Extech MM560A and Amprobe AM-140-A - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: North_of_49
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 08, 2016, 08:04:46 am
content: Hi, guys.New to the forum.I've recently discovered a need to check the accuracy to several decimal places of my multi-chemistry battery charger I use in my radio control hobby and have been in the market for my first "high end" DMM (high accuracy, high resolution) and have been reading countless posts from various forums and have watched dozens of videos reviews (many were Dave's) and have settled on the Brymen BM857a (BM857S) in the form of either the Extech MM560A or Amprobe AM-140-A which were obtainable here in Canada using my amazon (Canada) prime membership with free 2 day shipping.I ordered the Extech after seeing someone (I've discovered that someone turns out to be one of your very own forum members) mention (with a linked photo) in the comments section of a video review of the MM570A that the horrible backlight has been fixed. For $40 CAD less, I could have ordered the Amprobe but I didn't discover that the backlight issue had been fixed at the Brymen level (meaning, all rebrandings of it will be issue free) until joining and searching this forum not long ago, after the Extech had already shipped. Thinking that it doesn't really make sense to pay $40 more for basically the same product, I went ahead and also ordered the Amprobe as well with the intent to return the Extech (easy free returns with amazon prime).As of today, I have them both sitting here in front me. Just to verify that the backlight was redesigned, it was the first thing I tried to test on the Extech yesterday and the light wouldn't come on at all, I could hear the 2 beeps but no light and I even went and dug through the manual to make sure I was activating it properly. Oh, well, looked like this one was going back for sure and I'd keep the less expensive Amprobe which showed up today. Funny thing, when I was playing around with them comparing readings from both today, I happened to try the backlight on the Extech again and now it's working. So, now I'm not sure which one I want to keep and here's why. Even though I can save $40 by keeping the Amprobe,1. I don't find the graphical markings/labels (helped by color scheme) on the selector settings as intuitive and idiot-proof to read at a glance on the Amprobe as they are on the Extech.2. I was just looking through their manuals/data sheets and the Extech has a 3 year warranty as opposed to the Amprobe's 1 year. (the Greenlee version is limited lifetime but it's significantly more expensive here).Was just looking for some input on whether or not anyone see the extra $40 justified with the 3x longer warranty and an interface I find easier to read. And I'm wondering why the Extech backlight wasn't working at first and am concerned the problem may reappear. I bought the last one in stock and can't get an exchange as defective even if I wanted to, I can only do a return on it.

author: Jasper
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2016, 08:46:35 am
content: I wouldn't worry about the warranty. Anything that's likely to go wrong in a standard multimeter like this you screwing the pooch and hopefully only blowing a fuse or the input protection. Which is not properly a warranty issue (although given Amazon, you might get them to replace it anyway).Interface is something only you can judge. FWIW I would prefer the Amprobe style.

author: North_of_49
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 10, 2016, 10:07:53 am
content: I'm leaning toward keeping the Extech, if just for easier readability finding my selections. I kind of dig the more funky green/orange colors too.Jasper, what Amprobe "style" are you referring to, just the shape?

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2016, 01:52:06 pm
content: Both are made by Brymen. The Extech MM series are rebadged Brymen BM859S, it is basically the little brother to the Brymen BM869S. Though it is usually much more expensive than the BM859S. Meanwhile, the Amprobe is a custom Brymen OEM; I don't think it has an equivalent model from Brymen directly.

author: North_of_49
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 10, 2016, 07:09:01 pm
content: Actually, it's the BM857a (or BM857S, BM857CF) mentioned in my original post that shares the exact same features and accuracy specs as the Extech and Amprobe I bought (0.03% + 2D). The BM859S has the T1,T2 temperature feature, it's equivalent in Extech and Amprobe would be the MM570A and AM-160A which all have a .01% better DC voltage accuracy spec (0.02% + 2D) and the temperature feature.EDIT:as mentioned here...http://www.amazon.com/review/R1JGQ9IRUEWL9Xand here...https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/3-dmms-spot-the-difference-))Speaking of the temperature feature, bumping up to the next model in the family in the Extech and Amprobe (MM570A/AM-160A) would have been a significant increase in price to get the thermocouple temperature capability I kind of wanted as one of the features. But I picked up a dedicated thermometer (Amprobe TMD-52) with my Amazon Prime for less of a combined cost with either of the meters I bought than bumping up to the next model with the temp feature included. If I keep the Amprobe AM-140A + Amprobe TMD-52 it's actually a significant cost savings ($45 CAD) over just buying the AM-160A which is not in stock at amazon.ca right now anyway. If I keep the Extech MM560A + Amprobe TMD-52 the savings is basically negligible over just buying the MM570A but the MM570A also is not currently in stock.EDIT: actually, the Amprobe Am-160-A is showing in stock today which complicates my decision (LOL), I could just send everything back (free returns) including the thermometer and just buy this instead if I'm willing to accept the 1 year warranty, less intuitive/idiot-proof (to me) selector labeling and paying an extra $45 just to have all desired features in a single device. It does have a very slightly higher DC accuracy though, which may or may not be negligible.Hmmm.Oh well, I'll figure it out