MOTM

> >> No reason to get a Fluke for $200, just get one with a nice LCD
> >> display.
> >
> > My $0.02 worth: spend some extra $$$ and get one with a frequency
> > counter in it. It's *really* handy for calibrating VCOs and filters,
> > and for tuning 'em when you use 'em. I have a Wavetek that has
> > served me well; I think I spent a hair under $100 for it.
>
> My personal experience with digital multimeters: about 12 years ago I
> bought a "cheap" (about $80 catalog brand) multi-meter that had lots
> and lots of features.  It went to an early grave in the first couple
> weeks I owned it while measuring about 200 volts AC.

So you could start off cheap and when the cheap one dies maybe get a Fluke.
You can see the "good," the "better," and of course the "best" at a Sears
store - they sell Fluke.  I bought a Craftsman 82139 Auto-Ranging Multimeter
for something like $30, maybe a bit more, I don't exactly remember.  It is
cheap but it also measures capacitance and frequency (and temperature if you
care to spend more $$ on a probe).  I needed the frequency counter to
calibrate my VCOs.  My old Beckman 3010 multimeter is still going strong,
too, although it was fried by static electricity in the winter of 1981 and I
had to send it to the manufacturer for repair.  I paid $100 for that one in
1980.

-Richard Brewster