Nice you mentioned that, I am getting a MM570A from Extech it is already shipped out from US to me after this:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/teardown-extech-ex570-my-first-but-also-last-extech/
I have high expectations about this meter, so we will see how it is.
At least it's not made by CEM, so that might be a good thing.
What
MJLorton showed of the BM867's internals in his review, it looked rather decent IMHO.
Hope to see your posts on it after going through it, as I'm seriously considering one of these myself, or the older 857/9 models if I can find it at a good price (have a line on an 857, so I'm trying to do my research quickly before I miss the chance
).
Brymen BM869, or BM857a, Ignore the Greenlee and other rebrands as they cost 2x -3x as much
Unfortunately, Brymen labeled units may not be an option. For example, I've not been able to locate a vendor based in the US (not eBay listings), so to get one from a US source, it's either Extech or Greenlee and pay the premium it seems. Which could take some of the value out of the units (or a lot, depending on what Brymen can be had for).
Between the two, the Greenlee is easier to read IMHO (don't care for the legend graphics on the Extech branded units nearly as much).
Sent an email to
www.tme.eu as they actually sell the Brymen labeled unit to see if it's cheaper to import one, but haven't heard back yet. BTW, their price comes to ~$200USD (BM869A), assuming the indicated price includes VAT. If not, it goes up to ~ $250. Still cheaper than the Greenlee, but probably not by much once shipping is tacked on (seen the Greenlee version for $312).
Correction. The BM85X series is the equivalent of the Extech MM560A/570A, but the prices are certainly not equivalent!
How so?
I ask, as the BM557/9 seem to be older models from what I can tell. Similar guts as per features and specs, but in a different case (rectangular without any narrowing through the grip area as the BM867/9A's do). I have the spec sheets on all of them, and will spend more time to see what may have been updated/changed.
Not that that may be absolutely critical, but the BM85xA series doesn't appear to be 100% identical to the Greenlee and Extech rebrands as the BM86xA series are (save protector color and silk screen). Unless you're referring to other Greenlee or Extech models (not the MM560A or MM570A for example)?
Personally, I'm willing to consider the BM85x models if I can find them, and assuming they're at the right price (haven't located a BM859A yet).