Pro Multi meter + Capacitance Meter

[RockinRocket]

Looking for a pro meter namely Fluke that will do everything including measuring capacitance. Has to do PF in all ranges while trying to spend as little as possible. Im guessing a Fluke will be about 150$ but the cheapest modal that can do 1pf up is wat I need. Any recommendations??

[martin manning]

Your budget ($150) indicates a model 115, which has 1nF (1000pF) resolution. Even if you spent $400 for an 87V, that would only get you 10pF resolution. To get down to 1pF you need a specialized LCR meter.

[RockinRocket]

Well it looks like a Fluke I out of reach then. Anything cheapo for just a capacitance meter.

http://www.amazon.com/Honeytek-A6013L-C ... B0036FQ3FW

If it could read within +/- 5p % max

[David Root]

I have a Fluke 187, now long discontinued, which I bought new about 10 years ago. You might find one used for a reasonable price. Great meter--"takes a licking and keeps on ticking".
Still going strong, I don't expect to ever have to buy another DMM with capacitance range.

[John_P_WI]

I have a number of meters ranging from a high end Fluke to cheap 50 dollar throw around meters. At work we have the latest and greatest Fluke's and I have to be honest, the next meter I buy will be a Brymen. Regarding reading to the puff level, it's not going to happen with a DMM, even the high-end ones. You will need a dedicated LCR meter such as the DER DE-5000 with Kelvin clips to reach the resolution that you are looking for. I use it for RF components and it is an amazing little meter.

[xtian]

I like my $30 transistor tester. Does capacitance resistance, etc. measures my 10pf caps fine. eBay special.

[Phil_S]

For hobby use, I'm a big fan of eBay for a used Fluke. Sure, you'll roll the dice and you can get taken. Read the ads carefully and use a measure of judgement. Don't spend so much that you'll feel bad for doing it when your purchase doesn't rise to expectations. Look for an out of production model. I have two Fluke DMM's I purchased on eBay. One is a bench type and the other the more typical portable, model numbers 8600A and 8025B. I don't think I paid more than $30 for either one, including shipping.

One lesson I learned the hard way was was on the 8600A, which is battery or plug in. The bench meters from this era that have batteries require batteries that work and you can't just remove them. I had to replace them for some extra $$ and I think it put my all-in at around $50, which was still a good deal.

The 8600A takes up some room, but does a great job. I find I use the 8025B more often and leave the 8600A on the side.

Neither one of these meters will measure capacitance. I've got some other DMMs that will do that, but the simple truth is that they don't do a great job. Look for an LCR meter (as others here say) if you need to do any serious measurement.

[RockinRocket]

I bought the cheepo I listed above. The 20% and 10% caps I have just was a bit interested where they sit tolerance wise. I think ill be fine but it would be nice to have one MM do it all.