Multimeter ohm reading fluctuations?

[betterthanyou]

I bought a fairly decent multimeter, a Mastech AC/DC Auto/Manual Range Digital Multimeter.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JQ4O2U/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

When I test the resistance on any of my atomizers (RBAs, RDAs) the ohm reading fluctuates up and down by a significant margin for the first 5 seconds or so, then it levels off to a measurement (lets say .5ohms), and stays relatively close to that ohm reading but still will fluctuate +/- .1 to .2. Happens every time, no matter what device, what type of build.

Is this common? This is beginning to frustrate me. It reads things like voltage just fine.

 

[betterthanyou]

even testing the resistance of the ends on the multimeter gives fluctuations. It reads .0, then .1, back to .0, back to .1, up to .2, back to .0

what the ....?

 

[Baditude]

That generally means there is a short in the coil.

 

[69CamaroSS]

Are you touching both of the probes while measuring? It could be measuring your resistance...sweaty hands etc. Try just holding the probes one in each hand and you'll see what I mean. I can squeeze my probes and make it go up and down on my Fluke meter

 

[Froth]

Quite simply put, any subtle movement with the multimeter leads on what you're measuring can change the resistance of that connection, since the multimeter reads in real-time you are seeing the change caused by subtle movements at the connection point, this is an inherent issue with a contact style measurement. With practice you should be able to get a more consistent connection and thus a more consistent reading. For what it's worth, I generally use a decent amount of pressure when I am applying the leads of my DMM to anything I'm measuring to ensure I have a complete connection.

Edit: Simplified my post, damn brain was running away on me again.