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Electronics Repair (sci.electronics.repair) Discussion of repairing electronic equipment. Topics include requests for assistance, where to obtain servicing information and parts, techniques for diagnosis and repair, and annecdotes about success, failures and problems. |
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#1
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AVOmeter compared to cheap modern digital meter
How do bargain basement modern digital meters perform compared to
the old analogue meters from 30 years ago like the AVOmeter? ----------- Thirty-odd years ago my friends had AVOmeters. I would look on with some envy. Remember AVOs? I think they were mainly a UK thing. 10 by 8 inches and about 4 inches thick. See this:- http://www.richardsradios.co.uk/Images/AVO.jpg Today I can buy a regularly stocked item like the super-cheapo single-chip digital multimeter from a UK shop like Maplins for £8 ($8) and that includes the battery. Although Maplins call it a "domestic tester" it is more than just that: 600V-200V-20V-2000mV-200mV plus 600VAC-200VAC 10A-200mA-20mA-2000uA-200uA 2000kO-200kO-20kO-2000O-200O transistor and functions overall accuracy approx +/-0.5% to +/-1.0% http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=37279&doy=26m6 How does something as ridiculously cheap as this meter compare, in terms of measurement accuracy, to an old stye AVOmeter? |
#2
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"Zak" wrote in message ... How do bargain basement modern digital meters perform compared to the old analogue meters from 30 years ago like the AVOmeter? AVO is still producing meters and test equipment. Their meggar and ground tester are some of my favorites. Accuracy and speed is the only differences that I know of. I still have an old Sperry analog meggar. Works fine for the purpose, I have no reason to upgrade it. |
#3
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"Zak" wrote in message ... How do bargain basement modern digital meters perform compared to the old analogue meters from 30 years ago like the AVOmeter? I wouldn't sell my Salford Selectest Super 50 - but I don't use it! You can often buy those on eBay for a modest price, whereas the Avometers were going for a lot more. Why do you ask? N |
#4
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Today, you can buy a modern digital volt meter for a few dollars that
would out perform your old AVO meter by better than a thousand to one. The old AVO meters would not be safe to take measurements in most of today's sensitive electronic equipment. If you have any old AVO meters in excellent condition, they have resale value as antiques for collectors. Jerry G. ====== |
#5
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about 30kg lighter!!
David - who once upon a time lusted after an Avometer, but as a kid never had the money and so settled for a Western Zak wrote: How do bargain basement modern digital meters perform compared to the old analogue meters from 30 years ago like the AVOmeter? ----------- |
#6
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"Zak" wrote in message
... How do bargain basement modern digital meters perform compared to the old analogue meters from 30 years ago like the AVOmeter? ----------- Thirty-odd years ago my friends had AVOmeters. I would look on with some envy. Remember AVOs? I think they were mainly a UK thing. 10 by 8 inches and about 4 inches thick. See this:- http://www.richardsradios.co.uk/Images/AVO.jpg Today I can buy a regularly stocked item like the super-cheapo single-chip digital multimeter from a UK shop like Maplins for £8 ($8) and that includes the battery. Although Maplins call it a "domestic tester" it is more than just that: 600V-200V-20V-2000mV-200mV plus 600VAC-200VAC 10A-200mA-20mA-2000uA-200uA 2000kO-200kO-20kO-2000O-200O transistor and functions overall accuracy approx +/-0.5% to +/-1.0% http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=37279&doy=26m6 How does something as ridiculously cheap as this meter compare, in terms of measurement accuracy, to an old stye AVOmeter? I'm a bit of a Luddite but not on DVMs. The only facility I miss is for observing fluctuating DC levels where my Fluke nominal LCD analogue scale is useless. I certainly don't miss those high V batteries for high ohms, the few K loading on circuits rather than Megs and the infuriating mechanical cut-outs that you only had to drop something on the bench and that damned button would jump out. Diverse Devices, Southampton, England electronic hints and repair briefs , schematics/manuals list on http://home.graffiti.net/diverse:graffiti.net/ |
#7
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In message
Zak wrote: ... Today I can buy a regularly stocked item like the super-cheapo single-chip digital multimeter from a UK shop like Maplins for £8 ($8) and that includes the battery. Although Maplins call it a "domestic tester" it is more than just that: 600V-200V-20V-2000mV-200mV plus 600VAC-200VAC 10A-200mA-20mA-2000uA-200uA 2000kO-200kO-20kO-2000O-200O transistor and functions overall accuracy approx +/-0.5% to +/-1.0% http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=37279&doy=26m6 How does something as ridiculously cheap as this meter compare, in terms of measurement accuracy, to an old stye AVOmeter? At least as well (within their more limited ranges), plus being quicker/easier to read, or listen-to for continuity-checks: perfectly adequate for most purposes. I've three of these (I couldn't resist the last two - 'buy one, get one free' for, at the time, £4.99 IIRC), and use them far more than either my 'upmarket' digital meter or venerable Avo 8, still needed for measuring DC kilovolts, AC current or signal-voltages), and the fluctuating values for which 'analogue' beats 'digital'. The mechanical construction of the switching-arrangements is the main weak point, but (as so many products nowadays) they're a constant reminder of how hard the Chinese have to work to scratch a living, and how difficult it is for the affluent West to retain/regain our competitiveness ... -- Peter Duck |
#8
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"N Cook" wrote in message ... I'm a bit of a Luddite but not on DVMs. The only facility I miss is for observing fluctuating DC levels where my Fluke nominal LCD analogue scale is useless. I certainly don't miss those high V batteries for high ohms, the few K loading on circuits rather than Megs Sometimes useful to ignore leakage currents on AC circuits! N |
#9
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I still use an Avo Mk8.On most jobs I find it better than the digital
stuff.With digital I have to think if the number is good or bad with analogue I know instantly from the position of the needle.In Scotland a good Avo in a case can usually be had for =A330. regards,Mark. |
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