Analog vs. digital multimeter?

[mavric]

Ok so I have to ask: am I the only person here that prefers to use an analog multimeter to check my RBAs vs. using a digital one? I keep reading/seeing in some places to avoid using analog meters, but never clarify why. I like using them because you can zero out the lead resistance and eliminate the need to do any math (which is easy enough, I know).

Can somebody clarify why using an analog mm is bad for this purpose? If at all?

 

[danca90]

A nice analog multimeter works a lot better than a cheap digital. I use a sperry sometimes.

 

[Thrasher]

i see no reason to avoid analog meters if i still had one i would use it first.

 

[bigrf85]

i don't really see the issue with using an analog meter if the user knows how to do it properly the only thing i can see that you may benefit from a digital is the preciseness down to such a low increment really the only benefit i would see i have personally always used a digital meter but i needed one anyways for my work being an auto mechanic i needed the preciseness of a digital meter but if you know how to use a analog properly which it sounds like you may then i don't see a problem with using one.

 

[Sundodger]

Analog or digital depends on the accuracy of each. buy a cheap one of either and the measured results are...well...cheap. I have both and use them for different reasons (Electrician/I&C Tech). For your purpose of measurement an analog is fine, you can zero it to check its accuracy, check it against a known voltage if needed, as long as the needle isn't jumping all over the place analog meter are great. Oh and you know how to read it, which I assume you do know.

 

[mavric]

Yeah, that's really the only benefit I see using a DMM is that you can read to the hundredths or further, which IMO isn't really necessary for this purpose, well for me anyways. Just wanted to make sure there wasn't any reason to avoid them.

Thanks!

 

[Ryedan]

Ok so I have to ask: am I the only person here that prefers to use an analog multimeter to check my RBAs vs. using a digital one? I keep reading/seeing in some places to avoid using analog meters, but never clarify why. I like using them because you can zero out the lead resistance and eliminate the need to do any math (which is easy enough, I know).

Can somebody clarify why using an analog mm is bad for this purpose? If at all?

I agree there is nothing at all wrong with using an analog meter. There is no parallax error with a DMM and finding the correct scale is a lot easier too, but if you know what you're doing, it's just fine. BTW, there are DMM's that allow you to zero them out too.

Having used both, I prefer the DMM.

 

[emus]

I prefer analog but leaky batt killed mine.
My DMMs don't zero.
Every once in awhile I rough check meters calibration against each other or against a resistor.

 

[Jayvaps]

I have not used an analog multimeter in a long long time.

 

[State O' Flux]

There is no parallax error with a DMM and finding the correct scale is a lot easier too, but if you know what you're doing, it's just fine. BTW, there are DMM's that allow you to zero them out too.
Having used both, I prefer the DMM.

That may be one of the biggest "flaws" to a analog meter... at least from my past experience. When I used to teach electrical diagnostics at a tech school (20 years ago), the school "sold" meters to students. They could buy an analog for $20 or a cheap Fluke (23 perhaps? I don't recall) for around $80.
Lots of the students were on tight budgets (Top Ramen 3-times-a-day type tight budgets) and bought the analogs.

It took me a week or so of scolding to get the analog students to stop viewing the gauge face from an angle. That and leaving the meters on the resistance setting... when checking volts.

 

[Ed_C]

It took me a week or so of scolding to get the analog students to stop viewing the gauge face from an angle.

I'm a secondary teacher and it never ceases to amaze me, the things you must teach some students, that you are SURE would simply be common sense.

 

[mavric]

I'm a secondary teacher and it never ceases to amaze me, the things you must teach some students, that you are SURE would simply be common sense.

Yeah, it's like trying to read how fast somebody is going from the passenger seat. My mom used to do it when I was learning how to drive and it drove me crazy. I guess you could say it was a burnt in habit out of frustration haha.

 

[Ed_C]

Yeah, it's like trying to read how fast somebody is going from the passenger seat. My mom used to do it when I was learning how to drive and it drove me crazy. I guess you could say it was a burnt in habit out of frustration haha.

Oh that's too funny! Don't forget to correct for parallax error mom!

 

[State O' Flux]

Yeah, it's like trying to read how fast somebody is going from the passenger seat. My mom used to do it when I was learning how to drive and it drove me crazy. I guess you could say it was a burnt in habit out of frustration haha.

Look at it this way... unless you're from England, by mom's perspective, you're always going slower than you are.

 

[mavric]

Look at it this way... unless you're from England, by mom's perspective, you're always going slower than you are.

This is true! Maybe she was upset because she thought I was going too slow!

 

[ch2468]

Analog dials are so outdated. They're hard to read, influenced by magnetism, and a pain to calibrate. Use a DMM.

 

[mavric]

Analog dials are so outdated. They're hard to read, influenced by magnetism, and a pain to calibrate. Use a DMM.

I wouldn't really say they are a pain to calibrate, as long as the trimmer pot is easily accessible it's actually pretty simple. I understand that using a DMM in today's standards makes more sense, but I usually just use mine to check for shorts and already have a good estimate on how my coils will do resistance-wise. Good advice, nonetheless.

 

[State O' Flux]

Analog dials are so outdated.

Maybe so... but they sure do transform into entertaining table lamps.

 

[DasBluCig]

Maybe so... but they sure do transform into entertaining table lamps.

Looks like a panel from a C-47!!!
Hey....nothing wrong with a good (old???!) Simpson 260!!! "Newer" models had a mirrored face to help with parallax....!!
Happy (vaping) Trails!