Multimeter questions - averaging / manual ranging

[Axtman]

Other than saving money, is there any reason to buy an averaging (non RMS) and/or manual ranging multimeter?

[bdunham7]

Typical analog RMS converters are only specified down to some fraction of the range (2 to 5% typically) and residual count noise starts to become significant below that.  Averaging converters (and some digital RMS versions) can work accurately down to zero or close to it. 

Manual ranging meters may have a constant 10M input impedance while most autoranging handhelds will have somewhat higher impedances (11M, 10.1M, etc) in the lower ranges.   This can affect the accuracy of HV divider probes.

[Aldo22]

Nowadays, you have to be careful to find an averaging (non-TRMS) DMM.
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/do-all-modern-dmms-have-true-rms-even-if-they-dont-specify-it/

[J-R]

It's been reported that some test procedures have been written for an average-responding meter, although I think this was typically for much older equipment.

Manual ranging could have some specific perks, such as no auto-ranging delay and the switch position clearly displays the range you are in.  Although we hobbyists can hit the range button and read the display scale just fine, it could be more efficient and reliable to instruct a factory worker to simply set a dial rather than to also have to push buttons and decipher a small display indicator.

I just spotted a manual ranging DMM in this recent factory tour video (skip to 2:25 mark):

[blue_lateral]

A real *quality* manual ranging meter with a real power switch is a wonderful thing. Saving money or not, you are not likely to get that in today's world unless you are committed to the idea and specifically looking.