But I don't get it - why do you make such a fuss about fuse access? How often are you going to need to replace fuses in the life of a meter? It's not like it should be a weekly or monthly event, unless you are one of the clumsiest people out there.
One way to get the Brymen at a reasonable price in Europe is to buy from tme.eu in Poland. Don't expect great follow up on your purchase but it will probably arrive. Forget trying to get a Brymen at a normal price in South America, just order from tme.eu, or buy a BM257 from iloveelectronics here on the forum for a reasonable price.
But I don't get it - why do you make such a fuss about fuse access? How often are you going to need to replace fuses in the life of a meter? It's not like it should be a weekly or monthly event, unless you are one of the clumsiest people out there.Despite what the other brands offer, I agree with that, especially because these have the alarm that indicates the probe is inserted in the wrong input - and yes, I am clumsy as I blew the 440mA fuse on my 179 more than once due to lack of attention... :palm:
How you get one in Oz, I don't know. In the US the Amprobes and Extechs seem to be the best way to get a "Brymen".Yes, Extech is cheaper than Greenlee, but I found the 860 model only on the Greenlee product line (http://www.greenlee.com/catalog/Electric-Test-Instruments/MULTIMETERS/CI-Digital-Multimeters?category_id=914). :(
the Brazilian Minipas are up to three times as expensive.Yes, unfortunately Brazil's import taxes are really high (60%) and therefore some companies established there take advantage and charge a ridiculous markup... :bullshit:
Yes, Extech is cheaper than Greenlee, but I found the 860 modelThe Greenlee DM860A is the same as the BM869.
I've got the 857 (no A) from eBay, US seller (no other way to get them in the US), a bit under $100 delivered. It is CAT III 1000V, 0.03%DC though. This what the 'A' model must be improving on. Really nice meter. I think I even like it better than my Agilent U1233A (horrible menu system). I wish I could find the IR serial adapter for the Brymen.Says its for the BM25x series, but I suspect it will fit ... http://www.ebay.com/itm/200874533628?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/200874533628?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649)
But I don't get it - why do you make such a fuss about fuse access? How often are you going to need to replace fuses in the life of a meter? It's not like it should be a weekly or monthly event, unless you are one of the clumsiest people out there.
a) Because it's stupid.
b) Because other meters have good fuse access.
Dave.
a) Because it's stupid.
b) Because other meters have good fuse access.
Looks like the 500k count meters still only resolve 10mOhm/10pF/10uV? If so you'd be better off getting a U1272/3 for electronics use IMO.The 500k mode is for frequency and DC voltages only. It yields 1µV DC resolution (I forgot how much for frequency).
The Greenlee DM860A is the same as the BM869.That is what I meant; I couldn't find BM86x DMMs on the Extech product line, only on Greenlee.
There's the good ol' Dave from the "rant" days. Honest and to the point! Why risk exposing the guts of your meter over a fuse change, when a bit more effort in the design process is all that's needed? In a $10 meter, maybe....but anything $100+ with blast protection so well done, we should expect more, imho.
Leave the Flukes to get thrown around the factory floor gathering dirt and abused by people who don't care for them
Also, the rubber jacket of the 85x protects the rotary switch in case it falls flat on the floor - are the '257 and the '86x similar?
Elma BM869
Looks like the 500k count meters still only resolve 10mOhm/10pF/10uV? If so you'd be better off getting a U1272/3 for electronics use IMO.
Also, the rubber jacket of the 85x protects the rotary switch in case it falls flat on the floor
Dave, you say in the video the BM857A is rebadged as Extech MM570A but it is actually rebadged as Extech MM560A. The Brymen BM859CFa is one with 2 temperature readings like BM869 and is rebadged as MM570A :)
Nope, it does not ;)Spawn, I guess Extech goofed up... The Brymen has one millimeter clearance (I hope the picture is clear).
Spawn, I guess Extech goofed up... The Brymen has one millimeter clearance (I hope the picture is clear).
Extech is indeed ... :--Well, if you're really desperate, this surely will fix that problem ;D, c'mon, 1 mm isn't that much ! .... j/k :-DD
** I just saw that last post about the IR serial adapter. I don't think that adapter is compatible with the 857. That one has a long tab that fits in a slot in the BM25X meters. The adapter for the 857 is shorter and has two wings that rotate into the housing on the meter. I bet it would work, but it would take a lot of duct tape.Can't tell from the pic if the cable has groves on the outside edges (thin ends) or not to fit the "wings" on the back of the BM857 (I have one). Figured from a systems POV, they'd try to use a single interface cable for all of their models, but can't tell for sure. :-//
A few things missing on the mini-review; the 85x has two "OFF" positions: one on each side of the rotary switch, which is somewhat convenient.But if you're not accustomed to 2 OFF positions like me, it won't matter. I always end up turning it counter-clockwise to turn it OFF. :palm:
Well, if you're really desperate, this surely will fix that problem ;D, c'mon, 1 mm isn't that much ! .... j/k :-DD
picture of a BIG file
But if you're not accustomed to 2 OFF positions like me, it won't matter. I always end up turning it counter-clockwise to turn it OFF. :palm:
A DMM fuse change is a once in a lifetime event--
But you get a nice green rubber jacket instead of the red one... ;DElma BM869
Looks like they want 50% more for the Elma name.....
