Decent Analog Multimeter - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Bryan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2014, 04:54:11 pm
content: No, this post isn't stuck from the 70's. Looking for the name of a decent quality analog multimeter to round out a test bench. I see the Siimpsons 260270 still sell strong on Ebay, but was thinking for the same price is there something new I could get that is good quality. Seen a few Sanwa's, but not sure how they fare.

author: Flump
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2014, 05:56:38 pm
content: you can buy this new in the uknot sure if they sell it in your countryProsKit MT-2017

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2014, 06:20:59 pm
content: I have aMinipa ET-3021bought several years ago and it works well for what an analog meter is used these days.

author: TheAmmoniacal
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 11, 2014, 07:40:30 pm
content: Nothing beats the Gossen Metrawatt analog multimeters, lookhttp://www.gossenmetrawatt.com/english/produkte/analogmultimeters.htmexcept you might not be able find them or afford them.

author: kc9qvl
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2014, 07:54:18 pm
content: Along with the Simpson 260. The Triplett models 310 and 60 are nice.Go real old school get a vtvm like an RCA Voltohmyst

author: Flump
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2014, 08:40:26 pm
content: I have a bit of a thing for analog multimeters and have a few of themone of my favourite is this micronta which you can pickup secondhandvia ebay etc, i bought one about 4 months ago and my mate fell in love withit so i gave it to him and couple of months later another came up on ebaythis time with the leather pouch and test leads.

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2014, 09:14:11 pm
content: simpson 260.classic.everyone should own one

author: Fank1
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2014, 09:23:46 pm
content: I tested the Simpson 260 vs a Triplett Model 60 about 40 yrs ago.The Triplett won for accuracy, also the cases will take a beating that the Simpson won't.I've carried the same Triplett ever since then and tortured it in about every way.480V one the ohms scale etc. Just change the fuse and keep on trucking.

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2014, 09:29:44 pm
content: tripletts are as good as simpsons, too.still, the 260 has a long history of being quite rugged. they are found scratched but usually they are in one piece.the problem with the 260 is low-z.then again, there are many plugins for the 260, that kind of makes it a collectable in a way. I have the transistor tester plugin and its pretty cool for what it isif you do get a simpson, get only the overload protect (P) version and try to get one with a mirror scale. avoid the ones that use pin connectors instead of regular bananas and also avoid the 'reverse banana' since those are very hard to find (easily) and all the rest of your gear probably won't work with such leads.

author: zaoka
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2014, 09:39:22 pm
content: Simpson 260/270 or Triplett 630/60.These are the best.

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2014, 09:45:31 pm
content: that's what the plugins look like; there's my transistor testor.yeah, its strange looking, the way they do plugins, but it has an old school charm to it, too.

author: IO390
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2014, 10:05:49 pm
content: I'd go for an old Avo...Can't beat British

author: Ebivetar
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2014, 12:44:15 am
content: You should consider Kyoritsu also.http://www.kew-ltd.co.jp/en/products/multimeters/1110.html

author: retrolefty
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2014, 01:06:04 am
content: Triplett to pack to the field, Simpson for the bench.

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2014, 01:44:37 am
content: Quote from: linux-works on May 12, 2014, 09:45:31 pmI have the box for that. Put a simple little LT3080 based PSU in it.

author: Bryan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2014, 03:25:47 pm
content: Quote from: Flump on May 12, 2014, 08:40:26 pmMicronta always brings back memories. As a kid growing up in the 70's Radio Shack was the place to go to purchase electronic components, and of course salivating over the HeathKit catalogues.

author: mzacharias
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2014, 11:57:49 am
content: Possibly the best general purpose analog VOM I own, and I own quite a few, is the Bach-Simpson 635. Based on the Simpson 265 and made in Canada, it is dead-on accurate on all ranges, is very little affected by tilt angle, responds quickly with no overshoot, does AC and DC current to 12 amps! Includes an add-on removable high voltage multiplier pack.A guy on eBay was selling them for 45.00 recently.Downside - only one I can think of. They aren't the most intuitive in terms of ranges and functions. If one is used to another model, it would be easy to misuse this one and connect to a voltage source while on a milli-amp function for example.You can see mine at Simpson260.com. Lots of pictures including internals.