Extech MM570A - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: jram112
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2013, 09:53:08 pm
content: Anyone have a Extech MM570A, and would like to comment on the value of the DMM? I just pulled the trigger on a MM570a from ebay for $150 (new in box). They were extras from a contracted job. Do you think this was worth the price?FYI: As of 8/16/13 there are two more available for sale.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2013, 10:06:24 pm
content: Review by Spawn.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/extech-mm570a-arrived-as-replacement-for-ex570-but-is-it-better/

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 16, 2013, 10:12:34 pm
content: If you got that for $150, you got a really good buy. Except for the horrible joke for a back light you will be very pleased. I wish I could see the $150 ones on ebay. I see one for $195 buy it now......

author: Carrington
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2013, 10:33:03 pm
content: Same as BM859A and KM859CF, I have a BM869, but before for a period I had a BM859A. I bought both at TME.And any complaints."Do you think this was worth the price?" Sure...See this:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/brymen-bm-867-teardown-pictures/http://www.ittsb.eu/brymen%20bm869.htmlLook closely in the details between the BM859A and BM869. CAT IV, range, errors, functions, etc...

author: jram112
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2013, 07:13:38 pm
content: I got it in. Yes the back light sucks, but it's usable. And wouldn't you know... I just found a used Fluke 87v for $150 local. Hmm. Wounder if I should buy it and sale the Extech now.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 20, 2013, 08:57:56 pm
content: It can't hurt to have two good meters to make simultaneous measurements when it is needed. Also, it is a good idea to have two good quality meters to cross check each other for accuracy. I would say keep them both.

author: Blackthorn
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 23, 2013, 09:29:07 am
content: I just bought two of these meters and so far I think they are great (though I haven't actually used one of them). I compared this closely with the Brymen BM867 & BM869 and found it to be much closer to the BM869. The differences that I found are that the BM869 has a dual screen and the MM570A does not. The stated accuracies in the manuals actually give the MM570A the edge, though I wouldn't know how it actually performs compared side by side. Another difference is that the BM869 is rated Category IV @ 1000V, and the MM570A is rated Category IV @ 600V. The MM570A is rated Category III @ 1000V.Other differences are that the BM869 has VFD low pass filtering that is outstanding, couldn't find anything on the MM570A.I am not concerned with working with 1000V anyway, and haven't done anything over 440V for years.I am considering purchasing the software and the PC connection cable, but not sure what the quality is there.Anyone get the software package for this one?.. If so, I am curious as to how well it works compared to the BM869.Oh, sorry am new to this site though I have been following Dave's videos for some time now. Since I live in the US, I got this meter after researching and reading the reviews. I still saved quite a bit of money by not getting the Fluke.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 23, 2013, 03:09:13 pm
content: The PC connection and logging program is just that. It is a basic logging program that has a minimum update rate of 1 second. It is only worth having if you want to log values over time. It does not control the multimeter.

author: Blackthorn
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 23, 2013, 05:28:08 pm
content: Quote from: Lightages on September 23, 2013, 03:09:13 pmThanks. I knew it was for displaying the logged data from the meter and that it does not control the meter. What I was curious to know is if the meter can be used at the same time that it is connected to the PC and if the values can be monitored live. I suspect not. That isn't such a big deal to me anyway, but I would like to be able to look at the data shortly after taking the readings. I can't seem to find if you can take save more than one recording at a time or not.The review that Kiriakos did of the Brymen BM869 shows screen shots of the data (at the bottom of the page) he captured through the software that came with the meter. Is the software very similar, or are there significant differences? I was trying to see if the data rate of the software was higher than 1 second. You are probably right. I really would of liked to have been able to see data saved at a bit higher rate than 1/sec. I don't think it does that...?http://www.ittsb.eu/brymen%20bm869.html

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 23, 2013, 09:22:24 pm
content: To be clear, I do not have the BM85Xa nor the MM570A. I have the BM869 and the whole range of software for all of Brymen meters. The software works the same for all of the mentioned models with the exception that the BM85Xa software series uses RS232 only whereas the BM869 software can use USB too.Yes, you can read and use the meter at the same time the software is logging but the software will only log one thing at a time and namely the thing you are using the meter for at the time.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2013, 09:54:44 pm
content: Martin did a review of the BM251 with data logging software. I have no idea if the software is the same or not, but at least you get an idea.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 23, 2013, 10:54:00 pm
content: Yes, it functions exactly the same.

author: Blackthorn
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 24, 2013, 04:32:36 am
content: Awesome! Thanks for the video link. That has made things a lot clearer. It may just work for what I want to use it for. I didn't want to fork out $79 some odd dollars for something that I don't want.Thanks again for the video.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2013, 07:10:00 am
content: Quote from: Blackthorn on September 24, 2013, 04:32:36 amCheck with Franky, but the cable for the BM257 might work with the MM570A??? $40 at his store (1/2 price if it works). I have neither so I can't confirm.http://www.ebay.com/itm/171037977629

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 24, 2013, 07:53:16 am
content: No, the cable for the BM257 will not work on the MM570A. The MM570A uses the same cable as the BM86X meters.

author: Blackthorn
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 25, 2013, 12:04:41 am
content: Quote from: retiredcaps on September 24, 2013, 07:10:00 amQuote from: Lightages on September 24, 2013, 07:53:16 amOk thanks. I will ask him if he can get one anyway.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2013, 06:20:28 am
content: If the cable is $80 and depending on your needs, you can easily get another multimeter with the included software/cable for under $80.Personally, I loathe paying $80 for a simple cable.

author: Robomeds
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2013, 05:41:13 pm
content: I assume most of these cables are simple serial to IR cables. The only tricky part is getting them to snap on to the back of the meter. You might be able to rig something up that would hold the needed IR receiver next to the meter. I assume that, like many of these systems, the data transfer is all out of the meter.These are some of the first hits I got on the webhttp://www.amb.org/forum/diy-hacking-multimeters-for-rs232-data-logging-output-t1210.html

author: Blackthorn
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 26, 2013, 04:48:54 pm
content: Interesting idea to build one.Franky pointed out that the BM859CFa cable and software might work. I looked through all the specs and compared it to the MM570a and they are identical in every respect that I can find! The BM859CFa has the same protections and just the single display. It looks like the exact same meter!I am going to give those a try and let you know how it works out.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2013, 01:53:13 am
content: Quote from: Blackthorn on September 26, 2013, 04:48:54 pmHere's the right kit, branded as Brymen (BRUA-85xA):http://www.tme.eu/en/details/kitbrua-85xa/meters-software/brymen/kit-brua-85xa/Extech sells it as SW810a, which can be had here (scroll down to the bottom of the page):http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/extech/multimeters/mm570a.htmTry Franky first though, as he might be able to do better on the price.Hope this helps.