Extech, maker of mutimeters and other measuring devices, has kindly contributed three nifty gadgets that will go to three random commenters! All you have to do is leave a comment saying what neat projects you’d use the gadgets for. At midnight tonight, PST, the giveaway ends and we’ll randomly choose three winners. And what prizes are up for grabs, you ask? Here they are:
An EX540 12-function wireless multimeter/datalogger.
An RC100 tweezer-style passive component tester.
A 381676 pen-style multimeter with non-contact voltage detector.
Good luck!



Two words: Heated Pants
I’ve been really enjoying playing around with building interactive art from trash, particularly the kind that turns kinetic energy into something else so the art project doesn’t require a plug to the wall.
I’m making a homebrew pinball machine and I need all the charity I can get!
I could use Extech RC100 for replacing faulty R/C on my broken 32″ LCD.
The Pen DMM would be very usefull measuring 230V~. Currently I’m using a cheap Screwdriver with glow lamp, that is not very safety.
I would use EX540 to improve the accuracy of the current measurements for my LASER experiments http://www.krazerlasers.com/lasers/ The RC100 would come in really handy tuning up my GPS system too http://www.krazerlasers.com/gps/k100r3/
Thanks!
I would use their nifty gadgets to add all sorts of even niftier gadgets to my truck. I’m thinking arduino controlled lighting system, among other ideas.
Be nice to have for all the PC building projects…still an electronics newbie BUT, a multimeter is a must for the tool kit =P
I could use that nice multimeter to get some of my current projects working or that pen one to get some ladies. You know the ladies will be swarming when they see that sticking out of my pocket protector
I’d use these to continue working on an Arduino MIDI/DMX transceiver!
I’d use it to accompany me when I do my devilish lough while I disassemble my not-so-trusty chinese no-brand dealextreme-bought multimeter…
For starters, I could get down to building that winter-compliant bike like (the cold is killing my batteries), fix the dome light in my wife’s car and troubleshoot the “free or best offer” kegerator taking up valuable garage real estate.
ooh very nice! What can’t you do with a multimeter. I would probably throw away my old Fluke16
Thanks for the give-away!
I would use the “381676 pen-style multimeter” for my upcoming build in China, I get to check out some of the best tech going around at the World Expo in Shanghai whilst working on the NZ pavilion.
I would be glad to use theese for my remote power measurement and monitoring project. (kill a watt clone with web page to show the data)
Long time makezine reader here, but I haven’t normally commented. What better way to start?
The possibilities with these tools are ENDLESS, but my current project is fixing a couple LCD TVs and any of these tools would be a great addition!
Keep up the good posts!
I could use the test equipment to repair a friends 1993 Indiana Jones pinball game.
i want it i want it!
I would use it to replace my cheap chinese one!
I would use it on my pov clock.
This thing has been driving me nuts.
I can imagine all sorts of interesting remote monitoring that could be done with that. Temp fluctuations in the greenhouse, voltage fluctuations in the lab… too many to think about. Hope you pick me.
With one of these I could try to repair my first digital camera (seems like the exploding capacitor damaged something…).
It would also be useful for the µControlled power supply for several devices (light, audio amplifiers, pc, …) I’m planning to build and many other things which are easier to do with equipment.
I’d use to my senior robotics lab. It’s useful to carry because you never know when a problem happens!
I’m building a eight-foot diameter R/C dirigible, and any one of those tools would come in real handy while working on its control systems.
I am curently working on a charging station for e-scooters that logs the power consumption of multiple e-scooters which are identified via RFID and could use the 381676 pen-style multimeter.
I have an old Voltcraft multimeter and it survived a lot of high voltage shocks and was repaired by me several times…
I really wish to get a new multimeter especially as good as this one…
I would use it for every one of my projects…electronics is my life!
