Products > Test Equipment

BM786 or 121GW

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awesomechapro:
Looking to buy myself a new multimeter, should I get a BM786 or a 121GW? Which multimeter do you prefer and why?

J-R:
There probably is not a lot of interest in this topic since it's something that comes up a lot.  You should do more research on each model, and provide us with some reasons why you selected those two for consideration.  What do you need the DMM for??

They are quite different products.  So there are good reasons to get both.

Some talking points where they trade blows:
121GW - long battery life, Bluetooth, many unique features, somewhat slow, accuracy is not amazing
BM786 - mediocre battery life, no connectivity option, typical feature set (BM789 is better), reasonably fast, good accuracy

BILLPOD:
Good Morning Awesomechapro, I've got quite a collection of DMMs, but my 121GW has more
programmable features than any of the others.   My favorite is the one I call:  'inverse continuity beep', it will beep when continuity is broken.  I've found many bad cables by attaching the leads to each end of the suspected cable and then manipulating/massaging the entire length.  If the meter beeps, there is a break in continuity.  I also love the ability to record data quickly, without having to go through a lengthy set up routine.   The Micro SD card is a pain to get to, but it works very well.  Also the Bluetooth is very handy.  There's lots to love with the 121GW, and you won't regret purchasing it. :-DMM

Doctorandus_P:
121GW has by far the most functions. If the official firmware would have been open sourced I would have bought one. For example to put in some custom algorithms for sensors or even to fix bugs (It was quite new when I thought of buying it)

But a few years ago I thought a lot about what was the most important for me, and I decided it was accuracy, reliability and stability, and I bought the BM869s.

Data output was also a must for me, but the optical output of the Brymen is adequate. I would have liked a benchtop meter, but those are out of my price range, and they are also to big (Especially in depth, big empty boxes these days).

So as a result, I can build small and cheap specialized meters, calibrate them with my Brymen and then start measuring and logging.

But overall, the feature set of the 121GW  puts it pretty much in a class of it's own, if it's feature set appeals to you, then buy it. If it does not, then get another meter.


EEVblog:
Added some extra in bold:


--- Quote from: J-R on December 04, 2024, 03:59:18 am ---Some talking points where they trade blows:
121GW - long battery life, Bluetooth, many unique features, somewhat slow, accuracy is not amazing, dual display, lowZ, physically smaller, smaller digits, SD card data logging, 15V zener, VA, lower burden
BM786 - mediocre battery life, no connectivity option, typical feature set (BM789 is better), reasonably fast, good accuracyphysically larger and tougher, higher CAT rating, bigger digits

--- End quote ---

IMO the 786 is better for field use, or if you simply value a larger display.
Maybe also consider the new BM2257 coming soon.

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