[sdiy] Multimeter advice?

[Oren Leavitt]

On 12/13/2010 4:28 AM, Tom Wiltshire wrote:
> Well, the multimeter snobs can laugh, but I've been using one of these for the last twenty years:
>
> http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110611546527#ht_1034wt_1118
>
> It was the Maplin Electronics house brand when I was younger. It didn't cost much when it was new, but it does everything I need, or I've got so used to it that it would never occur to me to want anything it doesn't do.
> The capacitance ranges are the least-used feature since they required that a cap is out of circuit and also has reasonably long leads to fit in the testing slot. This mostly rules out stuff you've unsoldered from a board. It's occasionally been useful for sorting loose mixed caps.
>
> It's had about 4 or 5 new batteries in it's life - so they last for ages. And as to reliability, I have had to resolder a broken battery connection wire once, but otherwise it's been fine.
>
> Maplin still sell multimeters, but who knows whether they're still as good as this one has proved to be.
>
> T.
>
>

I have a Sears Craftsman Professional (model 82357) multimeter I bought 
about 20 years ago. USD $129 was the price then iirc.
It is rock solid, very accurate, and has worked (and still works) well.
It has a "Hz" (audio frequency counter) function that is very accurate, 
and has been so useful.
This model also has an RS-232 serial connector for sending data to a PC.

This, too is on it's 5th battery I think.

>
> On 13 Dec 2010, at 02:18, Paul Perry wrote:
>
>> Haven't been doing any electronics for a while - and then suddenly
>> I noticed that none of my multimeters were to hand.
>> A few moments later, it occured to me that the sneak thief that
>> crept upstairs&  took 2 phones&  2 cameras and a set of very high end
>> earphones must have taken my  multimeters as well.
>>
>> Damn.
>>
>> So, if anyone has advice on what I should get, for general analog
>> pokery, I am all ears.
>> particularly,
>> 1. any good secondhand models to be found regularly on ebay?
>> 2. any reasonably OK Chinese types?
>> 3. Any amazing deals to be had?
>>
>> I'm in Australia, which means it's going to come from somewhere more than 6000
>> miles away, anyhow. At least the $Australia is high at the moment.
>>
>> paul perry Melb Australia
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