Damnit, help choose LCR meter, torn between the two. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Wartex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2011, 04:33:26 am
content: Hi, I have a choice to buy BK 879B or Tonghui TH2822Chttp://www.tonghui.com.cn/en/goods/index/250.htmlBK Precision is 10 KHz and $340 shipped, Tonghui is $450 shipped but 100 KHz.Some people claim TH makes quality stuff and some said they were disappointed. Anyone wants to be a guinea pig and buy TH2822C and post a review? What would you choose?

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2011, 07:04:50 am
content: Add TaiwaneseAPPA 703to the list, they have been around for quite some time. They make meters for Hioki andBenning, such as the £296.24 Benning MM 11 =APPA 109TH is powered by 9V Alkaline / 8.4v Nimh (16hrs / 6hrs)APPA703 uses 4xAA (30 hours)The TH is very well regarded by the Chinese. On the chinese forums always recommend TH products when speaking of LCR meters. The bench versions have pretty good PCBs.I have first hand experience with the Taiwanese APPAtech DMM but not LCR meters. Their DMM build are beyond my expectation. It's not clear in the specs what are the limitations of each testing frequency so you might want to email the company.The BK unit has been reviewed by Dave, I don't think there's anymore I need to add to it.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2011, 11:51:06 am
content: June 14th Agilent will release a new set of LCR meters, I'd wait for it, it also list price cheaper than the meters you quoted.As to the value of 100kHz, there is a thread on eevblog were its discussed I think you are the OP too, I don't think it adds more value than one with 1kHz.In summary, see what range of capacitance and inductance the meter can measure, the more the better regardless of frequency.

author: Wartex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2011, 12:23:18 pm
content: I'll wait for agilent just to see what they are, but after recent multiple fiascos with scopes and DMMs, I view them as Mastech-grade equipment and not HP-grade. In the last orange DMM dave reviewed, the board had a shit ton of separate ICs, this just points to me they got a crapload of cheap components and they just mashed them together to get DMM functionality, i.e. there is no specialized IC like in Fluke, Gossen or Extech.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2011, 02:01:54 pm
content: Quote from: Wartex on May 31, 2011, 12:23:18 pmwhats the problem with that? who said its a crapload?Quote from: Wartex on May 31, 2011, 12:23:18 pmyou should put 3-10X the budget you quoted above if you need specialized tools. then again, you want the chip? or you want the meter?

author: DEHiCKA
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2011, 05:46:49 pm
content: I need a tool to measure low ESR caps 2000-3000uF. They can have ESR at about 0.01Ohm and even lower.As I see,APPA 703is not an option here, couse of±0.5%+15Daccuracy with 0.001Ohm resolution in lowest 20Ohm range.BK 879Blooks good with±2.0%+2Dand 0.0001Ohm resolition.Tonghui TH2822Cat first sight looks even better with±1.00%+3Dand 0.0001Ohm resolition.But I notice in thespecs, that it's lowest 4Ohm range starts from 0.4000Ohmp.s update: found anotherspecson the Tonghui website and magically there is 0.4Ohm range starting from 0 with ±3.00%+5D accuracy. Not as good as BK, but still good enough.Asking the owners of the Tonghui, is it true that it cannot go below 0.4000Ohm readings with resistanse and ESR?Asking the owners of the Tonghui and BK, do this LCR meters measure ESR on LowESR caps (0.05-0.01Ohm ESR) correctly and stable?

author: Drirr
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2011, 09:14:15 am
content: I would prefer APPA703, because all inputs are 4W.https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/560s0lkGZvGFg_Flt3bRGA?feat=directlink1% 0,005ohm vishay DALE, without using zero functionhttps://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WTvtJw7yJBGXlAnC9YJPsA?feat=directlinkhttps://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/uM1eUg_SnAnXO5ARMev1Wg?feat=directlink

author: zaoka
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2011, 06:11:19 pm
content: I would rather grab CapacitorWizard ESR meter, its analog meter with good resolution and will last you forever.

author: DEHiCKA
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2011, 02:29:15 pm
content: Quote from: zaoka on June 01, 2011, 06:11:19 pmIt's only 0.1 Ohm resolution. Not suitable for modern lowESR caps.Quote from: Drirr on June 01, 2011, 09:14:15 amHmm... Looks good. Don't know why they claim ±0.5%+15D accuracy then.Did you measure low ESR caps with it yet? And did you try PC software, does it have extra digit like BK and Tongui?

author: Leo Bodnar
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2011, 08:12:42 pm
content: Quote from: Wartex on May 31, 2011, 12:23:18 pmWhat, where, who, when?!

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2011, 08:31:08 pm
content: Quote from: Leo Bodnar on June 02, 2011, 08:12:42 pmi think i know what he meant

author: DEHiCKA
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2011, 10:43:45 am
content: Yet another good looking LCR meter:http://www.tmatlantic.com/e-store/index.php?SECTION_ID=193&ELEMENT_ID=2081Up to 100kHz, sorting modes, e.t.c. Not as accurate as Tonghui TH2822C or BK, but 3 times cheaper.

author: Ronnie
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2011, 04:41:33 pm
content: Is it worth saving $240 by buying an Aktakom AMM-3035 instead of the new Agilent U1733C price for $400?http://www.alliedelec.com/search/productdetail.aspx?SKU=8350760

author: Wartex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2011, 06:54:54 pm
content: Quote from: DEHiCKA on July 29, 2011, 10:43:45 amLooks like russian company (based on name and chick's face on their website) selling rebranded Mastech stuff.

author: Wartex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2011, 06:55:44 pm
content: By the way, BK Precision is just rebranded Tonghui.

