|
|
Post by snaker on Jan 30, 2019 15:34:29 GMT -5
Lot's of folks come to these forums for electrical help. Some seem to be lazy turds that want someone else to do the work for them. But a lot seem to be sincere about doing their own fixing and just need a little guidance. One of the best ways to help yourself is to buy a multi-meter
A basic multi-meter is a very handy tool and can last you for decades.
A expensive high-end meter isn't necessary for most hobby type uses and is often complicated to operate. But a bottom end meter can be a waste of money if it can't be trusted and falls apart.
I have used lots of different meters and owned many.
I bought this meter about 5 years ago from Wal-Mart of all places and have been very impressed. I hadn't noticed it on hand for a long time but recently saw it on the shelf again. Price was $19.95
The basic specs are pretty average. It also reads temperature. It has data hold, something I would not buy a new meter without.
I reach for this meter before my old faithful Fluke 77, the display is easier to read with larger digits and backlighting. I even swapped this meters typically cheesy test leads for the Fluke's. You can buy better leads on Ebay for around $20.   |
|
|
|
Post by SMALL CC TEK on Jan 30, 2019 16:26:24 GMT -5
I have walked past that glass case and looked at that several times wondering if it was worth money or not ! lol I broke my fluke finally and i have a innova i picked up at autozone that works nice , but for 19 bucks that is a deal
|
|
|
|
Post by oldgeek on Jan 30, 2019 16:40:44 GMT -5
Lot's of folks come to these forums for electrical help. Some seem to be lazy turds that want someone else to do the work for them. But a lot seem to be sincere about doing their own fixing and just need a little guidance. One of the best ways to help yourself is to buy a multi-meter
A basic multi-meter is a very handy tool and can last you for decades.
A expensive high-end meter isn't necessary for most hobby type uses and is often complicated to operate. But a bottom end meter can be a waste of money if it can't be trusted and falls apart.
I have used lots of different meters and owned many.
I bought this meter about 5 years ago from Wal-Mart of all places and have been very impressed. I hadn't noticed it on hand for a long time but recently saw it on the shelf again. Price was $19.95
The basic specs are pretty average. It also reads temperature. It has data hold, something I would not buy a new meter without.
I reach for this meter before my old faithful Fluke 77, the display is easier to read with larger digits and backlighting. I even swapped this meters typically cheesy test leads for the Fluke's. You can buy better leads on Ebay for around $20. Great review! How bright is the flashlight feature? |
|
|
|
Post by bungee36 on Jan 30, 2019 16:43:55 GMT -5
Hmm. Thanks for the review. My birthday is coming, and I could use a new multimeter. As you stated, better leads, and sometimes leads with alligator clips, are very useful.
|
|
|
|
Post by gsx600racer on Jan 30, 2019 17:22:44 GMT -5
I picked up a OWON B35T+ for around 60-70 bucks. If you shop around it can be had for less. It's little pricer but it has a ton of features.  I chose it for its large display and bluetooth feature. |
|
|
|
Post by snaker on Jan 30, 2019 17:37:53 GMT -5
Lot's of folks come to these forums for electrical help. Some seem to be lazy turds that want someone else to do the work for them. But a lot seem to be sincere about doing their own fixing and just need a little guidance. One of the best ways to help yourself is to buy a multi-meter
A basic multi-meter is a very handy tool and can last you for decades.
A expensive high-end meter isn't necessary for most hobby type uses and is often complicated to operate. But a bottom end meter can be a waste of money if it can't be trusted and falls apart.
I have used lots of different meters and owned many.
I bought this meter about 5 years ago from Wal-Mart of all places and have been very impressed. I hadn't noticed it on hand for a long time but recently saw it on the shelf again. Price was $19.95
The basic specs are pretty average. It also reads temperature. It has data hold, something I would not buy a new meter without.
I reach for this meter before my old faithful Fluke 77, the display is easier to read with larger digits and backlighting. I even swapped this meters typically cheesy test leads for the Fluke's. You can buy better leads on Ebay for around $20. Great review! How bright is the flashlight feature?
