I had a little trouble finding the optional temperature module since radio shack no longer sells it, until I found out what it is called with some assistance from RS customer support. The OEM is "EXTECH 381277" and the module accepts Type K thermocouples.

2nd unit I've bought, first is still crankin', 2nd unit stopped after few months of use, it would turn on but not work, changed both fuses (shot-gun fix) then unit worked fine.[...]Am satisfied with meter though.

I've had this a few years and it's great! I can hook it up to the computer and let it log automatically -- no more sitting to write down measurements periodically! I got the clip-on leads, makes unattended use much easier.

One thing with the computer software -- you have to understand how serial ports work -- unlike modern software and USB you have to select which port (COM1 - COM4) for the software to listen on. And make sure you turn on the meter RS232 mode before starting the software or it won't work even if the right port is selected. Built-in serial ports work better but Serial/USB cables work fine if you can find the drivers...that's what I now use.

And I too have had a few fuses blow but that's what they're for...to protect the meter (and you). BTW, glass fast-blow fuses of the proper value are much easier to find than ceremic ones and work equally well.

[0 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

The meter works quite well, however it is very easy to blow the fuses in side should you forget to set the dial properly.

Blowing the fuses is not the issue as they are designed to protect the meter and the user from harm.

The problem is, the correct fuses for the meter are 3AB fuses aka ceramic (not the normal glass fuses) and get this, Radio Shack DOES NOT CARRY THEM! Radio Shacks customer support sent me to littelfuse directly to obtain them!

Shame on Radio Shack for not supporting what they sell.

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

By Me from Shreveport on 3/23/2008

I don't know. Maybe it's just me but when I want to check voltage, I would like for the meter to zero out until I actually touch the site I'm testing with the leads. This one jumps all over the place trying to find some automatic range. According to the instructions you have to press the range button several times to get it out of auto or something. Seems pretty goofy to me.

[0 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

Although I rarely used this meter and never overloaded it, it stopped working after only a few months.

I just found out from this web site that this is a common problem with the similar RS 29-range DMM, caused by a fuse blowing.

There appears to be a design problem with both of these meters.

By MJ from Dayton, OH on 2/24/2008

Meter View software allows use of Coms 1 thru 4 only. USB is not supported, however, with an adapter I did get mine to work fairly easily with the PC. Software is very basic with it's data recording being sufficient for my purposes. Exporting to other formats would be great, or at least allow delimination users can define. The price for the Multimeter is really fair when you consider it's Auto-ranging capabilities...comparable to others.

I found that the program included with the multimeter (meterview) does not recognize the USB to Serial converter (26-183).

It works great with my older tower which has a RS232 port.