Multimeter

Technically, in the A to D converter, there is always the unknowable last value digit step. But now adays, with 12 bit A/D so cheap and commonally available, last bit value become moot. Precision digital meters$$$ use 15 bit A/D's, but they still don't know what that last bit value is, except they know more accurately.

Remember the 6 volt mantra: "Keep'em clean, bright, and tight" still applies to 12 volt circuts too..... .....Dell

JMHO

You know, I had an old VOM since I was a kid, a Radio Shack that probably cost my dad $5. Last year I dropped (for about the 100th time) onto concrete, this time from a ladder and it broke. After a proper burial, I bought a fancy-dancy digital...couldn't get a good reading to save my life. So I went to radio shack, bought their cheapest needle VOM (think it was about a dozen bucks nowadays) and I'm back in business. Not sure if it is lack of QC with the meters or just me and you can't teach an old dog, but it was sort of disappointing about the digital. Now with your story, I can at least claim it is the meter and not me!
thanks,
Tom

The old (El-cheapo)Analog meter works the best on simple or complicated analog circuits.

JMHO