I notice that the display is different to the BK precision/Itech unit. Dual line instead of single.
Dave.
I was told by BK Precision directly that the 8500 electronic load was designed and manufactured by iTech, a subsidiarity company of the BK Precision group.
So I'm not sure what's going on here?
Dave.
Nah, this isn't the same as the BK/Itech ones; the specs are different, the displays are different, and I tried out their software with my IT8511 and it doesn't communicate with it, meaning the PC interface is different as well. They just look similar... in fact it was probably the Maynuo that copied BK, as BK is the most popular/famous company of the bunch.
Yeah I used to think "BK Precision. Good stuff right? Like a cheaper Tek/Fluke, right?" Wrong. There's nothing special about their products. They're not bad, just not unique...and how can you be when some overseas company is doing the engineering and production?
Only thing they might provide is customer service if you need it..
To answer your question: Maynou was found by a former Itech engineer who left the company and took with him the technical documentation of the Itech line, which made it easy for him to copy many products in a very short time. As you may know this is a common practice in China. For the skeptics amongst your readers: Itech has been around since 2004 and this DC loads series was one of their first products. We started selling the 8500 shortly thereafter. Evidence of this can be found here : http://wayback.archive.org/web/*/http://itech.sh
Plug in the Maynuo URL and you can see that they have been around for only 2 years.
Guys, I have asked BK Precision and they have responded and cleared this up.
To quote them:QuoteTo answer your question: Maynou was found by a former Itech engineer who left the company and took with him the technical documentation of the Itech line, which made it easy for him to copy many products in a very short time. As you may know this is a common practice in China. For the skeptics amongst your readers: Itech has been around since 2004 and this DC loads series was one of their first products. We started selling the 8500 shortly thereafter. Evidence of this can be found here : http://wayback.archive.org/web/*/http://itech.sh
Plug in the Maynuo URL and you can see that they have been around for only 2 years.
And there is more on how they add value to the Itech products, but I'll leave it up to BK to fill you in directly here. Just wanted to clear up the OEM confusion quickly.
Dave.
So the ODM is iTech, and BK is a rebrand
This is an interesting thread for me, as i am in the market for an electronic load. it is for home/hobby use, so my budget is limited, and i cannot stretch to a "genuine" Itech or BK load. The Maynuo range had caught my eye, and they can be had on ebay (for the spec I want - >300V DC rated M9712B) for about GBP£470, landed.
The two products are indeed so incredibly similar, that I am prepared to believe (as BK appear to have confirmed) that the Maynuo is a pretty direct and simple-ish copy, albeit with a more detailed display. Maynuo must have had access to the original microcontroller source code, and recompiled it for a different display. The specs are very similar, so I am now left wondering whether the Maynuo does perform to the quoted spec, or they just copied the spec sheet, too!?
VERY little info about on Maynuo, but I did find this . It seems to exist, and work (not an in-depth test, but prrof the device is out there)
I have looked at cheaper Beich and Array "brands" of electronic loads but I suspect these may be "slower" to react to load changes. Also, markedly poorer (if still not actually poor) accuracy quoted for these.
And yes, Maynuo loads appear in ATTEN variants, too. No doubt about that.
If I do land one (in final negotiations with the Financial Controller at the moment!), I will of course "do a Dave" - Dahnt turnit on, taykit apairt! (sorry, Dave )
Oh, and I think Joy at MCS would like me to confirm her gender. Definitely a lady of the female persuasion.
So I'm not sure what's going on here?
So here is what I know so far, datasheets and features are not yet evaluated:
BK Precision
- BK850x: 1 line VFD, carrying handle, front rubber
- owns ITECH
ITECH:
- IT851x: 1 line VFD, carrying handle
- started in year 2005
- ex chief designer: Xiao Tony
ARRAY:
- 371x: 4 button knob, 2 line LCD
- ex chief designer: Xiao Tony
MAYNUO:
- M971x: 2 line VFD, carrying handle, front rubber
- started in year 2009
- owner: Xiao Tony
Gossen Metrawatt:
- K851x: 4 button knob, 2 line LCD
- are from ARRAY, OEM
ATTEN:
- ATZ3710A: 4 button knob, 2 line LCD
- ATZ971x: 2 line VFD, carrying handle, front rubber
- ATZ9712 is from MAYNUO, OEM
REK:
- RK851x: 2 line VFD
BEICH:
- CH871x: 2 line LCD, carrying handle
EASY:
- EEL-660x: 2 line LCD, carrying handle, front rubber
Applent:
- AT851x: 3 line VFD, carrying handle
MCH:
- EL363x: 2 line LCD, carrying handle
I think I will go with MAYNUO, because there is the chief designer now, after ARRAY and ITECH.
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kmel
Very interesting information kmel. How do you know Xiao Tony is/was the designer from these companies? Do you have a reference or a source? If true, he is a righteous dude, he knows his stuff.
Some side issues, Atten also sells Array OEM, ATTEN ATZ3710A.
Thanks Jonas. Who makes the ATM8811 PSU? OK it's a maynuo
I asked info@maynuo.com who the OEM of the M9710 is.
BTW the MAYNUO M9710 often sold on ebay/aliexpress isn't for international market, only CHI. I didn't find a distributor who sells it.
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kmel