madbeanpedals::forum

General => Open Discussion => Topic started by: Guybrush on November 25, 2011, 09:53:33 AM

Title: Good vlaue DMM in the UK
Post by: Guybrush on November 25, 2011, 09:53:33 AM
Hey!
I'm looking at picking up my first DMM and wondered if anyone else on here who is in the UK could recommend me a decent one that wont empty my wallet.
I know there are tons of 'What DMM should I buy' threads but they all seem to recommend ones that can only be bought from US stores such as Radio Shack. :-\
Any other UK DIYers able to suggets something suitable?
Thanks guys/girls!
Title: Re: Good vlaue DMM in the UK
Post by: plesur on November 25, 2011, 10:53:43 AM
There's so many multimeters out there. Even Maplin have a half decent range. I got my last one from Banzai, it was about €40 but it's not available anymore.

Things to look for are:
autoranging, so you don't have to keep switching to a different setting
capacitance testing, make sure you check the range of capacitance measured, the cheaper ones don't go very high or low
continuity testing, something that beeps - this I use all the time in debugging builds
transistor hfe testing for PNP and NPN - some come with an adapter, some have little holes built in
Title: Re: Good vlaue DMM in the UK
Post by: sam_c on November 25, 2011, 10:57:31 AM
I got mine from maplins for around £15.  Similar to this one below but mine doesnt have the 50hz generator..

http://www.maplin.co.uk/ut132a-digital-multimeter-518506
Title: Re: Good vlaue DMM in the UK
Post by: Guybrush on November 25, 2011, 11:31:17 AM
Thanks guys thats great.  Do you know if the one you linked to sam_c has autoranging? It doesn't seem to mention it on the page. ???
Title: Re: Good vlaue DMM in the UK
Post by: marauder on November 25, 2011, 11:49:41 AM
http://uk.farnell.com/tenma/72-7765/multimeter-digital/dp/7430558

Have to spend £20 at Farnell minimum, but it is free delivery.
Title: Re: Good vlaue DMM in the UK
Post by: bigmufffuzzwizz on November 25, 2011, 05:03:35 PM
The one I got is called Vichy VC99 it's a pretty awesome auto ranging DMM meeting most of our needs. 30 bucks on ebay with free shipping check it out.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/F01728-VICHY-VC99-Auto-Digital-Multimeter-Thermometer-Capacitance-AC-analog-bar-/130568456495?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e667c892f