Many C5 owners ask for assistance troubleshooting C5 Electrical problems. Most of the time, the very first question that the person providing assistance/guidance troubleshooting the problem ask is "Do you have or can you access a good multimeter?"
Usually the answer is NO" Then the person asks "WHAT MULTIMETER SHOULD I GET?"

Thats a difficult question to answer. Most of the time the person will seldom use that new meter. I do not like telling that person to invest in a pricey meter (FLUKE) when a $40-$50 METER will work just fine.
I use a Multimeter many times a month. Investing in a meter that has numerous features useful to me is very much worth paying extra money for. That can not be said for a person who may only want to use it to read: DC Volts, Resistance and maybe 0 - 10 amps current. or milliamps.


I found this You Tube post that compares a Chinese Clone "FLUKE" resembling / functioning r like a decent more expensive “FLUKE” Multimeter. Its priced around $50. vs the $150 FLUKE meter.


The Ausse fellow EEVblog does a really good job deep diving into and comparing both meters.
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IMHO, If you own a Corvette (or any vehicle), having an easy to use, dependable and accurate meter with a very good selection of modes is mandatory.

If you don’t have a good meter, don’t want to break the bank purchasing one, consider the $50 Ziboo 17B Pro Multimeter. Once you have it or any meter, you will need to familiarize yourself with using the basis modes on that meter: AC volts, DC volts, Ohms (resistance) Amps & Milliamps. Once you familiarize yourself with your new meter, you will find new uses for it to make life easier.

 

I'm more of a PSM-6 guy

 

I agree that a multimeter is essential for electrical diagnoses. Perhaps beyond the needs of the typical DIY is a feature that records the maximum and minimum values of voltage or current measurements over time.

The $50 Ziboo appears to have this function, although I don't see it cited on the link you provided.

 

LOL
I also have a PSM-4, a couple of Simpson 260s and an older bench vacuum tube volt meter. Back in the day ( early Navy ) the best meter that we had was the 260. Certain Divisions were offered and able to use the FLUKE AN-77. We were in envy and wanted to borrow them all the time. When I was able to purchase an affordable used AN-77 I just had to have it. Now I need to upgrade to a better FLUKE that can measure frequency and capacitance. When ever I see a unique meter in yard sales or estate sales, I grab it. I guess Im considered a meteraholic, flashaholic and pocket knifeaholiuc! Just things we turn into... LOL.

Bill

 

About 2 years ago I gave an old Simpson to a good friend in California. It was my great-uncle Jim's. My dad inherited it from him when he died. This was in the early 1970s, so the meter had to be from the 1940s, I'd think. Then I inherited the meter from dad when he died. It needed to be disassembled and have a few things repaired, like the battery contacts, due to someone leaving the battery in it so long it leaked all over everything. My friend has a master's degree in electronics, and he went thru it completely. He was very grateful, but also told me that the modern meters, even cheapo ones, will do even more tests than the Simpson. He said when he started his schooling in the 70s, it was still a highly desirable meter. By the time he was done, the Simpson was obsolete! I always liked the quality Simpson put in it, especially the folding, accordian type cover it has. Its now a conversation piece on his fireplace mantel. Yes, he's single!!

 

During my many years as a US Navy Sailor, I was exposed to / used many different tools, equipment. Some good, some not so good. There are several that made very good impressions over the years. EXAMPLE: The 45-caliber colt semi-automatic pistol, M1a 308 rifle, Simpson meters, FLUKE meters, Gerber or Leatherman multi tool etc.......
When I retired from the Navy, some of the very first things that I purchased was a .45-cal semiauto pistol, and a M1a 308 cal rifle.

From day one of becoming a Sailor, I was exposed, trained and became familiar with those weapons. During my schools and underway deployments, I used those meters. Having them now means a lot and brings back good memories.
Are there better/newer stuff? Absolutely! Yep, I have those newer/better things also.
One day, my son will have them. I hope he cherishes them for other reasons.
Life is FUN,, E!NJOY IT.



Bill