Well I will ask from all of you, to think hard and vote , for the brand that gained your trust by offering you an true reliable multimeter, that you own it from 3 to 10 years as minimum.
Factors under consideration .
1) Value for money.
2) Stable behavior.
3) Readability of the Display
4) Durability - housing - selector
5) Pricing of services like calibration. (if available )
6) Pricing of parts , if you ever needed any. (if available )
7) Quality of after sale service. (if available )
8 ) Friendly response from the manufacturer. (if available )
Unfortunately due software limitations you have only one Vote ..
Still, if you feel that you have to express your admiration for more than one Brand ( Not Models )
please do so by an replying message .
And add the Brand of the DMM , and the reason that gained your admiration.
Be aware :
This is not an "wish list" voting ..
This is not an " International competition " to fight for your flag.
This is not an chance for sellers to promote new brands.
Every message reply that it would considered as tricky , it will be reported and get deleted in the spot.
If you do not have the minimum of three years of ownership of an DMM ,
by voting you are effecting the results by a negative manner.
Thank you ...
Other than the one that I had vote for .
I do favor and my UNIT-T small size DMM , it had survive for about 12 years in my tool case,
and even if it is an simplified version, its still good to go, from any technical aspect.
I am very new Fluke owner, so I do not have an personal opinion for it yet.
METEX... because it just works ™ .... for 15 years now and counting...
Sanwa is a Japanese brand known mostly in Asia. Its been around for over 40 years, and was once the most popular affordable analog meter there before DMM. Some models sold at Radio Shack were rebadged Sanwas, although the current crop of DMM there are Extech.
Sanwa's current version:
Radio Shack version sold in the mid 2000s:
http://www.sanwa-meter.co.jp/overseas/index.php?dmm
well I'm out ! still looking for a meter to last 3+ years
My first multimeter ever, Alcron DM-2000 that I bought in famous 'Radio Rim' in Munich in 1989. It still going strong
My current multimeter, 8(?) years old Yu Fong YF-78. It works, I don't need any more than that
My Hioky L-33 TX. My fist one, I still have it. Bought it from my cousin in 1978...
The Japanese HIOKI added too in the Poll. ( last option bottom )
I had start an thread before the Poll, asking for help about the known brands ,
but I got very few reply 's .
If you do not have the minimum of three years of ownership of an DMM ,
by voting you are effecting the results by a negative manner.
Why are you hiding the results from those who are "not allowed" to vote?
This Poll and the results, has an major value for the " True Professionals " ..
Simply because it was planed to be so .
Every one has the right , to set up one Poll in this forum.
If you like to start one for Hobbyists, just do it.
Here's an interesting tidbit about my 1989 circa Fluke 85, series one [now now longer made.] Another reason to go Fluke whenever possible, its over 20 years old.
Like the 87 V, Its got a 200kHz frequency counter, but I've never tested it to its limits, as I use it mostly for audio. I found it will read square waves up to 800kHz, the major issue is that its down -3dB or so > 200kHz, but switching mV AC ups its sensitivity. Above 800kHz, it just stops and won't go further, no wrong readings to worry about. I compared its accuracy against a stand alone frequency counter, a recently calibrated DDS's frequency counter/generator and manually rechecked all readings using a scope. Its spot on accurate to 4 digits as a frequency counter.
Also its non- true RMS AC reads accurately to over 100kHz, square waves. Far higher for sine waves. What I find amazing is the my calculated accuracy, using my crude instruments, is above the published specs, so its accurate beyond my capacity to resolve errors.
I then compared it against my 3 other DMMs and its amazing how they can't live up to the 85.
I built a Sabtronics DMM with known good DCV, and its holding its own against the Fluke only in DC and AC only up to 200Hz. The Sanwa and Radio Shack pocket DMM don't even come close.
I too, own and use a Fluke 85.
AFAIK, the only difference between it and the Fluke 87, is that the 87 is TRMS.
If you look at the specs for the 83, 85, and 87 series1. The 83 has lower accuracy, but the 85 and 87 specs are identical, except the 87 is TRMS.
I've often wondered if the 85 is a downgraded 87.
I think it is. Its one reason they stopped making it, it cannibalized 87 sales. I think I posted some pages of its specs from the calibration manual on this forum somewhere, the non-true RMS algorithm used is more accurate in some conditions than the 87, series one. I don't know how it will do with harmonics, but I tested it too with square wave readings to emulate that, and at least to 100kHz it reads true. Thus, it again does well without true RMS.
I too, own and use a Fluke 85.
AFAIK, the only difference between it and the Fluke 87, is that the 87 is TRMS.
If you look at the specs for the 83, 85, and 87 series1. The 83 has lower accuracy, but the 85 and 87 specs are identical, except the 87 is TRMS.
I've often wondered if the 85 is a downgraded 87.