Voltcraft LCR 300 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2014, 06:23:44 pm
content: Any opinions on this LCR meter - seems to tick the boxes 100Hz-100kHz test frequencies, true 4-wire measurement and accuracy 0.3% to 2% depending on what you're trying to measure (only a smidgen worse than the U1731C/U1732C/U1733C) and quite tempting at £151.24 including VAT from Rapidhttp://www.rapidonline.com/Test-Measurement/Voltcraft-LCR-300-LCR-Multimeter-51-5925Conrad sell them as well.http://www.conrad.com/ce/en/product/103677/VOLTCRAFT-LCR-300-LCR-Multimeter-for-measurement-of-resistors-inductors-and-capacitors

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2014, 06:54:33 pm
content: for me it's the same meter than those with the cyrustek chip insideyou can find them from $90 shipped from japan on ebayto $350 + shipping + customs from IET Labs with a calibration certificatethen you choose !links to differents brands on my web site below.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2014, 07:13:22 pm
content: It looks like a rebranded Yihua VA520:http://www.mastech.com.cn/html/en/products-va520.htm

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2014, 07:25:49 pm
content: Quote from: kripton2035Yes, I assume that it is based on the cyrustek chip - similar items start just over £100 on ebay.However, I'd rather give £150 to a UK supplier - where I have at least a fighting chance of honouring the distance selling regs or a warranty return (should it ever be needed) than £110 to someone in Shenzen who won't offer a warranty anyway and who either won't accept returns or says happily "yes, of course I'll give you a refund" knowing full well that it will cost me half the item price to return it.That's assuming the LCR meter is at least reasonable, of courseQuote from: WytnuclsQuite possible, the button layout is the same - but somewhat irrelevant as the Yihua version isn't available in the UK AFAICS and I can't see any attempts at an independent review - so I'm still in the dark as to whether it's any good

author: david77
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2014, 07:42:01 pm
content: Intersting to see that Rapid now is part of Conrad.

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2014, 07:47:22 pm
content: QuoteSo it is, hmmm.......

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2014, 07:54:34 pm
content: It is available in the Netherlands for 139 Euros:http://www.eleshop.nl/va-va520-automatische-lcr-meter-p-481.html

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2014, 08:31:23 pm
content: Quote from: WytnuclsI wonder whether it will still be cheaper after shipping to the UK, probably still marginal for the hassle of dealing with a non-UK supplier (but easier than China, I'll agree).Still doesn't help with the "is it any good" question, except I see that it has been mentioned once or twice on the forum - usually without much of a reply as to its actual quality, whatever the branding.

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2014, 09:50:13 pm
content: as I said they are pretty much all the same meters.some only do 2 wires measurement.the probes and the calibration makes the difference (and also local preference for the seller of course)calibration is only with IETthen the probesit won't be easy to make in circuit measurements with the kelvin probes provided with the va520look for tweezers probes (with 4 wires connections) for that purposeworks like a charm with my meter (the japanese one)