Products > Test Equipment

Looking for my first/last bench multimeter

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Fried Chicken:
Hate to just come in here and post like this; a longtime lurker I guess I should just ask.

Currently have one single multimeter, a handheld Hioki, and it keeps moving around all over the house as needed, including the bench, garage, car, attic, garden wherever.  I need a bench multimeter.

Currently looking at a Keithley 2000 on offer for $300...  Seems like a good price, and except for replacing a few caps it should be good.

But I'm losing mind here.  I've also considered Fluke 8842A, the HP 3478A, the HP/Agilent 34401A.

I currently need continuity, diode, and DCV.  Frankly 4 digits is more than enough, which brings me to my next point:
From what I've gathered, the fluke 8842a is a beast that holds calibration extremely well.  I'm not getting that same confidence out reading about the Keithley 2000, and if it has 6.5 digits, if they're not calibrated, well, it's not 6.5 digits is it.

The HP 3478a looks like a bargain tank, caveat: the batteries on these need replacing, and you have to do that w/o losing power or you lose calibration.  Fine.  Also no display backlight.  Does it beep for continuity?

But at $300 the Keithley seems like a good deal, and has nice-to-have features I might use down the line.  Prior forum posts say the 34401A edges out the Keithley 2000.  I don't know, I've never had a bench multimeter.

Like I said, I want a first/last bench meter.  Rough LCR capabilities would be really nice (the handheld hioki has that), but is an unrealistic expectation.  I don't want any chinesium unit.  No rigol, or siglent, or gw-instek.  I prefer a used quality unit that might need repairs to a new cheap-o.

Appreciate any input - losing my mind here.

BennoG:
Thes bench meters are less protected against abuse as for example hand held fluke meters.
But the $300 looks nice display seems bright (usually the VFD displays go dimm if the meter has been on for a couple of years 24/7)
I have one over here and it is a perfect meter for on the bench.

If you want better than 0.05% accuracy it needs to be on for at least 1 hour (that is why most laps let them on for 24/7).

Benno

robert.rozee:
given your comment, "4 digits is more than enough", you may wish to consider a Fluke 37. they seem to be readily available on ebay at around the us$50 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/305355386629) to us$85 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/266657294340) mark. if you are really keen, fill the test-lead storage compartment with cement to ensure it stays on your bench - or pack if full of batteries if you don't want to ever need to change the batteries.

another possible contender is the Fluke 45, although it may take you a while to find one at a sensible price. i recently bought one locally for under us$45 including shipping, so they are out there.

the HP 34401A and Fluke 8842  are far more precision instruments (i also own both), and as Benno suggests correspondingly more fragile. both have VFD displays that will fade with run time - this may be a concern for you.

a 'fun project' would be to take a Fluke 77 and convert it to a bench meter. remote the LCD from the main PCB, turn the PCB 90 degrees and provide an extension shaft for the selector, create a new socket layout, and add a big battery so it will run forever. but then you would have something not too far removed from being a Fluke 37 for a whole lot more effort!


cheers,
rob   :-)

Fried Chicken:
Good point to look at cheap bench meters.

I see what you mean about the Fluke 45's being expensive, wtf!  The Fluke 37 looks good, but maybe I should just buy a second handheld meter.    It somehow didn't occur to me that the precision meters would bring with them added sensitivity... well maybe to a small extent.

The Keithley 179A looks really nice... but researching more, it looks like it lacks auto-ranging, diode, or continuity.  I guess some things I've started taking for granted, but auto-ranging would be really nice.  Auto AC/DC would also be really nice.

J-R:
The Fluke 8842A with its VFD and adjustable display rate is amazing at what it does, but it's so limited with regard to functions that it just can't be your first or last bench meter.

Did you actually mean the Keithley 179A?  It's 100% barf.  If you meant the 197A then it's also a poor option with a severely limited feature set.  Insult to injury, current isn't auto-ranging.

The Keithley 2000 and 34401A at least have SOME "modern" features like continuity and frequency.  Otherwise these are relics that I think only make sense if you're needing higher levels of accuracy and precision, and along with that calibration + data...


My go-to suggestion for situations like this is the "Keithley" 2110.  It's actually made in Taiwan by Picotest.  The major positive is that it has a lot of functions and features.  The major negative is the small display.  I think it could be a great first bench DMM, but for sure not your last.


More handhelds is always good idea.  Leave them all around the house so they are always within reach.

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