Need Large display DMM for biasing amps

Ghosthouse
yes. Either 1.5 inch characters are the now need... or some other gizmo is necessary.... and I may have one that I had not thought of lately as it sees such little use..

Guidocorona is right. As magnification increases the field of view diminishes... and distorts some as well. usually it will remain legible or at least intelligible... enough. Under severe mag, as the field size drops you can end up getting down to just one character, or even a portion of it. So be it.

That is truly not too much the issue... the issue is hands free determination of the integers being displayed... as one hand is busy holding the bias switch, and the other turning the screwdriver.

I recently acquired an "AMIGO" portable blower-upper. Rechargeable battery powered. Super huh? Nope.

No good. Why?

The back light of the meter itself. It blinds the CCD chip inside the AMIGO and covers the area with a big spot which hides the numbers… but it’s a fine device for non back lit things… and costs about the price of a nice sub, or good DAC. >$1500.

The current RAT SHAK meter numbers are about 0.5 or 0.6 in tall.... and if the light weren't on when the meter is on, I'd have a shot then.

But hey, it's nothing but a thing. It'll all work out. It always does. I just gotta do some serious leg work and seek another path. Nuttin' to it.

... and a large read out I think is the ticket. I got enough beeping, booping, buzzing, and talking stuff around here already.

Just for closure... and the benefit of those whose eyeballs have seen better days.

I pursued all of the listings posted previously in this thread... many to no avail. Although I am grateful for each and every one of them BTW.

By doing some surfing and countless Google searches, as well as receiving the input of some other members offline, (thanks Tim & Chris), i found some nifty gizmos for digitally measuring electrical values, and some other values pertinent to audio.

For a simple inexpensive unit, Triplett has a large display DMM which has 1+ inches tall characters, some sites say 1.5, but the maker says 1.15 inches. Period. Model 9005 & 9015. Neither are Auto ranging, nor will they interface with a PC.

Fluke also has a few models which allow for disabling the back lighting function which will be of immense value if a CCTV is used to read the numbers. The 80 series models namely the 87v at $350 list.

Fluke also has an RS 232 (USB) INTERFACE ON SOME MODELS. One 'All in one' package item is the model # 189 FVF2. it comes complete with all the needed cables, and software necessary to get the info from the portable DMM into the PC and either log it all for reference, or see it in real time! The price tag is $500. it also does far, far more than what you might expect from a DMM. The Fluke also has the best accuracy of those listed here.

Extech MM560 is yet another handheld which does nearly all the Fluke 189 FVF2 does BUT comes in at a lesser tag, of $319. The Txtech also provides real time results via the PC.

Still available are LED read out meters which do consume more energy than the LCD types, yet have higher contrasting displays. many of these are bench models, though some do have self contained power sups for portability. TTi an English co. offers a model 1604 bench type with red LED display.

There are far more units that will aid those with limited visual skills or whose eyes aren't what they used to be. it will depend upon your specific needs which choice you may make.

My persoanl solution came via a Jordy II portable head set with docking station. I used it briefly as a portable unit. in it's current state of use as a standard CCTV, it serves the purpose... and one last 'trick' if using a CCTV with back lit DMMs, turning off the light (if possible) on the CCTV being used may help defeat the glare the back lit meter produces. Some other ambient light may well suffice.

Thanks for all the help folks.

Thank you Blindjim for all the excellent info. As I have graduated to pure non visual UI two and a half decades ago, I am intrigued by the Fluke with USB capability. I would interface with the ICON talking PDA, which is all based on LINUX and Python. If you were interested in this little beauty, you will find info at:
httP://www.levelstar.com

One last note for those like myself in need of a large digital readout DMM.

This one has a 2 inch LCD display with many automatic features. it is geared for the pro auto tech but serves the functions of audio gear testing quite well too.

http://www.ntxtools.com/network-tool-warehouse/esi-590.html

Do check with the maker for it's accuracy tolerances if that is a concern though I'd think it fine enough for even the more serious hobbyist. For under $100 it's the most fully featured, DMM with the largest display I've found yet.

It could save one some money on auto repairs too if you're into that and can pull yourself away from the sweet spot long enough to go work on the grease spot.

For closure...

I just received the ESI 590 DMM w/2 in. display. it came with everything one could want, amprobe that can measure up to 20A, alligator terminated leads, reg. test leads, temp probe, carry strap, carrying case, and battery.

I got it online at:

http://www.ntxtools.com/network-tool-warehouse/esi-590.html

for just over $100.00, this site isn't big on sending an invoice quickly, yet the unit arrived on a timely basis, and the price was good.

The enclosed and installed battery was dead. replacing it got things going in a positive direction. ESI is accessible by phone or email too, that's a plus as well.

Contrast is as important for me than is simply a large display, apparently. All things considered however, this unit is going to work out well I think.

It's accuracy exceeds that of some others yet falls a bit short of the better names like Fluke for instance.... but at 0.5% (.005) on DC/AC voltages, I think I can live with that!

Add to that the fact one can now check their fuel injectors 'pulse modulation width' and how could anyone ask for more? ..and it's covered in a red rubber finish w/stand.

BTW I've no affiliation with either the maker or the seller of this product.