Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Simpson 260 VOM

Category: Tools & Test Equipment for the amateur radio work bench

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Simpson 260 VOM
Reviews: 28MSRP: 200.00
Description:
Simpson Electric Co. 260 Volt-Ohm-Milliammeter is a rugged,reliable,all-purpose measuring instrument.It is used for measuring A.C. and D.C. voltages,resistances,direct currents,decibles and output voltages.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.simpsonelectric.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00284.7
AB2AX Rating: 2010-12-15
my #1 pc of equipment Time Owned: N.A.
If I could only have 1 pc of test equipment this would be it.
i rescued mine from a govt property junk pile 15yrs ago. pretty battered but all i did was cleaned up contacts and its worked fine ever since
ERIEDXER Rating: 2010-03-26
Excellent analog VOM Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is a well made piece of test gear, and will last forever if cared for. Probably one of the best analog VOM's ever made along side other Simpsons.
KB0XR Rating: 2009-04-06
A Man's Meter Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had mine over 30 years now. Built like a tank and just "Looks" right. Yeah, I've got a few DVM's also but the 260 is the one I use the most for my modest measurement needs.
K4XZ Rating: 2009-04-05
Great classic Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Every ham should own one of these.Rugged reliable and fairly accurate. One thing to check when buying a used 260 is the battery compartment. This meter works so good most people don't check until it does not work. Then the clean up starts. Buy one you won't regret it.

73 Joe K4XZ
K1YPB Rating: 2009-04-05
An Excellent Classic Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had my "260" for well over 35 years now. What a great VOM. Durable, rugged and reliable. Every shack should have one! They don't make instruments like this any more.
W8AAZ Rating: 2009-04-05
Does VOM functions well Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is about the prime ultra VOM if you are looking for one. Lots and lots on ebay and often bring prices that show a demand despite DMM's being available for decades, and lots cheaper. I was totally satisfied with them as a VOM, but I have moved on to buying Simpson 303 meters, a VTVM that looks like a 260. If you buy a 303, get the probes, or at min. the probe connectors as they are not available commercially. Sort of mini Switchcrafts but obsolete. Remember these Simpsons are bakelite, a wonderful material that will shatter if dropped on a hard surface! I used 260's professionally till recently, sometimes. Have to keep low resistance on the D cell battery terminals for good low ohms zeroing. 260's can be calibrated with adjustments unlike cheap VOM's.
W4NBO Rating: 2008-10-25
A Classic Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Bought mine at an auction. Its an old one. I had to fix several things but it works great now. Built like a tank.

I honestly dont use it that much as i have become spoiled with my Fluke 77 but when you need to see a meter swing then it goes into service.

I remember in electronics school, we trained on one of these that had circuit breakers!

VE2ITZ Rating: 2008-09-15
"The Simpsons" Meter Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just got one in a Flea market going to Ottawa this weekend.

Have not used it much. But as a paper weight and to add to my collection of 40's Radio equipment, this is a keeper for my museum collection and home decoration.

Looks are great along with the 40's lamp radios and tube testers.

N1BEC Rating: 2007-05-27
A tool no one should be without! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've used Simpson 260's of various models since college (that would be 1980).
Everything has its place, and the 260 with its analog movement runs rings around DVM's in places like tuning radios (where you want to see a needle swing) and checking diode and transistor junctions.
If it matters whether a battery voltage is 1.20 or 1.19 volts, or if I need to measure a high impedance circuit, then I'll use something else.
My personal favorite is the Series 6. I have one at work, another on my test bench at home, and like Shroeder of Peanuts fame, several more in storage (minus batteries!)just in case anything happens to the ones in daily use.
And I do use them daily!
The only criticism I have is that when you measure Ohms in the two lower scales, the connection between the "D" cell and the battery contacts tends to get dirty, so you may experience erratic readings and non-repeatable zeroing. A good contact and battery buffing takes care of this.
Also, remember to switch the meter out of Amps when you go to measure Volts!
They are cheap, work as specified, take incredible abuse, and keep on working. Get yours now, before I hoard them all!

73's, -Tom N1BEC/7
K0UC Rating: 2006-10-01
a classic Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Very tough meter that holds calibration.
It's that simple. It does what it's intended for. No, it's not a high-impedance input meter, but it wasn't meant to be. The 260 is also quite RF-proof. Try using a cheap meter or many digital meters in a high RF environment...they make a fine field-strength meter.

But not the 260. Just reads what you want it to!