Pinball info
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Multimeter?
- Thread starter Sounduser
- Start date
Fluke.
You'd be just as well off with one of the cheap and cheerful copies! I have an original and a copy and there's bugger all difference between them (and they are both as accurate!)
Saying that - the one you have linked is from China, so more than likely a fake... and a rather expensive one too!
Saying that - the one you have linked is from China, so more than likely a fake... and a rather expensive one too!
I have one of these, and whilst @lukewells / @Nedreud would tell me that i'm naughty, i have found this one surprisingly good!!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321134863493
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321134863493
What about this one?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UNI-T-UT6...349030?hash=item4d3c039326:g:SL0AAOSwQTVWBOb2
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UNI-T-UT6...349030?hash=item4d3c039326:g:SL0AAOSwQTVWBOb2
That one is "acceptable" for hobby use, but don't go using it on mains voltage stuff as it is not safe enough to do so
Too expensive for most people
The Fluke 17B is a China market only meter and is technically a real fluke (i.e. belongs to the real fluke company) but is outsourced to a lower quality production facility, and as such I would argue that there is no benefit in buying one at that price compared to another £20 China meter
Really like Uni-T also. My bench meter is a UNi-T (not sure of model number)
One of my handheld units is a Fluke, sturdy unit feels much better than any of my cheapy units but similar readings on them all.
Never used Uni-T myself but I'm sure they're probably more than adequate. I'm a big fan of all Fluke test and measurement equipment so haven't ever considered alternatives. No doubt you pay a premium for the name but you know you're buying good stuff. If you look after them they should last a lifetime.
I use meters for stuff other than pinball including high voltage work and wouldn't want to work with a £10 Chinese special. For under £100 I'd look for a used Fluke in good condition and a new set of test leads if necessary. Best pick currently on eBay IMO would be something like this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FLUKE-116...377959?hash=item1c5df45527:g:2JQAAOSwVL1WCcc~
and a set of these:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-F...811803?hash=item280d4c8a5b:g:Qp8AAOSwT6pVgX-7
Loads of other auctions so you can probably pick one up for a lot less.
I bought a second hand Fluke Scopemeter earlier in the year. They're a lot more money then you're looking to spend but then they're a lot more meter. Brand new about a grand but a lot less second hand, just make sure the shielded test leads are included and in good condition as they cost hundreds to replace:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FLUKE-123...565495?hash=item2a5d565577:g:Nw8AAOSw~gRV6crP
All that said, I don't think theres much in a pinball machine that you couldn't troubleshoot with a really cheap meter and a logic probe though.
I use meters for stuff other than pinball including high voltage work and wouldn't want to work with a £10 Chinese special. For under £100 I'd look for a used Fluke in good condition and a new set of test leads if necessary. Best pick currently on eBay IMO would be something like this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FLUKE-116...377959?hash=item1c5df45527:g:2JQAAOSwVL1WCcc~
and a set of these:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-F...811803?hash=item280d4c8a5b:g:Qp8AAOSwT6pVgX-7
Loads of other auctions so you can probably pick one up for a lot less.
I bought a second hand Fluke Scopemeter earlier in the year. They're a lot more money then you're looking to spend but then they're a lot more meter. Brand new about a grand but a lot less second hand, just make sure the shielded test leads are included and in good condition as they cost hundreds to replace:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FLUKE-123...565495?hash=item2a5d565577:g:Nw8AAOSw~gRV6crP
All that said, I don't think theres much in a pinball machine that you couldn't troubleshoot with a really cheap meter and a logic probe though.