Hello everyone, Greetings from Greece! (Yes we can still afford internet)
The moment I've entered the forums to ask some basic questions of my concerns, I'm instantly greeted with nostalgic web 2.0 theme, and the classic cheesy emoticons that brings back so much memories.
Alright, Straight up; I don't really use multimeters all that much, to be honest It will be in a rare situation when I'm diagnosing a malfunctioned or a dead device I have to use a multimerer.
I never have done any heavy duty measurements, like measuring the current, volts, amps and watts in my house, on outlets, killswitches e.t.c, I plan on using a multimeter for electronic devices, like computers, video game consoles, phones, mobile phones and all that good stuff..
For Instance, I will give you an example in a situation I am in. I have a Playstation 2 Slimline model (SCPH 77xxx), It doesn't read any Discs or any DVD's. 90% That means the laser module, in my case a PVR-802W is dead. Beneath this device there are two potentiometers that lower or increase the Ohm resistance of the module. That's where a use of a multimeter comes in. I need to measure how much e Ohm's each potentiometers hold.
Problem is, I had a dodgy multimeter that I bought for 8 bucks a year ago, It worked on some voltage tests, not sure about the accuracy, 1.5v batteries measure okay, but really hesitated to do something dangerous like measuring the power outlets. It really was a naive rush buy, I did a year ago, didn't really thought about it because I don't really use multimeters on daily basis, but after I have done with holiday season work, I returned to my home and things settled in, I have all the time in the world. I stumbled the guy on eevblog, watched a couple of the videos relating affordable and good multimeters, sure I realized he is nitpicking on certain aspects of the multimerer, the grip feel, the backhold, the sturdiness of the knob, but it was a very informative video. Turns out he had a point, most of the 20$ range multimeters, we're terribly unreliable and unsafe. The question is why did I bothered buying a 10$ multimeter in the first place? I never had high expectations about it, but I hoped it would do at least the very basics for a hobby use.
In the end, it was a rushbuy, I was stupid for not doing my research before hand, It was a nobrainer
That piece of crap despite working, I threw it in the garbage, money wasted, lesson learned.
Now, I'm willing to spend max 60 bucks, but it better be worth the money. For a hobby use, not professionally. I'm a very casual user, also at the very beginning but I want it to be accurate, reliable and safe and lasting me for a long time. I have laid my eyes on the Extech EX330, it lays on my Amazon.co.uk basket, ready to order
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What do you guys think, go for it, or could be again a no-brainer?!