Stumped by the analog multimeter love in repair shops

I keep seeing repair shops using old analog multimeters. Digital models are way better and cost the same these days. What's the real reason people cling to the old gear?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_sam2d ago

I mean, "way better" is a big call. The needle on an analog meter shows tiny, fast changes in a way a digital screen just can't keep up with. It's way easier to see a trend or a flicker, which is actually pretty handy for finding some faults.

graceramirez2d ago

@the_sam, my digital meter's fast updates show quick changes just fine, honestly.

green.river1d ago

Totally! You nailed it with seeing trends. I was checking a wonky outlet last week, and my dad's old analog meter showed this little shiver in the needle my digital one just glossed right over. That tiny bounce pointed straight to a loose connection. For some stuff, that smooth swing just tells you more at a glance.