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AR15.COM
1/24/2012 6:50:37 AM EDT
I am NOT an electrician nor do I play one on TV... Been saving up for a DMM for general home use. I moonlight on the side with telecom/networking and emergency vehicle equipment and have run into several occasions recently where a DMM would have come in handy.  The idea of having a thermal probe is nice but not sure its worth the extra money. Main uses: Voltage reading, Amp reading, and continuity testing. Would also like to accurately test resistance for radio applications.

I've narrowed it down to the following Fluke models:

179 (temp probe and lifetime warranty)
117
114

Thoughts?

ETA: Cross posted in the HAM radio forum.
1/24/2012 8:48:16 AM EDT
[#1]
Do you really need a temp probe?*  If yes, the 179 is the one.  If not, do you need the auto-detection and extra features of the 117?  If not, the 114 is the one.

Go to the FLUKE web site and use their product selector tool.  It's actually pretty good.


*  I have never needed one of these.  If I am measuring temperature, I use a different meter.  If I am occaisionally measuring a thermistor or thermocouple, I use the voltmeter (thermocouple) or ohmmeter (thremistor) and use a calibration chart to convert from the reading to temperature.
1/24/2012 7:46:35 PM EDT
[#2]
I have the 179 for personal use. It has never let me down.
1/25/2012 4:16:07 PM EDT
[#3]
Any Fluke will be good but the 179 is a great tool
1/25/2012 4:42:16 PM EDT
[#4]
First, watch this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gh1n_ELmpFI