What type of Digital Multimeter?

[lottathought]

I am not a total noob under the hood but I am starting to get heavier into repair and I am looking to put the proper tools into my garage.

Currently, I am on the hunt for a Digital Multimeter.
I have seen the comments on Fluke. It is obviously a very good machine.
It is also a very costly machine.

I can not believe that only Fluke makes a good meter and all the others on the market are junk.
Even if I did, Fluke also seems to have a wide range of products.

So here is what I want to know.
What other names and models of Digital Multimeters would you reccomend?
What features am I going to be using?

Although this is mainly going to be used on the autos, it will probably not be limited to that.
(1995 BMW318is, 2000 Mustang, 1999 Explorer)

I do not want something that will be out of date tommorow.
I also do not want to waste a lot of money on bells and whistles that I will never use.

Also, what is an acceptable variance in a machine's readings?

[lottathought]

Aw cmon guys.
I am sure that somebody has thoughts about this.

[Bear]

I bought mine from Radio Shack about five years ago. Works well on my 1988 750 and around the house as well.

[Antiburn]

If your local sears store sell craftsman tools they make a comparable meter to the fluke. All you need in a meter is to read, volts, ohms, amps and resistance. Anything that requires more is sually to hi-tech for a back yard mechanic like yourself to be performing, IE: draw tests and whats the millie volts (however its spelled) of your airbag moduel.
Like i said, get a meter that can read, ohms, voltage and resistance and your be set.

[lottathought]

I picked up a Craftsman multimeter.
I do not know if they are rebadged Fluke meters or not.
When I opened the manual however, their was a yellow card stating that it had been calibrated by Fluke.