Choosing a Display

Lascar's range of voltmeters offers a wide choice that will suit many different applications; but how do you know which meter is right for your application?

LCD or LED?

This choice affects the look of the display, the power consumption and the readability in different lighting conditions. LCDs provide a very low-power option (typically 125uA @ 9VDC) and are easily read in daylight or well-lit environments. LED displays use much more power (typically 30mA @ 5VDC) however they offer better visibility in low-light and, for their size, are generally clearer from a greater distance. A backlit LCD meter may offer the advantage of both, providing the power savings over LED when the backlight is off and better visibility than a standard LCD in low light conditions when on.

Size Matters

Lascar meters come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes - ranging from the very small OEM Series with 8mm (0.31") digit height, to the large 900 Series that has 19mm (0.75") digit height. Our range also includes a number of products in the EM series, mounted through a single 5.5mm (0.22") or 32.5mm (1.28") hole, and IP67/NEMA 4X rated options for outdoor applications.

5V or 9V operation?

There are two different supply modes offered by Lascar meters and it is important to choose a display that supports the right mode for your application. If the signal to be measured and the supply to the meter share a common ground it is important to choose a meter that offers a 5V mode - also known as single-ended mode. 9V operation is generally recommended for floating mode applications where the signal and supply are isolated from each other. Many of Lascar's LCD meters can be used in either 5V or 9V mode.

Narrowing the search

The product finder box on the left is a powerful tool for helping you find the right display for your application. Use the 'browse by category' to narrow your search based on the information on this page. If you're still not sure which display is best for your application try visiting the support forum where you can post a topic or five us a call and we'll be only too happy to help make the choice easier.