Visited a repair shop in Pittsburgh last month and couldn't believe how much the tools changed

The old guy running the place was still using a multimeter from the 80s with analog needles, while I pulled out my digital clamp meter. Has anyone else noticed shops moving away from the old analog gear, or is it just the older guys holding on?

2 comments

2 Comments

wade4382d ago

I caught a video on this the other day, some old timer was talking about how analog multimeters can actually show you stuff a digital one smooths over, like a capacitor that's starting to go bad or a relay thats chattering. He said the needle will flicker and jump in a way the numbers just dont catch. But man, I still think those old needle meters are a pain to read precise numbers on, especially if the lighting is bad in the shop. Its like the old guys will use them for the "feel" of a circuit, but for me, give me the digital readout any day of the week so I can get it done and move on to the next job.

christopher_coleman1719h ago

Yeah, you nailed it when you said the old guys use them for the "feel" of the circuit. I've seen that myself. The needle flicker on an analog meter is way better for catching stuff like a dying cap or a bad solder joint that's barely making contact. But I'm with you on the precise numbers thing. In my experience, it's a trade off. If I need to know a voltage is exactly 12.3 volts, give me the digital meter every time. But if I'm trying to track down an intermittent problem that only shows up under load, I'll dig out the old Simpson 260 to watch the needle dance. It's not better or worse, just different tools for different jobs. Your mileage may vary on that one though.