# Please Recommend A New Multimeter And New Screwdrivers!
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-new-multimeter-and-new-screwdrivers/1019648
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [June 15, 2025, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-new-multimeter-and-new-screwdrivers/1019648 "2025-06-15T00:57:57Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)
#### Post date: [June 15, 2025, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-new-multimeter-and-new-screwdrivers/1019648/1 "2025-06-15T00:57:57Z")
I need a set of small screwdrivers to help disassemble laptops and other electronics. I had a few sets. I lost them all in the move.
I cannot find my multimeter. I prefer a needle readout. If I can afford it, a unit with both a needle gauge and a digital display would be great. It needs to be sturdy. I will probably drop it quite a bit. I will not be using it outside. I do not feel qualified to unscrew an outlet cover and tinker with the wiring inside. I will need to be able to accurately see the charge left in batteries. I will need to know if the resistance in a variety of portable electronics is infinite and the circuit is open.
The following is background detail that can be skipped if you feel like it-
My first multimeter was a Micronta from Radio Shack. When I was old enough to begin to use it on my own, Dad gave it to me. It server me very well for about thirty years. Then, something broke inside it.
I tried buying a no name multimeter new at a flea market. It was $8. I figured how bad could it be? It was crap and lasted a year.
I bought a new multimeter and a ProphetSport battery charger at Radio Shack after buying a huge radio control N’sekt at another flea market. The N’sekt works great. The ProphetSport works great. The multimeter worked great last time I saw it. I think it was lost in the move as well. I had hoped that it would turn up. That seems very unlikely considering the amount of boxes and bins I have been through this year.
Thanks in advance for your help!
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### Author:  [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)
#### Post date: [June 15, 2025, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-new-multimeter-and-new-screwdrivers/1019648/2 "2025-06-15T01:00:51Z")
For the screwdrivers, I happen to love this particular set.
> **[iFixit Pro Tech® Toolkit: Computer, Phone, Electronics Repair Kit](https://www.ifixit.com/products/pro-tech-toolkit)**
>
> The original electronics toolkit: Designed for computer, smartphone, tablet, and gaming repair, backed by thousands of free instructions.
If you want full screwdrivers as opposed to individual bits, they have those as well, but you’d need a ton of them to cover all electronics.
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### Author:  [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)
#### Post date: [June 15, 2025, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-new-multimeter-and-new-screwdrivers/1019648/3 "2025-06-15T01:06:44Z")
For modern batteries, a multimeter provides no useful info about charge beyond “dead or not yet dead”.
As said above, the potential range of itty bitty heads for screws in modern electronics is vast. But small cross-heads & standards will get you a long ways. If you have a specific device to disassemble, YouTube will almost certainly have a vid on how to. Which will tell, or show, you which types of screwdrivers you need. Torx & hex head are the other common flavor.
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### Author:  [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)
#### Post date: [June 15, 2025, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-new-multimeter-and-new-screwdrivers/1019648/4 "2025-06-15T01:16:42Z")
The Pro kit is more than I want to spend. But, the Essential kit looks like a good fit.
> [@LSLGuy](#):
>
> For modern batteries, a multimeter provides no useful info about charge beyond “dead or not yet dead”.
What exactly do you mean by “modern batteries”? I won’t be measuring the charge in my iPhone battery, laptop battery etc. I can get a good idea of the charge in a rectanguar 9 volt battery by sticking my tongue on the terminals. If I want to know about AA, AAA, C, cylindrical D, or the various coin and button style batteries some of my stuff uses, I need a multimeter.
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### Author:  [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)
#### Post date: [June 15, 2025, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-new-multimeter-and-new-screwdrivers/1019648/5 "2025-06-15T01:29:27Z")
By “modern” I meant Li-ion. If you’re looking at any chemistry of AA, AAA, C, D, or 9V, a multimeter is still useful.
Good luck!
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### Author:  [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)
#### Post date: [June 15, 2025, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-new-multimeter-and-new-screwdrivers/1019648/6 "2025-06-15T01:34:58Z")
Little gizmos for testing household batteries are available for under twenty bucks. No idea how accurate they are, especially compared to a multimeter.
