New Brymen BM2257 Multimeter

[5U4GB]

An alternative you can use, at the cost of slightly shorter times between recharges, is LiFePO4 batteries instead of NiMH.  This requires battery compartments which use cells in multiples of 2, since you're putting a LiFePO4 in series with an empty head (battery spacer that doesn't do anything), with the total having a combined voltage of the LiFePO4's 3.2V, equivalent to two fresh nominal-1.5V cells.

The other slight problem is that most standard chargers won't charge them, you'd need something like an MC3000 and even then it's not one of the standard charge programs.

[EEVblog]

FYI I split out the BM235 display lag/pause issue here:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/brymen-bm235-multimeter-display-lagpause/

[eematt]

What does it look like without the backlight on?  Just a white LCD?
Are they able to offer it with the paper-white backlight or just the amber?

Same transflective sceen as the BM235. BM235 is slightly better at higher angles.
Haven't asked about backlight.

Hi Dave, thank you for sponsoring this meter as it checks a lot of boxes in a great form factor!

Regarding the backlight color, I personally view the orange backlight as jarring and almost cringey with the EEV blue and remaining monochromatic hue of the meter with the black body, gray buttons, and white silkscreening.  I appreciate that: everyone has their own personal perspective, the orange might offer better contrast, and that white LEDs need more voltage to drive than orange.  However, I suspect the majority of potential buyers would prefer a white backlight as it tends to present cleaner and more modern than legacy colors, the potential extra amount of contrast is insignificant, and driving a white backlight is possible with two AAAs as it’s EEV predecessor ( BM235 ) does exactly that.

I am curious to know if you are planning on keeping the orange backlight?  Or are you open to the idea of investigating a white backlight, or have existing plans to change the backlight color?

For the potential future EEV store multimeter model lineup, I recommend not offering both the BM235 and BM2257. The BM2257 is essentially just a better BM235 minus some insignificant details not relevant the target buyer pool.  And, the price point is only marginally more making it the clear choice regardless of budget allowance.

Thanks, long time viewer ( ~14 years ), first time poster.
Matt

[EEVblog]

Welcome.

Regarding the backlight color, I personally view the orange backlight as jarring and almost cringey with the EEV blue and remaining monochromatic hue of the meter with the black body, gray buttons, and white silkscreening.  I appreciate that: everyone has their own personal perspective, the orange might offer better contrast, and that white LEDs need more voltage to drive than orange.  However, I suspect the majority of potential buyers would prefer a white backlight as it tends to present cleaner and more modern than legacy colors, the potential extra amount of contrast is insignificant, and driving a white backlight is possible with two AAAs as it’s EEV predecessor ( BM235 ) does exactly that.

You are the only one who has complained about it that I know of.

I am curious to know if you are planning on keeping the orange backlight? 

Yes.

Or are you open to the idea of investigating a white backlight, or have existing plans to change the backlight color?

No, I like the orange.

For the potential future EEV store multimeter model lineup, I recommend not offering both the BM235 and BM2257. The BM2257 is essentially just a better BM235 minus some insignificant details not relevant the target buyer pool.  And, the price point is only marginally more making it the clear choice regardless of budget allowance.

If people keep buying it I'll keep selling it.

[J-R]

I mentioned on page 1 of this thread that I also prefer white or the blue-tinted white along with the EEVblog blue color, as well as that the BM2257 is based on the BM257, and the BM2251 the BM251.  So not the BM235.  They've also released the BM2800CSE series (CAT and shielded enhanced), which appears to be an updated version of the BM800s line.

Who knows why Brymen selects one color over the other.  The BM805s & BM806s have white, while the BM807s is orange, and the BM2800CSE series are all orange.

Furthermore, the BM251 has a white backlight while the BM2251 has orange.  Perhaps orange is the new white.

There were some Brymen-red BM2257 units available a while back, but I haven't seen any lately other than from Telonic, but they don't ship to the US.

[bdunham7]

If people keep buying it I'll keep selling it.

That is Fluke's entire marketing plan!

[EEVblog]

If people keep buying it I'll keep selling it.

That is Fluke's entire marketing plan!

It works.

[EEVblog]

Furthermore, the BM251 has a white backlight while the BM2251 has orange.  Perhaps orange is the new white.

