New meter

[TorqueRanger]

I am using a cheap $9 craftsman multimeter and it's about to die ....I work on basic electronic repair and alot in automotive.  I would love to buy a fluke meter but they way out of my price range and I wanted to see what you guys are using or what I should get and my budget is about $50
Oh how do you guys feel about the craftsman ,BK Precision,and klein meters ???I did watch the meter  shootout but none of the meter above where reviewed and just wanted your guys thoughts here...

[SgtRock]

Dear TorqueRanger:

--Have a look at these Fluke 77s on Ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_from=R40&_nkw=fluke%2077%20digital%20multimeter&_sop=15

--They are tough and they are likely to be better than anything you can get for $50.

"Does not squirrel crack nuts on bough of oak tree."
Lao Fu 1410 1620

Best Regards
Clear Ether

[samgab]

For the ~$50 range, I'd give serious consideration to the UNI-T UT-61E.
Note, the "E" suffix, not the A, B, C, or D models, which are inferior.

[TorqueRanger]

Dear TorqueRanger:

--Have a look at these Fluke 77s on Ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_from=R40&_nkw=fluke%2077%20digital%20multimeter&_sop=15

--They are tough and they are likely to be better than anything you can get for $50.

"Does not squirrel crack nuts on bough of oak tree."
Lao Fu 1410 1620

Best Regards
Clear Ether

I would love to use a fluke again but in reality the money just isn't there ... I have  basic electronic experience and make what
I think to be basic repairs on everything electronic..I would love to learn how to build my own circuits and know how it works...

[retiredcaps]

--Have a look at these Fluke 77s on Ebay:

The above multimeters are total crap.  Don't bother bidding for them on ebay.

PS. The above statement may be slightly influenced by getting outbid by 1 second on an ebay auction for a Fluke 70 series multmeter for under $40.

[retiredcaps]

For under $50, you can surely get a Fluke 27/FM of these.  It has microamps for electronics and built like a tank.

See

http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=21650

[retiredcaps]

Here this one looks brand new for $40

http://www.ebay.com/itm/280984986629

PS. I have no affliation with the seller.

edit: Or try and get it cheaper via auction

http://www.ebay.com/itm/320995307052

The 27/FM is true RMS and the 27 is not.

[TorqueRanger]

Here are some item I would like to have in the meter
Backlight
HRC fuse or anything better than glass fuse
Use a 9v battery so I can test LEDs
Auto ranging 
Safe meter to use

[Wytnucls]

Check the Amprobe AM-510. I think it ticks all your boxes.
http://www.amprobe.com/amprobe/usen/Multimeters/AM-500-Digital-Multimeter-Series/AM-510.htm?PID=74033

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amprobe-AM-510-Commercial-Residential-Multimeter-600V-AC-DC-/190738808061?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c68eb3cfd

[TorqueRanger]

Here are some item I would like to have in the meter
Backlight
HRC fuse or anything better than glass fuse
Use a 9v battery so I can test LEDs If possible
Auto ranging 
Safe meter to use

Does fluke make any kind of meter that meets most of the specs that I can pick up cheap on ebay for a used one ?

[retiredcaps]

Here are some item I would like to have in the meter
Backlight
HRC fuse or anything better than glass fuse
Use a 9v battery so I can test LEDs If possible
Auto ranging 
Safe meter to use

Does fluke make any kind of meter that meets most of the specs that I can pick up cheap on ebay for a used one ?

Sure there are a number that meet the above criteria, but getting it at $50 requires patient ebay watching/bidding.

I don't know 100% about the LED testing, but the below all have HRC fuses and a backlight and are likely to sell for $50 if you are quick at Buy It Now or lucky with a bid.

