Many people have mentioned these cheapo, made-in-China DMMs. They go on sale every now and then at Harbor Freight for $2.99. I broke down and bought four of them.

At that price, it's essentially a disposable DMM. No auto ranging, no auto power-off, etc. There is a diode-check funtion.

I put one meter in each of our two cars and one in my tool box. The fourth is a spare or maybe a Christmas present for somebody?

It comes with a 9-V carbon-zinc battery and test leads.

It's protected with a 500-mA fuse. If you connect it on the wrong voltage scale, it'll blow the fuse (unlike my Fluke 179, which is idiot-proof). I don't think I could ever get along with one of these cheapos as my bench DMM. But, they are worth $2.99, for sure.
Doug

Yeah these mms rule!! I have like them in every car and room of the house! lol
:Many people have mentioned these cheapo, made-in-China DMMs. They go on sale every now and then at Harbor Freight for $2.99. I broke down and bought four of them.
:
:At that price, it's essentially a disposable DMM. No auto ranging, no auto power-off, etc. There is a diode-check funtion.
:
:I put one meter in each of our two cars and one in my tool box. The fourth is a spare or maybe a Christmas present for somebody?
:
:It comes with a 9-V carbon-zinc battery and test leads.
:
:It's protected with a 500-mA fuse. If you connect it on the wrong voltage scale, it'll blow the fuse (unlike my Fluke 179, which is idiot-proof). I don't think I could ever get along with one of these cheapos as my bench DMM. But, they are worth $2.99, for sure.
:Doug

Gee,I must be one Hell of an idiot!I've had a Fluke 179 for about 4 months,used it about 5 times,and managed to blow the 11 amp fuse.I still haven't replaced it because I can't get myself to pay the 8-12 dollars shipping that everyone wants for this 7 dollar fuse..and yes,this includes Mouser.They demand 12 dollars shipping for all prepaid orders by check and money order.Gave up the credit cards when I got shafted by ---(rhimes with Ditty Bank) for a $3000 purchase I didn't make.Took the old fuse,hollowed it out,and put a standard fast blow fuse inside.35 cents,can't hate it.

Mike, at least the fuses for the Harbor Freight meter are four for $2.99 at Radio Shack (0.5A, 20mm, fast blo).
Doug

:Gee,I must be one Hell of an idiot!I've had a Fluke 179 for about 4 months,used it about 5 times,and managed to blow the 11 amp fuse.I still haven't replaced it because I can't get myself to pay the 8-12 dollars shipping that everyone wants for this 7 dollar fuse..and yes,this includes Mouser.They demand 12 dollars shipping for all prepaid orders by check and money order.Gave up the credit cards when I got shafted by ---(rhimes with Ditty Bank) for a $3000 purchase I didn't make.Took the old fuse,hollowed it out,and put a standard fast blow fuse inside.35 cents,can't hate it.

Hello Blackbird,
The only problem with those meters is they cannot measure resistors over 2 meg ohms. Frequently we have resistors of higher values.
Other than that I find them very handy. I have a couple of them.

Dave
:Yeah these mms rule!! I have like them in every car and room of the house! lol
::Many people have mentioned these cheapo, made-in-China DMMs. They go on sale every now and then at Harbor Freight for $2.99. I broke down and bought four of them.
::
::At that price, it's essentially a disposable DMM. No auto ranging, no auto power-off, etc. There is a diode-check funtion.
::
::I put one meter in each of our two cars and one in my tool box. The fourth is a spare or maybe a Christmas present for somebody?
::
::It comes with a 9-V carbon-zinc battery and test leads.
::
::It's protected with a 500-mA fuse. If you connect it on the wrong voltage scale, it'll blow the fuse (unlike my Fluke 179, which is idiot-proof). I don't think I could ever get along with one of these cheapos as my bench DMM. But, they are worth $2.99, for sure.
::Doug