Brymen Bm869 . Dimmed Lcd.  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: eeadata
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2016, 05:20:45 pm
content: Hi. i have purchased one a week ago. it has dimmed lcd problem i think.is there a setting - trimmer - secret option to increase contrast of lcd. ?thanks.Esref.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 16, 2016, 07:18:03 pm
content: No, there is nothing to adjust for the LCD. It is possible you have a bad one and should send it back for warranty. Perhaps you can post an image so we can see the problem?

author: eeadata
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 10:06:26 am
content: It is not easy to represent dimming on photo but it maybe show you some vision about.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 11:04:35 am
content: With the white background in the picture, the camera under exposed the meter. It would be better to see a picture with a dark background.

author: eeadata
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 11:11:50 am
content: Maybe it goes this far in contrast.

author: eeadata
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 11:47:00 am
content: i have bm869 not the "s" version. What is the difference ?

author: cs.dk
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 12:05:44 pm
content: Quote from: eeadata on January 17, 2016, 11:47:00 amAFAIK the S version is upgraded for tighter safety in the European marked. (1000V fuses, vs 600V in the non-S model)The display don't look dim to me, but pictures can fool.

author: TechItApart
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 12:16:02 pm
content: I have a BM869s and I'd say the display isn't the brightest although still quite readable.Have you noticed a significant change in the brightness since you got it?

author: eeadata
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 12:24:31 pm
content: Quote from: cs.dk on January 17, 2016, 12:05:44 pmin my unit there is 1000v HRC fuses. is there any differences in spec or feature ?Quote from: TechItApart on January 17, 2016, 12:16:02 pmNo it is same since first date i purchase. At some angles it is worse than picture.

author: hammy
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 12:30:42 pm
content: Quote from: eeadata on January 17, 2016, 12:24:31 pmI purchased a 869s one year ago. The display didn't fade over time, however this display is not the brightest.If the DMM lies flat on the table and I look in an angle of 90° on the display, the black digits are grey and there is a little bit fading. If I look on it in the normal work angle, with 45-50°, the digits are dark black and good readable.The same behaviour with backlight on.Cheershammy

author: cs.dk
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 12:31:06 pm
content: Quote from: eeadata on January 17, 2016, 12:24:31 pmFeatures and specs should be the same; In this thread, there is pictures of both PCB's. There some minor differences on the input protection;https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/brymen-bm869-short-review/100/

author: eeadata
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 12:59:52 pm
content: it dims a lot at 90 degrees angle , yes 45 to 60 angle it is better. S version is not a problem for me i intend to use it on Mic Preamps - Power supply ripple measurement and tube Power amps. i dont take measurements in cat 4 areas .Thank for your help .

author: Mark
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 01:26:11 pm
content: Mine is the same and I've been meaning to ask the same question. I haven't opened the meter but I would imagine there would be a resistor value which can be changed to increased the LCD drive voltage.Anything over 90 degrees with the back-light on is unreadable.I'm about to buy another one, but this is making me hesitate. If I can increase the contrast I am willing to void the warranty.

author: TechItApart
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 02:04:11 pm
content: Quote from: Mark on January 17, 2016, 01:26:11 pmIf you ever manage that Mark I'd love to see a post about it, mine is pretty dim but completely usable straight on. My guess is they got hold of a slightly sub-par batch of displays recently. If they can be modded that would be great.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 06:39:23 pm
content: It is still hard to determine if the display is OK or not. My guess is it could be a bit off, but I can't see from the images. The "s" version is a slightly redesigned and third party tested revision to meet the latest IEC CAT rating requirements.

author: Dubbie
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 18, 2016, 09:11:40 pm
content: Here is mine in a well lit environment. It has very good contrast even with reflections on the screen.And square on:Sent from my phone using Tapatalk

author: eeadata
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2016, 10:00:27 pm
content: Your 869 is way better than mine...is it "s" version ?

author: Dubbie
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 18, 2016, 11:12:53 pm
content: Yes, S versionSent from my phone using Tapatalk

author: _Wim_
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2016, 08:58:39 pm
content: I have also the S-version, but no dim display either... Good viewing even at extreme angles.

author: smithnerd
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2016, 02:35:12 am
content: Lovely meter, but the font they chose for the "PC Comm" lettering is ghastly...