Fluke 83 III, 85 III, 77 IV, 115

[SherlockOhms]

Check the Amprobe AM-510. I think it ticks all your boxes.
http://www.amprobe.com/amprobe/usen/Multimeters/AM-500-Digital-Multimeter-Series/AM-510.htm?PID=74033

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amprobe-AM-510-Commercial-Residential-Multimeter-600V-AC-DC-/190738808061?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c68eb3cfd

Amazon.com seems to have pretty good prices on Amprobe, but they are out of stock on some of the meters I was checking out.  I just ordered an AM-520 from http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/amprobe/index.htm. I can't actually recommend the meter or vendor yet, since I haven't received the meter,  but it seems to have pretty good features and that was the best price I found ( for one that was actually in stock. )

Edit - this should be a working link http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/amprobe/multimeters/am-520.htm

[Wytnucls]

Check the Amprobe AM-510. I think it ticks all your boxes.
http://www.amprobe.com/amprobe/usen/Multimeters/AM-500-Digital-Multimeter-Series/AM-510.htm?PID=74033

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amprobe-AM-510-Commercial-Residential-Multimeter-600V-AC-DC-/190738808061?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c68eb3cfd

Amazon.com seems to have pretty good prices on Amprobe, but they are out of stock on some of the meters I was checking out.  I just ordered an AM-520 from http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/amprobe/index.htm. I can't actually recommend the meter or vendor yet, since I haven't received the meter,  but it seems to have pretty good features and that was the best price I found ( for one that was actually in stock. )

You link doesn't seem to work, but good choice anyway.
You'll have some extras compared to the 510: duty cycle, temperature, a bar graph, Max/Min/Peak and ...a flashlight!
I don't know if there is much difference in price, but the 530 adds TrueRMS, which could be useful for people measuring non sine waveforms.
Let us know how it works out for you.

[titam]

Mastech MS8226.

Buy the 8226T version if you want true RMS.

I have 2, they work well.

[T4P]

But the MS8226T is quite pricey, it costs about the same as a UT61E and lacks any sort of bargraph.

[FenderBender]

Check the Amprobe AM-510. I think it ticks all your boxes.
http://www.amprobe.com/amprobe/usen/Multimeters/AM-500-Digital-Multimeter-Series/AM-510.htm?PID=74033

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amprobe-AM-510-Commercial-Residential-Multimeter-600V-AC-DC-/190738808061?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c68eb3cfd

Amazon.com seems to have pretty good prices on Amprobe, but they are out of stock on some of the meters I was checking out.  I just ordered an AM-520 from http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/amprobe/index.htm. I can't actually recommend the meter or vendor yet, since I haven't received the meter,  but it seems to have pretty good features and that was the best price I found ( for one that was actually in stock. )

Edit - this should be a working link http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/amprobe/multimeters/am-520.htm

Man I'd love to see the insides of one of these Amprobe-500 series meters.... 

[SherlockOhms]

Check the Amprobe AM-510. I think it ticks all your boxes.
http://www.amprobe.com/amprobe/usen/Multimeters/AM-500-Digital-Multimeter-Series/AM-510.htm?PID=74033

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amprobe-AM-510-Commercial-Residential-Multimeter-600V-AC-DC-/190738808061?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c68eb3cfd

Amazon.com seems to have pretty good prices on Amprobe, but they are out of stock on some of the meters I was checking out.  I just ordered an AM-520 from http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/amprobe/index.htm. I can't actually recommend the meter or vendor yet, since I haven't received the meter,  but it seems to have pretty good features and that was the best price I found ( for one that was actually in stock. )

Edit - this should be a working link http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/amprobe/multimeters/am-520.htm

Man I'd love to see the insides of one of these Amprobe-500 series meters.... 

I got the meter today already. The physical build seems pretty sturdy. It has a usable kickstand and rubber bumps on the back so it doesn't spin around on a desk the way the AM-220 did in Dave's $50 meter review.  It comes with a padded carry case, thermocouple and velcro hanging strap. I'm pleased with it so far. 

If and when I open it up, I'll be sure to take some pictures.

[FenderBender]

Sounds pretty good for a cheap meter. Can't wait!

[SherlockOhms]

I did take some pictures. I started a new thread about the Amprobe AM-530 https://www.eevblog.com/forum/product-reviews-photos-and-discussion/amprobe-am-530-a-peek-under-the-hood/