I was looking at the fluke 115 (117 and $75 now I think) but found the cheaper vichy (linked to by a few people now) measured twice the capacitance with 4 times the accuracy. Fluke can make cheap meters just like everyone else can. Only they don't have to drop the price accordingly as some people will think buying a brand is a good decision. It's not a tool show though. We are trying to test a bike.
I think the best advice here is spend next too nothing while getting as much functionality as possible. Something you can loose or smoke, because it was buy one get one free. You do need a very accurate voltmeter though if your setting up critical charge voltages. One you can verify occasionally, or have calibrated by someone responsible. Few cheap meters can be calibrated though. If I had to draw a single line between amateur and professional meters, I would say certification.
Edit: Had a visitor so cut short before..
I do like flukes. Who doesn't. It's hard not too. What you get is very professional. They are at their best when someone else pays for them though. You don't get much functionality for your money. Which I think a newbie posing this question needs.
I'm still happy with my £25 inc meter. Too happy to be honest. It seems sinful to get this much happiness from $40. Finding out it is most probably certifiable is a hoot. On a down note after 14 mins it demands attention, and at 15 it turns off. A bar graph is a bit pointless on an auto ranging meter. Mostly though, the continuity buzzer needs switching on every time you select the resistance range(presuming you want the beep). It is just one push of a well located button, but I would rather be able to switch it off than on. The screen is great though. The numbers are large and near the surface, making extreme viewing angles a cinch. Once it has fell off my seat on to the floor, I can still read it through my spokes. Easily.
