Tools

Measuring tools

Braille caliper

You can buy the same kind of Braille caliper from many different vendors, search Google for the best price:

Electronics test equipment

Multimeters

Aneng M109

This is an inexpensive palm-sized auto-ranging multimeter. At least one Blind maker likes it.

From left to right, the buttons are: SET, NCV (for non-contact operation), and Hold/Settings. The power button is a large button in the center. Plugs (from left to right) are +2A current, common, and + for voltage and everything else.

BD-19A / 35042 TE

These are available on eBay and Aliexpress under various model numbers for as low as $15; I’m not sure what the ’true" model number is but they all look the same in photos. I’ve found searching for “voice” multimeter and sorting by price gives better results than “talking” multimeter. If you want to be sure you’re getting the right one, you can buy from MPJA and spend a bit more. This is a manual ranging meter with a big knob like most classic multimeters, so you’ll have to dial in the right range for the measurement you want to take.

It’s been reviewed favorably by a Blind user. The review below lists a lot of usage notes; I’ve copied this basic information here for safe keeping:

Overall, clockwise from “OFF” (vertical) the settings are as follows: hFE, 200mV, 2V, 20V, 200V, 1000V, 750 V Hz, 200V, 20V, 2 V, 20μA, 2mA, 20mA, 200mA, 10A, 10A, 200mA, 20mA, continuity/diode, 200Ω, 2kΩ, 20kΩ, 200kΩ, 2MΩ, 20MΩ, 20mF.”

At the very bottom of the multimeter are four sockets. From left to right they are 10A red, mA red, COM black, then the last one is “V, Ω, Hz,” diode symbol, capacitor symbol, red.

Aneng A3009 multimeter pen

These pen-style multimeters are cheap on eBay from china or from Aliexpress. The rod-shaped body has a point at the end that forms one lead of the multimeter, and the other lead is a standard wire lead. There are similar models that don’t have voice so it’s important to check the description. This is an auto-ranging multimeter with an automatic measurement mode, so you don’t always have to switch between voltage and resistance.

These are also marketed as the MT007 Pro-EN (the EN is important). Here’s a video of the device speaking.

The manual is available in a .doc file (link); the first pages are in Chinese but there’s an English part later on. It’s not formatted very well. The buttons from tip to end are “power/function select”, “HOLD”, and a button that seems to select inductive measurement mode.

ZOTEK ZT-5566SE

This multimeter is supposed to have voice features but a reviewer wasn’t able to get it to work and doesn’t recommend it. I’m including it here for completeness.

Logic probes