Originally Posted by Charlie Foxtrot

Curry - elaborate:

Presently I use Fluke equipment at work as well as Megger. (Fluke loves us, I have one meter that's over $10k) But I'm working with some very tricky stuff that requires Cat III & Cat IV & 40 kcal suits. That stuff is not appropriate for automotive work. And while it is very good stuff it does not tolerate user mistakes-it lets the magic smoke out, and that can be a very expensive lesson. Fluke equipment isn't designed for bouncing off the floor. On the other hand, when I ran a large industrial maintenance unit, I used Ideal meters & Craftsman tools because they offered a "no questions asked" warranty. My team ran the gamut from experienced electricians to apprentice maintenance techs w/o much education. For automotive ( and light aircraft) systems a good Cat II multi-meter can be found for under $50 if you look around (try Sears clearance sales). I have picked up good serviceable used Sun, Allen, Marquette, and Snap On diagnostic equipment for not much more (I picked two Sun Scopes for $75, a VAT 28 for $25, and a VAT 40 for $50). I have a shop at home (a rural airport). I repair light aircraft and repair vehicles in my spare time so my needs are a bit more comprehensive than the average hobbyist. A multi function digital multi-meter with a DC amp clamp can be a big help, but a simple Volt-Ohm meter will get you started.

Originally Posted by Charlie Foxtrot

Curry - elaborate:

Presently I use Fluke equipment at work as well as Megger. (Fluke loves us, I have one meter that's over $10k) But I'm working with some very tricky stuff that requires Cat III & Cat IV & 40 kcal suits. That stuff is not appropriate for automotive work. And while it is very good stuff it does not tolerate user mistakes-it lets the magic smoke out, and that can be a very expensive lesson. Fluke equipment isn't designed for bouncing off the floor. On the other hand, when I ran a large industrial maintenance unit, I used Ideal meters & Craftsman tools because they offered a "no questions asked" warranty. My team ran the gamut from experienced electricians to apprentice maintenance techs w/o much education. For automotive ( and light aircraft) systems a good Cat II multi-meter can be found for under $50 if you look around (try Sears clearance sales). I have picked up good serviceable used Sun, Allen, Marquette, and Snap On diagnostic equipment for not much more (I picked two Sun Scopes for $75, a VAT 28 for $25, and a VAT 40 for $50). I have a shop at home (a rural airport). I repair light aircraft and repair vehicles in my spare time so my needs are a bit more comprehensive than the average hobbyist. A multi function digital multi-meter with a DC amp clamp can be a big help, but a simple Volt-Ohm meter will get you started.

Originally Posted by CurrySoSpicy

I've dropped my Fluke DMM plenty of times, no problem. we have 13 techs in the field all with Fluke DMMs. In the 7 years I've worked here we've never had anyone blow one up. Except this one idiot who measured a high frequency machine at one of customers, which he was warned multiple times not to do. Sure a 725 calibrator in unexperienced hands will get blown up. But I'm just not sure I see where their DMMs are more "sensitive" to getting hurt. The 79IIIs we use are damn workhorses.

Originally Posted by roninofako

To be fair, he's referencing highly specialized units as opposed to the mainstream commercial units. That said, they are NOT for the average user. A decent, all around Fluke can be had for around $150. It will do just about everything you could want to do, and more. KNOWING how to use it is key, so the high end models he speaks of would NEVER be in Average Joes garage.

I worked in aerospace for 25 years. We used fairly basic Flukes, but they needed calibration every 6 months for quality control purposes. I have dropped those things in a high bay from 2.5 stories up, had it hit the floor, bounce a few times, and set it aside, as once something like that happens, it tagged for re-calibration immediately...they always passed with flying colors.

Fluke is by all means the gold standard. I can't speak to the "sensitivity" of the super high end units, but again, anything like that should be being calibrated and recorded for QA reasons anyways. So, it's pointless for this discussion.

A simple multi meter from any parts store will be sufficient for general troubleshooting on your ride.

Originally Posted by Willys55

this thread took a strange turn, what next? photos of your meters in action?

Did you scare the OP off with all this macho crap.

Fact of the matter is simple, some of us depend on our equipment in many different ways, however you do not need an expensive meter to perform most automotive tasks, and you don't need an expensive infrared meter either..........

Originally Posted by cruiser54

Defining "best" is the cheapo meter. The value for the task is there.

We don't need to parade around wagging our flukes............

Originally Posted by CurrySoSpicy

Yea the thread got a bit out of hand. My fault. Tradesmen and the "best" tool discussions don't mix well.

Anyways I saw some nice little southwire meters at lowes today. One had Bluetooth capability, so you could have the meter under the hood and be able to see the measurements on your phone.

Originally Posted by cruiser54

A beeping meter is great also.

Gimme a link to the one at Lowes you fluke wagger.

Originally Posted by investinwaffles

Damn, I didn't even know they made data-logging bluetooth multimeters. Definitely need one of those in my life

That would be epic for trying to figure out which breaker goes to an outlet, and obviously automotive work in general

Originally Posted by cruiser54

A beeping meter is great also.

Gimme a link to the one at Lowes you fluke wagger.