Awesome photo Dave! Far more personality than a stair full of DMMs. Its interesting to see the brands together, I didn't realize how big the Metrawatt was.

author: dengorius
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2010, 01:10:28 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on May 14, 2010, 10:51:16 pmNo screwdriver in your hands? Shame on you!!!

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 15, 2010, 06:11:07 am
content: Quote from: dengorius on May 15, 2010, 01:10:28 amOops, sorry!How's this?Dave.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2010, 06:49:27 am
content: Amazing !! Just Amazing ...And even " dual screwdrivers "

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2010, 07:01:58 am
content: By looking them all together , the MetraHit (Metrawatt) has the best viewable display , for outdoor.The Fluke 87 comes close to Metranet for indoor use, with winner the Agilent ,this yellow black looks fantastic ...The inactive display of the Agilent at the outdoor picture , does not helps me to have an opinion .(looks to have fall in sleep mode )The angle of view effects the view-ability by allot ..The Fluke 87-5 have issues with it , when it is horizontal looks ok ,on the stand , looks almost ok,with the TPAK belt , you have to set the instrument at a higher spot that your eye level ,or else you can not see anything .

author: switcher
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2010, 09:51:56 am
content: This thread is degenerating into a meter pron thread! LOLHow about a reader's wives thread! ROTFLGreat pic, Dave.What are the two analogue meters at each end, don't recognise them.

author: dengorius
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2010, 02:05:13 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on May 15, 2010, 06:11:07 amNow, that's what i meant man!

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 15, 2010, 02:45:19 pm
content: Quote from: switcher on May 15, 2010, 09:51:56 amTriplett 630NA on the right, and Micronta (Radio Shack) FET VOMYou can still buy a Triplett!http://www.triplett.com/product_info.php?cPath=26&products_id=57Dave.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2010, 12:46:58 pm
content: Yes , and you can still get an MICRONTAhttp://cgi.ebay.fr/MULTIMETRE-MICRONTA-/350267852142?cmd=ViewItem&pt=FR_YO_MaisonJardin_Bricolage_ElectroniqueComposants&hash=item518d97456e

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 16, 2010, 12:50:20 pm
content: Not brand new you can't!Dave.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2010, 03:36:14 pm
content: At least by here, most folks own more than one, and I presume they are all working.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2010, 07:05:14 pm
content: Quote from: saturation on May 16, 2010, 03:36:14 pmAnd we have also some shoot'ed in the Head , who are buying today the MetraWatt of 1980https://www.eevblog.com/forum/index.php?topic=342.0

author: Excavatoree
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2010, 03:25:15 pm
content: Quote from: saturation on May 15, 2010, 12:32:49 amPoint taken, but just where would you like me to stand in that group? Dave's pictures are awesome - I didn't know he was a photographer as well as an EE. I have too many for a composition like Dave's, and I couldn't even get them all in. The stairs was the best idea I had at the time. I wasn't trying to be artistic, It was just a quick photo taken for someone who doubted that I kept all of the meters I had purchased. (Well, as quickly as one can set up all those meters and then return them.)My photography skills don't include self-portraits, and, maybe that's a good thing.I didn't mention or picture my 20+ Simpson 260s, but really, I don't have the colorful variety Dave has. Fluke Yellow, Fluke Green, Fluke Grey and Simpson Black is about it.I should take another picture - maybe some group shots of each type, but, really, when will I get another chance to show them? I suspect meter pictures would be more boring than bad vacation slides.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 17, 2010, 10:26:27 pm
content: I'm hardly a photographer, but I try to take a decent shot when needed with the available light.I'm getting some professional studio lights soon, so should be able to start doing some professional level shots from a light perspective.The idea for that photo was to have an additional banner shot for the Youtube page.Dave.

author: switcher
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2010, 06:11:16 pm
content: Excavatoree, I thought the Fluke-covered stairs pic was a gem.It's raining Flukes (I wish!)