All sorts of interesting home automation projects. =)
Over the last years i got quite into 32bit system and currently i’m bulding the second version of a Media Player solution (http://www.project-xmedia.com) and the RC100 seems perfect for testing all of the around 300 SMD resistors, capcatiors and diodes on the board, I’m gooing to assemble in the next weeks. Espacially if you take SMD capacitors, there is no marking, on the chip, so you need to label all components right, if you mess up something, you have to throw everything away, because you don’t know if it was a 100n or a 15p capacitor. With the RC100 i could just grab them and hehe =))
Best Regards
Bernhard
I got an Arduino and love trying new projects, but im in need of a new multimeter, mine is broken!
then again, what do i know?
I would use the stuff to try and fix some old electronics and a monitor I have sitting around.
I wish it was!
I need this for my hackerspace!
I have been meaning to tackle building a RepRap. Maybe some new tools will be the proper motivator.
PMM to Arduino to Hall Effect
Useful for troubleshooting after magic smoke has been released from components on a project.
Ok, this doesn’t sound like a super über mega cool project with freaking lazers, but my mom said she needed a new egg timer. I figured, why not just build it into the oven itself?
My mom would be really happy if you selected this comment.
I’d use these for the building of preamps, spring reverbs, drone synths, and other assorted noisemakers for my basement music studio.
I’m moving soon and I’m planning on installing some LED mood lighting in my new apartment using some Arduinos, BlinkMs, and various other LED devices. I’ve got a nice little web app, which is also iPhone compatible, that will control them all. Funtastic.
I’ve always wanted to build a BPM calculator based off of Arduino for drumming. I know that you can already buy these, but there is no satisfaction greater then building one yourself. It isn’t as much about the destination as the journey that it takes to get there.
I could use it on my latest JYE Oscilloscope Kit I am building. Fun, fun, fun!
Coolness, I’m going to be making a photoresistor-controlled Atari Punk Console soon, and after that I plan on making a Weird Sound Generator.
EX540 Will be great for Arduino projects, I am learning Arduino, and planning to make alarm system, EX540 is interesting tool.
My current project is a guitar pedal clone, then it’s on to some Arduino stuff. It’d be nice to have some decent gear for fault tracing.
I would use these items to help me diagnose what on earth has gone wrong on my AMB Dac project that plain and simple is giving me no love at all!
I would use the multimeter datalogger to help troubleshoot some signal generation circuits for flyback drivers, as well as use it to record the resonant frequency for each transformer so I wouldn’t have to sit there and twiddle with the pots each time I swapped them out!
An art quilt of a working lighthouse with a pressure sensitive soft switch!!
My husband would be glad to get his multimeter back!!
Thanks for the give-away!
I’d use some of these for making the PC controlled fireworks.
Drooling for EX540 here!
I want to make a universal remote out of an arduino for my boom box to which i got second hand without the remote. i would use it to configure the circuit correct resistors, check battery power ect. and plus my meter now is a $5 Canadian tire special that i always forget to turn off and the battery dies
I used to work at a mobile phone factory and I religiously swept up and collected the components that the pick’n'place machine dropped. I now have a bucketload of SMDs of various values (some 1206 and some 0805s) that need measuring and sorting so that I can get started on all of my DIY SMD projects.
I’ve already sorted out the LEDs, SOT23s and ICs but the Rs and Cs remain and my eyes are not what they used to be, so reading the markings on them would do me in.
With this baby I could while away a happy day or so methodically going through the lot.
Hi,
I’m currently working on a solar blind that will charge my small appliances (E.g. cell phone, iPod, etc) I could really use an excellent multimeter from Extech. I will keep a spot open in my tool box. Thanks.
Regards, Michael
I’m knee deep in a mess of dashboard panels and wires with nothing to keep me going but my $10 multimeter and my wits.
This would surely help me get my 280z back on the road again.
I would do all the projects in the book! But I also want to wire some LEDs to a old PSU and I need to teach my self how to create a circuit.
No more electrocute me.
I’m currently studying electrical engineering and I could use either of the two multimeters for a wide range of circuits I have to build in my various classes. I can certainly see some time saved with either of the feature sets of the EX540 or 381676.
On a personal project level, I’m currently trying to troubleshoot my parents’ toaster oven and an ancient alarm clock (that just seems to have a coolness factor).
My Radio Shack multimeter does the job for now, but an Extech would be far nicer!
Thanks!
