Simple multimeter: Brymen BM27s or AMPROBE PM55A or ... ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Markino
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2018, 08:44:09 am
content: Hey guys,I'm new in the forum and I'm erading some posts about multimeters but still not clear some stuff so I hope you can help me.I have an old and simple GBC digital multimeter and for the simple tests I do it worked fine but I think it's time to goes on...I'd like to buy a good and small multimeter all around and my budget is around 100/150euro but of course less is better in this case.I've read about the pocket AMPROBE PM55A and I think that it propably help me in all the simple operation I need (test resistor, diodes, cap., continuity, voltage ...) but I read that it is able to read current only till 2mA! To be honest that's a feature that I could use very rarely (just to see dispersion on the bikes or check how much current flow in a DC circuits)What can I do/check with such small current? Is there a good protection if I put wrongly the probes in a circuite that use much current?I saw that the price of Brymen BM27s and AMPROBE PM55A are different (Bryman is cheaper!)... what's the differance? Which one is better?PS: moving to a little bit bigger product I'm looking to the Brymen BM257s... does it worth for the use I'll do?

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2018, 09:15:04 am
content: If you can afford it buy BM257.It is good quality and safe meter that will probably serve all your needs for years to come.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2018, 09:19:51 am
content: Quote from: 2N3055 on November 23, 2018, 09:15:04 amOr Daves rebranded BM235:https://www.eevblog.com/product/bm235-multimeter/UK source:https://simonselectronics.co.uk/page/2/

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2018, 09:20:44 am
content: If you don't to need to probe mains AC then there's a lot of capable meters for $20 these days.So, first things first: What do you actually use it for?

author: Markino
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2018, 09:24:53 am
content: Thanks for response guys!My usage will be: test resistor, diodes, cap., continuity, voltage ecc...I'm sure the BM257s is waht I need but since I really like the pocket size of the ones in the subject I'd like to understand if I'll miss just the ampere function or also some other important feature or protection.What's the difference between Brymen BM27s and AMPROBE PM55A ?

author: HKJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2018, 12:14:37 pm
content: You may have some fun comparing multimeters here:https://lygte-info.dk/info/DMMReviews.htmlIf you hover the mouse above the multimeter name a table will be showed with some of the multimeters data. Click on the name for a review.Only the BM27s is in the table, it is missing the AMPROBE, but has a lot of other pocket and small multimeters.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2018, 01:27:32 pm
content: Another alternative is Dave's fire sale of the Sanwa PM300 - for a similar price as the Amprobe, it is an excellent pocket meter and incredibly safe.For electronics you miss the A/mA/uA ranges, but this can easily be solved by using an external precision shunt.On the other hand, this meter has pretty much all of the other functions very well rounded, including capacitance meter.https://www.eevblog.com/product/pm300/The excellence would be the BM257, although at that price you are much closer to the more featured options such as the BM857 and BM867. But the sky is the limit.

author: Markino
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2018, 01:34:12 pm
content: wow! Thank you so much guys, I really appreciate your help!At the moment I saw the Brymen BM27s at arount 40euro is the cheapest than the AMPROBE PM55A so even if I can't get confirmed that they are exactly the same I think I could go with it.What do you think about Sanwa PM300 vs Brymen BM27s ?Can you please explain me how to do that: "For electronics you miss the A/mA/uA ranges, but this can easily be solved by using an external precision shunt."?