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2010, 10:43:17 pm
content: OK here's a fun challenge....line up as many DMMS as you own/can bothered to, and connect a (visible) array of components between the terminals (the messier/more complex the better) to make an 'interesting' display, e.g. a word/words, 12345678 etc.PS. Display hold NOT allowed! Upside down displays allowed,. especially if you can make a rude word.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2010, 11:09:20 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on May 18, 2010, 10:43:17 pmThe damn Fluke says only rude words like{OL} and {LEAD}, and the worst than all ,is that when it starts to be rude,it beeps from pleasure too ..

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 19, 2010, 03:06:07 am
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on May 18, 2010, 10:43:17 pmYou need at least 10,000 counts to get BOOB, and at least 60,000 count to get BOOBS!Speaking of which, MC Frontalot has a new album and song called 80085, check it out:http://frontalot.com/index.php/?page=cdTrivia: I was actually supposed to make a cameo on this track from one of my calculator blogs, but buggered if I can pick it!Dave.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2011, 07:19:08 pm
content: Quote from: Excavatoree on May 14, 2010, 04:28:18 pmYou and your staircase picture was discussed on the Amphour #44 (around the 17 minute mark). I'm also curious if anyone from Fluke has sent you an email or commented on this?

author: Leo Bodnar
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2011, 08:42:56 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on May 19, 2010, 03:06:07 amLOL. Get BOOBLESS if you can.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2011, 09:10:28 pm
content: I had start this thread , almost one year back ..My DMM family become larger, and in few days it will grow even more.But the most important, are all those happy memories that you gather from the travel , and not the destination.

author: rogerray
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 25, 2011, 07:11:58 am
content: 3 analog, 5 hand held digital, 3 desktop

author: Excavatoree
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2011, 03:23:11 pm
content: Quote from: retiredcaps on May 24, 2011, 07:19:08 pmReally? I'll have to check that out. I've been meaning to start listening to the AMP Hour, and catch up on the old ones. I've seen Chris on Jeri's 555 videos and of course we've all seen Dave's Vblog.I need to figure out a better picture, and one that would work as an avatar pic. I've added the 189-ii, and I purchased my first new meters, two Agilents, including the OLED version. (previous models, on clearance)I haven't been contacted by anyone.Many of them have had some problem or another, purchased rather inexpensively from sellers on E-bay. 5-10 or so were "splurges" over about 5 years.The 87-5 and my Agilent are my "go-to" meters in a lab setting, for work on the car, household appliances, etc. I usually grab one of many 25/27's.(sorry for the long post in an old thread.)

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 25, 2011, 04:10:59 pm
content: DMM-ophiles unite!

author: Leo Bodnar
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2011, 06:12:11 pm
content: I can't quite understand compulsive obsession with multimeters - hoarding and salivating over them.They are no more important to a workshop then a screwdriver or a power strip. I do have four but only because I can't quite throw two older ones into a bin and I just leave them lying around to avoid searching for one. I have consciously bought only one, the others were gift from my mum 30 years ago, a freebie with PCB order and a lost one in the office when I moved in. They are OK to probe for a voltage or measure a resistor that lost its bands but that's about it. They are really a sparky's tool. I use oscilloscope(s) much more often in daily grind. And if you really reallymusthave 0.01% precision measurement you wouldn't want to use anything that weighs less then 20kg and costs £200 to calibrate.P.S. I would still buy a DMM that has voice synthesiser built in so you don't need to look at those numbers and either intelligence to guess what I want to measure or at the least voice recognition. It's such a pain to switch the dials or buttons when you are holding probes with both hands. And ironically most DMMs are so light and small that you need two hands to operate them.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2011, 06:15:26 pm
content: Quote from: Excavatoree on May 25, 2011, 03:23:11 pmI forgive you , I do not know about the othersUsually , pictures with so many identical items, are made up with mirrors.You hold an true worlds record over there ..And because of your picture, I feel less guilt's by having almost eight.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2011, 06:26:27 pm
content: Quote from: Leo Bodnar on May 25, 2011, 06:12:11 pmI do not mind at all to be called as wacky romantic DMM user ..Especially this days , that no one uses any more an oscilloscope other than as a single components tester.Also there is no modern device with out self diagnostic , but if it fails there is no self repair function yet..And so there is still some room , for simple or complicate DMM's .

