Inexpensive DVM wanted....

[zozoe]

Greetings,,,, I'm in need of a simple & basic, inexpensive DMV that'll read low impedances for guitar speakers & pots, as well as measure capacitances for tone caps & the such. When I google such animals, either they don't measure below 200 ohms, and/or they don't do capacitance....., and if they do, they're over $60..... What am I missing & what should I be looking at from Lowe's or Depot?

Thanks so much in advance!! ॐ

[jbrew73]

https://www.amazon.com/Ranging-Digital- ... B06ZZG2F2N

This is a nice meter especially for the price.

[Stevem]

Why do you need to read impedance?

You seem to be confusing impedance with resistance.

You will not find a meter that can read impedance for under 230 bucks unless it's used, and a impedance meter can not read voltages nor amps.

Impedance meters need to output a accurate test signal and that requirement makes them far more expensive.

You do not need a super accurate voltmeter unless your working on solid state gear where a .5 volt difference can mean that a circuit will work of not, with tube gear if your within 15% of the called for schematic voltage your fine.

As the saying goes " You get what you pay for " and I guarantee you the test leads on a cheap meter will fail on you in short order, and that will be when you need the meter the most!

[martin manning]

If I had a budget of under $100, I think I would go for Klein MM420 for ~$70, or MM450 ~$80 if its compact size appeals to you. They are available at Lowes and Home Depot.

BTW, a DMM (Digital Multimeter) is what you are after.

[flemingmras]

If you're serious about working on tube amps, spend the money on a Fluke. You don't need a super fancy one. A Fluke 115 is more than sufficient. Features a capacitance meter, diode checker, and frequency meter.

Yes it's over $200. It will last you decades. Spend the money. Put some skin in the game.

https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-115-Compac ... B000OCFFMW

[TUBEDUDE]

Or, get the.amazon meter mentioned earlier and a cheap capacitance tester, like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Honeytek-CECOMIN ... 5011682011

[johnnyreece]

Or, get the.amazon meter mentioned earlier and a cheap capacitance tester, like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Honeytek-CECOMIN ... 5011682011

I have one of those exact meters, and mine is intermittent at best. I ended up getting one of those cheapy MK-328 testers and have been very happy with it.

[flemingmras]

Or, get the.amazon meter mentioned earlier and a cheap capacitance tester, like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Honeytek-CECOMIN ... 5011682011

Your test equipment tells a story of how experienced and committed you are to your trade. Cheap bargain bin test equipment that performs intermittently at best? Or brand name stuff that's worth every single penny you spent buying it that lasts you decades?

I'm all for saving money when saving money doesn't come at the expense of sacrificing performance and accuracy. Again, put some skin in the game. Those who are willing to advocate for cheap bargain bin test equipment and tools and "rednecking" things are nothing short of "hacks" at best who barely know anything about electronics in general.

As much as we get accused of "keeping electronics a black art" and "maintaining a barrier to entry", at least we're willing to put the money out towards the trade we love so much. Especially when the quality and accuracy are there.

[jbrew73]

So I guess I’m a redneck hack since I recommended an inexpensive but serviceable meter.

I guess only the cool kids own Flukes.

[TUBEDUDE]

Or, get the.amazon meter mentioned earlier and a cheap capacitance tester, like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Honeytek-CECOMIN ... 5011682011

Your test equipment tells a story of how experienced and committed you are to your trade. Cheap bargain bin test equipment that performs intermittently at best? Or brand name stuff that's worth every single penny you spent buying it that lasts you decades?

I'm all for saving money when saving money doesn't come at the expense of sacrificing performance and accuracy. Again, put some skin in the game. Those who are willing to advocate for cheap bargain bin test equipment and tools and "rednecking" things are nothing short of "hacks" at best who barely know anything about electronics in general.

As much as we get accused of "keeping electronics a black art" and "maintaining a barrier to entry", at least we're willing to put the money out towards the trade we love so much. Especilly when the quality and accuracy are there.

Agree but OP stated budget was a factor. My Fluke 179 is over 20 years old and still kicking. Inspite of 3 or 4 occasions where I applied high voltage in the resistance mode.

[martin manning]

Capacitance measurement was also a stated requirement. Only the top of the line Flukes have better than 1 nF resolution, whereas the Klein I mentioned above has 10 pF resolution. A really cheap DMM, in the $20 range say, is probably a waste of money, but you can get something pretty decent for under $100.

[didit]

Capacitance measurement was also a stated requirement. Only the top of the line Flukes have better than 1 nF resolution, whereas the Klein I mentioned above has 10 pF resolution. A really cheap DMM, in the $20 range say, is probably a waste of money, but you can get something pretty decent for under $100.

Fully concur. Klein has been supplying mid-tier electrical kit, historically mostly hand tools, well suited to journeyman trades for nearly 150 years with a well deserved solid reputation. For the budget this will be just fine. If you find a need someday for a fancier multimeter this one will well serve paired up as a secondary, indispensable in certain diagnostics and setup scenarios.

..

[alnight]

Agreed, I've had a few pieces of Klein electronic gear and it has always provided good service. If you are adventurous, you might check ebay for a used Fluke. The quality is real, but not strictly necessary for occasional/hobby type use.

[patrick620]

This one serves me well and did not upset my income much at all https://www.amazon.com/Mastech-MS8268-D ... B0050LVFS0

[jabguit]

Agree but OP stated budget was a factor. My Fluke 179 is over 20 years old and still kicking. Inspite of 3 or 4 occasions where I applied high voltage in the resistance mode.

My Chinese made Uni-T UT-58 is over 2 decades old and still working beautifully. On more than one occasion I had my friend bring his Fluke 87 over to verify readings on my UT-58 and they were same as the Fluke, so....

YMMV


cheers,