RadioShack® 15-Range Digital Multimeter

Comments about RadioShack® 15-Range Digital Multimeter:

I concur with all other reviews stating that the requirement to use an obscure 12v battery, combined with the device's high price, make it a bad idea to purchase this altogether.

I'll be returning the one that I just bought.

Comments about RadioShack® 15-Range Digital Multimeter:

They really need to tell you when you but it, that it needs a 23A battery. Nothing like needing it and then you have to go find a battery. Got my battery at a local drug store which I can't name because they won't allow me to post this review. Nice censorship! No way is Radio Shack getting another dime from me. They used to be a great store. What happened to them?

Comments about RadioShack® 15-Range Digital Multimeter:

Can't even get this working yet since it does not include an obscure 12V battery!

Comments about RadioShack® 15-Range Digital Multimeter:

The thing is great you can run it off of 2 9-volt batteries if you use a voltage divider. Take a look at the circuit below.

Comments about RadioShack® 15-Range Digital Multimeter:

The box and the back of the case both specify: "Requires one 12V battery" (in very small font, away from all other instructions). Actual battery type is not listed anywhere except the web site.

Sales clerk never mentioned (and likely didn't know) I'd need some weird $5 battery.

No spare fuse -- 315mA (0.315A) 5mm x 20mm instrument fuse. Catalog # 270-1046, but you'll have to order it and wait.

I hate getting blind-sided like this. Twice.

Bad choices, RS.

(RS, do you even read these comments? Nearly everyone seems to be saying exactly the same thing.)

Comments about RadioShack® 15-Range Digital Multimeter:

If you have used a digital multimeter before, you know that it needs a battery. However, if this is your first multimeter, you'll be unpleasantly surprised when you get it home, read the instructions, and then find out that you need to go out again to purchase a battery. It would be helpful if it was stated on the package that the battery is not included. The instructions indicate that you need a 12 volt battery, but does not tell you which kind.

Whoever designed the case must have fingers the size of tweezers. It is very difficult to position the leads and wires properly to allow you to close the case. A real pain in the neck.

Comments about RadioShack® 15-Range Digital Multimeter:

12V battery not included and not advertised on the product's packaging. I found that out after getting it home, looking at the manual, then unscrewing the back.

For the price, the battery should be included, especially since it's not a AA/AAA type. I'm returning it tomorrow.

Comments about RadioShack® 15-Range Digital Multimeter:

Forcing you to use a AA sized battery that can only be purchased at Radio Shack is crooked. I wouldn't be as critical if you could use grouped CR-2025 lithiums or AAA's. The test leads are fixed to the case, so this thing is designed to be disposable. What engineer thought up having to use a jeweler's screwdriver to have to change the overpriced battery? [*]

Comments about RadioShack® 15-Range Digital Multimeter:

I bought this few years ago and still use it, love it, and use it...

The 12V battery was not hard to find at all. It's in the same store where I bought this meter!! It tells you what type of battery (model #) to get on the back cover.

So far, it measures everything pretty well until I decided to measure DC currents and that is where things begin to peak out; there's no full connection when the power source goes to the meter but there's source to the LED from the power source without it being connected to the meter. The values are also displaying zeros -- must meant fuse replacement - shouldn't be hard -- it's easy and cheap!

OVERALL, great buy at RadioShack!!! So far, the replacement parts I need are still alive somewhere else -- if not RadioShack...

Comments about RadioShack® 15-Range Digital Multimeter:

I got home and found one of the case screw heads was stripped, so the screw could not be used. Apparently someone else had bought and returned it and it ended back on display. I intend to return it, get another (unused) meter and get a battery. A stupid waste of time and energy.