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Post by night0wl on Feb 3, 2006 22:35:45 GMT -5
I am after some advice on which meter to go for... I have access to some meters through Electus Distribution and I found a couple of candidates to choose from (hopefully these links will work!) There is an analog meter (stock code = QM1020) or a digital meter (QM1536). There is a few others aswell but I don't have the time to post them all Is analog better than digital or doesn't it matter? Shane
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Post by Mini-Strat_Maine on Feb 3, 2006 23:45:04 GMT -5
Is analog better than digital or doesn't it matter? Each may do certain tasks better than the other. For a fast, easy reading of a resistor value (or whatever you're measuring with it), the digital may be better. An analog meter is called that because its reading is analogous to something. (Well, duh, right?) What I mean is, it may require a little more interpretation between where it is on the scale and what the reading is. IOW, a digital may show 'X' places of resolution (not the same thing as accuracy), but you may have to decide if the needle on the analog is "closer to the seven than the eight." Then again, for quick go/no go readings, the analog is just fine, too. Once the needle swings up to where you think it should be, disconnect and go on to the next task. And if you ever decide to check a pickup's polarity by passing a magnet or screwderiver over it to see which way the needle deflects, well, only the analog can do that. That little mirror at the top of the dial on the analog is to eliminate "parallax error." If the needle is lined up right over its reflection when you read the scale, then you're looking at it straight on, giving a more accurate reading. (Just one more thing to keep in mind with an analog.) Both of those units look like quality instruments, with little bonus features like transistor testing, etc. Might come down to a coin toss. Note: The opinions expressed above are entirely the fault of the misfiring synapses of the author. No other warranty, expressed or implied, is . . . some dang thang or other. Your mileage may vary. Never play leapfrog with a unicorn. Never play cards with a man called "Ace." Never invest in anything that eats or needs painting.
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Post by 4real on Feb 3, 2006 23:53:01 GMT -5
Hey there I got a free digital multimeter from Altronics a month or so ago... www.altronics.com.au/index.asp?area=item&id=Q1053A...as they were opening a store in Melbourne. This seems to work great as a basic digital and retails for A$9.95 I have tended to use a very cheap analogue multimeter (about 30 years old now) and find that to be useful for testing and connections...bit easier to see the needle move out of the corner of my eye perhaps. I guess it depends what you are doing but these cheap devices seem plenty adequte for most things. What I found to be the best investment was to buy an economical soldering station. More Accurate and neat work, accurate temp control and auto shut off just in case you leave home in a hurry (doh!) for peace of mind. Mine cost about A$150 and was well worth the investment and if you can save money on this kind of test equipment for this if money is tight....my 2c pete
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Post by Runewalker on Feb 4, 2006 16:14:18 GMT -5
The digital mmeter is, as Mini-Maine says, easy and gives at least the appearance of greater precision, albeit there is inherent averaging within the readings. One advantage of the analogs though is assessing phase when you have pups of unknow origin and no color mapping on phase. I used to have a URL with pix on this procedure, and JohnH and I have used it on some no name pups I had on a project. On Kinman's site he describes the procedure as: ".... Is there a method whereby I can tell if two single pole pickups are in-phase before I install them? There is a way to establish the phase of pickups before install.
You need a Multimeter set to Ohms X 100 attached to the pickup cable ends. The meter should now be reading in the broad range of 5K to 9K. Next place the tip of a small screwdriver or a steel screw head on top of any magnet (softly and gently). When the screwdriver is pulled away quickly you'll notice the needle of the multimeter move very slightly either left or right . Note which direction it moves because this is the indicator of phase. Then repeat the process with the pickup to be compared. Attach the probes, black to ground same as before. If the needle moves in the same direction then it's in phase with the first pickup. Opposite direction means out of phase.
If you get little needle movement with the meter set to resistance- try setting it to the smallest DC volts range it has....." www.kinman.com/html/FAQ.htmYou can't perform this little assesment with a digital meter. RW
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Post by Mini-Strat_Maine on Feb 4, 2006 17:02:01 GMT -5
. . . And if you ever decide to check a pickup's polarity phase by passing a magnet or screwdriver over it to see which way the needle deflects, well, only the analog can do that. Yeah, phase. That's what I meant. Really. I was just seeing who was paying attention. Yeah; that's it. That's the ticket.
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Post by JohnH on Feb 4, 2006 17:25:29 GMT -5
I use a cheap Digi-meter for everything, except for that coil phasing trick where I get out my old analogue, that I bought for 5 pounds in 1975.
J
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