Brymen BM257s or Fluke 17B+ - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: surfn
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 03, 2016, 10:50:06 am
content: hello all,im ive been researching multimeters and thinking of getting either 1 of theseim from ireland, this will be my first multimeter.i dont want something super cheap but dont want anything more expensive than the brymen bm257sthe meter will be used testing electronics and mains electricwhich meter would you choose between the 2thanks

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2016, 11:26:23 am
content: Both are good.If you absolutelymusthave TrueRMS then the choice is easy.If not, it's matter of taste. Which do you prefer personally?

author: surfn
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 03, 2016, 12:04:58 pm
content: i like the brymen bm257s, i like the idea of having non-contact voltage detection as 1 of the features that the fluke 17b+ doesnt have

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 03, 2016, 12:57:45 pm
content: The BM235 is maybe cheaper than the BM257. Very similar feature set.The 17B+ is a good meter, so either is fine.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 03, 2016, 12:59:27 pm
content: Quote from: surfn on August 03, 2016, 12:04:58 pmIf you like that feature then the BM235 has additional non-contact threshold level selection. And backlight flashing continuity mode.But you lose the bargraph.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 03, 2016, 05:21:21 pm
content: What Dave said, and what fungus said about TRMS.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2016, 07:33:02 pm
content: Quote from: surfn on August 03, 2016, 12:04:58 pmGet that one then.

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2016, 09:25:31 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on August 03, 2016, 12:57:45 pmThey are a bit different, none of them is actually better than the other. You must compare the datasheets to find out what you need.

author: surfn
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 05, 2016, 01:53:12 pm
content: does the brymen bm257s come with the same nice silcone test leads as dave's bm235.also it would probably work out as cheap for me to buy from europe, when you factor in shipping and import duty from buying from australia or hong kong. probably not much difference really.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 05, 2016, 02:03:30 pm
content: Quote from: surfn on August 05, 2016, 01:53:12 pmNo, I ordered them specifically.

author: Owen
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2016, 02:13:48 pm
content: They're similar to Dave's except that they they don't have threads to screw those 4mm banana plugs on.

author: MosherIV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2016, 02:26:21 pm
content: HiSounds like you have settled for the Bryman.I do not know how important this is to you but bear in mind the warranty.Very few of the imports from China will have a warranty worth anything, if you are lucky the trader may be willing to replace the item but you have to pay the return postage(I bought a UT61E knowing that it's warranty is useless )Dave seems to uphold warranty, he replaced a meter and did a fix video recently.

author: surfn
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 05, 2016, 02:35:26 pm
content: thats a very good point warranty sure is very importantQuote from: MosherIV on August 05, 2016, 02:26:21 pm

author: crazyguy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2016, 03:00:46 pm
content: Brymen BM257s or Fluke 17B+ both are nice multimeterbut in terms of failure rate, I would trust Fluke a little bit more

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2016, 04:23:33 pm
content: Quote from: surfn on August 05, 2016, 01:53:12 pmIf you buy a Bm257from forum member Franky's ebay shopthen yes, it will come with very nice silicone test leads. It's an excellent meter at a good price.