While scanning posts, I remembered that Kiriakos had mentioned that the Sanwa PC7000 used the same PC connector as the Brymen. Perhaps Sanwa is another Brymen re-badge/re-case.I wouldn't think so, the sanwa PC7000 is orange backlight and it's rather old now and has a slightly different layout.
As far as dropping a multmeter face down, everyone seems to forget that the leads will most likely be attached an they will hit before the dial does.
Elma BM869Urgh, the neon green jacket is awful. It makes the BM86* look very ricer-ish
Urgh, the neon green jacket is awful.It is, eh, different.
Hmmh...
Is the accuracy and count difference constant, or do they change ?
So if I have two 4.2V cells, can the other say 4.20104 (+0.02% +20d), and then right after the other says 4,19896V (-0.02% -20d).
Or is it so that with 4.2V, it always shows +0.015% and -9d, at least until the calibration drifts over time ?
Hmmh...
Is the accuracy and count difference constant, or do they change ?
So if I have two 4.2V cells, can the other say 4.20104 (+0.02% +20d), and then right after the other says 4,19896V (-0.02% -20d).
Or is it so that with 4.2V, it always shows +0.015% and -9d, at least until the calibration drifts over time ?
(rough specs) BM869 BM867 Difference
Price (23% VAT) 205 € 145 € 60 €
Input Protection 1000V 600V 400V
AC Band 100kHz 1kHz (20kHz -3dB) 99kHz
Temperature Yes, Dual No
DC Volts 0.02-0.15% 2d 0.03-0.15% 2d 0.01%
AC Volts 0.35-1.5% 0.8-2.0% 0.45-0.5%
Hz range 20Hz - 100kHz 45Hz - 1kHz (20kHz) 25Hz & 99kHz
AC Curr 0.5-2.0% 50d 1.0% 40d 0.5%
Hz range 50Hz - 10kHz 50Hz - 1kHz 9kHz
Max current 20A / 30sec 15A / 30sec 5A
Ohms 0.07-2.0% 2-10d 0.1-2.0% 2-10d 0.03%
After owning my BM869 I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone in any field short of someone working where IP67 is needed or for explosive environments as it is not rated for these uses, but get a set of better leads or a probe kit from Fluke or Probemaster.
Interesting, the guy why reviewed 869 here http://www.ittsb.eu/brymen%20bm869.html (http://www.ittsb.eu/brymen%20bm869.html) actually liked the leads.IIRC, he was sent an upgraded set of test leads with the meter (they offer such options as an ODM for other companies).
Quoting:
"The BM869 comes with high quality test leads, better than the one found on the BM867 (non industrial version).
Rubberise feeling on the test leads, shrouded banana plugs, soft silicone on the cables, and the leads tips are convertible to:"
Another question (as I never had high quality leads myself): Which one would you recommend?
Fues access - i have a number of meters, and manage to blow one 10A fuse every few months or so. External access (via a battery/fuse cover) is a better bet than distrurbing the insides of the meter, and unscrewing those self-tappers-into-plastic, which are only good for a few times' use.
And the "I don't blow fuses, because I don't measure hight current" argument doesn't work for most people either - I tend to blow 10A fuses when I was INTENDING to measure voltage, while the meter leads were still plugged into the current socket... :palm:
I tend to blow 10A fuses when I was INTENDING to measure voltage, while the meter leads were still plugged into the current socket... :palm:
I did blew up couple 400mA fusesI've done this before as well, but for the same reason as LaurenceW (forgot to move the red banana from mA to V socket and went to measure voltage :palm: |O).
And the "I don't blow fuses, because I don't measure hight current" argument doesn't work for most people either - I tend to blow 10A fuses when I was INTENDING to measure voltage, while the meter leads were still plugged into the current socket... :palm:If you switched the rotary dial to read voltage but forgot the probes on current, definitely Gossens and Brymens will help - Gossens physically prevent switching to the wrong range, and Brymens beep frantically.
System + Motor – 3? phase rotation for motors and supply systemsfeature.
New Brymen BM230 series was released. http://brymen.eu/product-category/multimetry/ (http://brymen.eu/product-category/multimetry/)Oooh... a teardown of a 3-phase multimeter would be nice. Dave, can you ask for a sample from Brymen?
