If you've spent any time poking around a car's electrical system, you've probably seen the blue point multimeter dmsc683a sitting in a drawer or on a tool cart and wondered if it's worth the investment. It's one of those tools that seems to bridge the gap between the cheap stuff you find at a hardware store and the high-end diagnostic equipment that costs as much as a used car. I've spent enough time around these meters to know that they have a specific place in the toolbox, and they definitely carry a certain reputation.
First Impressions and Build Quality
Right out of the box, the first thing you notice about the blue point multimeter dmsc683a is that it feels solid. It's got that signature blue rubber boot that's synonymous with the brand. It's not just for looks, though; that housing is there to take a beating. If you're working in a shop environment, you know things get dropped, kicked, and covered in grease. This meter feels like it can handle a tumble off a workbench without shattering into a dozen pieces.
The size is another thing I like. It's not so big that it feels like you're holding a brick, but it's large enough that the screen is actually readable when it's sitting a few feet away from you. The kickstand on the back is pretty sturdy too. There's nothing more annoying than a multimeter that falls over every time you move the test leads, and this one stays put reasonably well.
What Can This Thing Actually Do?
When you dive into the functions, you'll find that it covers all the basics and then some. It's an auto-ranging meter, which is a lifesaver if you're moving quickly between different types of circuits. You don't have to worry about manually selecting the range for your voltage or resistance; the blue point multimeter dmsc683a figures it out for you.
It handles DC and AC voltage, current, resistance, and continuity. The continuity beep is loud enough to hear over a running engine or shop fans, which is a detail people often overlook until they're in a noisy environment. It also has a diode test and a data hold button. The data hold is one of those features you don't think you need until you're reaching into a cramped engine bay where you can't actually see the screen while you're touching the probes to the terminals.
The Backlight and Display
Let's talk about the screen for a second. The display is clear, and the digits are nice and bold. But the real winner here is the backlight. If you've ever tried to diagnose a blown fuse under a dark dashboard, you know how frustrating it is to shine a flashlight on your meter while trying to hold two probes. The backlight on this unit is bright and stays on long enough to get your reading without being a total battery hog.
Test Leads and Connectivity
The leads that come with the blue point multimeter dmsc683a are decent. They aren't the super-flexible silicone leads you might get with a $400 Fluke, but they aren't the stiff, plasticky ones you get with a budget meter either. They have a good "feel" to them and the tips are sharp enough to pierce through a bit of corrosion if you need to. They plug in securely, so you aren't dealing with erratic readings because of a loose connection at the meter itself.
Using It in the Real World
In practice, using this meter is pretty straightforward. The dial has a positive "click" to it, so you know exactly which setting you're on even if you aren't looking directly at it. I've used it for everything from checking battery voltage on a cold morning to tracing a parasitic draw that was killing a customer's battery overnight.
One thing I noticed is that the response time is fairly quick. Some cheaper auto-ranging meters take forever to "settle" on a number, jumping around for three or four seconds before giving you a solid reading. The blue point multimeter dmsc683a is much faster. It finds the range and locks onto the value pretty quickly, which saves you a lot of standing around and second-guessing your connections.
Is It Worth the Price?
This is where things get a bit subjective. Blue Point is a brand owned by Snap-on, which means you're paying a bit of a premium for the name and the support that comes with it. You can definitely find meters with similar specs for less money if you're looking at online retailers or big-box stores.
However, there's something to be said for the "truck brand" factor. If this meter breaks, and you bought it through a dealer, you have someone to go to for a warranty or a repair. For a professional technician, that peace of mind is often worth the extra fifty or sixty bucks. If you're just a hobbyist who works on their own car once every three months, it might feel a bit pricey, but it's still a tool that will likely last you a decade or more.
Comparison with Entry-Level Pros
When you compare the blue point multimeter dmsc683a to something like an entry-level Fluke or a high-end Klein, it holds its own. It might not have some of the really advanced features like True RMS (which is mostly important for complex AC waveforms in industrial settings), but for automotive DC work, it's spot on.
It's rugged, it's accurate enough for 99% of what you'll encounter under a hood, and it doesn't feel like a toy. Many "budget" professional meters feel thin and light, but this one has some heft to it. It feels like a piece of shop equipment, not a piece of consumer electronics.
A Few Minor Gripes
No tool is perfect, and I do have a couple of small complaints. I wish the leads were just a tiny bit longer. Every now and then, I find myself stretched just a bit too thin when I'm trying to ground the meter on the frame while probing something inside the cab.
Also, while the battery life is generally good, the battery compartment requires a screwdriver to open. It's a minor thing, but when you're in the middle of a job and the meter dies, you don't want to have to hunt for a tiny Phillips head just to swap out a 9V or some AAs. But then again, that screw is what keeps the battery from flying out if you drop it, so I guess it's a trade-off.
Who Should Buy This?
I'd say the blue point multimeter dmsc683a is perfect for the apprentice mechanic or the serious DIYer who wants something better than the "free with purchase" meters but isn't ready to drop half a paycheck on a top-of-the-line diagnostic unit. It's a workhorse. It's the kind of tool that stays in your top drawer because you're reaching for it constantly.
If you're doing heavy-duty industrial electrical work or sensitive circuit board repair, you might want something with more specialized features. But for checking sensors, testing alternators, and finding broken wires, it's hard to beat the balance of durability and functionality you get here.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, the blue point multimeter dmsc683a does exactly what it's supposed to do. It gives you reliable numbers in a package that can survive the reality of a garage. It's not the flashiest tool in the world, and it doesn't have a color touchscreen or Bluetooth connectivity, but it works.
Tools are meant to be used, and this is a meter that's built to be used every single day. If you find one at a good price, or if your local tool guy has a deal on one, I'd say go for it. You won't regret having a dependable piece of kit like this when you're elbow-deep in a wiring harness trying to figure out why a taillight won't stop flickering. It's a solid, honest tool that gets the job done without any unnecessary fluff.