Brymen BM786 DMM Part 2, A Deeper Look at AutoRange

[@joesmith-je3tq]

Sounds like Brymen may have a fix. I'm surprised that they responded this quick, but it also sounded like they had a good idea where the problem was when I first wrote them. While I offered to change the microcontroller, they have shipped a new meter. I should have an update in a few days for you. Original Post: Brymen is now working on this problem. I plan to hold off further testing until they have it sorted out.

[@dreamvouyer67]

Awesome response from Brymen....I personally think it is primarily because of YOUR initial findings Joe. I wonder if Dave has actually had a chance to even find similar issues as you have. I am now pretty convinced that Brymen is keeping a very close tab on what you are reporting about these meters and they also are probably getting some substantial and valuable info from you on how to bolster up their products...👊🏽...awesome job Joe. You earn my respect more and more with every post you make on these meters...🙂👍🏼

[@dreamvouyer67]

I am now really feeling that my next multimeter will be a Brymen based one. Very rarely do we see Companies respond to "Customer feedback" so expeditiously...🙂

[@dreamvouyer67]

That is beyond groovy! You are making Brymen hop to it Joe...lol...😁

[@cannesahs]

Fluke 87V has Bar Graph Zoom Mode. In the mode bar graph shows relative value when rel-button is activcated. Zero value is at center of bar graph and range of bar graph is tenth of meter's active range. This helps when tuning a circuit to zero or peak. You can enable Zoom Mode by holding rel-button while turning the meter on. While you are measuring value you want to set as zero press rel to activate relative mode and relative zoom bar graph.

[@joesmith-je3tq]

The Fluke 189 can also scale the bargraph using the Rel.

[@pliedtka]

Wow, the 181 AC V frequency range is impressive 😳

[@Okurka.]

It showed the correct voltage from 7:38 to 7:49

[@dreamvouyer67]

Good update yet again Joe...🙂👍🏼

[@edkoetsier339]

Joe, I bought a Uni-t 181. I know is fragile, but I still love it..

[@joesmith-je3tq]

I was waiting for the battery to drop out when making this video. Takes overnight to recharge it. Of course, I have to use my AC wall adapter because they don't supply one with it for the USA. Of course, you can't use the meter when it is charging so maybe we could just drop in new batteries.... Oh wait.... Besides the UT210E, this UT181A is my favorite UNI-T product. It's pretty well made and with it being a clone of the Fluke 289, it's easy to drive. It has a lot going for it. Too bad they just didn't go the extra mile.

[@edkoetsier339]

@@joesmith-je3tq Yeah.. Have to agree. But no carpet in my lab..

[@carlosgarciamuniz]

Hello Joe. Will there be a revision of the Brymen 789/786 soon with the errors corrected? I am concerned about the auto mode and the inaccuracy problems in Ac when increasing the frequency. I'll keep an eye on the channel.

[@joesmith-je3tq]

Sorry but I do not have any updates.

[@chrisaz7567]

Very scary & surprising that BM786 shows a 50V+ signal as < 5V. That could be dangerous! Also the Crest factor rating of BM786 (only 1.6 @ Full scale) is surprising. I would have expected 3 or more.

[@joesmith-je3tq]

Of course the meter had not yet been released and I did go on to show some of the later changes.

[@chrisaz7567]

@@joesmith-je3tq Thanks for confirming; I assumed they would fix that issue. I did watch subsequent videos but have to admit I skipped through Part 4 since it was over 1.5 hours.

[@joesmith-je3tq]

​@@chrisaz7567 I have shown problems like this in the past with other name brand meters. In this case, I just happened to be working with a company interested in improving their product. Part 4 covered a lot of different tests which takes a lot of time. Of course, I could have just unboxed it and talked about how great the product was, maybe connecting it to a resistor. Then ask viewers to join and send me money. lol.

[@roseelectronics4582]

Joe, what's the top 3 meters for you from among the handhelds that you've tested? After having read hundreds of your comments, I know pretty well that you can't tell me what's my top 3 meters ; )

[@firasgh871]

If you test the reading speed at the same screen count (4000 with 4000), please check the reading speed.

[@chefbink61]

Looks like Brymen has made another good one, although that auto range problem is a odd one. I do hope Dave picks a Brymen. I'm not into the 121GW it seems to have a lot of little bugs that a meter at it's price point shouldn't have.

[@joesmith-je3tq]

He has shown a few pictures with the blue case, along with a prototype. I'm not sure if he's run into this problem or not. I don't recall seeing him post about it.

[@Okurka.]

The BM786 isn't made to order like the 121GW, it's an existing Brymen model. It looks like Dave is working with UEI again to make another DMM to his specifications. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4fNfaKAgrt_ZtU

[@Daveyk021]

The 121GW is the first DVM that I have no trust in. It's an expensive piece of junk in my opinion. The free Harbor freight is more reliable in auto mode.

