Looking for a decent DVOM

[finsruskw]

What would be a decent VOM to purchase that would not break the bank?
Looking on e-bay and they are all over the park as far as price from like $9.99 on up to $50 and more.

I'm not averse to spending that kind of scratch but want a good, accurate and reliable instrument that would serve a hobby guy such as my self well.

Thanks Guys!

[R Bedell]

IMHO....if you want those specifications, you will be in the minimum of the $50.00 plus range.

My favorite meter is a Fluke. But I spent $130 for it. I have one in my shop, to a lesser degree, and it is a Sperry. It is reasonably accurate and works OK for it's intended use. I bought in at one of the Big Box stores for around $50.00. It is OK, 90% of the time. Critical resistance, I dig out my Fluke.

In my world, anything less than $40.00 is a play toy.

[ol'George]

Buy a inexpensive one and learn how to use it properly( if you don't)
If you find you need accuracy, then buy the Fluke.
Always keep a cheap one on hand, that is the one you can drop,run over, or in all cases lend out!!
Treat the fluke like your woman, carefully and ya don't lend it, even to your best friend

[Terry C]

Originally Posted by finsruskw

What would be a decent VOM to purchase that would not break the bank?
Looking on e-bay and they are all over the park as far as price from like $9.99 on up to $50 and more.

I'm not averse to spending that kind of scratch but want a good, accurate and reliable instrument that would serve a hobby guy such as my self well.

Thanks Guys!

If you have a votech school nearby, check the pawnshops. Last model 87 Fluke I got was from a pawnshop. Kids give up and quit, pawn the tools. which are usually like new. In my opinion, it a Fluke or it’s a waste of time.

Edit: Fluke 87 is like $350. I gave $100 for mine from the PS.
Like Roland said,50 will be at the bottom. Better be prepared to spend more if you want a good one.

[CADplans]

The digital LCD display quit on my Fluke,,,

I now use the free one that you can get with ANY purchase at Harbor Freight,

It works perfectly, there is ZERO fear of dropping it,, just go get another one,,,

My 7 year old granddaughter has one now,, she has to "test" every battery she can find,,

I took the leads off of one, and my 23 month old granddaughter thinks it is her cell phone,,
the display shows different things when she twists the setting knob.

With ALL of that use, not one has failed yet,,,

I get a LOT of mileage out of those HF voltmeters,,,

[CubDieselFan]

Originally Posted by CADplans

The digital LCD display quit on my Fluke,,,

I now use the free one that you can get with ANY purchase at Harbor Freight,

It works perfectly, there is ZERO fear of dropping it,, just go get another one,,,

My 7 year old granddaughter has one now,, she has to "test" every battery she can find,,

I took the leads off of one, and my 23 month old granddaughter thinks it is her cell phone,,
the display shows different things when she twists the setting knob.

With ALL of that use, not one has failed yet,,,

I get a LOT of mileage out of those HF voltmeters,,,

The displays can be replaced.

[athomas]

I'd have to agree with the harbor freight deal , unless your earning your living or your life depends on it the free freight one seems to work just fine for most home/garage usage ! got a couple back ups just in case !

[jbrewer]

I'm an EE and electronic hobbyist and I use a DMM almost daily. I have two fluke 87s and a Fluke 77. I also have a small fleet of cheaper models.

The good things about Flukes:

They are more accurate than you'll ever need for mechanical work
They are good at battery management
They will tolerate measuring voltage on the resistance scale (you WILL do this)
I've dropped / banged em around and they survive
They stay put when you set them somewhere to take a measurement

The bad things about them:

Unless they fixed it in later designs the display to PCB interconnect implementation is TERRIBLE leading to missing segments, dim displays, etc. I've fixed several but it's not for the faint of heart and it's temporary

They're expensive


For garage use, I'd get a cheaper model...midprice. They will likely have some protection for misusing them (see V measurement while on the R scale) but not expensive enough to hurt if you run over them with a tractor, or step on them, etc.

HF stuff is accurate enough for mechanics use, but they're fragile, will run batteries down if not shut off. The leads on them are flimsy and cheap. They'll work fine, if you watch out for them though. They'll also fall off of everything you place them on as they're super light. They're a great value for free (or $2.99).

PS: The displays on Flukes dont go bad, but the spongy interconnect between board and display gets flaky. You can disassemble the meter and clean the pads and the sponge things, and it'll work again. Don't drink a lot of coffee before doing this. I've saved several.

[ironman]

I did 32 years in the communications industry and I have used just about every kind of meter imaginable. I have also owned a bunch of analog and digital VOM's. Nowdays, I mostly tinker with electrical and mechanical stuff that only requires one in a hobby sense of the word. So trust me when I say, 'You don't need no stinkin' Fluke!(or anything like it)

Take the advice of all who are non-experts just like you and get yourself a $20 meter off flea bay, or for that matter get a couple. You will be just as happy and less poor.

My only requirements would be: audible tone continuity test, and auto shut-off, back-lit display (optional).
My

[Terry C]

What a bunch of tightwads!
Keep buying that Chinese crap, pretty soon that’s all there will be.
So, you tightwads never go out to eat with the family?
For the price of a night out, you wouldn’t spend that on a quality tool?
Really?