So, I’m looking for something in a budget category, it is the first and most important requirement. :~
Further, I don’t need something that is unusable, meaning inaccurate, imprecisely, or in some similar manner unconditionally… I believe it is better to have nothing then measuring tool that will give me false information…
I don’t need something “super duper extra quality”, just to be able to do basic measurements, and can believe the results i got from instrument.
Is there something that meets the set requirements?
I would like specific recommendations from experienced members, and, for sure, notes what to avoid at all costs…
LOL, there is no budget yet, I have no idea… for now just thinking about it, it seems to me like a good idea, another one useful little thing to have. :bigsmile:
I certainly do not want to rush and buy something just because it is “cheap”… if isn’t usable, I don’t need it at all.
I would for example to be able to determine and monitor the “health” of my battery, for start, things like that, actually nothing too exotic… later, with practice, I guess I’ll be able to determine more exactly what I need… and do not want to hurry and buy garbage, that’s why I ask here.
Well, I can say UNI-T has quite good budget DMMs.
But, after reading a lot of stuff, I can tell you that a good current measurement will depend on quality of your leads. For currents under 1A, etc. normal leads will do it right, but for more than 2A you will need good copper leads (correct me if I’m wrong). I’ve seen people complaining that their DD drivers can offer only 2.4A while others offer more than 3A. Why? I’m quite sure it’s because of the leads. Those who get +3A probably have better leads.
Just my .02
Personally I would just buy DMM locally and not order, just so I can test and get that feel.
Look for one capable of current measurement, you'd want that, at least 10A. Also, Auto-Off is a good feature because sometimes you might forget to turn it off. And personally I really hate autorange - they're too slow and keep spacing out when changing measurement scope.
I have three DMM's, all cheap and different from each other in that each one progressively sucks less than the others.
The most lame is non auto-ranging Amprobe 5XP-A that can't be used to measure flashlight current but I do use it to test batteries.
price: $40
Slightly less lame is my Extech MN36. It is auto-ranging and I'm comfortable with it because E1320 always tests my lights (with his Fluke) before sending it to me. The Extech has measured exactly the same every single time.
price: $35
Less lame than that is my new Sinometer MS8268. Also auto-ranging and it does a whole bunch of crap about which, I haven't a clue. It is bigger, more imposing and looks more expensive but I don't think it is. It consistently measures current a little lower than the Extech.
price: $20 (from Old-Lumens)
When you buy a DMM, make sure it will measure amps up to maybe 10. My Amprobe only goes to 200mA.
Ah… when you don’t know enough about something, it’s really hard to ask a right question…
The problem is next: when I go to manafont (for example), my search result in 7 hits… and to me it seems that each one meets my requirements… do you understand?
Then… why to choose $20 one, if $10 one is good enough for my needs?
And again, I am sure that only one of seven offered there… is the best choice for me…
The same thing is repeated when I look at other sites… :~
It's a matter of budget, you want to spend $10 then you have certain choices, you want to spend 50$, you have other choices...
At the end of the day it's all about features and accuracy. You want your reading to be more accurate, you pay more...
Sounds you have to make up your mind about what you are after and how much you are willing to spend, and like you admit maybe a $10 one is a good one to start with then later on you go to a more expensive one...
I’m going to echo some earlier sentiments by saying that if all you want to do is measure consumer battery voltages, then the cheapest crappiest multimeter you can find is likely to serve you well enough. However, if you want to accurately measure current above 2 amps or so, you are going to be hindered by crappy leads on the cheap models. So you have three choices in order of most expensive to least expensive:
1) Buy a good quality DMM
2) Buy some quality leads for your cheap DMM
3) Make your own leads for your cheap DMM
I chose the last option.
Having said all that, if at any point you think you might want to use your multimeter to perform measurements on high voltage and/or very high current equipment, or sensitive electronic components, or in any situation where measurement accuracy is mission critical, that’s the point where you should stop mucking about with cheap DMMs.
For flashlight current measurements, DMM accuracy isn’t critical. But you do need low resistance leads. I use a pair of 50cm long leads, with 2.5mm2 crossection.
Low multimeter internal resistance would help as well, but that parameter is seldom specified, and high price isn’t always a guarantee of low internal resistance.
i got no exact knowledge of this generic type of DMM, no link, sorry. the "3$" is a typical quote one would find by googling < cheapest multimeter >, personally i didnt mean it too literally. i paid 24.50€ for my UNI-T (Uni-Trend.com) multimeter. beautiful built quality, looks, haptics.
Can I check the voltage of my TF 14500 with it? Instructions that came with it are a bit vague… I have to set to Voltage DC first? Some hand holding would be appreciated thx :laughing:
Ok first turn the knob to the DC voltage spot. Then you take the red probe and touch that to the positive end of the battery and the black probe to the negative end. On the screen it will display the voltage.
lol, thanks dude :bigsmile: . Figured that much, though maybe I had to set it to a specific voltage or range or something… haha. OK, so TF 14500 come out of the pack at 3.84 volts, good to know.
