New Brymen BM2257 Multimeter

[EEVblog]

Are you planning a review of this multimeter ?
I'm quite interested in buying this instead of BM257s, but I want an expert opinion first.

Maybe eventually, but if I'm going to sell it, then doesn't make sense to do a review unitl I have it in the store.
I've been using it and I haven't found any issues. Worth the bit extra over the BM235 IMO.

[Furna]

Are you planning a review of this multimeter ?
I'm quite interested in buying this instead of BM257s, but I want an expert opinion first.

Maybe eventually, but if I'm going to sell it, then doesn't make sense to do a review unitl I have it in the store.
I've been using it and I haven't found any issues. Worth the bit extra over the BM235 IMO.

So now the question is: when do you think to make a choice to sell it or not?
Also are you aware when Brymen is releasing it on the market?
Thank you

[EEVblog]

Also are you aware when Brymen is releasing it on the market?

One supplier was supposed to have stock end of this month I think.

[xKertx]

tme.eu has 4pcs in stock.

[mihaip]

From your experience do you guys think that first batch of a Brymen multimeter can have issues and I would better wait a while (how long) to get the BM2257?

Also Dave, what chip do you think is that BTCS26A. I could not find any 102 pin chip that matches.

Regards
Mihai

[J-R]

From your experience do you guys think that first batch of a Brymen multimeter can have issues and I would better wait a while (how long) to get the BM2257?

Also Dave, what chip do you think is that BTCS26A. I could not find any 102 pin chip that matches.

Regards
Mihai

The BM78x had a few minor issues at release that were slowly fixed over time.  Personally, I bought one of the early BM789 units and it has a few known issues.  The only issue I was able to fix myself was to install the shield over the speaker.  The other issues are in firmware and it would cost too much to try to get it updated by a dealer.

While the BM2257 appears to be an evolution of the BM257, it may have some new issues that will take time for buyers to discover.  So if that is a concern for you, then it is probably better to wait as long as possible before buying it.

[EEVblog]

From your experience do you guys think that first batch of a Brymen multimeter can have issues and I would better wait a while (how long) to get the BM2257?
Also Dave, what chip do you think is that BTCS26A. I could not find any 102 pin chip that matches.

I still use an original batch BM235 meter that's has like a half dozen firmware updates since then and it's fine. The updates are usually obscure stuff that most people will never encounter.

Sorry, can't tell you what the chip is, I'm under NDA.

[EEVblog]

FYI, I've ordered the BM2257 under my branding. Not sure if I'll continue to offer the BM235 long term as a result, but I still have a lot of stock left.

[J-R]

People will probably always be looking for both the BM235 and the BM2257, depending on what they do frequently.  There are quite a few differences.

[EEVblog]

People will probably always be looking for both the BM235 and the BM2257, depending on what they do frequently.  There are quite a few differences.

Exactly the same size and shape, the BM2257 just has some extra features. So apart from a relatively small cost difference, the BM2257 looks better in every regard.

[xKertx]

Got it!
Orange backlight is very nice, as is the very fine bargraph.

What about the viewing angle of the screen?
The 235 had contrast issues when viewed at angles. Have they improved that?
And are the digits the same size on both models? To my eyes the digits on 2257 looks slightly smaller on the photo.

[mihaip]

Can I update the Firmware myself on BM2257? Does Brymen publish fw updates?
I'm quite skilled with computers so it wouldn't be a problem for me.

[rsjsouza]

People will probably always be looking for both the BM235 and the BM2257, depending on what they do frequently.  There are quite a few differences.

Exactly the same size and shape, the BM2257 just has some extra features. So apart from a relatively small cost difference, the BM2257 looks better in every regard.

Being top of its range of general purpose compact meters, that is a meter that has very little compromises and it is the one to have IMO.

[Furna]

People will probably always be looking for both the BM235 and the BM2257, depending on what they do frequently.  There are quite a few differences.

Exactly the same size and shape, the BM2257 just has some extra features. So apart from a relatively small cost difference, the BM2257 looks better in every regard.

Being top of its range of general purpose compact meters, that is a meter that has very little compromises and it is the one to have IMO.

in blue

[EEVblog]

Got it!
Orange backlight is very nice, as is the very fine bargraph.

