Suggestion: Offer a Pro Tech Expansion 1 without the multimeter
Before I start the post. these are the reason I am suggesting this. Also, this is in reference to this expansion set.
- 1) Most cheap multimeters tend to be unsafe (there are exceptions, but this is largely the case)
- 2) Not all of us need another multimeter (I personally own two; Craftsman 82141 and Radio Shack 2200087 data logging meter. I'm set for a while, since mine are somewhere in the middle for features and price.)
- 3) Most of the time, these low end meters become obsolete for the buyer rather quickly.
Issue 1: Cheap multimeters
To elaborate more on reason one and safety, this is a well documented issue in most cheap meters; they're cheap for a reason. The main area of cost cutting is almost always in terms of input safety cuts. Sometimes it's in the CAT rating, but most of the time it's in the fact these use glass fuses. The problem with glass fuses is if they fail catastrophically, there is a very good chance they will break apart in the meter. This doesn't happen all of the time, but it is a risk you take with using glass fuses. I don't think the risk is something that can be easily justified. At the minimum, these meters need to be upgraded to ceramic fuses. This is mainly since ceramic fuses stay together when they fail.
There are also other problems, like utilizing less sacrificial protection. One example of this could be something like having less input level protection. If something went really wrong, the voltage is more likely to go through the leads and shock the user rather then stop in the meter. These cheap meters usually lack any semblance of accuracy a lot of the time as well.
I think the right starting number for a meter is $50. This is the class where you are likely to see ceramic fuses, have real input protection and have a situation where the meter is far less likely to fail catastrophically if something goes really wrong. I also suggest a meter with a CAT III safety baseline as well, although that's entirely optional. The main thing I think is a requirement is using ceramic fuses. CAT II is generally considered safe for basic and some advanced level work.
My Radio Shack meter is CAT II, but I'm okay with that because it uses ceramic fuses. The use of ceramic fuses is pretty much why I can overlook the lack of CAT III safety.
However, I mainly bought it since Craftsman forces you to buy the fuses as a kit, and will not sell them individually. They also do not provide the fuse specs, so buying the fuses on their own is a gamble. That approach reduced it to a backup meter, essentially. However, while I dislike the fuse sale approach, I think it's silly to get rid of it.
When it comes to extra features like data logging, that is truly optional. Nice to have, but it's not required.
However, I will concede here and say not everyone can afford a nice starter meter from Extech, Fluke or Radio Shack. While I get this, I think it's worth skipping the cheap meters if you have the means to buy a nice meter to start off with that also uses True RMS and has a CAT III safety rating.
Issue 2: Already owning a multimeter (or having a few)
This is self explanatory, but it really doesn't make sense to buy yet another meter, especially if you have more then one. For me, I already own two. I like one of mine better, but I still have not gotten rid of the one I do not like the fuse situation on. It's annoying, but I'm sure I could take the fuses out and take them to Radio Shack and do a Ceramic size match, if I ever really feel like doing it.
I could see a meter free bundle being good for people who want it, but not another meter to add to the collection. It probably doesn't cost much more to get it, but it may be something the buyer doesn't want, so they'd rather pass and use the meter(s) they already own.
Issue 3: Replacing the meter quickly
A lot of the time, cheap meters tend to be short on features, which typically renders them obsolete rather quickly. In some cases, the lack of features is because of testing features you will never use. It is usually a combination of both.
If anyone has any thoughts, don't hesitate to mention them in the answers.
Is this a worthwhile discussion?