Check out eBay for a DMM. I got a used Fluke 27 (high end meter, ruggedized, auto ranges and great accuracy). cost me $37 shipped to my door. It had some dings and scratches, but it works great. The cost for the same model new was over $400.
I write electronic calibration procedures for Nasa, DMMs amongst many other items. It's true, Fluke is the "end all be all" for multimeters, they're the most durable and accurate.
DMMs do many things these days, but for automotive use, you'll probably be using the VDC and continuity functions the most. Those can be found on meters that don't cost nearly as much. If you can find a deal on a Fluke, by all means pick it up. I don't know about you, but finding a real deal on fleabay isn't what it used to be, seems like everyone knows what's up these days.
I've got a Fluke 87 and and a 77, but I also have one from Radio Shack that's just as good for automotive use, and damn near as accurate. The only differences are the readout takes maybe a half-second longer to to display, and it's not as rugged.
Flukes are great, but they're not indestructible. I dropped one from 5 levels up on a Space Shuttle engine stand. It exploded when it hit the deck.
I write electronic calibration procedures for Nasa, DMMs amongst many other items. It's true, Fluke is the "end all be all" for multimeters, they're the most durable and accurate.
DMMs do many things these days, but for automotive use, you'll probably be using the VDC and continuity functions the most. Those can be found on meters that don't cost nearly as much. If you can find a deal on a Fluke, by all means pick it up. I don't know about you, but finding a real deal on fleabay isn't what it used to be, seems like everyone knows what's up these days.
I've got a Fluke 87 and and a 77, but I also have one from Radio Shack that's just as good for automotive use, and damn near as accurate. The only differences are the readout takes maybe a half-second longer to to display, and it's not as rugged.
Flukes are great, but they're not indestructible. I dropped one from 5 levels up on a Space Shuttle engine stand. It exploded when it hit the deck.