Recommendations for new Digital Multimeter for tackling a DIY?

N

NewGrower2011

Well-Known Member
As someone who is willing to invest for good tools, I'm on the hunt for a new digital multi-meter as a pre-requisite to even considering tackling a DIY...

I know Fluke is one of the 'go to' names, but I know sometimes those names come with inflated/unjustified costs...
Looking at the Fluke 179 with the EDA2 kit as being a middle ground... not a low-end meter, nothing crazy high end... the models below do NOT have a life-time warranty and I think this one is good enough for mains measurement in a standard residential/household capacity (right? That' the Category 1-2-3-4 deal right?)...

I see Amazon has a pretty decent price for the meter/accessory kit...

What about the Agilent brand? Comparable model?
 
I see the model above has an "accessible internal fuse" and anything in the lower range models don't specify that... I think this 179 does have an internal fuse called out somewhere I read... just not listed/noted as being "accessible"...

What does this mean to me really?
 
Seems like some comparisons are out there between Fluke and Agilent so perhaps that's a brand to consider.

Anyone have any experience with this brand?
 
I use Fluke 115 and Amprobe AM-520. Both great meters for electronics projects. I like the Fluke better, it is slightly faster to get readings and more convenient overall. The amprobe makes me switch from AC to DC for every single measurement while the Fluke removes that step by offering separates AC and Dc switches. The Amprobe is half the price. Both are built by Fluke to high quality standards and both are very accurate and precise. Amprobe is 44 on eBay. Good luck!

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I considered the off names, but this is one of those buy it once - should last a lifetime deals for me...

I did get a chuckle at the aesthetic knock-offs.... yellow = fluke knock-off and then orange = agilent knock-off.

Since you mention the thermocouple, that is another item the 179 model offered that the lower 175 (?) didn't... that family had like 3 models with 179 being the top of the 3...

I'm pretty much leaning towards the 179 still even after doing a little more homework...
 
Thanks supra. I didn't know Fluke had a lower brand out there... These companies within companies just make the market more confusing.... Honda/Acura... etc... Pffft... Just make them tiered models... I'd be more inclined to consider a brand if it was really backed by a well known/familiar name...

Anywho. Thanks for the input.

Any thoughts on the 179 vs the 179 with a "kit"... the one I chose looked like the most general purpose one... I don't need a million leads/types of clamps but do want a good starting set and in particular aim towards high-current DC work like we'd have in a diy COB project...
 
I was looking at the 117 which is a cheaper model, but it looks like there are notable differences...

Cat III vs Cat IV... if ever need be the 179 is more forward thinking...
DC Accuracy... Quite a difference between the two tiers... I don't know how much this really matters to me though...
Temperature probe... 179 has thermo-couple...
Lifetime Warranty on 179...

I think I'm sold on the 179... Looking around, those who do recommend Fluke are saying the 179 is solid...
 
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