What about the viewing angle of the screen?
The 235 had contrast issues when viewed at angles. Have they improved that?
And are the digits the same size on both models? To my eyes the digits on 2257 looks slightly smaller on the photo.

Same 20mm digits.
Slightly less viewing angle above than one BM235 I tried, not very noticable.

[EEVblog]

Can I update the Firmware myself on BM2257? Does Brymen publish fw updates?
I'm quite skilled with computers so it wouldn't be a problem for me.

No, you can't. Only dealers can update the firmware.

[mihaip]

I still use an original batch BM235 meter that's has like a half dozen firmware updates since then and it's fine. The updates are usually obscure stuff that most people will never encounter.

Bummer that I can't update fw myself.
So how did you update the firmware of your BM235 if only the dealer can do it?

How are normal people like me update the firmware if there is something serious? Are they sending the meter back to the dealer?

Thanks all again for all your feedback !

[mihaip]

One more question: it seems it does not work well with Eneloops. BM2257 Low battery triggers at 2.5V, while BM257 at 2.3V. BM235 also 2.5V, so BM2257 would behave about the same as BM235 with Eneloops.

Any comments about this?

[EEVblog]

So how did you update the firmware of your BM235 if only the dealer can do it?

The BM235 is an older design with an OTP ROM, it can't be upgraded.

How are normal people like me update the firmware if there is something serious? Are they sending the meter back to the dealer?

Basically, you don't. No differen to countless other multimeters that have fixed firmware.

[Furna]

So how did you update the firmware of your BM235 if only the dealer can do it?

The BM235 is an older design with an OTP ROM, it can't be upgraded.

How are normal people like me update the firmware if there is something serious? Are they sending the meter back to the dealer?

Basically, you don't. No differen to countless other multimeters that have fixed firmware.

I can see more and more (young) people thinking fixed firmware is not accpetable.
@mihaip there are scenarios where a fixed firmware is the right choice. for a multimeter is a matter of where/what situation you use it

[rsjsouza]

So how did you update the firmware of your BM235 if only the dealer can do it?

The BM235 is an older design with an OTP ROM, it can't be upgraded.

How are normal people like me update the firmware if there is something serious? Are they sending the meter back to the dealer?

Basically, you don't. No differen to countless other multimeters that have fixed firmware.

I can see more and more (young) people thinking fixed firmware is not accpetable.
@mihaip there are scenarios where a fixed firmware is the right choice. for a multimeter is a matter of where/what situation you use it

Indeed. Especially if the hardware goes through revisions, which can be hard to track especially years after the initial releases.

[EEVblog]

I can see more and more (young) people thinking fixed firmware is not accpetable.
@mihaip there are scenarios where a fixed firmware is the right choice. for a multimeter is a matter of where/what situation you use it

Presumably that's why Brymen don't want to make it publicly available or even reference it's possible.
What percentage of multimeters on the market have publicly upgradable firmware? It's probably only a handful of meters.

[EEVblog]

Just got an email from Brymen saying the BM2257 uses an OTP ROM like the BM235.
So the programming port must just be for assembled PCB programming. Makes sense because the BM78x uses a header accessable through the battery compartment, but the BM2257 is internal.

[AVGresponding]

I can see more and more (young) people thinking fixed firmware is not accpetable.
@mihaip there are scenarios where a fixed firmware is the right choice. for a multimeter is a matter of where/what situation you use it

Presumably that's why Brymen don't want to make it publicly available or even reference it's possible.
What percentage of multimeters on the market have publicly upgradable firmware? It's probably only a handful of meters.

I can't imagine any do, that have (genuine) CAT ratings. Happy to be proved wrong though

[EEVblog]

What percentage of multimeters on the market have publicly upgradable firmware? It's probably only a handful of meters.

I can't imagine any do, that have (genuine) CAT ratings. Happy to be proved wrong though

My 121GW does, UL listing.
Fluke 289
I forgot the BM869s does
Keysight U1272A
Uni-T 181A

Basically only the high end high feature packed ones that have USB or SD card interfaces that make it easy.
I don't know of any low or mid range meters that do and rely on a factory micro programmer header.