Brymen BM869s price from the USA

[graybeard]

I went to buy a Brymen BM869s multimeter from the USA yesterday.  I first went to the TME site where many had bought it and discovered that they have raised the price to $307.42.

So I searched around and found the Welectron site where it was priced at 184.03 € & the USB adapter at 33.53 €.  adding the 9 € 3-day shipping the total was 227.55 €.   After the currency conversion my US credit card was billed $244.92.

If you are in the US and looking to buy a BM869s I would look at Welectron before TME.

Chris

P.S.  Brymen should be giving Joe Smith commissions!

[joeqsmith]

This must have been a very recent increase as a friend of mine was just asking about buying a new meter a couple of months ago. I checked TME and they were still in that $230 range.  They ended up buying theirs from TME and didn't mention an increase. 

[mwb1100]

And don't forget to email welectron for an EEVBlog discount code.

I hope TME's increases aren't on the way to welectron...

[J-R]

It's BrymEn, not BrymAn.

Welectron has been the best source of Brymen gear for US shoppers for many years IMHO, as I've mentioned here before.  Because they are in Germany, they are also able to get government subsidized shipping via DHL on many products.

The Euro/USD exchange rate impacts pricing on our side, and also I do believe foreign sellers like Welectron monitor that as well and adjust pricing to either remain competitive in our market or to maximize profit, if they so desire.

The 5% discount only applies to certain items, just be aware of that.

Welectron has already increased prices over the past few months.

[achugh]

Is BM869 still the best multi-meter for hobby work?

Comparing BM789 and BM869 which one is better? BM869 is $40 roughly more. What does that get you?

[EEVblog]

Comparing BM789 and BM869 which one is better? BM869 is $40 roughly more. What does that get you?

Extra 5.5 digit resolution range on DCV, dual display and some other stuff.
The thing I don't like about the BM869 is the size, it's huge, almost too big for daily lab bench use IMO, it tends to get in the way.

[coromonadalix]

and wobble on the bench with one hand rotating the dial

[Shock]

If you explore most of the features and learn measurement and troubleshooting the 869s is worth paying extra for (in my opinion).

For just tinkering, basic repairs and soldering a few circuits together you need very little. But there is an educational aspect to the advanced features and also "buy once" mentality, so the money would only be wasted if you did nothing with the meter.

[trackersoft]

My son got me one for Christmas (VERY nice gift!!) from Welectron and I love it! Replaced/Supplemented some very old Flukes and I can say that it will be my go to handheld. It is big but the display is wonderful!

[J-R]

It's probably best to watch a few review videos of the BM789 and BM869s to really internalize the differences for the tasks you have planned.

I don't think the size difference matters too much in reality.  Both are plenty tippy for bench use, which honestly any handheld can be knocked over easily enough.

Besides the items already mentioned, some big differences in my mind are that the BM869s has the computer interface option.  The BM789 has LoZ and it's easier to swap batteries since you don't have to take the "rubber baby buggy bumper" off.

The 500k count DCV mode on the BM869s is a mixed bag.  Best accuracy is found at the lower ends of each range, such as 1V or 10V.

[EEVblog]

Besides the items already mentioned, some big differences in my mind are that the BM869s has the computer interface option.  r 10V.

The new BM2257 has the same seiral interface option and is small.

[SmokedComponent]

I happen to have both meters (BM789 and BM869s).
They're both great, but I recommend getting the BM789 just because 869s, like Dave already said, is HUGE.
That's the only reason I use the 789 more than 869.

869s uses 9V battery with old-school clip and you need to "peel" the rubber jacket to access it.
789 battery solution (3xAAA) is much better and it works well with rechargeable Ni-MHs.
869s has 500000 count resolution on DCV but doesn't really have accuracy of a proper 5.5 digit benchtop so it is of limited use.
869s has dual displays (bigger and smaller digits) which is useful, for example min/max/avg, DC+AC, dual thermocouple probes (789 also supports two thermocouples but you need to press button to switch).
Both meters have 100kHz AC bandwidth which I found helpful for identifying some problems earlier, potentially. I spotted misbehaving opamps and excessive ripple on switchers before even hooking up an oscilloscope (not that 100kHz is much, still, better than your average DMM).
Also, 869s' beeper is LOUD  . Almost too loud. Might be useful in workshop environment though.
Both meters have decent continuity tester. 789 flashes backlight on continuity and emits short beep on successful diode drop test (and beeps continously on short), 869s doesn't do any of that.