I don't use the flashlight often. I'm at the age where I prefer a headlamp. It is pretty bright in the dark but in mixed light its probably a little weaker then a regular LED flashlight.
|
|
|
|
Post by bungee36 on Jan 30, 2019 17:39:00 GMT -5
I picked up a OWON B35T+ for around 60-70 bucks. If you shop around it can be had for less. It's little pricer but it has a ton of features. I chose it for its large display and bluetooth feature. I see a "temperature" setting. Does this unit have some IR temperature capabilities? |
|
|
|
Post by fuzzyruttin on Jan 30, 2019 17:39:32 GMT -5
Still got my old analog multimeter. It has a broken probe, but I find it hard to cast away for a new digital one. It's like throwing away a tube amp! I also tend to need an excuse, however small it may be, to actually go out and buy a new tool. Hard to justify if the old one still works. We got Fluke DMMs in our labs at work, so it's not like I don't know what I'm missing out on. But you say 20 bucks, eh? Hmmmm
|
|
|
|
Post by gsx600racer on Jan 30, 2019 17:44:54 GMT -5
I picked up a OWON B35T+ for around 60-70 bucks. If you shop around it can be had for less. It's little pricer but it has a ton of features. I chose it for its large display and bluetooth feature. I see a "temperature" setting. Does this unit have some IR temperature capabilities? Its a probe you plug in. Used here. |
|
|
|
Post by gsx600racer on Jan 30, 2019 17:46:47 GMT -5
Still got my old analog multimeter. It has a broken probe, but I find it hard to cast away for a new digital one. It's like throwing away a tube amp! I also tend to need an excuse, however small it may be, to actually go out and buy a new tool. Hard to justify if the old one still works. We got Fluke DMMs in our labs at work, so it's not like I don't know what I'm missing out on. But you say 20 bucks, eh? Hmmmm Analog multimeters still have their place. I restarted using one. |
|
|
|
Post by snaker on Jan 30, 2019 17:48:24 GMT -5
I picked up a OWON B35T+ for around 60-70 bucks. If you shop around it can be had for less. It's little pricer but it has a ton of features. I chose it for its large display and bluetooth feature.
That is amazing what kind of features it has. Not long ago something like that would have been hundreds of $ and even then chances are you would not find all of those features on one piece of equipment.
Qualifier here, I just started with WI-FI about a year ago. What would you do with Bluetooth. Does it connect with a computer?
|
|
|
|
Post by gsx600racer on Jan 30, 2019 17:59:00 GMT -5
I picked up a OWON B35T+ for around 60-70 bucks. If you shop around it can be had for less. It's little pricer but it has a ton of features. I chose it for its large display and bluetooth feature.
That is amazing what kind of features it has. Not long ago something like that would have been hundreds of $ and even then chances are you would not find all of those features on one piece of equipment.
Qualifier here, I just started with WI-FI about a year ago. What would you do with Bluetooth. Does it connect with a computer?
App for Android or iOS. You can data log to a smart device, use as remote display, and it "talks" out info so you dont need to look at the display. |
|
|
|
Post by snaker on Jan 30, 2019 19:12:52 GMT -5
Kind of funny, I used to use o-scopes pretty regular.
These were the basic common ones (Techtronics? Techniques?)
7-8 years ago I borrowed a scope from a lab.
That thing had about a hundred knobs-switches, hardly anything that I even recognized.
I couldn't figure out how to do a very simple test.
And of course some jackass had removed the operator manual.
|
|
|
|
Post by gsx600racer on Jan 30, 2019 20:04:20 GMT -5
snakerI couldn't find a youtube video showing the bluetooth voice feature so I made one myself.
|
|
|
|
Post by gsx600racer on Jan 30, 2019 20:05:33 GMT -5
Kind of funny, I used to use o-scopes pretty regular. These were the basic common ones (Techtronics? Techniques?) 7-8 years ago I borrowed a scope from a lab. That thing had about a hundred knobs-switches, hardly anything that I even recognized. I couldn't figure out how to do a very simple test. And of course some jackass had removed the operator manual. They are intimidating looking, but the newer ones are really easy to use. |
|
