Multimeter Recommedation

53flattie

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2006
Location
Easley, SC
I need to break down and purchase a multimeter. I’ve always just used a simple test light for the presence of current. I now need to test continuity in a switch, so I’m going to take the opportunity to buy and become more familiar with a multimeter (something I’ve wanted to do for a while, but never got around to).

I need something that is as simple as possible for automotive work. I don’t intend to use it for household stuff (I leave that to the professionals). If I can get it at a big-box store, great (HD, Lowe’s, Tractor Supply). If not, the Amazon van is at the house several times a week... [emoji849]

Thanks!


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I like a Fluke meter. A 116 works well, I have one I use around the house for simple auto usage. I have a fluke 88 I use at work but that is more or less overkill for home useage.
 
Buy a cheap Chinese one off Amazon (Mastech, etc). They're fine for 95% of things. If you want to spend a bit more, import one of the Chinese market Flukes off Alibaba.
 
I have a Fluke one and a Actron one, and they work just as good as the 3 free ones I have from Harbor Freight. I'm sure if your truly need to know whether it is 12.723 volts or 12.724 volts, then there is a difference, but for everything I do, the HF cheapie is hard to beat, and I don't get upset if it gets lost or broken.
 
A basic Fluke is fine for basic troubleshooting. The specs are usually pretty crap compared to the high end units, but that's how the price becomes affordable. That's the same story with all low-end multimeters though, so that's more of something to understand rather than something to be a deterrent.

Extech makes really good inexpensive knockaround units for the type of stuff you're talking about as well. I have a few around the house and they work great for general purpose stuff. They're usually my go-to brand recommendation for general purpose use when cost is a factor, and they make a price range of products like anyone else.
Extech is owned by Flir, if you need another reason to consider them as a value alternative for Fluke.

Look into the Extech EX410A (I just poked around a little). That should be a really good blend of features and price, and comes with a K-type thermocouple probe. $60.
It doesn't autorange, but I'm not a big fan of that for general use (it makes it sloooow to read). I usually know what I'm dealing with and can set accordingly, or just go to a big range to start out and dial back from there for accuracy if you need.

Basically, grab something like that $60 Extech, and then get something better down the road if your needs require it. That $60 unit then becomes an awesome backup unit or loaner (if you trust your friends to not kill it). You'll never get rid of a multimeter once you have it, you'll just add to your collection.

I actually don't personally own a Fluke, because they've always been purchased for me by my job (these are the $$$$ Flukes). That's what equipment budgets are for when doing electronics development. Way overkill for most home/auto use, so I've never bought myself one. I have like 6 multimeters though, and a few other specialty tools for certain jobs. I have been known to take a Fluke home for the weekend though, if I'm doing something that involves circuit boards and a soldering iron.
 
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Triplett Compact 1101 is what I use, like $40 on Amazon. For what I use it for, reads the same as the $300+ SnapOn units some of my buddies have.
 
I've got the more expensive actron unit that advance sells.. I think it was $40. Works ok for what I need it for. Also had some of the cheap hf meters, which work well.. but the backlight & kick stand are nice.
 
What everyone else said. For basic automotive work the hf cheapy meters work just fine. I keep one in the trail toolbox for basic diagnostics in the woods. The kind they give away free with another purchase or on sale for less than $10.

If you have no experience with multi meters at all it'll be as good as anything.

My go to meter at home flip flops between an old actron that also reads dwell or rpm, and a meter I bought from northern tool for $50 that can measure capacitance and frequency.

At work I use a good Mac tools meter I got used or the snap on lab scope that's part of the scan tool. Unless you're diagnosing wheel speed sensors, crank sensors, or CAN bus systems that's way overkill.
 
I have a fluke, extech, and a couple harbor freight. The HF does work extremely well for the price.

It works for 90% of stuff.

The other 10% I grab the fluke. If I’m unsure Of HF, I’ll verify with fluke or extech.

Before I had the $5 HF I only used the fluke.

Also have a couple no name analog ones. For some things it’s easier to use analog instead of digital, but isn’t a huge deal.

If you know how to interpret the digital results in the instances the analog is easier, the digital still works fine. Just don’t get wrapped up in specific #s.
 
I have several. My go to seems to be the cheapest, and sometimes free ones from HF. Put one in every tool bag. get's damaged, no big deal.
 
Thanks for all the advice. I just ordered the Fluke 101. It seemed like the best blend of cheap enough, simple enough, reliable, and adequate for basic residential garage work.

Now to figure out how to use it…


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It doesn't autorange, but I'm not a big fan of that for general use (it makes it sloooow to read)

Just an update. I got the Fluke 101. Used it for the first time - testing the front locker switch in my Rubicon. It worked, but I wish I would have understood what “auto ranging” meant before. You’re exactly right - it takes a while to “settle” on a number, and I got (what I thought) were wildly different readings between the front axle and the rear. Turns out it was just the decimal in a different place, but I didn’t know that at first.

I’m still pleased with it and it’ll get the job done. Just takes a bit longer and you have to understand what it’s telling you.

Thanks again to all!



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My ideal is a multimeter with autorange capability, but a "range" button to manually select a certain range. Then you have both. I honestly don't ever use autorange unless I'm sniffing around with something completely unknown.
 
I have a free HF meter in each vehicle and a Fluke in the house. I also have an old Simpson analog that I'll never part with. Sometimes an analog meter is the thing to go with.
 
I have a Fluke one and a Actron one, and they work just as good as the 3 free ones I have from Harbor Freight. I'm sure if your truly need to know whether it is 12.723 volts or 12.724 volts, then there is a difference, but for everything I do, the HF cheapie is hard to beat, and I don't get upset if it gets lost or broken.

I have a friend that's been in electronics design, prototyping, testing for many years. He gives me shit for my harbor freight meters, but that's exactly what I tell him. If I'm on the trail and need a meter, I don't care if it's 12.3v or 12.4v, just is there power or not. It's a test light with additional functionality...

I still have 1 free HF one, and just bought one of their "nicer" ones for home use. My last nicer one disappeared and I dont really care.
 
I have a several, rarely used, I typically reach for the snap-on test light that will tell you voltage and polarity.
 
If I'm working with 12v, I use a test light. Go/no go/weak.

I've seen high resistance connections show 12v and not power a load.. dude I was helping was like here use my power probe.. I'll use my test light to check fuses, power, etc. Then I have a digital test light. That's great for Hall sensors. (Crank, cam)
 
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