Abe's Digital Multimeter
Recommendations
-Part I-

A Digital Multimeter that can read Hertz Frequency is becoming a MUST HAVE tool that any one working on a modern Fuel Injected vehicle has to have in their tool box.

As you’ve noticed, in most of the ‘How to’ articles here at EasyAutoDiagnostics.com, the testing instructions call for a Multimeter that can read Hertz Frequency and after receiving a ton of E-mails asking for help in choosing and buying one... I have written this ‘review’ article to help those needing to buy their first Hertz (Hz) enabled Digital Multimeter.

I’m also going to show you where you can buy the two Multimeters I’m recommending to you.

What Features Should the Multimeter Have?

Having worked as a Diagnostic Automotive Technician most of my adult working life, I’ve used a lot of tools and Digital Multimeters. I’ve come to the conclusion that you do not need to buy a dedicated Automotive Digital Multimeter with a ton of functions that range from having temperature sensors to tachometers.

Some of these Multimeters can do everything but the laundry, now of course these features are useful but rarely used to diagnose a modern vehicle. Here are three things to keep in mind:

1. You don’t have to spend an ‘arm and a leg’ to buy one.
2. Buying an inexpensive non-automotive specific Multimeter will not affect the quality of your Diagnostic.
3. You don’t have to buy one with a ton of features that you may never use (and which raise the price of the multimeter).

This article is made specifically for the DIY that is not a professional Auto Technician and needs help in deciding what to buy. Below are the 2 Multimeters I recommend to buy: 1) Mastech MS8268 Digital Multimeter or the 2) Fluke 115 Compact True-RMS Digital Multimeter.

Mastech MS8268 Digital Multimeter
(Sinometer MS8268)

What I love about this Multimeter, besides getting the job done, is the price. This Multimeter is the epitome of the phrase: it doesn’t have to ‘cost an arm and a leg’. Here are some other features that I have found useful:

1. It’s grease and dirt friendly due to the case’s dark color.
2. It’s people friendly (easy to use) since you don’t have to hunt for the different functions.
3. It takes falls pretty well. Now of course you’re not buying a Multimeter to drop it... but when you’re working around a car or engine compartment, equipment falling and hitting the floor is a common occurrence. This Multimeter can take it.
4. Handles all of the important basics: AC/DC Volts, Ohms, Amps, etc.
5. It uses 3 AAA batteries.
6. It has the Auto Power Off feature which will turn the Multimeter off on its own if you walk away and forget to turn it off yourself.
7. If you buy it new, it comes with Test Leads and an Owners Manual.

If you’re looking for quality at a low price, then the Mastech MS8268 Digital Multimeter is calling your name and you can buy it here: Mastech AC/DC Auto/Manual Range Digital Multimeter, MS8268. How much does it cost? The current price is in the box on the bottom of this page, with the photos and price info of both Multimeters.

Fluke 115 Compact True-RMS Digital Multimeter

I have always owned a Fluke Multimeter, since when it comes to accuracy... they are among the best Digital Multimeters to own. Now, Fluke makes and sells a wide range of Digital Multimeters that do cost ‘an arm and a leg’. The one I’m recommending here is not too expensive. This is why I recommend this one:

1. Virtually drop-proof. Now of course you’re not buying a Multimeter to drop it... but when you’re working around a car or engine compartment, equipment falling and hitting the floor is a common occurrence. This Multimeter can take it.
2. Handles all of the important basics: AC/DC Volts, Ohms, Amps, etc.
3. Easy to use.
4. Its Yellow color makes it hard to lose it or forget it among the darkness of the engine compartment.
5. It uses one 9 V battery.
6. It has the Auto Power Off feature which will turn the Multimeter off on its own if you walk away and forget to turn it off yourself.
7. True RMS Multimeter. Which, in layman’s terms, means this is a very accurate Multimeter.
8. If you buy it new, it comes with Test Leads, an Owners Manual and the battery is included.
9. This is a ‘Professional Grade’ tool.

If you’re looking for an accurate, rugged and dependable Multimeter, then the Fluke 115 Compact True-RMS Digital Multimeter is the one your wife would want you to buy (by the way, she says it’s ok, you can buy it) and you can buy it here: Fluke 115 Compact True-RMS Digital Multimeter . How much does it cost? The current price is in the box in the box at the bottom of the page, with the photos and price info of both Multimeters.