MM200 Digital Multimeter

I haven't used it enough for a full report but seems like an OK quality DVM for the money. I spent years working with the finest equipment but when I retired it all of course stayed with the company. I did not want to dole out $500 for a DVM, pleasantly surprised with this one. It's a decent size, fits well in the hand, has some heft to it. Comes with a nice protective covering. My test leads fit nicely. Large easy to read display. Not disappointed.

The item works as advertised and is accurate. I have used other meters in the past and it is equivalent to other higher priced meters.

With all the inexpensive China-made volt/ohm meters available, the Tempo Communications MM200 may seem a little expensive until you realize that Tempo Communications is a highly respected, USA-based, testing equipment company that is well known in the professional electronic testing equipment field. The company has been in business since 1984 and sells to the trade under the Tempo and Paladin brand names. They also have a DIY line sold under the name DataShark that can be found on Amazon and other home improvement suppliers. I have a Tempo network cable tester that is now sold on Amazon under the DataShark label. The Tempo Communications MM200 voltmeter seems to be one of the newer products on their website. Having a product from this lineage, I expected nothing but the best from the MM200 Volt/Ohm meter. It is UL tested for CAT I, CAT II, and CAT III applications. Few affordable DIY multimeters have those certifications. The MM200 has an LCD screen backlit for dim area viewing that can be turned on or off by pushing the select button, single probe non-contact voltage detection, an internal antenna that can be used to trace an electrical path, and a bar graph display for rheostat readings. Sinusoidal waveform frequency measurements can be taken using either the volt (V) or amperage (A) settings on the rotary dial. The micro-volt (mV) setting is used for low voltage logic circuit square wave measurements. Its 11 functions can be switched to using either the rotary selector on the face of the MM200 or one of the function buttons. These functions are not difficult to switch to. Simply holding down the appropriately marked button is all it takes. The multimeter also automatically powers off after 30 minutes of non-use to save battery life. Two AAA batteries were included with the unit. A low battery warning lights up the display when it’s time to replace them. The M200 is wrapped in a protective removable thick soft rubber orange case. There is no chance of losing the instruction manual as its soft case comes with a pocket in the cover for it. Running down the cause of an engine knock in my car, I removed the knock sensor to test it. Its 568kΏ ±28 factory specified resistance reading was measured at 565kΏ on my Chinese knock off and 564.6kΏ on the Tempo MM200. Voltage readings, both 120V A/C from my house wiring and 12V D/C from my car battery, were what they should be but differed by 0.06 volts between the two meters. Although I tend to trust the Tempo multimeter more because of its lineage, I’m not sure which one is closest to the actual voltage level as A/C voltage varies from house to house and varies a few tenths of a volt on a D/C auto battery. With both meters, however, the values were close enough for confidently meeting any electrical or electronic need. While the Tempo MM200 multimeter is a well-made unit, I was surprised at how well my Chinese knock-off compared to the Tempo with basic electrical measuring needs. Tempo MM200’s advantage is that it has 11 electrical measuring functions that serve more purposes like radio transmission line electrical field losses, useful to me as a Ham Radio hobbyist, logic circuit measurements for home automation hobbyist, and frequency measurements needed by both groups. There is only one thing I wish was different. The test leads that come with the M200 have short metal probe tips, about 4 centimeters long. They’re too short to make contact with the connectors of an ordinary wall socket but are perfect for electronic circuit board testing. The probes from my old voltmeter fit the MM200 so I’ll continue to use those for electrical work. For those with a specific need, voltmeter probes can be bought separately as a quick search on Amazon will attest. Buying Tempo’s MM200 as your professional-grade voltmeter and the specific voltmeter probes needed separately is the way to go to get the best of both.

After 3 years of use, I'm starting to like this MM200 just as much as my go-to Fluke 112 (now replaced by the newer model 117). These two are very similar in function, except the equivalent Fluke models are more expensive. The primary difference that I notice is the large easy to read display of the TEMPO. The numbers are easier to see when I'm monitoring voltage from further away. The TEMPO has better backlighting with a very nice orange glow. Both are solid and have a great look and feel. Both TEMPO and Fluke have a solid click when moving the dial switch, which prevents accidental bumping to a different mode, except the TEMPO switch has even more solid-feeling clicks. I tried both recently while troubleshooting circuits in a car at night, and I generally enjoyed using this TEMPO more because of the better screen visibility, the more intuitive auto-ranging, and the overall feel.

