Author Topic: Best LCR meter sub $100, mid range, or any price?  (Read 3792 times)

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Offline ElasiaTopic starter

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Best LCR meter sub $100, mid range, or any price?
« on: April 11, 2018, 11:14:42 pm »
Much like the sister dmm tread, thought it would be interesting to see what LCR meters people like, cost wise - a cheapie sub 100, mid range, or go nuts-the sky's the limit - and why
 

Offline GreyWoolfe

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Re: Best LCR meter sub $100, mid range, or any price?
« Reply #1 on: April 12, 2018, 01:54:02 am »
I have a DER EE DE 5000.  I believe  I paid $120 USD with all the attachments.  I modified the short alligator clips to longer Kelvin style clips from evilBay that work fine.  It is a good value for the money and is very helpful when I need it.
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Offline BravoV

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Re: Best LCR meter sub $100, mid range, or any price?
« Reply #2 on: April 12, 2018, 01:57:59 am »
.... or go nuts-the sky's the limit - and why

This -> 65120B Series Impedance Analyzer



Features :

    Precise high frequency impedance measurements
    Characterize components from 20 Hz to 120 MHz
    0.05% basic measurement accuracy
    0 to +40V DC bias voltage and 0 to 100mA DC bias Current (Option)
    ±40V DC bias voltage (Option)
    Comprehensive measurement functions
    Easy to use with large TFT touch screen
    Clear graphic displays aids measurements
    Traditional LCR Meter mode for single and repetitive measurements
    Resonance Search
    Equivalanct Circuit Analysis (Option)
    Intuitive user interface
    Fully programmable over GPIB and LAN
    Polar and Complex Plots available (option)
    Multi Measurement Mode available (option)
    Keyboard and mouse optional control
    Competitively priced  ::)

As for why ... well, just say I will be trembling for days or even weeks, if I have one of this at my bench table, enough said.   ;D

Offline nidlaX

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Re: Best LCR meter sub $100, mid range, or any price?
« Reply #3 on: April 12, 2018, 02:23:25 am »
.... or go nuts-the sky's the limit - and why

This -> 65120B Series Impedance Analyzer



Features :

    Precise high frequency impedance measurements
    Characterize components from 20 Hz to 120 MHz
    0.05% basic measurement accuracy
    0 to +40V DC bias voltage and 0 to 100mA DC bias Current (Option)
    ±40V DC bias voltage (Option)
    Comprehensive measurement functions
    Easy to use with large TFT touch screen
    Clear graphic displays aids measurements
    Traditional LCR Meter mode for single and repetitive measurements
    Resonance Search
    Equivalanct Circuit Analysis (Option)
    Intuitive user interface
    Fully programmable over GPIB and LAN
    Polar and Complex Plots available (option)
    Multi Measurement Mode available (option)
    Keyboard and mouse optional control
    Competitively priced  ::)

As for why ... well, just say I will be trembling for days or even weeks, if I have one of this at my bench table, enough said.   ;D
Nice looking instrument. The previous generation versions can be had for fairly low prices on eBay.
 

Offline BravoV

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Re: Best LCR meter sub $100, mid range, or any price?
« Reply #4 on: April 12, 2018, 03:18:07 am »
Nice looking instrument. The previous generation versions can be had for fairly low prices on eBay.

Define what is called low prices, its relative I guess.  ::)

Offline Mr. Scram

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Re: Best LCR meter sub $100, mid range, or any price?
« Reply #5 on: April 12, 2018, 03:41:35 am »
I have a DER EE DE 5000.  I believe  I paid $120 USD with all the attachments.  I modified the short alligator clips to longer Kelvin style clips from evilBay that work fine.  It is a good value for the money and is very helpful when I need it.
All the attachments? The ones with the USB dongle are always ridiculously expensive for some reason.
 

Offline joeqsmith

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Re: Best LCR meter sub $100, mid range, or any price?
« Reply #6 on: April 12, 2018, 03:56:31 am »
I've had a BK for many years and have been happy with it.   I doubt mine are still produced but looks like someone has one for sale:   

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/fs-eu-bk-precision-886-lcresr-meter/msg1436877/#msg1436877
 
You could have a look at their current products.

http://www.bkprecision.com/products/component-testers/879B-40000-count-dual-display-handheld-lcr-meter-with-esr.html

Back in the 90s I was using an HP 4194 impedance analyzer that was really nice.   For my own hobby use if I need higher  frequencies, I still use my HP8754A. 

I bought a TPI 194 II handheld meter that had capacitance and inductance.  I would never recommend this.     

Offline nidlaX

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Re: Best LCR meter sub $100, mid range, or any price?
« Reply #7 on: April 12, 2018, 03:56:53 am »
Nice looking instrument. The previous generation versions can be had for fairly low prices on eBay.

Define what is called low prices, its relative I guess.  ::)
Less than $300?
 

Offline BravoV

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Re: Best LCR meter sub $100, mid range, or any price?
« Reply #8 on: April 12, 2018, 04:10:31 am »
Nice looking instrument. The previous generation versions can be had for fairly low prices on eBay.
Define what is called low prices, its relative I guess.  ::)
Less than $300?
Where ? That can be "easily" sourced at that price range, we're talking about bench top grade impedance analyzer right ?

