Axiomet AXLCR42A pocket LCR meter - opinions? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Lomax
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2025, 09:48:30 am
content: Haven't been able to find a test/review of this handheld LCR meter - does anyone here have an opinion on it? Looks pretty decent with four wire measuring, phase angle, 100Hz to 100kHz, PC-Link, backlight, bargraph - €170 from TME:https://www.tme.eu/en/details/ax-lcr42a/lcr-meter/axiomet/

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2025, 11:30:07 am
content: sold under other nameswhy not some Hantek 1832 1833 or the new Zoyi lcr ? The classic DE-5000 ? Uni-t 612 ? prices are good, unless in your place you can't get them ?

author: Lomax
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2025, 09:25:48 am
content: Oh I dunno, I'm just looking at different options. I've been wanting to get an LCR meter for years, but never felt I had the €€€ to spare. I do now. My shortlist looks something like this:DER EE DE-5000, €220 deliveredUni-T UT612, €150 deliveredUni-T UT622C, €275 deliveredAxiomet AX-LCR42A, €230 deliveredThe Axiomet meter appears to be a rebranded Peaktech P2170, which costs €340 inc VAT. It beats the similarly priced DE-5000 by having better precision (0.3% vs. 0.6%), uses AAA batteries instead of 6LR61*, comes with a built-in USB port, and has a 12VDC input for external power. It loses only by being slightly bulkier. It's also a bit of a dark horse, which is why I asked about it. To be honest I'm tempted to go for the UT612, since the saving is considerable, but I'm put off by the poor quality tweezers and the lack of 4-wire connectivity. The DE-5000 and AX-LCR42A both have this, and presumably come with better quality accessories. As much as I like the look of it I don't think I can justify spending €275 on the UT622C.*) Most of my devices use rechargeable AA or AAA batteries, so I always have some of those to hand, while I haven't got a single rechargeable 6LR61, nor a suitable charger.

author: Fenstergucker
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2025, 11:16:02 am
content: I have the same-looking AXLCR42A as the Voltcraft LCR-300 from Conrad (2015, € 190), but without a PC connection.I don't have a comparison with other devices, but I'm happy with it. The external power supply only works with batteries inserted.Peter

author: indman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2025, 11:17:40 am
content: Quote from: Lomax on April 15, 2025, 09:25:48 amAnd why don't you consider the time-tested and very many users inexpensive XJW01 meter?It costs 2 times cheaper than the Uni-T UT612C and I like it even better than the DE-5000, which I also have.But, of course, if I were to buy a decent meter now, I would spare no expense and choose only the UT622C.

author: Lomax
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2025, 12:29:31 pm
content: I just saw that someone scored a BNIB UT622E for just €125 from a UK seller on April 1st. Not a joke, and now I don't want to play any more. Eff it.Note to self:never look at completed listings on eBay.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2025, 01:57:17 pm
content: loll that's the way it goesi missed a Sencore lc103 for a ridiculously low price poof gone

author: Lomax
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2025, 02:14:49 pm
content: Quote from: indman on April 15, 2025, 11:17:40 amIt's an interesting project for sure, but one which seems to have been abandoned by its creator, without publishing the source code for the firmware. The main information resource is a 287 page long thread on a Chinese forum. Sellers on eBay and Ali are as usual confusingly vague, and prices vary wildly, from €25 to €150, for what may or may not be the same kit. Feels like a complete stab in the dark to place an order, without knowing which board or firmware revision, which components, which enclosure will actually arrive, when it will arrive or even if it will arrive at all. The 100kHz version appears to be rarer than pixiedust, and 7.8kHz just seems arbitrary and odd to me.TL;DR: way too many question marks.I'm surprised there's no community effort to create an open source version based on the published schematics. Should be a pretty good starting point?

author: indman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2025, 02:40:46 pm
content: Quote from: Lomax on April 15, 2025, 02:14:49 pmIt's actually a lot simpler than you realize. The firmware version is currently 5.5, it is debugged, stable in operation and shipped on all XJW01 devices.The hardware versions may differ slightly, but this has no significant effect on the measurement results. The 100kHz version is not worth considering as the 100Hz,1kHz,7.8kHz frequency set is quite sufficient for amateur applications.This is my opinion and my experience.

author: RAPo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2025, 02:48:22 pm
content: Maybe theM162is something for you.For about Eu50,-- it delivers a handy tool.But I agree with the above: a Hantek or a Uni-T is better.

author: egonotto
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2025, 03:05:00 pm
content: Hello,I bought a PeakTech 2170 from Reichelt about 9 years ago. I am satisfied with it. However, I use it with an external power supply because I remember the batteries running out quickly. And there are 6 batteries.The Kelvin clamps are very practical.I have only tried the USB connection once. It worked, but I'm not sure what use I was supposed to get out of it. It only makes sense for values whose changes over time you want to see.Best regardsegonotto

author: pizzigri
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2025, 10:43:46 pm
content: Quote from: indman on April 15, 2025, 02:40:46 pmHello Indman,Can you actually point me in the direction of a version that carries the 5.5 firmware? I have the 3.0….If it makes sense to upgrade that is.Many thanks in advance!

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2025, 02:10:58 am
content: If you don't need 100kHz, I prefer the Shannon ST42 tweezers to any of the meters listed in this thread so far.