Multimeter for a n00b

[Ir0nman]

Hi I've lost my old multimeter and I'm looking to buy a new one... I just watched the Fluke 17B tear down and it looks reasonable for the price tag - I'm not sure if it will be lacking feature I may later need (at the moment I only need a basic meter - that's safe).

My budget is £150 (around 200 dollars).

Any recommendations? 

[TorqueRanger]

Used Fluke 87  ....

[Lightages]

For that ind of money you can get a great meter that is safe too. The Fluke 17B certainly is a nice meter and safe, but not the best value for the money. Have a look on the forums here for information on the Brymen BM257 at $135 shipped to your door as an example. It is safe, very well featured, and very well built.

[electronics man]

Used Fluke 87  ....

definatly agree i just got one of ebay for £165, it is briliant, so if you try enough times then you can probably get one for £150.

[Wytnucls]

Another 2 options:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/U1232A-Agilent-Technologies-Multimeter-Digital-Handheld-Vsense-/360833596409?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item54035bbbf9

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Metrel-MD9040-TRMS-Industrial-Digital-Multimeter-/331041249204?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET&var=&hash=item4d139897b4

[EEVblog]

The 17B is ok, but there is better value to be had elsewhere.

[Lightages]

Another 2 options:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/U1232A-Agilent-Technologies-Multimeter-Digital-Handheld-Vsense-/360833596409?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item54035bbbf9

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Metrel-MD9040-TRMS-Industrial-Digital-Multimeter-/331041249204?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET&var=&hash=item4d139897b4

That Metrel is a Brymen BM822 rebranded. Nothing wrong with that meter at all. I still think the BM257 is a better value at a much lower price. The Metrel lacks back light, temperature, non-contact EF detection, auto-detect, MIN/MAX, and Crest. What you gain over the BM257 is a bit of accuracy and 10,000 count on voltage and Hz functions. To me, the BM257 is smaller, lighter, more featured, and costs less.

[6E5]

Fluke 27/FM is rugged and often comes with the 6KV probe option, for under $100. They are military surplus, so are often calibrated to the dot. The 27/FM is true RMS, while the 27 is only sine wave.

[Wytnucls]

The Metrel 9040 has a few extra features, like a dual display, faster bargraph with better resolution and aural/visual jack warning.
I do agree that the cheaper Brymen 257 may be a better deal, with its higher AC bandwidth (10kHz), temperature and crest options.

[Lightages]

I stand corrected. The Metrel 9040 does not appear to be a direct rebranding of the BM822. It seems to be in between the 822 and the 827. Yes I missed the glaring addition of the dual display. To some people the Metrel might be a better deal but I think for most people the BM257 is still a better buy.

[ethhanners]

the extech ex330 is a good beginner meter

[Luckymat]

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/t24052/msg347179/#msg347179

Get yourself bm257 and pc connection kit for arround $175

(before mine started to do weird stuff) im happy with it.. No meter is perfect but this one is pretty good