Smart Tweezers discount plus a Bluetooth model - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Zbig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2016, 07:04:14 pm
content: You can now get Smart Tweezers with 22% discount (for the basic set) from the company's official web store:http://www.smarttweezers.com/$302 vs. $368, apparently. Probably related to them releasing new, Bluetooth-enabled model. I'm not affiliated in any way - just thought that might be good news for someone sitting on the fence over a pair of these.

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2016, 07:19:51 pm
content: I guess smart is the seller.At this price I would prefer to buy a pro LCR meter and a SMD probe

author: Zbig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2016, 07:28:37 pm
content: Haven't used them myself but from what I read, not having to turn your eyes from the thing you're probing to read the result and not sweeping your tiny SMD stuff all over the place with unwieldy probe cables every time you move your hand is worth this thing's weight in gold. And I can imagine why.

author: kaz911
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2016, 07:31:34 pm
content: they are crap - they measure fine but have huge charge issues. If charging does not work - you have to take it apart and yank power cable out. I have not found a way to safely charge mine even with their own adaptor.POS product - sorry

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2016, 09:03:35 pm
content: Interestingly they have 2 websites:http://www.smarttweezers.com/http://www.advancedevices.com/I have one of their first, an ST3 that is powered from LR44's, before they had the rechargeable option and the newer rechargeable ST5 models.It is still it is one of my treasured tools, when it is misbehaving it's time for new batteries.Quote from: kaz911 on July 24, 2016, 07:31:34 pmWhich model?Have you contacted them?Could you have a faulty charger?

author: D3f1ant
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2016, 07:25:55 pm
content: No charging problems with mine. It gets used more than my other lcr meter simply because of the convenience and quality of the physical tweazer, its great.

author: kaz911
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2016, 07:45:03 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on July 24, 2016, 09:03:35 pmYes - I have a ST5 " Pro " and the ST5 Colibri - both have same issue. I even put a meter on and it never got even close to 180mA charge on 5v USB. The Pro also have issues with the [lack of] joystick. It does not like to move up or right.And yes I spoke to them but sending them back is not cheap - so I'm waiting for someone to go to the US and ship them back. But BOTH have the same issue. But I do think they are same "batch"'ish.Maybe I have just been unlucky.

author: rx8pilot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2016, 07:53:38 pm
content: Quote from: ebclr on July 24, 2016, 07:19:51 pmWhat pro LCR meter costs $300?

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2016, 08:15:07 pm
content: Quote from: rx8pilot on July 25, 2016, 07:53:38 pmI paid that 10 yrs ago for my smart tweezers and would replace them an instant if needed.I use them on TH and SMD and one handed use speed exceeds anything with test leads.Great for failing eyesight instead of trying to read bands or codes.I'd be surprised that anybody using them on a regular basis wouldn't think the investment was worth it and payback quick.DMM's have been retired for component measurement on my bench excepting for high values or unusual stuff.Try a pair Carlos, I doubt you'd be disappointed.

author: rx8pilot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2016, 08:42:07 pm
content: I have no doubt I would love them. Assuming they are reliable and reasonably accurate, they would pay for themselves just to save all the caps I lose - not to mention the time saved.Sent from my horrible mobile....

author: Zbig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2016, 03:30:50 pm
content: Quote from: kaz911 on July 25, 2016, 07:45:03 pmNot necessarily an indicative of a failure. The datasheet says:QuoteIt seems they've just decided to play it safe and charge at less than ~C/3 current. And yes, I know you've measured that on 5V USB side but if you assume ~80% voltage regulation efficiency device-side, that makes for pretty much 1:1 ballpark calculations (input current at 5V ~= charging current at Li-Po voltages)

author: kaz911
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2016, 05:09:39 pm
content: Quote from: Zbig on July 26, 2016, 03:30:50 pmThe only reason I brought it up is because they said I might have overcharged the devices.... But that is not the case....

author: Zbig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2016, 06:00:19 pm
content: Quote from: kaz911 on July 26, 2016, 05:09:39 pmAh, ok, now I got it. Still quite a weird thing for them to say, though. Assuming they designed the charging circuit properly, how could you possibly overcharge it? Almost as if the support guys didn't have much technical knowledge and didn't know there is only one proper way of implementing Li-Po charging circuitry and it involves full CC/CV process