Based on Joe Smith's testing of various Brymens (and others) and your review, I decided to order a BM257s (which is a step up over the BM235) because it has a scale display and it has separate AC/DC voltage selections. I got it for US $124 shipped from a distributor called TME. This is about $40 cheaper than the same thing in Greenlee clothing, the DM510a. I'm very happy with my BM257s. Great meter, love the higher quality leads, its speed, accuracy and build quality. The Crest feature is useful and I liked your demonstration. Thanks for your review!
You made an EXCELLENT choice there, Brymen is one of THE best on the market and worth every penney. I have a Greenlee which is the US version of Brymen most often found, but its made same as the Brymen and I agree it feels like a brick in your hand because the build quality is so solid. Its got very good input protection, overall I think these are one of the best bangs for the buck in a high quality multimeter. By the way, theres no such word as "orien-tated", correct use of the word would be "oriented" - I hear this word misused like this all the time and no idea where this variant came from----sorry I know im nitpicking.
There are so many good quality, accurate, safe, inexpensive multimeters on the market these days, you should have more than one. As I often tell my wife each time a new parcel arrives.
Many thanks for this review. Particularly appreciate your explanation of Brymen's ' Crest ' feature. This would be a good candidate for automotive use?
Thanks for your review of the Brymen 257. You guided my decision and I love the meter. It shows quality engineering to get a CATIV rating into such a small and affordable package. And I LOVE the NV ram settings that you led me to. Great little meter. Thank you for your work and time.Both you and Dave mention the "Crest" button, but don't seem to accord it much value. The 5 mSec response lets you "look inside" a 60 Hz wavetrain. It presents you with two (2) tools that might lead to a figure-of-merrit calculation for noise on the signal: Crest Ratio (Cmax/RMSmax) and Crest Difference (Cmax-Cmin). This certainly can't replace a scope but it MAY tell you when you need to drag one out.I haven't got the equipment or the smarts to pursue this idea. I know just enough about this stuff to be CONSISTANTLY WRONG but I'd love to see a discussion about it.Regards, Tom Hoffmann
I think that REC and CREST are not the same. REC is supposed to show TrueRMS min/max while CREST will show min/max of actual absolute values peaks. For example, for 220V AC CREST should show something like +310/-310. Did you compare these modes on AC?
No, I haven't compared REC and CREST on AC. I'll be interested to see if that's one of the main differences between the modes. The manual is not very well written and does require a bit of clarification. So thanks for your input! :)
this multimeter is obtained with the green lee brand the DM860A, but the DM830A is the same as the fluke 87 v with a little more functions these green lee multimeter are excellent nothing to compare to fluke
Brymens basically are no brainers. They are very well priced, really sturdy and top quality. The price quality ratio is very nice. If you only work with low voltages you could go for one of these AN8008 or similar high count cheap Chinese meters.
When I started to search for my old and cheap multimeter replacement, considered AN8008 too. However sometimes I do electrician tasks and after EEVBlog viewing I don't want to rely on meter with non-existent high voltage insulation.
It's quite surprising how accurate even the cheapest meters are these days. I have a Fluke but I only use it for checking the cheaper Chinese ones I have. The Fluke was a present and I'm afraid to use it almost. They are a bit expensive. That one you got looks very good.
For my DIY tasks required a good replacement for my current half-smashed cheapo multimeter. Ordered BM257s a hour ago, then found this review. Thanks for good demonstration. Didn't noticed that BM257s have NCV (electric field) detection feature too - that is awesome. Crest seems useful for me too for control impulse presence check. I'm curious how long it will work from those two AAA batteries. Usually multimeters use 9V batteries.
@@11Modern11 Brymen meters are Taiwanese made. So sort of Chinese, but at least written specs match to real device properties. Plus high voltage insulation and fuses are always real deal. Fair enough for me.
@@KrotowX Is this one good for a second opinion dmm? these days chinese brands are more accurate than fluke. i have rm111 a cheapo one, now im looking for a good one, accurate, and reliable.
Received mine BM257s at today. NCV mode definitely works for room wiring in walls. Need a little practice where to stop waving meter around. Resistor, diode and small capacitor value determining works even for nearly all components soldered on board - just what I wanted. LoZ mode is interesting - both voltage, resistance and continuity meters in one bottle. Will play with that around some incoming laptop boards. Do 31C for alive human body in temperature measurement mode is normal or I'm a vampire?
