EEVblog #75 - Digital Multimeter Buying Guide for Beginners

[lllllllRobot]

Would you say, that HRC fuses are a must, even if the multimeter has one of those safety shutter features? Doesn't seem like you'd need both, but if you had to choose would you go with one that has HRC over the safety shutters?

[reaper00020]

My dad got a $25 multimeter as a gift from his mother, in those days that was 1/4 of his fathers pay for a week.

[todd3293]

I just bought the BK Precision one mentioned in the 100 dollar shootout videos. Even though it was the best of the bunch, now that I've seen this video and looked up the specs, it doesn't have the good accuracy mentioned in this video. even though its 6600 count, its only 0.5% on DC mV and worse on the current accuracy. got me wondering now if I made the right choice. heh. maybe it's normal for meters that are only 100 bucks but you'd think it'd be higher accuracy for 6600 count

[Floppy2Blueray]

great video thanks

[Ibringthetruth1]

vc99 might be best deal.

or try amazon.

[prayag123456789]

looking at my cheapass multimeter......... *facepalm*

[TheTilpo]

Excellent tutorial.

[P55CxE9]

Thanks this really helped a lot!, sadly I can't afford a good meter. So I'll have to hope that there's some meter I can get second hand.

[biian58]

If you are on a budget, you may use this coupon code "CBDMM10P" on ChargerBuy store, you'll get 10% off discount for all digital multimeters.

[albertosony]

hey im thinking on getting the fluke vc99. what do u guys think?

[eurokid83]

@albertosony There's no such thing as a Fluke VC99. The VC99 is a cheap chinese multimeter, NOT made by Fluke. It's made by some no-name chinese company.

[Ibringthetruth1]

@albertosony

i was thinking of a vc99  youtube . com/watch?v=mF4__0mBKNA

[Ltb0b]

I had a multimeter blew up before in my hand.. scared the shit out of me

[Billkwando]

30:43 still cracks me up every time.

[hannobisschoff1]

One of these days that rack behind him is gonna give way...

[Billkwando]

The guy is a great presenter. He seems like he'd be a fun dude to have a conversation with.

[EEVblog]

@Billkwando Thanks. I'm a bit too much for some people though!

[Billkwando]

@EEVblog Well, I did write that comment before I got to the part where you say that you hope I die. ;)

I also didn't realize the video was an hour long, but after a couple days of watching the whole thing in parts, I learned some stuff! You are indeed a funny dude.

[magnus264]

@EEVblog you very good, just put some pauses in your speech from time to time. A part for that it's a pleasure and usefull to listen to you. You deserve your success.

[johneastmond]

@EEVblog I'm also a bit too much for some folks. You can always tell who's who by the way they truly enjoy you or who tolerate you only because you're handy to have around. Being unconcerned about manners at times allow you to get the benefit of the entertainment value this adds.

[impleasen]

What Meter Do I Use If I Saw Through A Live 220 Wire While Standing In

A Bucket Of Water?

[Billkwando]

@impleasen I laughed at this comment for like 2 minutes straight. Actually there was more than one person laughing.

[TheEPROM9]

The only meters that do current testing are cheap ones. But one is not going to invest in an expensive first meter. The pocket meter was so cheap that it would be useful on the go. The pocket one lives in my car, one day I hope to have a porterble workshop in my car.

[TheEPROM9]

I've got a Precision Gold PG012 meter. It cost me £25 UK. It has a good build quality, not even close to the crap quality in the cheap meters in your video. but what do you think of it and how do you use the frequency measurement as the instructions do not tell me how. Look forward to hearing from you

[liquidrtype]

Cont : Now the FLUKE 15B F15B Digital Multimeter Meter does not appear to have a Relative key, Min-Max mode, or Temp feature but it should work good for the old game systems! The specs even say its CAT 1,2,3 safe but I wont be dealing with anything that extreme! Thanks again Dave; you know your stuff! =)

[liquidrtype]

Wow! thank you sooo much! You have the most thorough and informative vid on mulitmeters ive ever seen! I recently got into the hobby of fixing old video game systems like nintendo, sega, turbografx, etc. And im in the market for a good multimeter; but i didnt know where to begin on choosing one! I found one a new one on ebay = FLUKE 15B F15B Digital Multimeter Meter for about $70 with a case and free shipping! I compared what you said to the specs of the meter and learned it work well!

