12-09-2011, 11:49 PM
The new digital auto-ranging multimeters can be found easily these days. I own several DMM's. They are handy indeed! If you want to invest in really good quality bench test gear, I would suggest looking at ebay for a good used vintage Variac made by Superior, with a 10 amp load rating. It will last forever. For a really good quality analog multimeter, I would suggest a good old Simpson model 260 VOM capable of tests in the 1KV range. A good Simpson analog 260 multimeter can't be beat once you know the differences how to use them versus all the new modern DMM VOM digital meters. Simpson still sells new analog types model 260 VOMs, but they are "pricey"! The reason?.. they are the Best, period! And the Simpson model 260 VOM's are much more accurate in any and all comparisons. You just have to learn how to use them. 
