What DIY Multimeter?

Makhaira

Makhaira

Makhaira

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Lancashire, UK
Just managed to borrow a multimeter and have confirmed that my current Tenma is dying (erroneous readings on high resistances, so I assume the input resistance has dropped for some reason).

Just wondering what to invest in really... I could go for another cheap option like a Tenma 7725 for about £25, I could go for a Tenma 9280 or Amprobe AM-520 around the £50/70 mark, or I could go all the way up to a Fluke 113 around £120.

Given that all I use this for is hobby level stuff, I'm tempted to just stick to the middle range (auto ranging would be nice compared to the cheapy), but any suggestions from on here? (Other than Fluke being brilliant of course!).
 
I'd actually be happy with the 40 quid tenma, just thought I'd canvas opinions and I know the Fluke is considered king,but that doesn't mean I need it :p
 
I'll check what brand mine is later but had it since I dropped out of electronics in 1999 and still working fine other than some of ohm ranges require pressure on the switch to work :s

EDIT: Its a Rapid 212 - long since discontinued could do with a new one really.
 
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Makhaira said:
I'm going to sleep on it but I think I'm going to get this - http://cpc.farnell.com/tenma/72-7735/3-75-digit-handheld-digital-multimeter/dp/IN04417

I can get 4 of those for the price of a Fluke, and even though a Fluke will *probably* last a lifetime, I don't want to gamble the extra money.

Hope the thread is of use to someone at least :).
Click to expand...

Looks fine for what you want it to do, I must admit I acquired my Fluke so if I was laying out hard earned readies my advice might not have been the same :D
 
You can get a new Fluke 101 for £37
Uni-T are OK for the money

A second hand Fluke or is worth considering as it's still likely to be in spec,
a second hand Uni-T, not so much.
 
Just checked mine and it's a rapitest DM25.
I've had it for a bit less than 20 years and it's been fine, although I don't use it that often.
Can't remember what I paid but iirc about £20.
Never replaced the battery either so don't know how it still works tbh.
 
I was surprised the battery on mine was still working after 16 years never mind 20 - IIRC its dated to 2019 though guess those old 9v last awhile heh.
 
bitslice said:
You can get a new Fluke 101 for £37
Uni-T are OK for the money

A second hand Fluke or is worth considering as it's still likely to be in spec,
a second hand Uni-T, not so much.
Click to expand...


101 are a bit too basic imho, doesn't measure current. I was looking at a 107 to keep in my laptop bag to save me carrying tool box. Went for a ck magma laptop / tool bag in the end so end up buying it
 
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As someone who only uses their multimeter to check the car battery and test the odd AA battery.

What does a £100 multimeter offer over an ebay special £4 multimeter.

-Please don't think I'm rubbishing the Fluke equipment, I've used their network diagnostic tools before, they are awesome.

Just curious as to what the differences are between them.
 
Went to use my old multi the other week and found I had left batteries in it - all ran over circuit board - cleaned it all up but it's knackered - shame really as it was top notch and had to be calibrated every year and had a certificate for it - not that I have had it done for a good few years..

Got a cheapy now.
 
Just noticed the Fluke 113 is low impedance only, and the 101 doesn't do currents. Pretty much set on that Tenma now I think - advice in this thread seems to be similar to what I thought - "invest in Fluke if you want it to last a lifetime, otherwise most decent brands are the same".
 
My Maplin Precision Gold M-5010 is about 35 years old. Cost about £30 which was about a months income (pocket money).
 
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