What inexpensive LCR meter/component tester should I buy??? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: gabri.peic
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2021, 09:36:05 pm
content: Hi everyone.I was looking at getting some cheap component tester but I am really confused about which one to choose...I like these two...https://www.ebay.com/itm/M328-Transistor-Tester-Diode-Resistor-ESR-Instrument-Inductance-Meter-LCR-Meter-/114550097850?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0https://www.ebay.com/itm/LCR-TC1-Transistor-Tester-ESR-Capacitance-Meter-Electronic-Component-HOT-E9T9-/303862993180?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l6249&mkrid=705-154756-20017-0I like the LCR-TC1 but I heard that some people had problems with them...The other one doesn't have a rechargeable battery and is a little more expensive so I tough it would be better but for that one some people say that it doesn't measure smaller capacitors correctly...So what should I buy?I mainly need it for esr/capacitance testing and some transistor testing...

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2021, 10:00:50 pm
content: the LCR-T1 also can test zener diodes, and the M328 can't.also if you have to test smd components sometimes, it will be very difficult with these models.there are plenty of others that have a small smd probes.

author: antenna
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2021, 11:58:05 pm
content: I use this one (well, one exactly like it, not sure where I bought mine)https://www.ebay.com/itm/373642497380?hash=item56fed40d64:g:xCcAAOSwVNNg5rnCand have been quite happy with it. It runs off a 9v battery so high voltage diodes and some zeners cannot be tested with it, but that's not a serious issue given how well they work for capacitors, inductors and transistors. Mine can tell the pins of a transistor, if its bjt, mosfet, jfet and shows the beta and base/gate currents. For the price and what I use it for, well worth it.

author: Wallace Gasiewicz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2021, 01:09:52 pm
content: I also need a replacement cheapo transistor-component testerThe BSIDE looks niceI will follow for other suggestions

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2021, 01:18:35 pm
content: I have one of the generic M328 units and it performs quite well against my professional grade equipment, in the use cases you specify.It can get caught out on classifying some types of transistor (UJT/PUJT for example) and thyristors, and yes it'll show zeners as two diodes in reverse parallel (if the zener voltage is low enough, ~5V iirc), but for the cost it's a very capable little gizmo.

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2021, 02:40:31 pm
content: The AY-AT clones, e.g. GM328A, are still a good choice. Easy to update the firmware to one of the OSHW firmwares, TC-1 and family have an additional MCU for power management which requires some work to make them compatible with the OSHW design (either a firmware update for the management MCU or a two-transistor circuit as replacement). And the LiPo battery is tiny. The BSide is a just a very basic clone in a nice case. I you want to measure frequencies and check quartz crystals have a look at the Hiland M644.

author: gabri.peic
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2021, 03:03:10 pm
content: Thanks. I will give tc1 a try because I found it extremely cheap and I like the fact that it can test zener diodes.If that one dies or just sucks really badly I will go for one of the other ones recommended. Thanks

author: enut11
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2021, 02:46:22 am
content: The TC1 is rubbish. I have one. Never ready when you need it as battery goes flat even when you don't use it. Now, it died altogether. It is going into the bin.The m328 looks interesting...

author: Tekjive
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2022, 11:46:21 am
content: What can the tc1 do that the m328 can’t? Do both measure mosfet RDS? I’m still learning all this but need a “mostly reliable” and can’t decide between these 2 and the Bside. I just returned a tc1 because like the last user said the battery is complete crap and doesn’t charge over 4v, which some transistors require 5v+ to test, it did however give RDS readings (to sort mosfets for groups/banks) there’s also the mk328, I think I’ll make a thread about these 4 to see who’s had the best luck

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2022, 01:33:43 pm
content: Please seehttps://github.com/madires/Transistortester-Warehouse/blob/master/Documentation/English/Clone-Comparison-Chart.pdffor a list of Transitortester clones. And after getting a clone, program one of the two OSHW firmwares. The firmware the clones come with is usually a modified k-firmware with a fancy display output but much less functions.

author: Arts
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2022, 01:54:39 am
content: As everybody's idea of "inexpensive" varies, what to suggest? Compared to what I used to use in manufacturing, this unit costs peanuts, at around 110 USD.DER EE DE-5000 High Accuracy Handheld LCR Meter

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2022, 06:06:39 am
content: Quote from: Arts on February 28, 2022, 01:54:39 amAgree, good unit.

author: adauphin
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 28, 2022, 06:32:38 am
content: Quote from: nukie on February 28, 2022, 06:06:39 amYes indeed, have had no issues with mine and came here to recommend it as well.