the_piper•1mo agoMost Upvoted

Spent $200 on a fancy multimeter that burned me...

I bought this high end Fluke multimeter thinking it would be the last one I ever need. Paid $200 for it off a tool truck because I wanted something rugged after killing two cheap models. First week on the job it started giving me ghost readings on a simple dryer thermal fuse. Called the supplier and they said it was probably fine and I just needed to "learn how to use it." Three days later it completely died after I dropped it from waist height onto concrete. My old $40 Klein that I had before this mess is actually working better right now. Anyone else have a tool that looked amazing on paper but just didn't hold up?

3 comments

3 Comments

nelson.vera1mo ago

That "learn how to use it" line always gets me, like you suddenly forgot how to read ohms overnight. Had the same thing happen with a pricey oscilloscope that was supposed to be bulletproof but couldn't handle a simple static zap, so now I stick with midrange stuff that's proven. For rugged work get something with a silicone sleeve already on it and check the drop rating before buying, those spec sheets actually matter more than the brand name.

harper9141mo ago

Feel that, Nelson. I baby my good multimeter now after zapping one from just walking across a carpet.

diana_kim661mo ago

Dropped my expensive thermal camera once and it was toast, just like your Fluke. Learned the hard way that "rugged" on the box doesn't mean much until it hits the ground.