DMM Pro's and Con's

OK hey everyone . So i have seen lots off post going arround saying to get DMM (Digital Multy Meter) buy that cheap little $6 one well there may be somethings that arent so great about them :-?


Pro's
#1 cheap everyone likes something affordable that works right
#2 some may be callibrated acccuratley some i am not to sure about
#3 they get the job done (most of the time)
#4 (i can't think of any more)

Con's
#1 may not be callibrated accuratley
#2 may break easily
#3 (you will love this one) KILLER OF DIODES (R. I. P. little buddy)
  well ok here is the scenario " Your meter is reading 420 mV and its time to hook up that 20x diode u just got in the mail toady but u notice somthing funny ur big wire bound 1 ohm resistor is like burning hot. You read the side of the resistor and it says rated for 10 amps hmm that gets u a little concerned (my wire bound resistor gets hot at like 2 amps going through it) but you decide not biggy i have been waiting so long for this diode u just solder thoose to little wires to the driver. Flick the switch and you see a bright light for half a second  and then nothing o no (not again lol   ) "


ok here is the disclaimer:
  i didn't want to scare anyone away from thier DMM or anything of the sort i am just saying there are some dangers out there that u might want to look into.

if u guys have aything to add just tell me because i want to make this a very help full guide also if any of u have any sure fire methods of checking the accuracy of your DMM i would like to add a section for that on this post.

1: The first M in DMM is Multi, not Multy

2: I think you mean 420 mA, not mV

3: I have this DMM

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.619

And it works FANTASTIC. I tested it at various voltages and currents against a $200 Fluke DMM and the readings were less then 0.5% different in all cases. Its fairly sturdy, accurate, and easy to use. Get it along with a set of better leads (it takes standard banana clip leads) and you'll be good to go. Highly recommended.

hmmm, interesting, well i believe my DMM is working fine but ill just check it against my AMM to be sure lol, thx for the concern

Worth every penny right?

Let's see... we're paying on the order of $20/diode, and yet we won't spend even half that on decent equipment?

It's like having a stew with great ingredients, except for just one, and that one cheap ingredient ruins the stew. What a waste.

Bionic-Badger said:

Worth every penny right?
Let's see... we're paying on the order of $20/diode, and yet we won't spend even half that on decent equipment?
It's like having a stew with great ingredients, except for just one, and that one cheap ingredient ruins the stew.  What a waste.

Click to expand...

This has always puzzled me. Maybe it's the old construction worker in me, but I believe you should buy the best tools you can afford. They will pay for themselves over time in time saved and higher quality products.

Peace,
dave

well said both of u
but i am not really an expert lol
so i wouldn't know to much on DMM

o sorry that sounds a little sarcastic its not meant to be