Differences Between Brymen BM-257 and BM-829

[P90]

And just for the record, I'm not complying, just stating my observations. I realize that most multimeters aren't going to measure up (haha, measure, LOL pun) to a Fluke, and I accept that. 

[Lightages]

I don't find the autoranging that slow, as Franky has pointed out. I think this is down to personal taste. This is with my BM525.

[P90]

I don't find the autoranging that slow, as Franky has pointed out. I think this is down to personal taste. This is with my BM525.

I understand. Lets just say it's not my slowest meter, but not the fastest. I guess my expectations were higher after reading all the rave reviews for Brymen multimeters. Perhaps most reviewers are moving up from cheaper meters, and are not Fluke meter owners, so they are not used to performance.

[Yago]

Is there any particular range or value that you are checking?
Just checked Volts with 1.4v cell and settle time was about 1 sec (BM857S).

[P90]

Is there any particular range or value that you are checking?
Just checked Volts with 1.4v cell and settle time was about 1 sec (BM857S).

Check a resistor on auto range...

[Yago]

About 1.5 seconds with 120Ohm resistor.

[unbiased]

How "slow" is slow? Maybe there is more difference than just the colour of the holsters between these 2009 Greenlee's and the Brymen BM-829.

Here are some pictures of the insides of my Greenlee DM-830A that I bought. Maybe someone can show the insides of the Brymen BM-829 (or BM-829S) to compare.  Since the max upload filesize for pictures is limited, I have to post the pics in separate posts.  Here is the first set of pics:

[unbiased]

Here are some pictures of the insides of my Greenlee DM-830A that I bought. Maybe someone can show the insides of the Brymen BM-829 (or BM-829S) to compare.  Since the max upload filesize for pictures is limited, I have to post the pics in separate posts.  Here is the 2nd set of pics:

[P90]

About 1.5 seconds with 120Ohm resistor.

I just checked again with a 220ohm resister, and it's definitely closer to 2.5 seconds - seems like an eternity...     

Oh well, it is what it is...

Again, I wasn't expecting Fluke quality from an Asian import...

[unbiased]

Here are some pictures of the insides of my Greenlee DM-830A that I bought. Maybe someone can show the insides of the Brymen BM-829 (or BM-829S) to compare.  Since the max upload filesize for pictures is limited, I have to post the pics in separate posts.  Here is the last of the 5 total pics:

[unbiased]

About 1.5 seconds with 120Ohm resistor.

I just checked again with a 220ohm resister, and it's definitely closer to 2.5 seconds - seems like an eternity...     

Oh well, it is what it is...

Again, I wasn't expecting Fluke quality from an Asian import...

I just tried measuring resistors on the ohms auto-range on my DM-830A and it is quick at about 1 second average to show the value of a 50 ohm resistor.
It seems just as fast or faster when measuring a 3.6K resistor. 

Did you try checking to make sure your maybe the 9v battery that came with it is old and weak?  Otherwise, maybe you got a bum meter.  I don't find it that slow.  It seems to me that it is a top notch quality meter easily equal to the flukes and especially at the price we got it for ($150.00 USD)!

[unbiased]

I also just checked my Brymen BM-869S meter and the ohms auto range mode measuring 50, 3.6K and 4.7M ohm resisters is also pretty quick at just a bit under 1 second to 1 second. It is fast enough for me.

[P90]

I also just checked my Brymen BM-869S meter and the ohms auto range mode measuring 50, 3.6K and 4.7M ohm resisters is also pretty quick at just a bit under 1 second to 1 second. It is fast enough for me.

I replaced the battery first thing. Not that that should make a difference. The 869 is faster.

[unbiased]

Here are some pictures of the insides of my Greenlee DM-830A that I bought. Maybe someone can show the insides of the Brymen BM-829 (or BM-829S) to compare.  Since the max upload filesize for pictures is limited, I have to post the pics in separate posts.  Here is the 2nd set of pics:

One thing I notice on this DM-830A daughter board is that it has two infrared LED's installed on it instead of just one like many other meters.  I take that to mean that it has a two way communications interface for when you use the USB attachment for running the PC software...?
You can see the two LED's mounted on the previous picture I posted in this thread above.

[Yago]

I also just checked my Brymen BM-869S meter and the ohms auto range mode measuring 50, 3.6K and 4.7M ohm resisters is also pretty quick at just a bit under 1 second to 1 second. It is fast enough for me.

I replaced the battery first thing. Not that that should make a difference. The 869 is faster.

The 857 is dissimilar too (50,000/500,000 count), perhaps not comparable.

Never looked at Brymen being a Fluke killer, just the price and features make them a very attractive alternative to the big "F" (in UK).

[kubroid]

I'd like to know, if BM257 is a foolproof.
I mean, is it survive if i'll put probes into mains with ohm measurement selected. Or switch selector during probes in mains, or something like this.

Thanks!

[Lightages]

No meter is foolproof. If you stick the probes in the wall socket on ohms range it will survive. If you do this with the probes in the current jacks the you will at least blow a fuse.

[kubroid]

Well, for me, most common measurements is voltage and resistance. Current is very rare.
So, most the time probes will be connected to voltage/resistance jack and only thing can go wrong - bad selector position.
In case BM257 it will be in Autocheck all the time.

And one more question - what is a "JACK" label above current jacks mean? Some beep warnings ?

[retiredcaps]

In case BM257 it will be in Autocheck all the time.

Be aware that when you are in Autocheck all the time, the input impedance is around 2.5k ohm at low voltage.  This means you may get incorrect readings.

As I wrote in a badcaps thread regarding the Fluke 113 and 12, they both have low impedance mode and how they can fool you into thinking there is no voltage.

http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showpost.php?p=315198&postcount=60

And one more question - what is a "JACK" label above current jacks mean? Some beep warnings ?

Yes to warn you have the probes in the incorrect input jacks.

[Rune]

I know that this is an old thread. Anyway if interesting somebody; Just now (until 15th March) is the BM829 on sale in Norway, and it is even cheaper than the BM257.

BM829 = NOK 1618,75
BM257 = NOK 1668,75

https://elma-instruments.no/nyheter-tilbud/tilbud/elma-bm-829s-sann-rms-multimeter-kat-iv-1000v.aspx
https://elma-instruments.no/produkter/elma-bm-257s-sann-rms-multimeter-kat-iii-600v-nrf-986123.aspx