Recommend (Cheap) Multimeter?

OP, what do you mean "cheap" - under $10, $20? Aren't you interested in a good one, that is accurate and won't fail at exact moment when you need to do some urgent repairs?

I think all those under $10 are the same circuit board in different cases under different names. People are ordering such units for $4-5 at Ebay and Amazon in multiples like 2 or 3, in case if one or two will be dead or stop working - either scenario is not uncommon.

Last year I paid $29 on Amazon for Greenlee DM-60 meter, good brand, nearly professional grade, with useful features like "hold max". Audible signal - there is one, never felt like needing it, though it beeps on continuity test. In removable rubber-ish protective "glove" in case if I drop it. I expect this device to last 15 years or more. Today I see them at $45.

Case? No big deal. I made one out of cardboard and packing tape, took me 15 minutes, should last a few years.

My everyday meters are Flukes. I also have a drawer full of HF cheapies should I need to measure multiple voltages. I even have some analog meters should I need to see a needle move.
If I didn't need constant reliability for work situations, I think I'd get one of these Tenma meters. I know a couple of bench techs that swear they are good.

Yep. If you want cheap - get cheap. If you want good - prepare to pay upwards of 30 bucks.

westend wrote:
My everyday meters are Flukes. I also have a drawer full of HF cheapies should I need to measure multiple voltages. I even have some analog meters should I need to see a needle move.
If I didn't need constant reliability for work situations, I think I'd get one of these Tenma meters. I know a couple of bench techs that swear they are good.

and you know that is better than the $17 Equus 3320 Inova at walmart because?
are you positive that they didn't both come off the same assembly line in China?
bumpy

Bumpyroad wrote:
and you know that {Tenma} is better than the $17 Equus 3320 Inova at walmart because?
are you positive that they didn't both come off the same assembly line in China?
bumpy

That's the thing - when it's made in China, you can't be sure of anything. Even then, same assembly line can produce products of different class on different days/shifts.

Greenlee is the brand 150 years old. Yes sir, established 1860. Tenma is 30-35 years old. Equus Innova - gee, I don't know.

westend wrote:
My everyday meters are Flukes. I also have a drawer full of HF cheapies should I need to measure multiple voltages. I even have some analog meters should I need to see a needle move.
If I didn't need constant reliability for work situations, I think I'd get one of these Tenma meters. I know a couple of bench techs that swear they are good.

I keep those variable rate voltmeters around for folks that uh, don't tickle my fancy. Like when they argue after begging for free help. Keeps 'em happy!

My last one came from Amazon.com and it is 3/8" thick and has a hard shell case that contains the meter and the leads and the case is designed so it closes only when the switch is in the OFF position which saves on batteries. Autosensing which makes it more compact with fewer dials needed. Includes a continuity beeper which is very helpful when troubleshooting. Truly pocket sized.

Triplett 2030-C Autoranging Pocket Sized Digital Multimeter $25

Bumpyroad wrote:

westend wrote:
My everyday meters are Flukes. I also have a drawer full of HF cheapies should I need to measure multiple voltages. I even have some analog meters should I need to see a needle move.
If I didn't need constant reliability for work situations, I think I'd get one of these Tenma meters. I know a couple of bench techs that swear they are good.

and you know that is better than the $17 Equus 3320 Inova at walmart because?
are you positive that they didn't both come off the same assembly line in China?
bumpy

I guess this is a serious question so I'll answer it as such.
The Equus product is made for the consumer hobbyist, it is not built as part of the Innova automotive lineup but is engineered to a price point, a low price point. The Tenma meter is from a line of electronic test equipment by that manufacturer, most of it used by technicians in their field. Tenma has a considerable history of building quality test equipment.

Innova/Equus and Tenma are two distinct companies having their own factories in different locations. Tenma is a brand owned by Premium Farnell, owners of MCM Electronics and Newark, both quality line distributors of electronic equipment.

FWIW, I didn't characterize any meter as being less than or better than another. As stated, I use a variety of them. If I was looking for another meter (I'm always looking), the Tenma would be on a short list and the Equus would not. That's my list and doesn't have to be yours.

my concern is that the OP requested a recommendation for a cheap multimeter, not the best available. exactly what is wrong with that $17 wal mart one for general use around the RV? I assume that one could spend $100s if not $1000s on fancy exotic electronic equipment if such precision was needed.
All too often in this forum recommendations are made by "buffs" in their specific area of expertise for equipment, etc., better than required. Somebody asked about a basic tool set and I and others recommended a $39 set from Harbor Freight and then to add in better equipment as seen necessary. somebody seemed to indicate that a $499 Craftsman tool set was required, it was not.
So those two meters both come from China, albeit from different production lines. is the quality control actually better on one than the other? what are the specs on them? is there a practical difference in the specifications, for RV use, not for monitoring the construction of a Lunar Module?
bumpy

I have a bunch of MultiMeters ranging from around 5-7 Dollars at Harbor Freight to about 250 (Suggested retail) and frankly Other than some very advanced features on the big one..(Measures frequency, temperature and capacitance) I really can't recommend one over the other..

Oh the big one blew a non-replacable module.. With the HF ones you don't worry about that.. Some of 'em if the battery goes dead it's cheaper to toss 'em