Multi Meter that does continuity or resistance (ohms). also typically measure volts DC and AC, current (Amps). Fun of building or maintaining your RV-12iS is learning.
They come in Analog (needle swinging on a scale) and Digital or DMM (digital multi meter). Most people get digital now, although analog has special uses and applications that makes it better. For you digital is best.
Fluke is top of the line and their base line basic DMM is $170... and goes up to $500 to over $1000. Top quality yes, certified, able to handle very high voltages safely.
You don't need a FLUKE, but it will last you. The basic Fluke is great, but you can get same performance and comparable quality, a "last a lifetime tool" for under $60 with more features. The $40 price point is a sweet spot. You can go to YouTube and see DMM shoot outs (put some links below). A $15 DMM might work, but I recommend you spend more...
Just for grins start on Amazon and search digital multimeter. Not saying buy from Amazon, just a good way to look at them, review ratings (if you can trust them), prices, features. You will see many BRANDS... there are some brands I can recommend (there are so many good brands)
Klein Tools, UNI-T, ANEng, Again many brands that are good, likely made in same factory. I see other brands pop up as "good" like Amprobe, Extech...
So many sub $50 units that are as good. You can spend $60-$80 and get DMM that does amazing things, well beyond what you need. Step up a little more you can get a handheld Oscilloscope. You don't need that.
All you need to do is measure Resistance (continuity), Volts, Current, with a meter that is reliable and accurate. That is it.
DMM's can be bought a dime a dozen. A $8 Harbor Fright will do and work for you, but recommend you $25 to $35. Harbor freight has better DMM in this price range. You can get more or better DMM for same price. Keep in mind many DMM's use similar processor chips. However how those "chips" are designed into the meter is key.
You want one with accuracy, precision (how many digits it displays past the decimal, example measure 12 volts you get 12.1 or 12.1439 volts), CAT (safety rating). CAT 1 is all you need but get one with CAT II or III. A good quality DMM will be CAT III. Also some DMM's are more resistance to being abused, protecting their self from overload or mis-connecting.
You do want AUTO ranging. Although not bad, some multi meters need you to select what range you are measuring. Others will automatically self adjust to the required range needed. In the case of continuity or resistance (Ohm), if you are measuring MICRO Ohms or 1000's of Ohms the meters will need to be manually set to read low or high resistance if not auto ranging. You also want AUTO OFF...
I like "Auto ranging" and "Auto Off". They are battery powered so if you leave it on you will drain battery. However the battery life is excellent on these DMM's. I also like Peak or Max Min recording, if trying to catch a transient. But processor speed is important. If the sample speed is course it could miss a true peak or min... ask me how I know. This feature is handy bit not needed.
I have about 8 "multi meters"... analog and digital. One plugs into 110 Volt AC wall outlet, uses Vacuum tubes and has a large analog meter. It is used for tuning radio circuits. I have a small DMM that fit in pocket. I have my GOOD ONE one for bench, one for garage working knock around, one in kitchen, one in car, etc. Get one with rubber shock cover, you will drop your meter at some point. BTW I bought my first really Good Multi Meter about 28 yrs ago from Radio Shack (the had good stuff). I Suspect it was a Fluke made meter. It lasted over 25 years. It started to have some issues, did not work in all modes, it was used, abused. But it was a quality Meter. It did not high precision but for basic work you don't need to measure 4 decimals to the right. What I did notice with newer meters is how fast the react verses old DMM's were accurate but took time to read the Volts or Resistance. The above mentioned MAX/MIN capture may not be accurate if the process or does not catch it. This is where recording high speed oscilloscopes come in. Again everyone needs an inexpensive DMM. Even some cheap ones are good, and excellent to have several... placed strategically. Being able to measure Volts and Resistance (continuity) has saved my bacon many times on the road, around the house, in the shop.
DMM's are always changing, getting better and cheaper, new popular brands appear. Here are some more recent videos.
This is old EEV Blog video (he tests Multi meters often), 16 yrs old with over a million views. If you want to go down rabbit hole of what makes a good DMM, a superior DMM and junk DMM and have an hour to kill.... . These are older models and may or may not be available anymore... DMM's have improved and got cheaper, but the criteria of what is important has not changed.
I have ANENG AN870 Digital Multimeter AC/DC Voltage Current 19999 Count True Rms Professional NCV Transistor Auto Range Electrician Test. I paid about $34 a few years ago, They are now $37 to $45 on ali express. Be careful I checked this one model, priced all over. One listed at $134 (rip off). Also check what accessories they come with, case/cover, probes... etc. Lime Green cover might be cheaper than Red... The economics of cheap China electronics escapes me. You may want to buy from AnEng Store directly to avoid some bogus counterfeit. Look at seller rating, status, reviews. I have had good luck on Ali. Amazon is easy return and can be cheaper sometimes.
