[Elecraft] Help me buy a DMM

[Don Wilhelm]

Josh makes a good point about the sampling rate.  On the cheaper meters, 
they are slow responding, while the better meters are faster.  In my 
experience, even the modern cheap meters are sufficiently accurate and 
will do an adequate job for tasks like assembling the K3 as long as you 
are willing to wait for the second sample time.

As the cost goes up, the sampling rates get better and the physical 
durability improves.  My Fluke looks and feels like it could be tossed 
against a brick wall and sustain no damage, but the several $4.99 meters 
I have purchased from Harbor Freight tools, while useful when all I need 
is a voltage measurement, have proven themselves to be 'throwaways' 
after they are dropped if only because the battery compartment will not 
longer stay closed or other parts of the case is damaged.

Consider your future use of the DMM while making your decision.  If you 
want good performance and durabliity, plan on one in the $50 to $80 
range, and if you want it to be a lifelong friend, look in the $100 + 
range.  For one to just throw in toolboxes and use occasionally for 
casual measurements, two or three of the less than $10 meters will serve 
you well.

73,
Don W3FPR

J. Heide wrote:
> Doug,
>
> My first post here is my DMM advice. When I was younger, i bought cheap meters. They worked but not for long, just wouldn't hold up to field work. I got smart and spent the $175 for a Fluke and have never regretted it.
> Here's some advice, no matter what brand you buy... Look at the sample rate. The better meters take more samples per second, so the display is updated more often. Some cheap meters only update the display every second or so. You will miss peaks and dips when tuning circuits because of this. My Fluke is pretty fast sampling, but I still use an old Motorola analog meter for some tuning applications.
>
> Hope this helps in your purchasing decision.
> 73 Josh K6ZRX
> K2/100 #6097
>
>