author: DEHiCKA
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2011, 07:36:43 pm
content: Quote from: Wartex on July 31, 2011, 06:54:54 pmYes, they are russians and they are rebraning lots of chinease stuff.But I didn't find that LCR model on Mastech website or from any other chinease seller.As for Tongui and Agilent, if I really need that 0.25-0.2% accuracy and I definetly choose Tongui. It's better all the way: 100Ohm constant internal resistantce, 40000 counts primary 0.0001 secondary displays (Agilent - 20000 and 999), faster test speed, Auto LCR, 2 kelvin tweezers included. IR-to-USB cable is optional for Agilent if you want to connect it to PC - extra 30 bucks.

author: Wartex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2011, 04:35:38 am
content: Quote from: DEHiCKA on August 02, 2011, 07:36:43 pmTonghui has the same problem as BK with "min-max" not working, but they haven't released the firmware to fix it and I don't have the balls to flash it with BK's firmware.

author: Ronnie
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2011, 12:18:03 pm
content: Quote from: DEHiCKA on August 02, 2011, 07:36:43 pmSame here I wasn't able to find the same model at Mastech website. Since the Aktakom is a rebranded made in China stuff don't know if its performance will be in spec

author: DEHiCKA
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2011, 08:26:14 pm
content: They are rebranding Tonghui LCRs too:http://www.aktakom.ru/kio/index.php?SECTION_ID=1047&ELEMENT_ID=39283Changed only logo, all specs are the same as Tonghui TH2822C

author: shadowless
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2011, 03:32:47 am
content: Well if you get an Agilent or BK you are more assured of issue getting resolved. You don't just pay for the hardware, the price includes service, support and warranty.

author: Ronnie
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2011, 12:24:04 am
content: Quote from: shadowless on August 06, 2011, 03:32:47 amLooks like I'll go for the Agilent U1733C price at US$400 instead of the Aktakom AMM-3035 since Agilent service & support is available in the Philippines

author: shadowless
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2011, 12:48:00 am
content: You might even get it cheaper than that if you asking around.

author: jarvis
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2011, 09:10:42 am
content: http://www.testequity.com/products/4172/It seems to be not bad.

author: Wartex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2011, 12:11:34 am
content: Quote from: jarvis on August 13, 2011, 09:10:42 amEDIT: This meter goes up to 100 KHz, but datasheet does not specify at what ranges.

author: grenert
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2011, 02:55:47 am
content: Quote from: Wartex on August 14, 2011, 12:11:34 amYour reading comprehension is poor...and "meh" is tired.

author: Wartex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2011, 07:07:16 am
content: Quote from: grenert on August 14, 2011, 02:55:47 ammeh.

author: jarvis
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 15, 2011, 04:48:05 am
content: Here's the user guide.http://flircompletesolutions.com/instruments/resources/manuals/LCR200_UM.pdf

author: psicopato
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 27, 2011, 08:38:32 pm
content: Quote from: DEHiCKA on July 29, 2011, 10:43:45 amSomeone got this LCR meter?Does it works like it looks? I mean, does it worth the price for the functions it has?

author: eeshop
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 18, 2012, 12:45:24 am
content: Quote from: DEHiCKA on July 29, 2011, 10:43:45 amThis meter is BAD NEWS. Bought back in January cause it was cheaper than any other LCR meters that could do 100kHz - short summary - IT SUCKS.First of all, it's s advertised as capable of doing precise resistance measurement with 4-wire Kelvin probes, but it doesn't, the extra connectors are just shields, they are shorted to ground and aren't used for measurements.Second, when measuring ESR - it can only reliably measure at 100Hz and 1kHz. At 10kHz and 100kHz it's almost always shows errors. Other measurements are also extremely flaky, I actually ended up using a cheap $40 LCR meter off ebay because it actually works and makes better measurements, although no ESR, so still looking for something that can do good ESR measurements.Finally - the seller - TMatlantic - once you send him your money, you might as well forget about it because he'll do anything to avoid giving you a refund. I've been getting runarounds from him for a week with no resolution before I opened Paypal dispute. He finally agreed to do a return, but after he received the meter back, he refused to give a refund saying that per his accounting rules he can't do a refund if customer opened a Paypal dispute first. I don't know if he's ignorant, or just a thief and a liar, because disputes get closed by Paypal automatically once seller issues a refund. He just plain refused to refund and told me I could keep fighting it through Paypal if I wanted to - so it took like a month going through Paypal to get a refund. Seems like TMatlantic.com is being run by some borderline scammers. I'll be making sure to avoid dealing with TMatlantic.com and Aktakom in the future.

author: rbola35618
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2012, 02:59:39 am
content: Aktatom buyers be ware.Here is a review of the Aktakom LCR meter. It has a problem in the open circuit zero calibration. Any parasitic larger than 25pF will make the open calibration fail. You can use the meter but will have to subtract the capacitance (parasitic). I got the same run around by the company. I would not recommend buying this LCR meter. I still use it but with reservations.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2012, 09:11:52 am
content: Not sure if you are interested in mastech or not , but this is one huge LCR/ESR Meter .http://www.aliexpress.com/product-fm/533326722-MASTECH-MS5308-Handheld-AutoRange-LCR-Tester-wholesalers.html

author: Wartex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2012, 05:44:13 pm
content: So, now we have Agilent U1733C or Tonghui TH2282C, both are 100 KHz. Tonghui is 4 wire but has a min/max bug. Agilent is 2 wire but has better support.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2012, 05:59:00 pm
content: i have a tonghui. works fine but the display is a bit odd to read with those elongated characters. and it drains batteries .... and the 'smd tweezers' look like htey date back to grandpa's era ...apart from that , no complaints.now, compared to my Agilent 4263b .. the tongui is a toy ... that cost me more than the used 4263 b i scored on fleabay ...