Got a new toy, hardware to attack my retro hardware with... a newish multimeter... a local biz that deals in returns and misdirected freight was having a clearance sale and I went for a look see, this was only $5 CDN so I grabbed it. Thought, "Yah it's not a Fluke or anything but got some features any of the 3 I've already got don't.." .. apparently they go for about $25 US direct from Shanghai, $35 if they're over here already. If it was a hardware store's own tool line branded, I guess it would be the $100 model or so. EEVblog guy reviewed it like it cost him $400, so he didn't like it, only real thing to note is that you prolly shouldn't trust it at high voltage. Or use it when you need a tolerance under 1%. It actually feels pretty nice, solid. Mine seems to power on to all modes, gotta look out the manual though, that was missing. Gearbest product page for further info/specs never dealt with them so not an endorsement... https://www.gearbest.com/multimeters---fittin … 9586344585.html
Particularly happy to have the capacitance measurement, and possibly the frequency measurement will come in handy, have to see how that works though. TBH I thought the leads and thermistor looked okay for $5 and I'd be happy to use those with another meter if this was a complete dud...
Unicorn herding operations are proceeding, but all the totes of hens teeth and barrels of rocking horse poop give them plenty of hiding spots.