Dave's Multimeter Reviews

[Dave Turner]

Given that there are there a number of threads for multimeter reviews, breakdowns etc. I've posted a new topic and hope that the reason for it will it will be understood. As usual apologies if this has been done before and I've just missed it.

Note that I live in the UK so with VAT and GBP as opposed to USD, AUSD, Euros etc. and the disparity with base prices, tax postage and import duties round the world; comparing actual final prices to the purchaser are tricky.

Dave's done the $50 review, there's been talk of the $100 dollar review and teardowns of higher ended fkukes etc.

Here's my problem: I need to replace some older non auto-ranging DVMs. They are fine for low wattage circuits and with knowledge and care will measure low amperage 240v AC with reasonable safety but they don't have the input protection and accuracy that I would prefer. Incidentally my favorite meter is a 30 year old TMK analogue meter which will remain.

I don't have the budget for Flukes but can stretch to GBP250 including VAT at 20%. Ideally I'd like 2 meters. Say one such as the Extech EX330 that Dave recommended and the rest of the budget for a midrange meter, possibly the Brymen 869 even though that requires importing to the UK. 

Unfortunately my specs lie outside the cost parameters that Dave has reasonably set for his reviews.

So I'm interested in this forums suggestions for 2 new meters, for which comments will be appreciated.

[Maturola]

I was in a similar situation with similar requirements, so as you said I got the EX330.. and was looking for a midrange meter. SO i have my eye on the B&K Precision 2709B, i had used that at work and I really like it, it perform as well as the flukes I have around and of course is price closer to the budget I had.

I also end up getting the Uni-t UT61E since I found it on sale for $45USD.

I personally recommend both.

[PedroDaGr8]

I'd do the brymen 869 which is available at TME.eu for GBP151.52 (which I guess would be $182 after 20% VAT, I'm a yank so not quite sure how that VAT works).

That leaves you 70 to work with. From there I would go with the Uni-T UT61E at GBP37 (with free shipping) from Frankie (iloveelectronics on this forum, his ebay store is 99centhobbies.com).

Under budget and good to go. You have one super safe meter with great specs (safer than the best fluke) and another meter which is competent and should fully suffice as a second meter.

[Lightages]

I have a different view on this. The BM869 is overkill for most hobbyists. The BM 829 is around GBP144 after VAT, and a BM257 is around GBP84 after VAT. The PC cables for these are around GBP24 and GBP34 after VAT respectively.

So I would probably get two BM257s and their PC cables, if I wanted to do logging at any time.

If not, I would get the BM829 and a BM257 and maybe get the PC cable for the BM257 as an option.

I have a BM257, BM525, and a BM869. The handiest and most used for many things is the BM257.

[Zad]

Why not something like a Fluke 17B off Ebay? £72 with free postage.

Are you doing something that needs >4000 count resolution? If better than usual resolution and accuracy are needed then a bench meter might be better for those jobs.

[Lightages]

I don't think that the Fluke 17B is a great value and it certainly doesn't come even close to providing the same feature set of the BM257. The BM257 also allows for the possibility of a PC connection.

[nctnico]

I'm in a similar situation. My trusty old (nearly 25 years) handheld DMM got really worse (bad contacts in the selector switch). I'm thinking about buying an Agilent U1241B which is quite affordable (around €200). I'd like to have at least one A-brand multimeter which I can trust to use on mains and other high voltage stuff.

[Lightages]

I really look like a Brymen fanboy now but I assure you that the Brymen BM86X, BM82X, and the BM52X are all very well built and have some of the best input protection there is. CATIV/1000 is as high as it gets and these meters are the only ones, maybe there is another now, that are rated and third party tested for this CAT rating. Brymen makes meters for Amprobe, Extech, Greenlee, and some other re-brands.

The BM869 is only €180 from tme.eu and is their top of the line meter.
http://www.tme.eu/en/details/bm869/portable-digital-multimeters/brymen/#

Or if you want to forgo the ultimate accuracy, the BM525 has basically the same accuracy specs as the U1242B, but will do internal logging at 20x per second to 87000 points and has other useful features not found on the U1242B. It costs €157 plus €39 for the data cable. This is a big feature set for €196.

Just look for information on Brymen on this forum, and on Martin Lorton's site, and on youtube. It is not just my opinion.

[nathanpc]

A while ago Martin made a great review on a surprisingly accurate (and functional) DMM for its price:


I'm thinking about grabbing one for simple, quick, measurements and let my Fluke 87 and my Agilent U1242B for the stuff where the accuracy/resolution is extremely important.

[Dave Turner]

The BM869 interests me particularly because of the extra precision. The only issue for me is that they have to be imported into the UK from outside the European Union (Poland), never mind outside the UK. I prefer to deal with vendors in the UK as it's more convenient and I don't have to pay for converting GBP to whatever currency is required.

Does anyone know if the BM869 has been sold under another brand?

Thank you all for your comments so far.

[mtdoc]

A while ago Martin made a great review on a surprisingly accurate (and functional) DMM for its price:

I've had one of those Tekpower meters for a few years now. I also have a Fluke 87V and a Brymen 257.  For its 6000 counts the Tekpower reads the same as those for DC volt/amps and resistance.  AC readings are slightly off but within spec (non RMS).  It's a great value. Data logging works great as well.

[PedroDaGr8]

The BM869 interests me particularly because of the extra precision. The only issue for me is that they have to be imported into the UK from outside the European Union (Poland), never mind outside the UK. I prefer to deal with vendors in the UK as it's more convenient and I don't have to pay for converting GBP to whatever currency is required.

Does anyone know if the BM869 has been sold under another brand?

Thank you all for your comments so far.

Yes but at a price that way blows your budget. IIRC is also resold as the Greenlee DM-860A.

[G7PSK]

The BM869 interests me particularly because of the extra precision. The only issue for me is that they have to be imported into the UK from outside the European Union (Poland), never mind outside the UK. I prefer to deal with vendors in the UK as it's more convenient and I don't have to pay for converting GBP to whatever currency is required.

Does anyone know if the BM869 has been sold under another brand?

Thank you all for your comments so far.

Last I heard Poland was now in the EU with most of the Polish population living in east anglia rather than Poland now, only joking about that last bit. 

[Gromitt]

The only issue for me is that they have to be imported into the UK from outside the European Union (Poland), ...

Ehh... Poland has been an EU member since 2004.

/stefan

[Dave Pye]

My Grandad never had Fluke's. No such things as DMM's in those days. Analogue meters, not a chance. He used to lick his thumb and forefinger for his measurements. He died when I was young.

[Wytnucls]

The Brymen BM 869 bought through T.E.M costs GBP 151.90 + GBP 5.00 UPS delivery + GBP 31.40 (20% VAT) = GBP 188.30
If you want datalogging, add another GBP 39.40, taking the total to GBP 227.70.

[Dave Turner]

Doh! Of course you're right  Poland is in the EU, brain fade.