author: Dubbie
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 22, 2016, 08:32:31 am
content: Quote from: smithnerd on January 22, 2016, 02:35:12 amHaha, if you think that is bad, you should see the box it comes in! I don't understand why they don't hire a good graphic design company to revamp things, and while they are at it, organise some decent distribution! It's a bit sad when the only place to buy one of the best meters made is on eBay!Their website looks like it was designed by someone who also sells tinfoil hats and chakra aligning crystals.

author: eeadata
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2016, 08:56:56 am
content: And that website... Oh my god it is like an 1990 era personal home page...i replace the battery and my display is better but not as good as yours. Btw it is more useable.

author: smithnerd
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2016, 03:51:22 pm
content: It's called Hobo, apparently:http://www.boredpanda.com/typefaces-worst-fonts-ever-creative-market/?image_id=worst-typeface-10-hated-fonts-joshua-johnson-creative-market-10.jpg

author: Mark
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2016, 02:18:56 pm
content: OK So I took my original BM869s apart but could't see any obvious way of increasing the contrast on the display.My second BM869S arrived yesterday along with a BM525S.All three are shown in the photos, first BM869S with dim LCD, second BM869S with good LCD and on the right is the BM525S. There is definitely a different batch of LCDs being used, the background is even a different colour.Anyway, I can live with it.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 27, 2016, 02:50:48 pm
content: I see we have a Brymen addict now. I actually think the BM525S is a more useful overall meter to most hobbyists than the BM869S. It is more than accurate enough and has the biggest added feature of 87000 records at up to 20 times per second. I hope you got the USB cable for it.

author: Mark
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2016, 06:19:29 pm
content: Quote from: Lightages on January 27, 2016, 02:50:48 pmIt was because of your previous recommendation here that I got the 525! I already have the USB cable for the BM869S, it looks like it will fit the 525S too. Do you know if I can use two cables at once? Say I want to record temperature from one meter and current from another? Will the Brymen PC software allow that?Thanks!

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 27, 2016, 07:27:00 pm
content: Nope, sorry.I don't know of a way to get more than on Brymen working on a computer at the same time.

author: markone
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2016, 12:26:58 pm
content: Quote from: eeadata on January 16, 2016, 05:20:45 pmHi,just received my spanking new 869S from TME, the LCD display looks a lot sharper then your, see attached imaged.In your place i would send it back, it's not "el cheapo" toy DMM", for the price i would expect much more.I got that we have two different LCD panel SKU mounted on current 869 DMM, but your pics show a subpar/faulty panel.I start to wonder if we have fake / second tier Brymen products around ....

author: Robomeds
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2016, 04:12:52 am
content: I think you are just dealing with supplier to supplier variations. One of the things I miss about my older Fluke 87-3 was the display was simply better than the 87-5. For what ever reason the newer Fluke meters seem to have inferior contrast to older models (the 73-3 was really good). I wish I knew why a $3 Centech has excellent contrast but a $400 Fluke 87-5 is just so-so.

author: markone
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2016, 11:52:00 am
content: Quote from: Robomeds on January 29, 2016, 04:12:52 amI hope that's the case, but this means that lcd display contrast ratio is not on the list of incoming quality check, so i wonder what else shares same care...Even worst for your Fluke, here in EU it has a ridiculous high street price, something near 500 Euro, more than double than 869S, with a weak LCD would be a real ripp-off.I used it for some years in my previous job, really nice DMM, but heck, it cost one arm and one leg.

author: hammy
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 07, 2016, 01:54:23 pm
content: The contrast can be improved by re-seating the display.I cleaned the contacts with isopropanol.Cheershammy

author: eeadata
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2016, 06:20:40 pm
content: ? will try hammy when my spare 440 ma fuse comes.

author: Nielsat9
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 11, 2019, 10:06:35 am
content: Hi all,Just new here and I really enjoy all that EEVblog offers!Just to jump into this thread: I also have a Brymen BM869s and I although I can read the screen just fine, I noticed that when I turn on the backlight the screen is unevenly lit. The left side is a bit darker than the right side. I was wondering if that is normal and more users experience it, or that there is something wrong with my multimeter.Hope you can help.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2019, 11:08:24 am
content: Hi and welcome. It's normal. The backlight is awful, plus it turns off every few seconds which is really bloody annoying. Compared to Keysight U1241C:(I own neither now. I have an old Fluke 87 with green backlight which is worse than both but you don't need the backlight)

author: Nielsat9
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 11, 2019, 11:24:49 am
content: Ah, thanks! It's like looking at my own 869s. Reassuring to know that it is part of the build.