[Phillybob1982]

Very helpful Dave, thanks for posting, I am thinking about buying a Fluke 179. Any chance of a review please?

Cheers!

[fabmkk]

1 hour's tutorial, phew.. thanks. :D

[Emperorpenguinonline]

A great video in every sense of the word..very informative

[EEVblog]

You obviously don't understand what surges are, and potential energies involved when dealing with mains circuits.

Just a simple household mains outlet has enough energy to make your meter explode.

Horses for Courses, as always.

[stewartx5]

I'm tired of the scare tactics so often used to justify expensive multimeters. You linked to a video of a multimeter burning. Who would subject a multimeter to those conditions? First, most will never come into contact with that much voltage. Second, most will simply remove the probes (often held in place) long before that happens. Cheap multimeters meet the same federal safety standards as expensive meters, with latter designed for voltages or conditions most will never experience.

[Runaway1956]

@stewartx5 All meters meet government standards? I hardly think so. I had a cheapo blow up in my hands. Your faith is misplaced. The mfgr probably meets standards IF AND WHEN every component actually passes every QC check possible. Fluke, for example, puts higher standards than the government on their components. No part is going to squeak by, no substandard component is going to get you zapped. You get what you pay for - so YOU spend $20. I'll spend $100 or more, thank you very much!

[stewartx5]

@Runaway1956 If your contention (price regulates safety) is correct, surely comparatively cheap $100-150 Fluke multimeters must be pure junk (safety-wise) compared to far more expensive ($1500-2500) Fluke multimeters. Perhaps we should all trash inexpensive Fluke multimeters in favor of even more expensive (safer) Fluke multimeters. Of course, I stand by my prior comment - and will continue using my relatively cheap Fluke 115 (just as I've used even cheaper multimeters in the very recent past).

[RAYGproductions]

great video thanks.. 

[raysolomon]

Awesome Dave!

[Thetruthishere11]

he never did a vid on which meters are good.

[nolocus]

These vids are great.

[pogi09282805724]

hands down!! subscribed!!

[heroineworshipper]

Throw a multimeter in a bag when you travel somewhere? Have already gone through 3 heap a shit multimeters as the probes wore out, the wires broke, & they burned out but they're getting better for less money & will eventually catch up to the high end ones like all technology.

[moverton3181]

30:47 , "If you don't follow my advice then I hope Darwin sorts you out because you're an idiot if you measure mains with it, You're a fool!!"  All I can say to that is Amen

[regemo]

@moverton3181 Literally LOLd. Darwin will sort you out and give you an award, a trophy, and a certificate.

[CO2TROL]

This video has inspired me to buy a Fluke 87v! I still want a cheaper DVM for lesser tasks, but I think I will wait for the next multimeter video. I think Dave already suggested this as a future topic. It would be great to see a range of meters being put to test in meaningful situations, to get a sense of how and where some of them tend to underperform. I was also wondering whether analogue voltmeters deserve any consideration in electronics these days, and if so what would you look out for?

[netwala]

Just wondering if you spend your own money on these meters just for the reviews ?

[TelevisionMagForum]

Another great video Dave. I actually have two £10 Skytronic meters but ONLY for the temperature range and the included thermocouple. I use them for monitoring surface and component temps whilst doing reflow and replacement work!

[rek636]

I got that one that is shown in the video response for under $2 US. Its OK for what i need. Low voltage around 5-12v DC. I keep this video in mind when i start to do things that require higher precision and higher voltage.