I recently bought a Brymen BM257S here in Germany. It's nice but there ist something, that i don't understand: If i use the temperature-sensor the room-temperature is approximately correct. But if i put it into the frige, it shows 38°C and in my oral cavity, it shows 8°C. It seems, that the BM257S measures 'the wrong direction'. Not important but i hope the other functions are more accurate.
It might be a faulty k-type temp probe? K-type temp sensors aren't the best for accuracy but, what you describe is well out of specifications. I'd recommend buying a new temp probe
Well, judging by how the readings drop as the tempetature increases, I think you have the K-type probe plugged in backward, try swapping the connections and try again.
I'd say you're right. Though I don't think the 257s is intended to outright replace the 235. Having said that. The price point is almost the same. I can't see the point in buying the 235 to save a mere €15. So you're probably safe to assume the 235 is a generation before the 257s. Both are great meters and both have very similar feature sets. From a quick glance over the specs, I think the main difference is the Crest/Rec feature.
@@redkurn I'm looking at the two and apart from the general shape idk why you would say one is the clone of the other. I can't find the katalog size anywhere but looking at size comparisons with the Fluke 87 the brymen 257s is smaller. The buttons are different, the arrangment of functions varies a lot... That said I was going to buy me this brymen but the Klein Tool one looks way cooler and it would server me well in a more tough environment. Thanks for the comment, I think my mind has been changed.
Based on Joe Smith's testing of various Brymens (and others) and your review, I decided to order a BM257s (which is a step up over the BM235) because it has a scale display and it has separate AC/DC voltage selections. I got it for US $124 shipped from a distributor called TME. This is about $40 cheaper than the same thing in Greenlee clothing, the DM510a.
I'm very happy with my BM257s. Great meter, love the higher quality leads, its speed, accuracy and build quality. The Crest feature is useful and I liked your demonstration.
Thanks for your review!
You made an EXCELLENT choice there, Brymen is one of THE best on the market and worth every penney. I have a Greenlee which is the US version of Brymen most often found, but its made same as the Brymen and I agree it feels like a brick in your hand because the build quality is so solid. Its got very good input protection, overall I think these are one of the best bangs for the buck in a high quality multimeter. By the way, theres no such word as "orien-tated", correct use of the word would be "oriented" - I hear this word misused like this all the time and no idea where this variant came from----sorry I know im nitpicking.
Maybe "orientated" came from the same place as "dampeners" .
No. Orientated is the British English word. You know, the correct English. "Oriented" is the Simplified English version. Sorry, I know I'm de-licing.
Just ordered a BM257s and looking forward to putting it to use! Thank you for the review.
There are so many good quality, accurate, safe, inexpensive multimeters on the market these days, you should have more than one. As I often tell my wife each time a new parcel arrives.
instaBlaster
Many thanks for this review. Particularly appreciate your explanation of Brymen's ' Crest ' feature. This would be a good candidate for automotive use?
You're welcome :) This would be a brilliant DMM for automotive use
Thank you...Just ordered one from welectron 257s edition + for 96€, - free shipping worldwide.
I've been super impressed with my 257s. Best multimeter I've owned thus far. :)
Thanks for your review of the Brymen 257. You guided my decision and I love the meter. It shows quality engineering to get a CATIV rating into such a small and affordable package. And I LOVE the NV ram settings that you led me to. Great little meter. Thank you for your work and time.Both you and Dave mention the "Crest" button, but don't seem to accord it much value. The 5 mSec response lets you "look inside" a 60 Hz wavetrain. It presents you with two (2) tools that might lead to a figure-of-merrit calculation for noise on the signal: Crest Ratio (Cmax/RMSmax) and Crest Difference (Cmax-Cmin). This certainly can't replace a scope but it MAY tell you when you need to drag one out.I haven't got the equipment or the smarts to pursue this idea. I know just enough about this stuff to be CONSISTANTLY WRONG but I'd love to see a discussion about it.Regards,
Tom Hoffmann
I'm pleased my video was of use to you. It really is impressive how much this DMM has to offer for the price. Thanks for the info!
I think that REC and CREST are not the same. REC is supposed to show TrueRMS min/max while CREST will show min/max of actual absolute values peaks. For example, for 220V AC CREST should show something like +310/-310. Did you compare these modes on AC?
