What multimeter should i buy?

[blackjames]

Hello members
Recently, my nilsen56 digital multimeter has been dying over the past two weeks or so. As my dad is a electrician, over ten years ago, he bought a multimeter from our neighbour. Our neighbour sells test gear and multimeters. Eventually my dad bought a new multimeter so i ended up with it. Im having trouble with the volts and amps range, and the capacitance range is completely dead (diplay shows nothing at all, not even zeros). Earlier i was mesuring the voltage on some capacitors. The multi meter read '0.1v'. When it should have read 10vor 100v.

Its unlikely that i will get a new multimeter, and i will get some other second hand meter, but i would like your help on buying a decent multimeter. It must be rated for atleast 400v ac and dc. Also it requires a amp, mA , and uA ranges, diode/continuity, and ohms. Backlight would be nice too.

Tell me what you think i should get. Preferably under 300 dollars
Thanks for all replies

[terabyte]

[retiredcaps]

Tell me what you think i should get. Preferably under 300 dollars

If you are in the USA, for $300 you can get a new multimeter that easily meets all requirements.  Careful shopping might yield a Fluke 87V or Agilent U1272A for $300 or less.  Amazon.com has the Fluke 87V for $314.75.

A couple of months ago, a member on badcaps.net got a new Fluke 87V from Amazon for $250 + free shipping + free case.

Agilent had a $100 rebate for the U1272A that ended in April 30, 2012.

[robbag]

The BK Precision 2709B is a great meter at a very reasonable price. I purchased this model a few months ago through Digikey after looking through Dave’s multimeter reviews. I haven’t had any problems with it to date.

You just need to define your requirements. What features must you have, what features would be nice to have, measurement ranges and accuracy. The BK 2709B had all the functions I required, with good enough resolution (particularly for the capacitance range).

Cheers

[Christopher]

Highly recommend the Extech EX330. Came to about £40 from Conrad Electronics, its great.

[T4P]

UT61E, i have it and it's great. Has TrueRMS and PeakMin/PeakMax
59.20USD from Dealextreme.com
Uses BS1362 fuses (6kA breaking capacity ceramic fuses) but there is a HRC footprint on it if you want the extra safety
If you want it of course, 22000 counts, 220mF and 220MR 2% accuracy 

[saturation]

... and if you know how to buy used, you can get a used Fluke 87V for under $200 via eBay.  Typically it sells between $100-200 many are in very good shape, and given its toughness, most second hand units are just as good as new. 

There are not that many used Agilent since its hasn't been around as long as Fluke, but when they do pop up, they sell for less than half of new price.

Tell me what you think i should get. Preferably under 300 dollars

If you are in the USA, for $300 you can get a new multimeter that easily meets all requirements.  Careful shopping might yield a Fluke 87V or Agilent U1272A for $300 or less.  Amazon.com has the Fluke 87V for $314.75.

A couple of months ago, a member on badcaps.net got a new Fluke 87V from Amazon for $250 + free shipping + free case.

Agilent had a $100 rebate for the U1272A that ended in April 30, 2012.

[nctnico]

I bought a Vichy VC8145 benchtop multimeter:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VICHY-VC8145-DMM-Digital-Bench-Top-Multimeter-Meter-PC-/170642113428

I bought it mostly because it has >4.5 digits and can handle 20A. The main advantage of a benchtop multimeter is that its mains powered so it doesn't run out of batteries all the time. I like to keep my meters on and ready for immediate use.

[alm]

Is quality similar to the infamous Vichy VC99? This teardown shows an almost empty box with plenty of room to store your lunch, similar to the Uni-T bench meters. It also comments on mediocre build quality.

[T4P]

Is quality similar to the infamous Vichy VC99? This teardown shows an almost empty box with plenty of room to store your lunch, similar to the Uni-T bench meters. It also comments on mediocre build quality.

Well really, what else do you want in a bench meter? A atomic clock? 

[nctnico]

Is quality similar to the infamous Vichy VC99? This teardown shows an almost empty box with plenty of room to store your lunch, similar to the Uni-T bench meters. It also comments on mediocre build quality.

What is not there cannot get broken 

[Amarbir[Lynx-India]]

Is quality similar to the infamous Vichy VC99? This teardown shows an almost empty box with plenty of room to store your lunch, similar to the Uni-T bench meters. It also comments on mediocre build quality.

alm sir ,
     Why on earth would someone want this if we folks can get the flukes at the price in second hand ..Also Dave uses on meter in most of the reviews ,That too is around USd 100 i think right

[T4P]

Is quality similar to the infamous Vichy VC99? This teardown shows an almost empty box with plenty of room to store your lunch, similar to the Uni-T bench meters. It also comments on mediocre build quality.

alm sir ,
     Why on earth would someone want this if we folks can get the flukes at the price in second hand ..Also Dave uses on meter in most of the reviews ,That too is around USd 100 i think right

Bench? Bench? BENCH!
If you want to risk using ebay i have nothing to say, evilbay is the worst thing on earth. He uses a 87V most of the time at that thing flys off the shelves at 500SGD! GOD'S SAKE!

[alm]

What is not there cannot get broken 

Fair enough .

If you want to risk using ebay i have nothing to say, evilbay is the worst thing on earth. He uses a 87V most of the time at that thing flys off the shelves at 500SGD! GOD'S SAKE!

Note on which site the VC8145 was offered.

[T4P]

What is not there cannot get broken 

Fair enough .

If you want to risk using ebay i have nothing to say, evilbay is the worst thing on earth. He uses a 87V most of the time at that thing flys off the shelves at 500SGD! GOD'S SAKE!

Note on which site the VC8145 was offered.

Yeah, sure. Aliexpress at around 155USD. Go figure