[Boatanchors] Novice questions on buying a suitable meter for boatanchor work

[R. Dennis Gibbs]

All,

 

My last analog volt-ohms-milliamp meter (VOM) has finally died.  It's been
over 30 years since I purchased a test meter, and they have certainly
changed a lot in that time!

 

I'm looking (hoping?) to spend less than $200.  I have no real idea *what*
to buy, or if I can even buy anything decent in that price range.  I have my
eye on a Fluke 115 DMM.  I can get it from Digikey for about $167.95.  In
addition to volts, ohms, and current, it also measures capacitance, which I
figure will be useful.  My novice questions are:

 

1)      IS this a reasonable choice for boatanchor work?

2)      What about input impedance for sensitive circuits?  I remember they
used to rate analog VOMs at up to about 100K ohms per volt, and VTVMs at
around 2 Megohms per volt, with the latter being more suitable for taking
measurements without affecting operation of the circuit under test.  But, I
see no ratings like this on the DMMs I've been looking at.  Is this no
longer an issue with DMMs?  Can this be used much like the old VTVMs were
used?

3)      One of the things I loved about the old analog meters is it was
great for "Peaking" circuits when doing alignments.  With digital readout, I
suspect it will be harder to do this.  Is there anything about the new DMMs
that make it easier to use in this fashion?

 

I'm hoping to make a quick purchase on this, as I can't continue with my
projects until I have a usable meter!  I don't really have time to search
for a vintage meter that would be suitable.

 

Any suggestions?

 

Thanks,

 

Dennis

R390A at verizon.net