No, I haven't compared REC and CREST on AC. I'll be interested to see if that's one of the main differences between the modes. The manual is not very well written and does require a bit of clarification. So thanks for your input! :)
Any down side to getting the rebadged Greenlee DM-510A instead? Toolup in Vegas has them for $150 shipped...
this multimeter is obtained with the green lee brand the DM860A, but the DM830A is the same as the fluke 87 v with a little more functions these green lee multimeter are excellent nothing to compare to fluke
Brymens basically are no brainers. They are very well priced, really sturdy and top quality. The price quality ratio is very nice. If you only work with low voltages you could go for one of these AN8008 or similar high count cheap Chinese meters.
When I started to search for my old and cheap multimeter replacement, considered AN8008 too. However sometimes I do electrician tasks and after EEVBlog viewing I don't want to rely on meter with non-existent high voltage insulation.
It's quite surprising how accurate even the cheapest meters are these days. I have a Fluke but I only use it for checking the cheaper Chinese ones I have. The Fluke was a present and I'm afraid to use it almost. They are a bit expensive. That one you got looks very good.
Flukes are rugged and accurate. Use that Fluke!
For my DIY tasks required a good replacement for my current half-smashed cheapo multimeter. Ordered BM257s a hour ago, then found this review. Thanks for good demonstration. Didn't noticed that BM257s have NCV (electric field) detection feature too - that is awesome. Crest seems useful for me too for control impulse presence check.
I'm curious how long it will work from those two AAA batteries. Usually multimeters use 9V batteries.
Is this more accurate than Chinese brands?
@@11Modern11 Brymen meters are Taiwanese made. So sort of Chinese, but at least written specs match to real device properties. Plus high voltage insulation and fuses are always real deal. Fair enough for me.
@@KrotowX Is this one good for a second opinion dmm? these days chinese brands are more accurate than fluke. i have rm111 a cheapo one, now im looking for a good one, accurate, and reliable.
Received mine BM257s at today. NCV mode definitely works for room wiring in walls. Need a little practice where to stop waving meter around. Resistor, diode and small capacitor value determining works even for nearly all components soldered on board - just what I wanted. LoZ mode is interesting - both voltage, resistance and continuity meters in one bottle. Will play with that around some incoming laptop boards.
Do 31C for alive human body in temperature measurement mode is normal or I'm a vampire?
@@KrotowX I am looking and probably will buy the 867's model
No silicon leads? Mine had those included.
Thanks for this useful video
I recently bought a Brymen BM257S here in Germany. It's nice but there ist something, that i don't understand: If i use the temperature-sensor the room-temperature is approximately correct. But if i put it into the frige, it shows 38°C and in my oral cavity, it shows 8°C. It seems, that the BM257S measures 'the wrong direction'. Not important but i hope the other functions are more accurate.
It might be a faulty k-type temp probe? K-type temp sensors aren't the best for accuracy but, what you describe is well out of specifications. I'd recommend buying a new temp probe
Well, judging by how the readings drop as the tempetature increases, I think you have the K-type probe plugged in backward, try swapping the connections and try again.
I've got the Dave Jones ( EEVBlog ) branded one, which is a Brymen BM235, I assume an earlier version of this one ?
I'd say you're right. Though I don't think the 257s is intended to outright replace the 235. Having said that. The price point is almost the same. I can't see the point in buying the 235 to save a mere €15. So you're probably safe to assume the 235 is a generation before the 257s. Both are great meters and both have very similar feature sets. From a quick glance over the specs, I think the main difference is the Crest/Rec feature.
No, the BM235 is actually a newer model than the BM257. David Jones said so in multiple of his videos.
Nice item
Thanks for the review Cheers
Good job...!! and yes...you were way to cool!! 😁👍
; )
For use with leds light, too???...
is mv ac truly ac ,, or ac plus dc,,, like fluke
Great video
looking a lot like a klein mm700 clone lol, got my mm700 today and it's fantastic!
Brymen sells to companies for re branding so your Klein is probably a clone of the Brymen
@@Rareed63 could be, I’m happy with it either way.
@@redkurn
I'm looking at the two and apart from the general shape idk why you would say one is the clone of the other. I can't find the katalog size anywhere but looking at size comparisons with the Fluke 87 the brymen 257s is smaller. The buttons are different, the arrangment of functions varies a lot...
That said I was going to buy me this brymen but the Klein Tool one looks way cooler and it would server me well in a more tough environment. Thanks for the comment, I think my mind has been changed.
Hahaha I subscribed ... So kewl
If you are in the market for a meter check out Joe Smiths channel. By far the most comprehensive analysis of meters.
Thanks for the info, Will check it out :)