[Elecraft] DMM

[Erik Basilier]

Generally I agree with the idea that it is best to buy quality and only pay
once. If you work with the item all the time, there is no doubt at all.
However, for amateur use the same often applies only if one views the deal
over many years. One should ask oneself whether the high-priced "quality"
item is really built to be used for decades. One risk is technical
obsolescence. If the item is all about the latest hot technology, that is a
significant issue. Someone may consider a Bird 43 to be obsolete, but
personally I don't. Another risk is whether the item might deteriorate
physically over decades. Maybe a Fluke will not, and we have seen some
testimonials of old Fluke meters aging well. But consider my own
precautionary tale: 
Over 40 years ago, my professional experience told me that Keithley made
very accurate, quality equipment. For personal use I bought a new Keithley
128 DMM, which indeed worked very well for a long time. However, about a
decade ago the latch broke on the little door for adjustment access.
Apparently, the plastic had aged and become brittle. The battery door latch
looks similar, and I figured it could break anytime. Or some other plastic
part could break. Now the Keithley sits mostly unused and is supposedly
there only for when I want to confirm a reading taken by my $30 DMM. Never
mind the fact that battery replacements will be needed, threatening plastic
breakage, if I want to use the meter at all. Hmm... I think I haven't used
it for about 3 years... and then I had to change the battery... OK, I got 30
years of reliable use for the high initial investment, so it was still a
good deal. But where plastic is involved, buying top quality is not a given.
Certainly, my Birds with their metal construction make the Keithley look
bad.

73,
Erik K7TV

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net <elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On
Behalf Of Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP
Sent: Monday, March 19, 2018 9:26 PM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] DMM


I have used numerous cheap meters (now I am playing with a pen-type meter I
got from China for $23). They work, are usually relatively accurate, and
have more features than most of us will use. But one thing I've noticed is
that they take a longer time to take a measurement than the Fluke 79III that
has served me well since time immemorial.

I worked as a mechanic for a while, and the difference between good tools
and almost-good tools may be subtle. But when you have a wrench in your hand
all day, you understand why the astronomical prices of (for
example) Snap-On tools are totally justified. The same goes for meters.

73,
Victor, 4X6GP
Rehovot, Israel
Formerly K2VCO
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/
On 20 Mar 2018 00:46, Bob DeHaney wrote:
> There are a lot of used Flukes on EBay, maybe not the latest model, 
> but for us perfect.  That's where I bought mine, the price is right too.
> 
> VY 73 de Bob DJ0RD/WU5T
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