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Help Choosing between multimeter for 100$ CAD
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LooKatME:
Hi, I need help to decide between one of the two multimeters below to complete my budget workstation for DIY audio.

Fluke 8810a and Instek gdm-8145

both of them are from an inventory sale so not necessarily in good condition but for 100$ CAD they are the best I can find so far and here are some cons and pros for each of them.

Instek gdm-8145
Pro: More available measures(current, diode), greater range of AC voltage.
Con: 4.5 digits

Fluke 8810a
Pro: Better accuracy in all measurements, 5.5 digits
Con: Limited # of measurement

Right now, I prefer the Fluke over Instek because it does all the jobs that I am concerned in the DIY audio better and it has 5.5 digits which is a big plus for me. However, the Fluke seems to predate the Instek by quite some time. I have attached each of their spec below so you can compare.

I am located in Montreal, Canada, so if you have a better option under or at 100$, please also post it to me. Also feel free to comment even if you don't think 100$ is a fair price to them.

Thank you for your help!



bdunham7:
That's an interesting pair of options.

IDK anything about the GDM-8145. It might just be based on the ICL 7135 (which wouldn't be a terrible thing) would probably be OK if it works.  The Fluke 8810A is actually a pretty decent DMM if it has the Ohms and AC converter options (which can be either average-responding or TRMS) installed and it is in working order.  If they aren't in working order or are out of calibration, then there's not going to be much you can do unless you have other equipment and some good repair skills.

Under $100CAD is a tough price point.  Meters like this used to be free or nearly so and at that price, considering the risk that they don't work, I wonder if you'd be better off with some cheap-ish new meter.
LooKatME:
I hope they are in working condition, as to the recalibration since I know an electronic repair shop which could provide this service so I am not so worried about this.  |O
floobydust:
GDM-8145 same as Wavetek/Meterman BDM-40. ICL7135, AD536 with AC, DC, AC+DC coupling, 1N829 ref.
I like the LED display but have blown up the meter a few times. It is fragile without any decent input overload protection. None at all for the AD536. I measure diode-test compliance voltage almost 13VDC which is crazy high.
Not recommended for service/repair, only good for lab use, no mistake measurements.
Last time I hit it with a few kV by accident and the switch matrix arced and killed the LED display driver. It's an inch from landfill right now.
LooKatME:
Thank you for raising this, I didn't notice the overload protection before. According to the instek manual (see the p.9 of the attachment ), Fluke does a better job overall.
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