When using metering equipment, it is easy to glance over the importance of the specifics of the equipment used. The interplay between cost effectiveness and necessary accuracy often is a key component in what type of metering equipment an individual uses, whether they know it or not. While the necessity for a specific metering system will vary from use to use, there are some important factors to ponder when considering equipment with an analog panel meter or a digital panel meter.

Cost

Often, the most prohibitive factor when deciding on metering equipment is cost. On this note alone, an analog panel meter will outdo most commercially available digital ones. The simplicity and age of the design makes analog meters a cheaper product to manufacture and buy. Expense is not necessarily the deciding factor in the longevity of a meter, but is something to keep in mind.

Longevity

This is where many analog panel meters get blown out of the water by digital panel meters. Digital meters can register minute changes in whatever is being measured to a much higher degree. By utilizing complex electronic systems, they are able to generate accuracy in readings of a much higher percentage. The issue with analog is the simple fact that there are a number of things that can be influencing their accuracy at any given time. Age of the components will, over time, warp their general materials and slow their response time. Mechanical issues resulting from components reaching their life expectancy can very easily impact the accuracy of analog models. Anyone that has ever seen a dial shiver from one reading to another with the tap of a finger can attest to this.

Power

One thing to bear in mind is that a digital panel meter requires batteries to function. Analog meters do not. For example, an analog panel meter on a volt reader works specifically off of the current being passed through it by the inputs. This creates a very simple and easy to use interface for the user. Also, digital models often require a lot of time spent understanding exactly how all the bells and whistles come together. This offers a distinct choice for the consumer when approaching either of these products.

In the end, the decision to use either analog or digital models comes down to a very personal choice. Individuals requiring certain specific features out of a reader will generally go digital. For the general consumer user, who doesn't want to spend a lot of money on something they will rarely use, will often find that analog models more than meet their needs.