Brymen BM869, short review (small update added 2013-01-19)

[Spawn]

Thanks Lightages  didn’t know TME also ships to the Netherlands prices are looking good indeed and no problem with customs since it’s shipped from Europe. I might try them next month, spend too much for my so called hobby this month. But the page is bookmarked

[chickenHeadKnob]

   Reply to Lightages and Spawn:

I just ordered a Bm857 and BM869 from TME.eu. January 25 is when I started the process, I think I got the last 869 they had in stock, sorry . I will update on Lightages TME rant thread when they arrive in Canada to give another data point. Let me just say that the web ordering system they have is bit clumsy and opaque. It doesn't give very good feedback during the process and my order stayed in pro forma hell-purgatory for a week until it came unstuck three days ago. They sent me a terse shipping invoice but it doesn't give me any indication  wether it was my email(s) or just their slow grinding bureaucracy . Pay attention to the little icon at the end of the line in your order form, I think it shows as "details" when you mouse hover. Clicking on that told me my order was some-how stuck in their constipated system. Full details when everything is over.

[Lightages]

The TME page still shows 5 in stock, so who knows? Why did you order a BM857 and a BM869? Was it to have two safe meters with good accuracy but not spend twice as much?

[chickenHeadKnob]

The TME page still shows 5 in stock, so who knows? Why did you order a BM857 and a BM869? Was it to have two safe meters with good accuracy but not spend twice as much?

Well when I ordered the 857 the count went from 8 to 7 and the 869 from 1 -> 0, so I guess they are getting new stock. Why two meters?: long story, but the short of it is that I access to flukes at work was always too cheap to upgrade my cheap Radio shack meter at home. The RS meter is 1970's vintage autoranging built around one of those intersil meter chips and it was a gift from my parents to  a teenaged son that showed an interest in electronics. It was adequate for me at the time. Later my hobby-time activities waned but never died completely, now they back in force and I am slowly rebuilding my home lab.

I want one really good 6.5 digit bench meter and one really good handheld with high count so the 50000/500000 aspect attracted me to the Brymen line. I haven't found the bench meter just yet, but I really prefer them - got spoiled at work I guess. I couldn't decide which of the two Brymen's I wanted so I bought both! Also I figure it would economize shipping. Might re-sell the one I like least for a small loss. I think on a pure dollar value proposition the 857 at $144.00 usd from TME or $70.00 on ebay that some-one on another thread got ( never get that lucky) is probably better, but I want to find out how useful the dual display and temp is hands on.

I don't think there are any teardown pics of the official brymen badged 857 on-line, to compare to the extech,greenlee, amprobe's ect. so I should make a photo thread when I get mine.

[Spawn]

Thanks for heads up chickhenHeadKnob, I got already a Extech MM570A with 50000/500000 counts, so no harm done there 

[nanofrog]

Also I figure it would economize shipping. Might re-sell the one I like least for a small loss. I think on a pure dollar value proposition the 857 at $144.00 usd from TME or $70.00 on ebay that some-one on another thread got ( never get that lucky) is probably better, but I want to find out how useful the dual display and temp is hands on.

I don't think there are any teardown pics of the official brymen badged 857 on-line, to compare to the extech,greenlee, amprobe's ect. so I should make a photo thread when I get mine.

I picked up a BM857A from eBay for $70, and posted tear down photos for comparison purposes. Didn't do a full review due to the rebranded models that have already been reviewed.

Thread with BM857A photos: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/extech-mm570a-arrived-as-replacement-for-ex570-but-is-it-better/msg184842/#msg184842

Keep in mind, this particular unit is apparently NOS (date codes from 2000), so there may be some differences from the unit you have on order. As per features, the dual display is nice to have in my experience, but it's not the end-all-be-all either. If you need a Temperature function, the BM857A doesn't have it, but the BM869A does. 5AG sized HRC fuses at higher voltage ratings in the 869 as well, if that's important to what you'll be using the meter for (3AG size @ 500V in the BM857A I have).