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### Author:  [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)
#### Post date: [June 15, 2025, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-new-multimeter-and-new-screwdrivers/1019648/7 "2025-06-15T01:40:41Z")
Oh, thanks.
I started looking at multimeters on Amazon. I do not want to cheap out on this purchase and wind up with a piece of crap. I also do not want to waste money.
**Dewey\_Finn** As I said, I will not be doing stuff with the wiring in my walls. I will be using the multimeter for at least one thing other than just testing batteries. If it has other functions I can learn to use and I don’t have to spend a lot more, that would be great.
Since I moved, I learned of the existence of a Tool Library in the area. Their rules are very reasonable. Yearly membership is very cheap. I can provide a valid credit and debit card, state ID, and bills with my current address easily. I don’t have any friends in this area who can be contacted should I go missing. So, I haven’t joined yet. I will eventually. At that point, I become eligible to attend free classes there. I’m sure somebody there can teach me how to use all the functions on my multimeter.
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### Author:  [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)
#### Post date: [June 15, 2025, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-new-multimeter-and-new-screwdrivers/1019648/8 "2025-06-15T01:54:42Z")
Kinda OT, but when I read the thread title, my first thought was _”There’s someone scrambling to find a halfway decent Father’s Day gift.”_
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### Author:  [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)
#### Post date: [June 15, 2025, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-new-multimeter-and-new-screwdrivers/1019648/9 "2025-06-15T01:56:29Z")
I started out at about age 10 in the late 1960s with a Radio Shack needle multimeter. I can recall riding my bike to the local store armed with shiny fresh birthday money. Digital multimeters had not been invented yet. It was still working fine when I gave it away ~5 years ago.
Somewhere along the way, maybe 1995 I bought something akin to this, but less capable:
> **[Fluke 15B+ Digital Multimeter, for Electrical Applications, Measures AC/DC...](https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-Applications-Measurements-Capacitance-Capabilities/dp/B01IH41CUW)**
>
> Your job requires that you have a rugged, reliable and accurate digital multimeter. The Fluke 15B+ digital multimeter does all that and more. Easy to use with one hand, even with gloves on, the Fluke 15B+ offers everything you need.
Fluke is a brand that _will_ last the rest of your life. And _will_ be excellent every minute of the way.
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### Author:  [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)
#### Post date: [June 15, 2025, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-new-multimeter-and-new-screwdrivers/1019648/10 "2025-06-15T02:15:16Z")
Tekton sells good quality but sets with excellent customer service at a good price.
> **[Bit Sets | TEKTON](https://www.tekton.com/screwdrivers/bit-sets)**
>
> Find a wide range bits, including precision bits and security drives for tamper-resistant fasteners.
For a meter Fluke is the best but the Greenlee is an ok budget choice.
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### Author:  [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)
#### Post date: [June 15, 2025, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-new-multimeter-and-new-screwdrivers/1019648/11 "2025-06-15T02:16:43Z")
I love me some Fluke. Just last month I purchased an [87V Max](https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-87V-True-RMS-Digital-Multimeter/dp/B0B6R4J4RP?th=1). It’s nice. 🙂
But any Fluke would probably be overkill for the OP. Amazon has lots and lots of DMMs for less than $40 that I’m confident will suit the OP just fine.
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### Author:  [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)
#### Post date: [June 15, 2025, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-new-multimeter-and-new-screwdrivers/1019648/12 "2025-06-15T02:36:38Z")
Agreed. Fluke is a luxury purchase unless you earn your living with it.
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### Author:  [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)
#### Post date: [June 15, 2025, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-new-multimeter-and-new-screwdrivers/1019648/13 "2025-06-15T02:46:28Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#):
>
> But any Fluke would probably be overkill for the OP. Amazon has lots and lots of DMMs for less than $40 that I’m confident will suit the OP just fine.
Yeah, thanks. I have never owned a car. It is highly unlikely I will buy one in the next few years. So, dedicated automotive functions are not needed. The Fluke also mentions various ways in which it is sturdy and durable. As my multimeter will not be going outside, most of those are not needed either.
