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General >> Tech Talk >> Need advice on choosing a multimeter
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Message started by John Fairchild on Jan 23^rd, 2013, 8:33am

Title: Need advice on choosing a multimeter
Post by John Fairchild on Jan 23^rd, 2013, 8:33am

Hello Everyone

I am going to buy a new multimeter next week and want some advice. I have heard good things about Fluke’s range and this one fits my budget:

http://www.newark.com/fluke/fluke-117/multimeter-digital-handheld/dp/83K1721

I think it does everything I need and a few more functions that might be useful, but just wanted to check there’s no point looking further up the range? I’m primarily going to be using it for tinkering with Arduino kits, audio amps etc.

I was trying to stay within my $200 budget… Is there any point shelling out more for a high precision device just in case I need one down line?

Fancier alternatives include:

http://www.newark.com/fluke/fluke-177-esfp/multimeter-digital-handheld/dp/25C4800
http://www.newark.com/fluke/fluke-87-5/multimeter-digital-handheld-4-1/dp/96H6287

Thanks
John

Title: Re: Need advice on choosing a multimeter
Post by wave on Jan 24^th, 2013, 1:34am

You should really think about your applications and (accuracy of) measurements needed. Fluke's website has an awesome comparison guide.

You probably do NOT want the 117 made for an Electrician (Wall power), when you are working on low voltage microelectronics.
These are segmented by market application!

Sometime back, a lab guy told me that Agilent gives a better value than Fluke for a given feature set. Good luck!