[Test-Equipment] Bench meter recommendation?

[Eric Lemmon]

Dave,

I would be cautious about buying a used bench meter, since there is probably
a good reason why the previous owner got rid of it.  There are many
excellent meters that are available new in the $300 range.  One such meter
is the Instek GDM8145:

<www.testequipmentdepot.com/instek/pdf/GDM-8145.pdf>

Regarding the Fluke 8840, it is a good 5 1/2 digit meter, but it is DC only
unless it includes Option 09 which adds True RMS AC measurement capability.
I consider True RMS AC to be a mandatory feature, along with single-pot
calibration.  Some of the older HP and Tektronix meters have more than a
dozen pots to adjust, and calibration is not a trivial exercise.

Regarding the definition of a bench meter, I expect such a meter to be
convenient to operate and read when it is on a shelf above the bench work
surface.  Its display and controls should be easy to read and unambiguous.
It should be AC-powered and ready to operate without any appreciable warmup
time.  I don't think a good and cheap bench meter exists!

73, Eric Lemmon WB6FLY