There isQuoteSystem + Motor – 3? phase rotation for motors and supply systemsfeature.
New Brymen BM230 series was released. http://brymen.eu/product-category/multimetry/ (http://brymen.eu/product-category/multimetry/)
There isQuoteSystem + Motor – 3? phase rotation for motors and supply systemsfeature.
There was an update. http://www.brymen.com.tw/product-html/index.html (http://www.brymen.com.tw/product-html/index.html)The marketing pdf showing the lcd contrast is not representative of the real thing. It looks almost like black ink on white paper.
BM230 and BM230R specifications are available.
There was an update. http://www.brymen.com.tw/product-html/index.html (http://www.brymen.com.tw/product-html/index.html)Whats that pull out thingy that comes out of the Top ?
BM230 and BM230R specifications are available.
edited> saw it , magnetic hanger?Yep. :)
edited> saw it , magnetic hanger?Yep. :)
BTW it's an option, not standard in the box. Same with their PC communication kits for meters that have that feature.
Why did Brymen remove the bargraph in BM230 series?? There was a bargraph in the older BM250 series. :--Hydrawerk, it is a product positioning issue: for a bargraph to be useful, it needs to update at a much faster rate than the display itself - thus increasing the complexity and the cost of the product. That, tied to the fact not everyone finds a bargraph essential, caters to a market segment that will find the BM23x prices more attractive.
Why did Brymen remove the bargraph in BM230 series?? There was a bargraph in the older BM250 series. :--Hydrawerk, it is a product positioning issue: for a bargraph to be useful, it needs to update at a much faster rate than the display itself - thus increasing the complexity and the cost of the product. That, tied to the fact not everyone finds a bargraph essential, caters to a market segment that will find the BM23x prices more attractive.
Was this an attempt to troll or be funny? :-//Nooooo not another analog digital discussionWhy did Brymen remove the bargraph in BM230 series?? There was a bargraph in the older BM250 series. :--Hydrawerk, it is a product positioning issue: for a bargraph to be useful, it needs to update at a much faster rate than the display itself - thus increasing the complexity and the cost of the product. That, tied to the fact not everyone finds a bargraph essential, caters to a market segment that will find the BM23x prices more attractive.
Neither on all 3 counts .Was this an attempt to troll or be funny? :-//Nooooo not another analog digital discussionWhy did Brymen remove the bargraph in BM230 series?? There was a bargraph in the older BM250 series. :--Hydrawerk, it is a product positioning issue: for a bargraph to be useful, it needs to update at a much faster rate than the display itself - thus increasing the complexity and the cost of the product. That, tied to the fact not everyone finds a bargraph essential, caters to a market segment that will find the BM23x prices more attractive.
Hydrawerk, it is a product positioning issue: for a bargraph to be useful, it needs to update at a much faster rate than the display itself - thus increasing the complexity and the cost of the product. That, tied to the fact not everyone finds a bargraph essential, caters to a market segment that will find the BM23x prices more attractive.
It's an ok meter, nothing great.Well, you can get a nice Keysight DMM for about twice the price of BM829S.
Wow that thing appears to really wash out bad. I tried various angles comparing the EEVBLOG rebranded BM235A and several other meters. None looked like yours. This is my BM869 laying flat and trying to get it so the light would not reflect on it. Sorry but it has that protective cover on it but at least gives some idea of the contrast.BM869s is more expensive than BM829S. There might be a better LCD.
Here are a few of the two Brymens side by side. Again, sorry about the plastic covers.
When I was making the review of the BM235A, it really was a wash for contrast with all the meters I compared it against. I don't think I have seen one as bad as what you are showing but to be honest, I normally am looking at them, not at such an angle.
To discover why Fluke is better will take 10 to 20 years
Fluke will still be on originals specs
I doubt Brymen will ( just in case the meter still works )
It's not fair to compare the two
To discover why Fluke is better will take 10 to 20 years
Fluke will still be on originals specs
I doubt Brymen will ( just in case the meter still works )
It's not fair to compare the two
To discover why Fluke is better will take 10 to 20 yearsI have a 2003-manufactured BM857 that I purchased New Old Stock in 2012 and it has seen a lot of action since then. Both its 50000 and 500000 count modes are well within its published specifications. 5 years of active use with 9 more since manufacturing (which was stored under unknown circumstances).
Fluke will still be on originals specs
I doubt Brymen will ( just in case the meter still works )
It's not fair to compare the two
To discover why Fluke is better will take 10 to 20 years
Fluke will still be on originals specs
I doubt Brymen will ( just in case the meter still works )
Frankly, after such a long time I would try to callibrate it, no matter what brand it is.