[@chefbink61]

@@Daveyk021 I don't have one so I really can't say but from every thing I have read it seems to have way to many issues. It also has a lot of useless features that most people will never use.

[@joesmith-je3tq]

@@Okurka. I don't believe you can buy it yet. It's been pretty much a year since Dave first brought it up but it was just recently that he showed the first prototype. Brymen / UEI, no comparison.

[@ISeeYourLies]

Great videos Joe. Have you seen new Uni-T multimeters? UT191, UT195, UT17B PRO? What do you think about them? From inside inspection looks like they have upgraded protection. Any chance you could have a look at them in the future? Thanks for your hard work, very educating.

[@joesmith-je3tq]

I haven't considered looking at another UNI-T product as they have always performed poorly against my tests. Just a quick glance at the 191, I see the shared current voltage input. I have my doubt already. I have looked at more UNI-T products than any other. If they were to improve the UT181A, I would invest the time to revisit it. That's really the only meter they offer at this time that I am interested in. Well, if they would make a higher quality version of the UT210E I would also be interested. Switch failures are becoming more common now as they age.

[@Daveyk021]

Try an original Fluke 87 from the 80's or early '90s. It is very fast in auto range mode in resistance. Whey have all these gone down hill since then?

[@joesmith-je3tq]

I don't normally look at old meters. I did run an old Fluke I found in the trash bin a while back for the fun of it. I also bought a beat up 189 that I ran, because I like the meter and was curious how it would hold up. I did not collect any data for these two meters.

[@hameedullah6633]

Which one is the best multimeter for everything. ( home, industrial, electricians and for electrical users)

[@joesmith-je3tq]

It's a very common question covered in the FAQ. I do not make recommendations nor am I trying to sell meters.

[@Homer19521]

Why do you think that there are no Brymen distributors in the US (at least I haven't found one)? Beyond your Technical expertise, you have a very good & stumble free delivery. I'm jealous.

[@joesmith-je3tq]

I know Greenlee rebrands some of Brymen's products. As far as just buying a Brymen branded product, I am not aware of any. I bought mine from TME in Poland.

[@firasgh871]

Sir, when we put a square wave from 1 Hz to 1 MHz, do we get the same reading at 13.00? Thank you

[@joesmith-je3tq]

Manual states 5Hz to 1MHz in Hz Logic Frequency.

[@blazkc]

Hi Joe, what do you think what is better choice Owon OW 18 E or UT 139 E !?

[@joesmith-je3tq]

Better choice for you or better choice for me? For you, I don't have a crystal ball yet. I guess I could guess. If there is one you like better, let me know and I will guess that one to make you feel better about your purchase. For me, outside in the garage, they are disposable. In the lab, my choice would be to save up for the Brymen BM869s.

[@YeahShowtime]

what multimeter do you recommend for small electronics under $50 and lower?

[@joesmith-je3tq]

There is a link in the description for this video where you will find a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions).

[@carlosgarciamuniz]

Below 50 $ UNI-T UT-139C but it is not very safe if you are going to measure voltages higher than that of a plug. For a little more you have the Brymen BM235 Better quality and safer.

[@joesmith-je3tq]

@@carlosgarciamuniz I thought both the meters you mentioned have been certified. What makes the UNI-T less safe than the Brymen you mention?

[@carlosgarciamuniz]

@@joesmith-je3tq Sorry, I wanted to explain that I would not use it to work with voltages higher than 600V. It's good for the money it costs, but it has bad things ... Your probe only measures up to 446º F. The screen contrast is bad. The capacitor is very slow. The frequency meter does not measure the DC component (you have to put a capacitor to measure the frequency)...

[@joesmith-je3tq]

@@carlosgarciamuniz I've used several of the low cost meters well above 600V but in the lab, seldom with with enough energy to cause much me concern. It's all of these details as to why I seldom offer any advice. The person asking should know exactly what they intend to use the tool for. We don't.

[@spiteu9272]

Finally

[@thehobe2111]

This is the dryest utube video I have ever watched. Data is informative....to some. Brymen's got a problem with the 786.

[@roseelectronics4582]

Joe, what's the top 3 meters for you from among the handhelds that you've tested? After having read hundreds of your comments, I know pretty well that you can't tell me what's my top 3 meters ; )

[@joesmith-je3tq]

Define top.

[@roseelectronics4582]

@@joesmith-je3tq LoL

[@roseelectronics4582]

@@joesmith-je3tq let's define it then. Top = functional versatility, speed, robustness

[@joesmith-je3tq]

@@roseelectronics4582 Of the metrics you're asking about, I only collect data on electrical robustness. That data has been made available for years.

[@roseelectronics4582]

@@joesmith-je3tq thanks Joe