Mastech MS8264 Backlit 30-Range Digital Multimeter with Temperature Measurement (01DMMS8264)

This unit performs great, with excellent readability and beautiful white back light thrown in. The switch positions are quite close together and could be a bit more positive, but all in all a very versatile and accurate instrument so far.

Item was packaged with one other item it contained correct amount of bubble wrap for protection. The unit is build nicely very good material, Excellent readout with back light. Has capacitance and transistor plus temperature measurement. I tested the unit and all ranges and probes work well. Nice peace of test equipment.

DOA. The unit looks to be made well and is feature-rich for the dollar, but though the display activated, this one arrived unable to display any readings in any mode. Does anyone test these units? Also the lead set is short and not very flexible.

It slices, it dices, it measures temperature, tests transistors and classifies capacitors. Good grip, durable, nice leads, good display. Only complaints? I think I saw it cheaper elsewhere... Also, like most meters, it doesn't stand up well, and it turns itself off too quickly, and I'd like it if it could read larger currents. But these are mere quibbles. It is otherwise purely handy-dandy.

Another reviewer said his unit was DOA, and I take that at face value. In fact, I thought mine was, too. I got erratic readings or no readings at all. And then . . . a friend pushed home the lead connectors, and voila! The thing worked! (DOH!!!) I think this unit is one hell of a deal and I'd strongly ... strongly ... recommend it.

The test leads provided don't work well at all with this multimeter. The banana plugs are not long enough. They're too loose. The plastic shroud over the ends are 3/4 inch but the actual metal portion is recessed 1/4 inch inside. Plus, the metal connection on the multimeter is about 3/8 inside. Combined, this only allows for 1/8 inch of connection. That's not enough. It was almost impossible to get simple continuity or DC voltage reading. without fiddling with the leads. The multimeter works fine with the leads from my 30 year old Micronta (Radio Shack) analog multimeter. They're 3/4 inch, and have no plastic shroud so they fit nice and snug.

Nice unit, solid body and durable, good # of functions and ranges. The backlight is good too. For the features-to-price ratio this was a very good get IMO.

I choose this one because it has the ability to read temperature. Unfortunately, and this isn't the meter's fault, its not auto-ranging. I miss that in my hast to order it. I guess I'll have to get a book and read up on correct settings. The manual that comes with the meter is well written and does explain most of the settings, although it could use a lot more photos or illustrations. So far, its a great multimeter and I would recomment it to others.