| Products > Test Equipment |
| BM235 vs BM867s |
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| robdejonge:
For some more on-point arguments, it was recommended to me that I post this question here. A decade ago I bought a $5 multimeter to keep around for occasional use like checking a battery voltage or how fast a phone was charging. A few years ago I bought a 40,000 count multimeter for ~$60. I had started getting into electronics a bit. Low voltage stuff, mostly surrounding home automation and other simple circuits. The occasional more challenging gig. The meter still measures within spec, but I’ve noticed odd behavior. Mechanical issues perhaps. Now, I'm in the market for a 'proper' multimeter. My initial selection thoughts: * No need for it to be yellow for reasons Dave made a video about * Reliable manufacturer * Long-term reliable seller * No more than €150 * Comfortable to stick the leads into mains * 6000-60000 count * Voltage, current, frequency, resistance, capacitance, diode, continuity * Temperature is *not* important to me I decided on Brymen. Their meters get great reviews, they seem to build quality products and I'm able to buy them through some reliable sellers in Europe when I visit there this summer. I'm now trying to decide between the BM235 and the BM867s; for the extra €60 I'd get: * An extra digit that I know I don't really need, but might be a 'nice to have' feature to, for example, see gradual changes in battery voltage or something like that * Dual display that I've never had and so don't really know how useful it is. Comments have been made that I could just as easily add a second meter for the second parameter. * 'Analog' type bar graph is a feature I could see being useful. I'm just not sure how to quantify how valuable exactly. * Data logging is a feature I would really like. I've read however that Brymen data is really weird, so I'm wondering if I'll be able to get it working on a Linux machine without having to write software myself. * I *think* it can detect one-of pulses better? That could be useful. * Duty cycle seems useful if it can be measured without having to set up my scope. * I really like all the whitespace on the meter display, for some reason * Neither nS or dBm, or LoZ are things I've ever needed. The meter will land on a hobby bench that has an oscilloscope, bench power supplies, other cheaper multimeters, logic analyser, soldering gear, etc. that is all used by a curious but decidedly ignorant individual. I am by no means qualified to be using any of this stuff, just like learning. Most of what I do is home automation stuff, plus the odd repair around the house. I'm curious what arguments you all would offer up in deciding between these meters. |
| Fungus:
--- Quote from: robdejonge on April 05, 2023, 05:34:52 am ---I'm curious what arguments you all would offer up in deciding between these meters. --- End quote --- Me? I'd get an "industrial" BM857s. They're square and chunky. I like that. They're also quite a lot smaller than those massive curvy ones (literally half as thick... probably 1/3 of the volume of the 867s). Also: The dial is simpler - less function overload on the ranges. The only thing I really need to switch is resistance/continuity. Beware that the pic on the Brymen web site is wrong, it shows the 859s which has temperature where the 857s puts the diode function. It has the 500000 count mode and bar graph, etc. It's not dual display but I can switch between values with a button press (eg. press the Hz button to see frequency of an AC signal). --- Quote from: robdejonge on April 05, 2023, 05:34:52 am --- * Dual display that I've never had and so don't really know how useful it is. Comments have been made that I could just as easily add a second meter for the second parameter. * 'Analog' type bar graph is a feature I could see being useful. I'm just not sure how to quantify how valuable exactly. * Data logging is a feature I would really like. I've read however that Brymen data is really weird, so I'm wondering if I'll be able to get it working on a Linux machine without having to write software myself. * I *think* it can detect one-of pulses better? That could be useful. * Duty cycle seems useful if it can be measured without having to set up my scope. * I really like all the whitespace on the meter display, for some reason * Neither nS or dBm, or LoZ are things I've ever needed. I'm curious what arguments you all would offer up in deciding between these meters. --- End quote --- Bar graph is useful. Dual display? I'm never sure. It's OK when you're actually using it but otherwise it's just clutter. Me? I wouldn't use it much so that's why I go for the 857. Brymen protocol is discussed here: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/brymen-ir-connection-protocol-anyone-sniffed-it-yet/msg208747/#msg208747 The 235 is a good meter but it has a lot less counts and no bar graph. To me it seems more like an electrician/workshop meter than en engineering meter. It also does a lot of things I'd never use like LoZ and VFD. All those functions clutter up the dial. Bottom line: I guess I'm a low-clutter person. I don't see the point in having lots of extras that I'll never use but are constantly distracting me. |
| sonpul:
My opinion is this. If the wonderful BM859s do not suit you, do not torture yourself with doubts. Buy BM869s. Let him know everything. Don't trade for the BM867. I saw that you are unsure about many of the functions listed. Let me remind you once again about the BM789. It is very compact, thin, comfortable in the hand and not bulky on the table. Knows a lot. |
| 2N3055:
Temperature measurement is useful. Also with two probes for a measuring of temperature difference between 2 points. And so is Lo-Z. For those occasional moments where you measure mains it is very useful.. Dual screen? It depends.. Measuring 2 things at the same time can be useful. Not necessary but useful. Also I would take a look at BM257... |
| mwb1100:
--- Quote from: robdejonge on April 05, 2023, 05:34:52 am --- * Data logging is a feature I would really like. I've read however that Brymen data is really weird, so I'm wondering if I'll be able to get it working on a Linux machine without having to write software myself. --- End quote --- EEVblog user HJK has written a logging program that supports a wide range of meters, including the BM867s. The software supports Linux, Windows, and Mac (it's written in Java). - https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/program-that-can-log-from-many-multimeters/ - https://lygte-info.dk/project/TestControllerIntro%20UK.html If you look at the eevblog thread you will see that HJK actively supports the program. Disclaimer: I have never actually used the program, but have no reason to believe it doesn't do what HJK says it does. |
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