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2018, 01:34:56 pm
content: Quote from: Markino on November 23, 2018, 09:24:53 amThe BM257s has alotmore features but I don't think anythingimportantis missing from the 27s, you'll be able to measure most things with it. Some people might say a lack of "REL" button is a showstopper, but... it's up to you.If you like it and you're sure you don't need more than 2mA current measurement then go for it.Quote from: Markino on November 23, 2018, 09:24:53 amUmmm.... "availability"? Brymen is hard to find in the USA, AMPROBE is easy.I don't know exact details but many AMPROBEs are just rebranded Brymens. They might be 100% identical inside.If you live in EU then buy direct from Brymen:https://brymen.eu/shop/bm27s/

author: Markino
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2018, 01:50:23 pm
content: I live in Italy so for me it's simple to buy Brymen from their site.I think the 27s will be very fine for me even if I don't know what is "REL" button featureHow much I'll be safe measuring current with the 27s? For example if I use the 27s to check dispersion on my bike 2mA could be fine in a situation where no dispersion is in there? If I put it where 100/200mA is flowing I'll burn it? If not what could be the DC mA limit before burn it?Having a budget of 100/150euro and thinking to fill the gap and have a way to measure also the current (8/10A max) should I add on the basket both the 27s and the 257s or is there a better idea?I think I just want the 27s + the 257s or another way to measure current

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2018, 02:01:02 pm
content: Quote from: Markino on November 23, 2018, 01:50:23 pmNo.Quote from: Markino on November 23, 2018, 01:50:23 pmA lot more than that.Quote from: Markino on November 23, 2018, 01:50:23 pmYes.

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2018, 02:02:08 pm
content: Biggest problem with those "calculator size" meters is probes. It comes with attached probes that you can't change if they get damaged and you cannot connect to the meter by using standard bananas.I have one of those small ones, and eventually it ended up in car. It is backup for times when I don't have any meter around.I would rather buy UNI-T 210E mini current clamp and BM257S. Those two would give you serious measurement capabilities..

author: Markino
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2018, 02:23:35 pm
content: I think I'll go to buy both of them (BM27s + BM257s) guys! ah ah ahIn that way I'll stayu to about 150euro and I'll have a backup pocket multimeter + a serious (I hope!) multimeter when and if needed.Does it worth to go to this Edition + (I can't find on the official website)?https://www.welectron.com/Brymen-BM257s-Multimeter_3Do you think there could be some small accessories to also add on the basket?https://www.welectron.com/Brymen-BAC3-Snap-On-Alligator-Clipshttps://www.welectron.com/Brymen-BMH-01-Magnetic-Hanger...

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2018, 02:34:58 pm
content: Quote from: Markino on November 23, 2018, 02:23:35 pmAn official, branded, fits-the-meter padded case for $10? Go for it!Quote from: Markino on November 23, 2018, 02:23:35 pmI probably wouldn't use the hanger myself but alligator clips are always useful.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2018, 04:11:55 pm
content: Quote from: Markino on November 23, 2018, 02:23:35 pmRecently a member "True" posted about buying four of these which all failed in the same manor. You can find their posts here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/hear-kitty-kitty-kitty-nope-not-that-kind-of-cat/2775/Sadly True never posted again afterwards.

author: Candid
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2018, 07:07:09 pm
content: Quote from: Markino on November 23, 2018, 02:23:35 pmA good decision I think. And I personally have the alligator clips and the magnetic holder too. Useful accessory.

author: Markino
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2018, 08:36:07 pm
content: All done!Ordered both of them: the BM27s and BM257s + with alligator!I'll let you know, thanks for all the infos!

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2018, 09:11:20 pm
content: If your new BM27s fails with the same or similar symptoms as what True posted, I would be very interested in hearing about it.

author: Markino
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2018, 09:54:50 pm
content: Sorry, I've read about failure after buying... can you please let me know what I have to check or pay attention?I hadn't time to read the post sorry...

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2018, 02:39:07 am
content: Just follow the link I provided you and read True's posts first hand. They provide a fair bit of detail on what they were seeing.

author: Markino
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2018, 07:21:53 am
content: Oh nooo!!!! I’ve just read the post!!!Still not clear to me if someone has find the reason of damage.Any suggestion about my incoming Brymen BM27s? Should I try to remove it from the order?

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2018, 07:50:49 am
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on November 24, 2018, 02:39:07 amI find it hard to believe they die just because the battery goes flat (and that Brymen didn't notice or do anything about it).