I’d use one to try my hand at fixing a busted Braun cleaning station for my razor. My poor razor is so very, very dirty.
I could totally used it to finish my ‘tap’ sensitive table / display: an 8 by 8 RGB led display build in a 50cm by 50cm table. The glass surface will be mounted on 4 piezo transductors to triangulate any choc on the glass.
All of this drived by an arduino at first and some custom designed board.
Very nice! I would use this to help build an ultra low noise amplifier setup for the Faraday collector on our noble gas mass spectrometer and to retune the 30W CO2 laser that we use to heat samples to improve the precision of our power supply calibration.
I need a new multimeter as the experiments in the book are showing the weaknesses in my current meter… And new and shiny is always good.
I’d be able to use all of these things in building the circuits for this year’s Halloween props.
So many projects. Arduino and accelerometer have been sitting around.
Making a facebook activity meter from an old-fashioned voltmeter and an arduino, could really use one of these!
Current ‘maker’ projects that need to be finished:
* LaserTag Team Operations medic pack gadget
* Dog Talker (so our dogs can tell my wife what they really want)
* Chaos Machine Controller, version 2
* Wall Clock with WiFi and NTP, so I don’t have to set and reset it
Could use either of these gadgets to help in a couple of my current projects, but the most notable being that the EX540 Datalogger capability would greatly help in debugging the data streams in my current technical thesis project. Plus that fact that it’s a very capable multimeter would improve the accuracy of most of my measurements since I currently use a $20 meter.
I would use this for anything that i could use it for there is end less imposibilities
Supporting an out of production, limited run car is a labor of love. And it isn’t always mechanical. It is amazing the number of electrical problems one can encounter. Either of the DMMs would be a huge help. The wireless probe would be especially helpful by avoiding the tangle of wires. On the other hand, the wires help chase down ground issues. Now back to my day job.
I would use it for building amps, preamps, drone synths, and whatever nifty devices I can think of for my basement music studio/physics lab.
Current project: pan/tilt mount for my camera.
The peak hold function on the EX540 would be very nifty for capturing the surge current as the servos fire up.
If I had an EX540 I would be one step closer to realizing my ultimate goal of taking over the world with tube amplifiers. And robots. Don’t forget the robots.
I would use this multimeter for troubleshooting around the house and reducing waste. Instead of having to throw out stuff because it doesn’t work, I can try and pinpoint the exact component failure and repair/replace that part.
I need an RMS meter because I also have a standby generator connected to the electrical system in my house and the bi-annual tuneups require an RMS meter to accurately report the output voltage and frequency of power going into my house. If I had an RMS meter, I could do those measurements myself instead of relying on others.
Let’s see: I’m working on a birdhouse with a 3D webcam inside, and I need to use IR LEDs for lighting, and I’m working on an alphanumeric LED 8-button USB peripheral, and I’m working on a vintage computer box for my modern PC. They’d all benefit from some new Extech toys.
What couldn’t you work on. If it has a wire with a current, this will help fix it!
At this point I am kind of padding out my software knowledge with a little hardware. My first “real” project will probably be a data logger for my water heater. I’m curious about the duty cycle, how much it burns when no one is home.
I have a Radio Shack pen multimeter, which is nice, but has few functions. The big Extech would be a real upgrade for me. Thx!
I’d donate my other multimeter to a teacher I know who teaches electronics in high school. I’m working through the Make: Electronics book and enjoying it – a more advanced meter would likely help out later in the book.
I would use it for when I am building my tube amp or
for when I am re”making” old stereos into new
My wife and I just bought our first home. It was build in 1919 and needs most of the electrical replaced. I’m doing this myself and it would be great to have an accurate multi meter to complete the job.
I would use it to finish my contactless generator project for my bike!
Although there are may more projects that I can think of the first one that comes to mind is a complete christmas light show that “dances” to music but is comtrolled through analog electronics. any sort of multi meter would be useful for troubleshooting the wiring.
I would use these for many different projects, currently the Arduino is fun to work on.
What neat projects?
Why, I’d use these for *all* the neat projects!
I would use this on many projects. Currently I am working on the Arduino system.
I could use one of those tools, I am building a CNC router now.