[ubuntututorials]

I use the transistor test. It is very useful to make sure a transistor is functioning after a possible failure.

[philbx1]

Fantastic video Dave! Who would have thought that a plastic box with LCD and probes would have so many variants.. Well, maybe just me (until now).

Thanks much for your great insight into multimeters.

As for safety, like the motorcycle fraternity say re. helmets - 'you have only one head'. I'm thinking the same might apply here in regards to hands.

Now for the $100 question, I'm eagerly awaiting your take on that one.

BTW, dealextreme have Fluke 15B currently at around $85 US.

[duncanlivingston1]

@philbx1

Phil and everybody else looking at the Fluke 15B or 17B.

These are meters designed for asian markets - they DON'T have the same safety ratings or accuracy ratings as the the meters Fluke market to the rest of the world. What Dave was saying about CAT ratings should be noted.

[ka7cev]

Well done!

[tommy9411]

Awesome vid! Your recent videos are really good.

[orbiter8]

Many good points Dave and a lot to take in. I may have to watch this video again though as I just love the way you say.. "a big pile of sh**" :)

Regards

orb

[Nermash]

Great video as always Dave!

If you are looking for best meter in 50$ range I would recomend trying Uni Trend meters, namely models like UT60G or H . I own one UT60A (branded Voltcraft in Germany by Conrad for double the price!) for 8 years now, and it still working fine, is reasonably well built and safe.

[MSCompuServ]

Along with my fluke 117, I have a cheapo Radioshack pocket meter and a Mastech manual ranger.

[neuraxon77]

I write "NOT FOR MAINS USE!" in permanent pen on everyones cheap multimeter I find.

Dave, could you do a tutorial on safety: like capacitor, high-voltage, electrostatic and other related exploratory circuit handling safety for me? Cheers.

[MrDarthpickles]

Its a wank feature :)

[MSCompuServ]

I got a Fluke 117

[adrianmouse666]

theres nothing wrong with conventional threw hole components compared to suface mount

[msichal]

OK. Nice video as always, BUT... What if I just don't have money to buy better multimeter? At the moment i use a cheap meter with manual range, but it has capacitance and temperature measurement, I think it isn't too bad.

[EEVblog]

@msichal

Like I've said a thousand times now on this blog, if a cheap meter is all you can afford then it's probably going to do the job. Just don't expect it to be reliable or entirely safe. I'm hoping to do reviews of some cheap meters soon to find the best one for say $50.

[mafiouso]

@EEVblog PLEASE BLOW UP A METER ON MAINS!! FOR THE SAKE OF THE POINT

[kamashi85]

@EEVblog something like:

Fluke 15B or 17B

Vichy VC99

It would be great to hear your opinion about these cheap DMMs.

[wasssup1990]

Nice long videos. Lots of handy tips. Keep it up.

[killerman4ever]

@baddspella it's a ossiloscope, your name is right.

[akira2891]

@killerman4ever "Oscilloscope"

[Chryseus8086]

As a suggestion, could you short out that 10A non-fused meter, it would make a good demonstration of how dangerous they can be.

[Chryseus8086]

Great video as always, I have a rather old Fluke 85 which works perfectly.

I originally had a no-name brand $10 meter with manual range, it was totally awful and could be dangerous.

[baddspella]

i have a great fluke multimeter - baught it second hand.

just looking for an cheep second hand ocylerscope. broke unistrrudent i am lol.

[baddspella]

ey Dave, have an old osylerscope you can sell me, preferable under $50? nothing fancy.

[chromebeats]

@baddspella >osylerscope

oh wow, that name fits you very well

[baddspella]

@chromebeats lol yer thanks, i have mild dyslexia

[ParadigmaticShift]

@chromebeats the funny thing is that many Indians pronounce oscilloscope exactly like how he spelled it, "osylerscope".