I was a broadcast station chief engineer for years, and this is one of the best multimeters I’ve ever used. It works great per the product description. Another reviewer has touched on many operational and manufacturer background details so I’ll add some additional findings. For starters, I avoid disposable batteries whenever possible, so although the DMM came with 2 AAA size new alkaline batteries, I tested with rechargeable NiMH batteries instead. These have a lower nominal cell voltage (1.2 vs. 1.5VDC) but work fine in the device. The DMM is made in Taiwan, not China, plus has a one year warranty. It is double insulated and has a removable (orange) heavy rubber boot surround for physical and electrical shock protection. It has an electric field detection capability that works through either a single attached lead or by holding the top of the unit near AC wiring thought to be energized. I tested this on several cables. It has a built-in frequency counter good up to 1 MHz. I measured various frequencies up to my sine wave function generator's 106 kHz limit with an input level of 500 mV. The DMM showed exactly accurate according to my other counter. A 110K 1% resistor measured 110.3K. I easily checked the junctions on an NPN power transistor with the continuity test. It has two internal fuses, a fast blow 1 kV 3AG size 400 mA fuse and a Buss DMM-11AR 11A 1kV fuse for the 10A scale. These specialty fuses are $4-5 apiece. The fuses appear to be standard for this type of professional level DMM. I have boxes of .25A and .5A fast blow 3AG 250V fuses and may substitute if necessary since I’ll only be using the device at low voltages. The fuses and batteries are accessible after pulling off the orange boot. The compartment cover has a captive screw. It comes with a well-written manual in English, French, and Spanish and a nice carrying case. A highly recommended product from a good company.

So you'd like a Fluke 87V. Me too. When I was an electrician in the Navy, Fluke 87's was what we used, and they were built like TANKS. Well, I don't have $400+ for a multimeter. But this little charmer comes in at roughly 1/3 the cost of a Fluke 87, and does everything I need it to do and more. What I really like is the trend meter, which none of my other meters (even my True RMS meters) have, but which is a tremendously useful feature. So you can watch with much more accuracy the rise and fall of voltage on a line, instead of struggling to see what's happening with the numbers on the display jumping back and forth. Also, the light-up display is great, and easy to read even in direct sunlight. Bravo. If you think $135 for this meter is a bad price, you obviously haven't shopped at the Fluke store yet. Compared to the competition (and I mean the REAL competition), this meter is a STEAL at this price. It's a great meter at a great price, hands down.

I have a couple multimeters and they are well, low cost, less than quality meters. Plus I just don't trust their accuracy. Well, no more, now I have an outstanding and reliable meter. First off, it comes in a very nice canvas type zippered case, perfect quality. You open the case, you can just tell this is a real multimeter. This is a professional meter to say the least. Really like the auto-ranging, so your not always turning the dial. Does the work for you. Has every setting I could use or need, and then some. The orange protective case is thick and heavy duty. Actually took some work to get the protective cover off to put in the batteries. But that's a good thing in my book. Leads are high quality as well. Easy set up, just pull the protective cover off, take out one phillips screw, pop in the batteries and it's ready to use. Whether you use a meter often or once in a while, if you want a real good one, that you can rely on, this is your meter. Some might say it's pricey, but you really get what you pay for with this one. Would happily recommend!

The Tempo MM200 Digital Multimeter is fantastic. Its easy to use, the auto-ranging is exceptionally fast and accurate, the display is easy to see at all angles, the probes are easy to hold with one hand, and the built in stand makes life so much easier. All that functionality in addition to a zippered case to keep it stored in. The exterior of the multimeter is an insulated sleeve which comes off to give access to the back battery panel. Its easy to remove and replace, but it doesn't slide around or feel loose when handling the meter. Overall feel is exceptional. The meter is easy to use one handed or while trying to hold other things to measure, which is where other meters always fail me. The stand allows it to stay in place, visible, and stable without sliding around, allowing you to take measurements more easily. Three different fused levels further extend the range of functionality available with this unit. Truly fantastic tool, can't recommend it enough.