Decent Multimeter / Handheld Scope?

[WorkshopChris]

And very interesting link, thanks again!

This thread has probably just cost me a few hundred pounds i have just seen a new RSPro scope meter that looks to be a handy bit of kit, very tempted to treat my self.
https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/digital-multimeters/1445337/

 

[puddles2]

fluke products are very hard to beat. we used them when I was working for years, never had any trouble with them. how ever, they are very sensitive to stray voltages. and will give erroneous readings on circuts with loose or high resistance connections. we had to have our voltmeters calibrated 1 a year, fluke after initial calibration never had to be touched. IMHO a good analog voltmeter[ ie 260 simpson] is also essential to have to be sure in some applications. I have personally seen the results of a cheap voltmeter blowing up, I would never consider using a non cat certified voltmeter. I hope this helps in your decision making.

 

[WorkshopChris]

they are very sensitive to stray voltages

Induced voltages can show up on a disconnected cable, a basic test lamp is a good indicator as a simple test.
https://www.grainger.com/content/safety-ghost-voltages

 

[hunter27]

I was given a new Fluke T6-1000 that was an unwanted prize but recently heard (on here I think) that there was a recall on similar models but not this one. Mine has now started giving unreliable readings after around a years use. I wonder if Fluke are what they used to be?

 

[Robbie260]

I have a mac tools automotive multimeter, got it on ebay for £124 brand new, made by fluke apparently, its listed at over £400.

Fluke is the brand we use at work mainly.

Kyoritsu or Kew is also very good meters a Japanese company, i belive also part of the fluke group and can be quite a bit cheaper than the equivalent fluke but just as good quality.

 

[premmington]

Will mainly be using it for Automotive work.

Ideally I would like a scope, But if budget is the issue, Then I would settle for a decent Multimeter

Have a read of this http://www.remmington.info/advice.htm

It is a bit "long winded" but half way down the page is a section on handheld scopes

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Have a read of this http://www.remmington.info/advice.htm

It is a bit "long winded" but half way down the page is a section on handheld scopes

Excellent, thank you. It's always useful to get advice from people who've actually used equipment rather than hearsay.

 

[Ashley Burton]

It is a bit "long winded

Just a bit!

Its literally this blokes life story of diagnostic equipment

 

[premmington]

Just a bit!

Its literally this blokes life story of diagnostic equipment

I did warn you

 

[zx9]

I decided to treat myself to a decent multimeter a few weeks ago and bought a fluke 115 from city electrical. It didn’t work so I took it back and bought a cheap one which works perfectly!

I vaguely remember reading that Fluke had a recent recall but I can not remember the model of the fault.
It was not relevant to me as my Fluke 11 has been in use for over twenty years and despite a couple of falls from towers is as good as gold, I am not sure how many batteries and sets of test leads it has had, the only real damage it suffered was a slight dink in the LCD display which is not over one of the digits so the meter is still readable.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Just a bit!

Its literally this blokes life story of diagnostic equipment

Add a P to the websites name.

 

[Ashley Burton]

Add a P to the websites name.

It did seem a little suspicious!

 

[Richard.]

I have a fluke 117. Only use it occasionally and granted it does more than I need but lovely device. My meters used to be used a lot for measuring arc voltage and current during wps inspection so had to undergo yearly calibration and pass with high tolerance. The fluke was always very close to bang on the money.
My clamp on is an old HEME1000acdc which as well needed for the same task used to go through calibration perfect every year. 100-200 buys a very nice fluke. If I was to start looking for one now I think I’d look at the 115 because you can add k type probes for temperature measuring. For me that would be very useful for pre heat and inter pass temps. I currently have a separate device from RS for this.

 

[zx9]

Have a read of this http://www.remmington.info/advice.htm

It is a bit "long winded" but half way down the page is a section on handheld scopes

Thank you for reposting the link to your web site, I had it book marked on a long dead Vista laptop.

 

[graffian]

I vaguely remember reading that Fluke had a recent recall but I can not remember the model of the fault.
It was not relevant to me as my Fluke 11 has been in use for over twenty years and despite a couple of falls from towers is as good as gold, I am not sure how many batteries and sets of test leads it has had, the only real damage it suffered was a slight dink in the LCD display which is not over one of the digits so the meter is still readable.

I have had a 115 for about 10 years or so, meter has been great. But the leads were terrible, I used them a bit awkwardly for a while
when I really needed five hands to hold something and check it; next thing they are donald ducked with loads of resistance.

 

[gaz1]

ive used many on tv and video

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tektroni...=item28721f4dab:g:dIAAAOSwqRlcJ6JO:rk:17:pf:0

for multimeter ive used it for years came with a nice price tag when i bought it never droped always looked after it still works even now

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LCD-Digi...h=item3af8678cbf:g:Z4cAAOSwjMtcAW4C:rk:2:pf:0

oh and enjoy your hunt

 

[CornishPete]

Would you consider second hand? A used Fluke 87 V can be had for under £200.

I had an 87 v but only ever used the basic functions so sold it for more than I paid then bought a 15b off eBay for about £50. My advice would be to get one that suits your needs rather than paying for functions that you'll never use!
I do fancy a powerprobe as most of my use is automotive and supplying power to components could be handy .

 

[zx9]

I do fancy a powerprobe as most of my use is automotive and supplying power to components could be handy

I think they are a bit Marmite, people either love them or share @premmington 's views on them. Anyone here using or has in the past used a PowerProbe ?

 

[Ashley Burton]

I think they are a bit Marmite, people either love them or share @premmington 's views on them. Anyone here using or has in the past used a PowerProbe ?

Some people refer to them as the arc welder of the Automotive world. Nothing beats apply 12V to a 5V circuit & releasing the magic smoke that always escapes!

 

[zx9]

Some people refer to them as the arc welder of the Automotive world. Nothing beats apply 12V to a 5V circuit & releasing the magic smoke that always escapes!

Exactly, but I have to say the power and control on both my Vito and A4 are very easy to distinguish and that the same damage could be done with 12V from any source.