FWIW, these seem to be found on eBay when using "500,000 count" in the search terms rather than "Brymen" or the specific model number. Currently a listing from another seller ($90 + s/h), but seems the seller only ships within the US. http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-True-RMS-CAT-IV-Precision-Multimeter-500-000-Count-Brymen-BM857-/121051191083?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2f36972b

[Lightages]

Yes, the BM869 is truly 1000V CAT.IV from what I can see. The older models only seem to have 500V fuses but the rest of the input protection looks very good.

[nanofrog]

Yes, the BM869 is truly 1000V CAT.IV from what I can see. The older models only seem to have 500V fuses but the rest of the input protection looks very good.

It does to me as well. 

There's also room to populate the fuse section with the correct clips for 5AG fuses, and the legend indicates 600V for both locations when using this size. So I suspect it was done in order to offer options to client companies that were after re-branded units to fill a segment in their offerings.

Probably not that different between the 867 & 869 in their approach as well (IIRC, the 867 uses 5AG size @ 600V fuses).

Whether the newer or older series' are chosen, they do seem a lot safer than some of the other offerings out there (thinking in terms of what's posted in the Failure to Meet CAT Ratings thread).

[Lightages]

Well I did not notice that the BM867 had lesser fuses in it. That is just totally wrong. The meter is rated for 1000V CAT.IV and those fuses do not belong there. I will have to include the BM867 in the list of meters that do not meet their CAT rating. Why Brymen would do that I have no idea.

[nanofrog]

Well I did not notice that the BM867 had lesser fuses in it. That is just totally wrong. The meter is rated for 1000V CAT.IV and those fuses do not belong there. I will have to include the BM867 in the list of meters that do not meet their CAT rating. Why Brymen would do that I have no idea.

My guess would be cost cutting trumped making sure the CAT ratings were fully complied with, regardless of model.

Same thing with the older BM85x series as well from what I can tell. The BM859CFa is rated for 600V CAT VI, and uses 600V fuses. Some of the rebranded units contain the 600V fuses in their version of the 857, such as the Extech MM560A. At least the BM857A I have, it can be retrofitted with the correct fuses to meet the CAT ratings. Would be nice to confirm this with a more recent unit (keep in mind, the date codes in mine are from 2000), but I suspect it's still the case.

Seems the buyer will have to do their homework if they want to be certain their meter will truly meet their claimed CAT ratings.

That said, it doesn't mean the meters are death traps, just that the user must exercise additional caution when using a meter that doesn't meet it's ratings IMHO (technically speaking, the Brymen I have doesn't meet it's CAT ratings ATM either due to 500V fuses in both locations).

Also seem to recall that some have 600V fuses in the mA location, and 1kV in the A location. Might be worth digging into the 86x series a little deeper.

[scopeman]

The manufacturer of these meters is Minipa in China. They market them in South America as the ET2940 but not in the USA. Below is a link for the Portuguese manual. Save the file and re-name to PDF. I believe that they private brand many of their products for many US manufacturers. I would attach a catalog but it exceeds 2MB.

Note the Brymen logo on the first page of the manual.

The manual may be found here:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDYQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.eletronicapaulista.com.br%2Fdownload.php%3Fname%3Darqs%2Fproduto%2F92_a.pdf%26nome%3DManual%2B-%2BMult%25EDmetro%2BDigital%2BDigital%2BET-2940.pdf&ei=KxM0UYb5DfKK0QHRioDQDA&usg=AFQjCNGTiWmFbdrFrcoTP-k1eUwfOQOTgQ

[Lightages]

I believe it is the other way around. These particular Minipa branded meters in Brazil are actually made by Brymen.

[Lightages]

I just made an interesting new discovery. If you hold the REL key while powering on, the display shows "869-P9".  Any ideas what this means?

[nanofrog]

I just made an interesting new discovery. If you hold the REL key while powering on, the display shows "869-P9".  Any ideas what this means?

PCB revision or firmware revision?   

[iloveelectronics]

I just made an interesting new discovery. If you hold the REL key while powering on, the display shows "869-P9".  Any ideas what this means?

Curiously even my BM-867 shows the same thing...