$40 and under is much more my price range. I may lose this multimeter. I may find my old multimeter. I do not want to cheap out again, and get a multimeter which barely works and then dies completely after a few months.
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### Author:  [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)
#### Post date: [June 15, 2025, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-new-multimeter-and-new-screwdrivers/1019648/14 "2025-06-15T03:14:51Z")
The ifixit essential repair kit seems to have everything I would need. It is a bit more than I wanted to pay. But so far, looking for screwdrivers that work and are cheap has just turned up junk. I just ordered the kit.
I forgot to mention- if I am ordering a multimeter from Amazon, I would prefer one eligible for Prime shipping. My beloved has a Prime account and my credit card information.
Thanks again.
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### Author:  [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)
#### Post date: [June 15, 2025, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-new-multimeter-and-new-screwdrivers/1019648/15 "2025-06-15T03:23:36Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#):
>
> Agreed. Fluke is a luxury purchase unless you earn your living with it.
You know what they say, “If it works - it must be a Fluke.”
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### Author:  [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)
#### Post date: [June 15, 2025, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-new-multimeter-and-new-screwdrivers/1019648/16 "2025-06-15T03:30:40Z")
I wasn’t going to recommend a multimeter as I only use cheap ones. Now that I know that that is what you’re looking for as well as being Prime eligible, I’ve been using the one below for 7 years now. Mostly for batteries and playing around with electronics with the Raspberry Pi. Nothing fancy, but it still works. I even bought [a separate case](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078X7G8LS) for it.
> **[Amazon.com: INNOVA 3320 Auto-Ranging Digital Multimeter, Red & Black :...](https://www.amazon.com/INNOVA-3320-Auto-Ranging-Digital-Multimeter/dp/B000EVYGZA)**
>
> The INNOVA 3320 is an Auto-Ranging Multimeter designed to accurately troubleshoot a variety of automotive and household electrical problems. The auto-ranging scales eliminate the need to dial in the correct range when making electronic measurements....
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### Author:  [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)
#### Post date: [June 15, 2025, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-new-multimeter-and-new-screwdrivers/1019648/17 "2025-06-15T03:47:57Z")
Thanks! It has mostly good reviews. It will do what I want. The price is good. Unless somebody comes up with a better multimeter, or a really good reason not to buy this one, I will send the link to my beloved tomorrow and ask her to order it.
I will skip the carrying case. I will have to check it it will fit in my electric stuff case. If it does not, I should be abe to store it safely in one of the drawers of my new desk. If I cannot do that for some reason, I have a long habit of cutting off the back pockets from jeans before I throw them out. I mount these on the wall with thumb tacks to store various things.
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### Author:  [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)
#### Post date: [June 15, 2025, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-new-multimeter-and-new-screwdrivers/1019648/18 "2025-06-15T11:18:27Z")
> [@DocCathode](#):
>
> I have a long habit of cutting off the back pockets from jeans before I throw them out. I mount these on the wall with thumb tacks to store various things.
Kindly head over to the Cafe Society thread **DIY and Hobby projects** and post some pix. I gots to know.
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### Author:  [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)
#### Post date: [June 15, 2025, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-new-multimeter-and-new-screwdrivers/1019648/19 "2025-06-15T11:34:34Z")
It is my vague understanding that measuring open circuit voltage on a battery isn’t a great way to tell how much charge is left in a battery, because battery failure looks more like an increase in effective series resistance inside the battery. Measuring the battery’s voltage while it is under load is better. There are battery test meters that do that – you have to select the battery size with a switch, to engage the proper load, and there’s some display of the voltage.
This isn’t very authoritative, I’m afraid, but it’s certainly enough of a lead to let you check this issue out.
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### Author:  [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)
#### Post date: [June 15, 2025, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-new-multimeter-and-new-screwdrivers/1019648/20 "2025-06-15T11:37:39Z")
I find this confusing. Of all the grand and glorious projects I have labored on over the years, _this_ is the one you need to see?
Okay then. I will take some photos and post them in that thread.
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