That would be my guess, they prefer orange for new models for some reason.
Companies change colour all the time, like the recent black trend from the big test equipment makers.
There is a new model Brymen that I'll be carrying soon, I don't know what colour it has yet, will be interesting to see.

[rsjsouza]

I have a Greenlee DM-200A (BM251 equivalent) and its orange color suits well its display.

Since everyone has opinions, I personally prefer the orange to white - to me it is easier on the eye, but perhaps my opinion might be skewed by the plethora of white backlights on the cheaper models these days. Perhaps that is why Brymen is moving away from pure white - distance from the flooded market.

[TomKatt]

I'm too lazy to look - does this new meter have the flashing continuity?

I've got a Greenlee DM820A (rebranded BM869s?) that is a fantastic meter, but I much prefer the continuity on Dave's BM235...  It's just so easy to see the display in a loud production floor environment.

Also, I do prefer orange to white.  I'm not a fan of blue led's no matter what temp you call them.

EDIT - got off my butt and looked lol.  Yup, has 'BeepLit' technology lol.  Looks like a nice meter. 

[mwb1100]

White, orange, whatever.  I just want the backlight to last more than 30 seconds.  2 minutes is good, more is better.

There is a new model Brymen that I'll be carrying soon

Oh no!  I'm trying to cut back!

I don't know what colour it has yet, will be interesting to see.

If it's not blue, eevblog will explode!

[TomKatt]

[ Specified attachment is not available ]

There is a new model Brymen that I'll be carrying soon

Oh no!  I'm trying to cut back!

LOL - I Googled BM2257 and the 2nd result is the EEVblog forum discussion on the meter and the 3rd result is Dave's store listing for it...  I didn't realize he was selling these already.  I live under a rock - the temperature and humidity are constant year round 

Edit - moved to 1st and 2nd place,... Google must be user specific?  Damn privacy invading cookies!

[ Specified attachment is not available ]

[AVGresponding]

I have a Greenlee DM-200A (BM251 equivalent) and its orange color suits well its display.

Since everyone has opinions, I personally prefer the orange to white - to me it is easier on the eye, but perhaps my opinion might be skewed by the plethora of white backlights on the cheaper models these days. Perhaps that is why Brymen is moving away from pure white - distance from the flooded market.

Either that, or copying Keyshite

[Sebekh]

Dave can you tell me more about the new brymen multimeters. I wish they would add the 2257 features to my favorite bm857s. The 86x 82x 83x series is too big for me

[TomKatt]

The data sheet and manual are posted on the bottom of Dave’s store page…

https://eevblog.store/products/eevblog-bm2257-multimeter?srsltid=AfmBOooVrrpdOzbQPKy9aR6gUWLshmoVVCP7ufXZ2pk77JaGvTKEpg3W

[EEVblog]

Dave can you tell me more about the new brymen multimeters.

I'm not sure if they want me to say anything, but it's been something long promised.

[Sebekh]

Dave, can you at least tell us when we can expect some news?

[EEVblog]

Dave, can you at least tell us when we can expect some news?

I've asked them that and they haven't replied yet.
The pre-release unit is on the way to me now.

[5U4GB]

Was going to ask the same thing, I've been sitting on the fence about getting a 2257 but wondering whether I should wait.  Are you allowed to reveal whether it'll be around the same price as the 2257?

[EEVblog]

Was going to ask the same thing, I've been sitting on the fence about getting a 2257 but wondering whether I should wait.  Are you allowed to reveal whether it'll be around the same price as the 2257?

More expensive than the 121GW actually, unless I eat some of the margin.

[VitalyCo]

More expensive than the 121GW actually, unless I eat some of the margin.

Hopefully Ni-MH will be considered a first class citizen in this model.

[EEVblog]

Hopefully Ni-MH will be considered a first class citizen in this model.

It will be no different to the 786.

[mwb1100]

More expensive than the 121GW actually, unless I eat some of the margin.

Just to alleviate any concern you might have, we don't mind if you want to eat some margin.   

[Sebekh]

Hi Dave I have a request could you compare the crest function in 2257 with another bm7xx or bm8xx and present it on YouTube I think it will be interesting I think brymen is the only one that has this function. And the question is did the new multimeter arrive?

[J-R]

Not sure if it was stated specifically previously, but the BM2257 PCB has markings for: 2251, 2253, 2255, 2256, 2257 & 2258.  Byrmen currently only has the BM2251 and BM2257 listed in their datasheet.