[KedasProbe]

I just made an interesting new discovery. If you hold the REL key while powering on, the display shows "869-P9".  Any ideas what this means?

No idea about 'P9', but there is a similar although a bit more complex way to get it into calibration mode.
This info isn't provided because if you don't have the accurate equipment to calibrate it you will mess up your multimeter.

[Lightages]

If you know the way to get into calibration mode, please tell!

[KedasProbe]

If you know the way to get into calibration mode, please tell!

Sorry, I can't share it on request from Brymen.
But you can ask Brymen for it.

We intend not to release our calibration data to end user. It is because we would like only professional technician who has professional calibrator like Fluke 5520A or Datron 9100 to calibrate our products. 

Attached please find BM869 calibration procedures. Please do not release it to other or public.

Edit: some info about how it works, so you have an idea.
The procedure consist of applying the requested/displayed standard value and then confirm that it is present.
For DC voltages calibration these standard (displayed) values are used:
FUNCTION    DCV
(1)   DC 0.0000V
(2)   DC 5.0000V
(3)   DC 50.000V
(4)   DC 500.00V
(5)   DC 1000.0V

FUNCTION   DCmV, Hz
(1)     DC 00.000mV
(2)     DC 500.00mV
Hz (3) 20.000Hz/5V square wave

Edit2: added youtube link

[scopeman]

I believe it is the other way around. These particular Minipa branded meters in Brazil are actually made by Brymen.

That would seem odd as Minipa has been a really large manufacturer of test equipment for quite a few years and DMM's are but a portion of their product line. Also the catalog I have pre-dates the Brymen labeled units.

[iloveelectronics]

I believe it is the other way around. These particular Minipa branded meters in Brazil are actually made by Brymen.

That would seem odd as Minipa has been a really large manufacturer of test equipment for quite a few years and DMM's are but a portion of their product line. Also the catalog I have pre-dates the Brymen labeled units.

I can't read Portuguese but by looking at the pictures of their multimeters on the Minipa website many of them look suspiciously similar to a lot of Chinese or Taiwanese made meters (Uni-T, Brymen, Appa, etc). I think they don't actually manufacture any multimeters themselves, but rather rebadge meters from the far east.

[Lightages]

So holding the delta/REL key on start up displays 869-P9 for a couple of seconds and the display blanks out after 5 or so more. So I am going to guess there is some sequence of key presses to make during this time or a specific voltage to apply or something like this to get it into cal mode.

[Bored@Work]

I can't read Portuguese but by looking at the pictures of their multimeters on the Minipa website many of them look suspiciously similar to a lot of Chinese or Taiwanese made meters (Uni-T, Brymen, Appa, etc). I think they don't actually manufacture any multimeters themselves, but rather rebadge meters from the far east.

Indeed, it doesen't look as if they do their own meters. I just went through their bench multimeters:

MDM-8045B, MDM-8145: Victory
MDM-8045C, MDM-8145A, MDM-8156B: Uni-T
MDM-8156A: Tonghui

[rsjsouza]

Indeed, it doesen't look as if they do their own meters. I just went through their bench multimeters:

You guys are right; Minipa used to have a blend of in-house design and OEM equipments for quite some time (I bought a ET2060 in the 80's that had resemblance with a few other brands), but nowadays I don't know if they became a pure OEM.

[jancelot]

I am looking forward too to buy this multimeter. it has almost everything for a mid-range price, hope don't miss the Auto-V/LoZ feature (detect ghost voltages, those electromagnetically induced). It should be available for a mm which has 1000V cat IV and meters voltage.

Best bargain seems http://www.tme.eu here in europe, since Fluke is extremely priced, maybe because you pay taxes twice, once in U.S.A. an other in the E.U.? Also the Brymen surpasses the fluke in almost every aspect except for the size and much inferior quality probes, and that the continuity test is not as clean.

BRYMEN BM869S: 182.35€
FLUKE FLUKE 87V: 473.92 €

[Lightages]

If you want the Low Z feature, another option is the BM525. it has lower accuracy, 10,000 count instead of 50,000/500,000, and is missing a coupe of other features. It does do 87,000 auto logging at up to 20 samples per second.