Every one here knows about the Harbor Freight meters, some like ’em and others don’t. I think everyone will agree that there better ones out there. It’s just a matter of how good a meter you need.
I want to point out that over the years, Harbor Freight with each iteration of their meter has consistantly tried to make small, incremental improvements with each release.
They have overdone themselves with this latest version.
As it happened, I was in the vicinity of one of there stores this afternoon and stopped by to pick up one of their FREE tape measures. Coupons for free tape measures, flashlights and meters can be found in each Sunday newpaper in these parts and I always carry those coupon just in case I am near one. I would never make a special trip. Like I said, I have enough meters, I thought I’d pick up a tape measure.
So I went in, picked up my FREE tape measure (no purchase required) and just to be civil about it, walked around the store PRETENDING to be interested in the other (non FREE) tools. Then I came to the isle with the meters………………
If you check out the picture above, my stash of meters that I have claimed FREE over the years, (months? ) You can see the packaging is slightly different in some of them. Those are the different model numbers and improvements that HF has come out with over that period of time. But when I picked up the latest and greatest HF meter on display, I literally dropped the tape measure!
Here is a pic of the latest meter.
This meter looks just like any of the others (they always do) but take a look at the features in the upper right corner!
Apparently this meter is now a 10 function DMM with 3 NEW functions. Yep, it now will read Humidity, Sound Levels, and I know you guys will really appreciate this one, Luminosity I couldn’t believe my eyes so I looked on the back to get some more info.
Sure enough, the specs are there.
Glad to see it still comes with the free 9V battery.
As I was driving home, trying not to get into an accident, I kept looking at it trying to find the setting on the switch for these NEW functions. Couldn’t find them! Maybe it’s a secret menu or something. If I have to, tonight I will do a tear down and look for undocumented pin outs for the die on board chip. If you don’t see or hear from me for a few days, that will be why.
Oh, in case any of you a fretting right now that you may not be able to get one, don’t worry, they have plenty
And I almost forgot, because the new features are described in a comic balloon, there could be a possibility that this meter is capable of speech!
Words can not describe .People need to make up new words ...
My friend gave me one of these meters years ago and it sat in the package for months .One day I decided to give my real meter a rest and use one of these for simple stuff like checking voltages etc ..
3 minutes later I'm folding the test leads back up and putting the twisty tie back on and trying to get it back in the plastic .
Maybe they will start adding some medical functions to these meters too ..heart rate monitor .. blood glucose meter , DIY lobotomy kit .
These are not free ....
when you take into consideration the gas spent having to pull into the parking lot ...And the calories burned walking up to the register ..it's almost not worth it
Maybe this is one of the intermediate stages in the evolution where they changed the chip but haven’t changed the host to match it yet. He may well find the untapped resources inside somewhere when he cracks it open.
Don’t think I don’t know what you’re whispering behind my back.
I have received several PM’s from elite members here and I have over-nighted samples of this meter to each of them. (I have lots of coupons)
They will go through them and we should know in a couple of days. We all agreed that I would only facilitate and coordinate the effort and not be allowed to actually take any of the measurements because I don’t have a Fluke.
) You can see the packaging is slightly different in some of them. Those are the different model numbers and improvements that HF has come out with over that period of time. But when I picked up the latest and greatest HF meter on display, I literally dropped the tape measure!
