Greenlee DM-510A vs Fluke 17B+ - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Raptor88
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 04, 2018, 10:31:35 pm
content: I live in the U.S. (Hawaii).Item-1) I use multimeters for computer, appliance and automobile troubleshooting plus checking 120v & 240v ac around the home.Item-2) I want fairly accurate temperature measurement from at least -40 degrees fahrenheit (car air conditioning) to + 300 degrees fahrenheit (checking for overheating of cooling air for gas generator in an enclosure).I thought the Fluke 17B+ might fit my needs. From searching this forum, it appears that the Brymen BM257 (first I heard of Brymen) is comparable or maybe better than the Fluke 17B+. But the Brymen BM257 is not available in the U.S. and then I learned that the Greenlee DM-510A (first I heard of Greenlee) on amazon is a rebaged Brymen BM257. Is this all correct?Assuming the Greenlee DM-510A is a rebadged Brymen BM257 and is comparable to the Fluke 17B+, here's my questions:Regarding my item-1 troubleshooting needs:... a) Is the Greenlee DM-510A faster to obtain readings than the Fluke 17B+?... b) Is the Greenlee DM-510A more accurate than the Fluke 17B+?Regarding my item-2 temperature needs:... c) Is the Greenlee DM-510A temperature measurement accurate?... d) Does the Greenlee DM-510A display temperature in fahrenheit?If it were you with my needs, would you pick the Greenlee DM-510A or the Fluke 17B+?Thanks,Raptor88

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2018, 12:06:15 am
content: If you're interested, you can get aBrymen BM257from TME.eu (and it's less expensive than the rebadged Greenlee), located in Poland. Shipping is reasonable too (~$20).Greenlee DM-510A/Brymen MB257User Manual. Compare this to the Fluke 17B+'s manual in terms of specs.As per the temperature scale, YES, it's switchable (just push SELECT).FWIW, you can get both the BM257 and theKITBRUA-20Xsoftware kit (incl. interface cable) for $148.92 + shipping.

author: Raptor88
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 05, 2018, 07:36:52 pm
content: Nanofrog,Thanks for your reply and for confirming that the DM-510A temperature reading is switchable to fahrenheit.I found the testmeterpro.com website and it has reviews for the Brymen BM257 (Greenlee DM-510A) and the Fluke 17B+ multimeters. Each review has an accuracy table laid out in the same way so that made it easy to compare the accuracy of the Greenlee vs Fluke meters. The DM-510A has better accuracy.The DM-510A has true RMS while the 17B+ does not, so a plus for the DM-510A (though I'll probably only measure sine wave a/c voltages anyway).Those things coupled with the Fluke 17B+ being manufactured in China while the Greenlee DM-510A is manufactured in Taiwan (probably better) swung me over to buying the DM-510A. Buying a Greenlee (US version of the Brymen) is probably better for me warranty wise since I live in the U.S.One thing though is that the DM-510A uses only 1 volt to test diodes so that's not enough to test led bulbs. Guess I'll have to make a led bulb tester if I buy a DM-510A.Any comments as to a better multimeter to buy than the Greenlee DM-510A that also has temperature measurement in the less than $150 price range are welcome.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2018, 08:18:43 pm
content: Have a look at Daves little DMMhttps://www.eevblog.com/product/bm235-multimeter/

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2018, 09:05:21 pm
content: I would also take a look at Keysight's U1233A - a very nice meter with additional goodies such as Vsense, flashlight and an excellent capacitance meter (10000uF).

author: Raptor88
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 06, 2018, 12:33:44 am
content: Quote from: tautech on June 05, 2018, 08:18:43 pmAmazon says "currently unavailable" but I'll compare the specs between this BM235 and the BM257. Just from the model numbers it appears that the BM235 might be a less capable multimeter.Thanks for the tip,Raptor88

author: Raptor88
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 06, 2018, 12:34:49 am
content: Quote from: rsjsouza on June 05, 2018, 09:05:21 pmI'll check the U1233A out.Thanks for the tip,Raptor88

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2018, 04:07:10 am
content: Quote from: Raptor88 on June 06, 2018, 12:33:44 amI've seen him mention stock out and then replenished and so on but it might be worth dropping him a line for a real state of the play WRT Amazon stocks.https://www.eevblog.com/about/contact/

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2018, 05:45:09 am
content: Quote from: Raptor88 on June 04, 2018, 10:31:35 pmI'd get the Greenlee.Quote from: rsjsouza on June 05, 2018, 09:05:21 pmNot in the same price range.If we're allowed to spendthatmuch money there's theBM867(or Greenlee equivalent), favorite of ourjoe smithand one of the best handheld meters at any price.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2018, 03:36:22 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on June 06, 2018, 05:45:09 amThe OP said $150... A U1233A from Tequipment with the 6% EEVBlog's discount brings it very close to this (and about $10 more than the Greenlee) with the added Vsense and the flashlight (if it is needed).Besides, the BM867 does not have temperature...

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2018, 04:27:00 pm
content: Quote from: rsjsouza on June 06, 2018, 03:36:22 pmOoops! I meant BM869, obviously.https://brymen.eu/shop/bm869s/That can do two temperatures simultaneously.(and six digits...)

author: Raptor88
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 06, 2018, 04:47:44 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on June 06, 2018, 05:45:09 amThanks for your suggestion. I'll get the Greenlee instead of the Fluke, unless one of the other suggestions come into play.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2018, 05:45:57 pm
content: I just saw that Tequipment does not carry the U1233A anymore, thus its price gets to the $171.00 mark (Keysight store at eBay).With this, I agree the Greenlee is the most suitable and best option for your price range.

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2018, 06:39:33 pm
content: Yep, Greenlee is a good option for us Yanks and the 510A is a nice compact one. I've had an 820A for several years now.Raptor88, just in case you haven't seen it, there's an extensive comparison table for DMMs athttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/multimeter-spreadsheet/

author: Raptor88
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 06, 2018, 07:27:32 pm
content: Quote from: rsjsouza on June 06, 2018, 05:45:57 pmThanks for your confirmation.Raptor88

author: Raptor88
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 06, 2018, 07:28:44 pm
content: Quote from: bitseeker on June 06, 2018, 06:39:33 pmThanks for your confirmation on the Greenlee DM510A. I'll check out the link you posted.Raptor88