Offline WhichEnt2

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Re: Best LCR meter sub $100, mid range, or any price?
« Reply #9 on: April 12, 2018, 08:13:59 am »
Don't forget about the XJW01 for sub $100 range https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/xjw01-auto-lcr-meter-review-($120-bench-top-lcr-meter)/
Short pieces, high value, small period, huge amount, long delay.
 

Offline BravoV

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Re: Best LCR meter sub $100, mid range, or any price?
« Reply #10 on: April 12, 2018, 09:09:06 am »
I have a DER EE DE 5000.  I believe  I paid $120 USD with all the attachments.  I modified the short alligator clips to longer Kelvin style clips from evilBay that work fine.  It is a good value for the money and is very helpful when I need it.

+1 as currently DE 5000 is best choice when it comes to measuring capacitor, inductor and also resistor, especially for hobbyist level if want to have detail measurement results.

For beginners that are not aware, when using a LCR meter like DE-5000 that has 4 wires measurement (beware, some crappy LCR meters don't have it), the ordinary handheld DMMs that have only 2 wires for measurement, simply can not do low ohm measurement accurately and reliably like this.


Offline wn1fju

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Re: Best LCR meter sub $100, mid range, or any price?
« Reply #11 on: April 12, 2018, 12:38:51 pm »
I'll nominate the (inexpensive) Peak Electronics LCR45.  May not be the most accurate money can buy, but it sure is convenient if you have limited
bench space!

While you are perusing Peak's webpage, take a look at some of their other stuff like the ESR tester or component analyzer.  I have those and they are
very nice.

(I have no connection whatsoever to their company)
 

Offline nctnico

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Re: Best LCR meter sub $100, mid range, or any price?
« Reply #12 on: April 12, 2018, 01:53:04 pm »
Don't forget about the XJW01 for sub $100 range https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/xjw01-auto-lcr-meter-review-($120-bench-top-lcr-meter)/
Agreed. I still have it. If you want to spend more then it is worth looking for a network analyser in the several Hz to several MHz range. An LCR meter is a rather limited device.
There are small lies, big lies and then there is what is on the screen of your oscilloscope.
 
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Offline ElasiaTopic starter

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Re: Best LCR meter sub $100, mid range, or any price?
« Reply #13 on: April 12, 2018, 06:56:39 pm »
Don't forget about the XJW01 for sub $100 range https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/xjw01-auto-lcr-meter-review-($120-bench-top-lcr-meter)/
Agreed. I still have it. If you want to spend more then it is worth looking for a network analyser in the several Hz to several MHz range. An LCR meter is a rather limited device.

Looks like they upgraded it.. i picked one up for the hell of it since its so cheap

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Auto-LCR-Digital-Electric-Bridge-Resistance-Capacitance-Inductance-ESR-Meter-US/282599271769?epid=759946803&hash=item41cc3aad59:g:544AAOSwxDNZhXnA
 

Offline WhichEnt2

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Re: Best LCR meter sub $100, mid range, or any price?
« Reply #14 on: April 12, 2018, 07:05:12 pm »
They upgraded it just for more easy production, most of schematic except psu is the same, firmware should be the same too: 2012 ver. 5.5.
Short pieces, high value, small period, huge amount, long delay.
 

Offline GreyWoolfe

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Re: Best LCR meter sub $100, mid range, or any price?
« Reply #15 on: April 12, 2018, 07:57:44 pm »
I have a DER EE DE 5000.  I believe  I paid $120 USD with all the attachments.  I modified the short alligator clips to longer Kelvin style clips from evilBay that work fine.  It is a good value for the money and is very helpful when I need it.
All the attachments? The ones with the USB dongle are always ridiculously expensive for some reason.

Oops, my bad.  Not the USB dongle.  The TL-21, 22 and 23.  When I bought mine, you could get it without these for less money.  I don't have the dongle.
"Heaven has been described as the place that once you get there all the dogs you ever loved run up to greet you."
 

Offline Terry01

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Re: Best LCR meter sub $100, mid range, or any price?
« Reply #16 on: April 12, 2018, 08:05:39 pm »
I bought the DER EE 5000 a couple days ago. Just waiting on it arriving in the UK from Japan. I am still very new to electronics so looking forward to learning how to drive it and what all the info it provides means.

No doubt i'll be asking lots if silly questions soon  8)
Sparks and Smoke means i'm nearly there!
 

Offline DIPLover

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Re: Best LCR meter sub $100, mid range, or any price?
« Reply #17 on: April 12, 2018, 08:24:29 pm »
Have had the DER EE 5000 for a couple years now. Would certainly recommend it for the price. Nice little meter.
 

Offline cvanc

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Re: Best LCR meter sub $100, mid range, or any price?
« Reply #18 on: April 12, 2018, 09:35:08 pm »
Have had the DER EE 5000 for a couple years now. Would certainly recommend it for the price. Nice little meter.

Agreed.  I've had an EE 5000 for a bit more than a year and it's a great tool.
 


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