<p>Anybody have suggestions for electronic gadgets for an engineering student? I don't mean computer stuff, or iPods or anything like that. But, for instance, what is a multimeter and would he use one and where would I buy one? Or anything similar? </p>
<p>(Note - He does a LOT of electronic tinkering. Sorry I can't be more specific, but I don't know what it all is.)</p>
<p>Thanks for ideas.</p>
<p>Buy a Fluke multimeter.</p>
<p>^ Thank you. I looked them up and there are many to choose from. Do you have a specific one in mind?</p>
<p>Tell him to download this :D</p>
<p>
[quote]
Electronic Gadgets for the Evil Genius</p>
<p>Book Description
The do-it-yourself hobbyist market, particularly in the area of electronics, is hotter than ever. This books gives the </p>
<p>I'll second the Fluke multimeter- buy a good digital autoranging one, and it will last a LONG time (I use one of the ones my dad used). Also a good soldering iron (Weller) can be useful. Short of buying an oscilloscope, there aren't many other electronic gagets that I can think of, but some good hand tools (wire strippers, etc) are always useful.</p>
<p>Oh dear! Weenie, I'm afraid your son is going to discover WPI isn't far from the MIT Swapfest. Think an electronics flea market with treasures galore for a tinkerer. DS used to bring a dolly and come home with piles of computer components, ham radio stuff, dusty old adapters, connectors and I haven't the foggiest idea what else. So excited with his finds. Worse even, sometimes DH would go with him and bring the car. Star trek stuff, more electronic stuff, old electronic books, tools, you name it crammed in the car trunk. And then our home....
Just wait. I bet Weenie son will be shipping home some big packages.</p>
<p>A Fluke 77 Series would be all right. You can get one for around $100. A multimeter is quintessential to the electronics person.</p>
<p>Second spring -- !!!!! It's bad enough all the c--p he hauls home from garage sales! He must have 5 sets of speakers in his room. :eek:</p>
<p>Thanks so much everybody else -- This is such an odd graduation present, but, hey, I'm desperate!</p>
<p>If you can get your hands on an old HP oscilloscope for cheap, those can come in handy too. It doesn't have to be HP, but they make good ones...their newer ones under Agilent can get very pricey ( <a href="http://www.metrictest.com/product_info.jsp?mfgmdl=HP%2054855A(N%5B/url%5D)">http://www.metrictest.com/product_info.jsp?mfgmdl=HP%2054855A(N)</a> is sort of an extreme example) but you can get an older one that does a good job for cheaper ( <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/HP-OSCILLOSCOPE-54600A-100Mhz-2-CHANNEL-TEST-EQUIPMENT_W0QQitemZ170091626335QQcmdZViewItem%5B/url%5D">http://cgi.ebay.com/HP-OSCILLOSCOPE-54600A-100Mhz-2-CHANNEL-TEST-EQUIPMENT_W0QQitemZ170091626335QQcmdZViewItem</a> ). You can go even cheaper with other brands (<$350).</p>
<p>The Fluke Multimeter was a big hit!!! LOL (I think we ended up with a Fluke 179.)</p>
<p>THANKS EVERYBODY!</p>
<p>(Sorry karthikkito - I did not see your post until today. But I'll keep that in mind for the future!)</p>