author: Leo Bodnar
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2011, 06:40:58 pm
content: Quote from: Kiriakos-GR on May 25, 2011, 06:26:27 pmI do though like old bakelite galvanometer style meters with mirror behind the needle and clunky switches but I won't class them as "multimeters" though.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2011, 07:01:24 pm
content: I will agree with you , because I am not a collector of items that belongs to the museum.Personally I believe that anything well made from 80s and after ,it is good enough up to date.I am not that old in age , but I can spot the differences between the high quality analogs of 80s,with the low quality and cheap modern ones.Another example for admiration could be the Fluke digital ones of 80s,like the bench type 8010A 8012A 8050A , their buttons as range switch ,are totally indestructible .But I can not say the same , for the modern ones ,when cheap and expensive brands , looks totally alike .

author: gobblegobble
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2011, 10:01:30 pm
content: Quote from: Leo Bodnar on May 25, 2011, 06:12:11 pmUmm... I collect screwdrivers. They're way nicer than stamps and there's almost as much of variety to collect too: they all fit into different screw heads and I seem to always find new ones with different tips. Does that make me a freak?

author: tekfan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2011, 10:03:51 pm
content: Quote from: gobblegobble on May 30, 2011, 10:01:30 pmIsn't that a good thing?

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2011, 11:07:25 am
content: 'Collecting' seems to be a human trait; and at its extreme is a disease called hoarding. But many people who've collected things are mini-museums, later donating entire collections to museums ... saving the public money in acquiring and preserving the collection as it was being built.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CollectingAs to the logic of it, its the same way people are attracted to some particular activity, from beaches or deserts and some people are pros at it: librarians, archivists.I guess gobble, this makes you an expert on screwdrivers, whats your recommendation as a set to last a lifetime? Precision sizes [ ie., watch repair sizes ] to full size?Quote from: gobblegobble on May 30, 2011, 10:01:30 pm

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2011, 11:33:36 am
content: i collect electronics junks, cost me nothing. err i mean money, not space.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2011, 11:43:19 am
content: Hiya mecha, hope all is well. I do too, its my source for parts. Why buy when so much is thrown away? A good desoldering iron, and we can do as well as the Chinese do in recycling.The best are these circa 1980s 1990s stuff with through hole parts that are easier to use and made by very reputable makers.Quote from: Mechatrommer on May 31, 2011, 11:33:36 am

author: Leo Bodnar
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2011, 03:07:49 pm
content: Quote from: saturation on May 31, 2011, 11:07:25 amTherse is no such thing aspublic money. Government borrows, spends it and then ask taxpayers to foot the bill whether they want it or not. We are now paying for the debts of baby boomers. Our children will be paying for our extravagant lives.I am not sure I want to pay for museum collection of old electronic junk.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2011, 03:57:07 pm
content: Funding is a different issue besides why some have so many DMMs, so I'll leave that be.Collections please the collector, and do no harm to anyone else, so its has no negative impact unless you end up hoarding them and it may cause problems to the collector or the cohabitants of the house.As for who will be interested, you never know.Here are some funded with private money:http://www.computerhistory.org/press/backgrounder/http://www.simeonefoundation.org/?page_id=7"Public" money:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Lang_FreerSupported by the Smithsonian and in theory, the Federal government.Some still not, or maybe never?, open to the public:http://www.kennethkuhn.com/hpmuseum/hp_tour.htmQuote from: Leo Bodnar on May 31, 2011, 03:07:49 pm

author: Kuolas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2011, 04:34:06 pm
content: Quote from: saturation on May 31, 2011, 11:07:25 amDrinking at the extremes it's also a disease

author: insurgent
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2011, 02:54:27 am
content: Quote from: Leo Bodnar on May 31, 2011, 03:07:49 pm+1