Should be able to run without it, many do. I would opt for a better meter, probably won't be the last time you need one so not bad to have anyway. I have a cheap one I use often because the cheap one buzzes for continuity testing and I haven't found anything it can't do that my better ones can.
^ What he said...you can run w/o TPS, however I suggest using it if you can. Calibration is not difficult.
