I got one when in maplins shopping for something else. Cost about 8or9 quid. Put it away and when i went to try and use it, the bloody thing wouldnt work. I wont use it much but wanted something just a bit posher than my test lamp. Continuity is a must at the very least but dont want half the other things that they do.
 
jamesmartin said:
ive had several expensive flukes ,but my £50 draper has done just as well over the last few years ,audible continuity is vital imo
Click to expand...

Agree James, I still have some old Heath Kits that still work, old analogue Microntas and a 25 year old Gold Star DVM which I still use up to today.
 
I've got a snap on auto ranging for work and a fluke 117 that I leave in my works van. Both have to be calibrated every three months for the industry and neither have ever let me down
 
Tenma, as in the think are a good budget brand, I got the better one a few years ago at about £60.
have a look for "hobbiest multimeter" personally I wouldnt go less than £50 they just are not reliable.
Ive also got a fluke 117, which is the one I look after, my temna lives in the landy, still going strong and had a fair few knocks.
Ive checked it against my MFT (which is calibrated) and its within tolerance theres so many similar looking meters around, that its hard to tell by looking what you are getting. bloody china, they usethe same bdys, pack cheap **** in them from a £6 meter, and sell for £45
Id be wary about buying form ebay, to many counterfeits, Fluke and Megger both have had products copied, varying form mediocre to pretty good, to downright dangerous.
 
My advice, is whatever one you get, either get one with crocodile clip ends, or by a set of crocodile clips to add on. I find for finding an earth etc, having one of the testers with a crocodile clip on makes life a lot easier
 
lightning said:
If you want the best multimeter, that will last you a lifetime, you want a Fluke.

Something like the Fluke 115. Sure it's £145 but it will still be going strong in twenty years, a bit like a Makita drill. Costs more but you will be glad that you did.
Click to expand...

Yeah, my old ex-BT fluke is probably 20 years old now and still going strong. Having said that, for occasional use I find the little draper automotive tester (with tacho etc) is fine. I wouldn't expect it to be as accurate at low resistances etc. , but that's not normally an issue. I have had to resolder the battery connection - once in the past 10 years.
 
zeaphod said:
Yeah, my old ex-BT fluke is probably 20 years old now and still going strong. Having said that, for occasional use I find the little draper automotive tester (with tacho etc) is fine. I wouldn't expect it to be as accurate at low resistances etc. , but that's not normally an issue. I have had to resolder the battery connection - once in the past 10 years.
Click to expand...

Exactly what I advised in my early reply to his thread

" If I were you and you are getting yours hands wet in electronic testing and 12 volt trouble shooting, buy a good multimeter once. "
 
The better testers have a "hold" function - you can take a reading whilst concentrating on where you're pointing the probes and it will hold the reading on the screen. Very handy when working solo.
 
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