Appreciation post: Choosing between a new multimeter and a used one

I needed a new meter and had to pick between a brand new Fluke 87V or a used one from a retiring tech for half the price. I got the used one, and after checking its calibration against the shop standard, it's been perfect for tracing a stubborn intermittent on a G1000 system. What's the oldest piece of test gear you guys still trust on the line?

3 comments

Log in to join the discussion

Log In

3 Comments

jessej234mo ago

That 1987 Simpson must have seen some things. How do you even keep the leads from falling apart after all these years? Old gear is built different for sure. What's the one repair you had to make to keep it running?

6

jamieb804mo ago

Still using a 1987 Simpson 260.

3

reese_lee94mo ago

My 1992 Fluke 77 is basically a museum piece at this point. It still works perfectly for checking battery voltage and continuity. I feel like if it ain't broke, you really shouldn't fix it. New meters have fancy features I'd probably never even use. There's something comforting about gear that just works for decades.

2