LCR Meter in the 100-150$ range?

[ollihd]

Hi all!

I have been looking for a LCR meter in the 100 to 150$ range. I have come across three candidates:
#1 UNI-T UT612
#2 DER EE DE-5000
#3 MASTECH MS5308

(not in any particular order)

What I will mainly use it for is ESR-measurements. I have looked at ESR dedicated meters as well, but I want to have a meter that has a little more functionality if I need it in the future. What do you think? As far as I know the DER EE can even do ESR in circuit (caps drained first of course). What is your take on this? Cheap LCR-meter or a "midpriced?" ESR-meter?

[dimkasta]

I would vote for LCR

I cannot comment on your choices. But I bought a second hand Tonghui TH2821B with its Kelvin probes a few years back and did not regret it. It is still going strong.

[gnavigator1007]

If you're really only after ESR then you could potentially go cheaper than the uni-t, but if you want to future-proof for a growing hobby/obsession you might as well get an LCR meter. I had been in need of a basic LCR meter for a single project for quite awhile and finally purchased the DE-5000 several months ago. Paid extra for shipping, but had it in 4 days from Japan! With the expedited shipping and all accessories only cost $160. Cleared customs faster than any international purchase I've made so far. I've been pleased with the unit

[ollihd]

Thanks for the info!

gnavigator1007: did you also get the USB accessory as well? If so: have you used it at all? That seems to be the one taking the DER EE DE-5000 price a bit up.

[cvanc]

I have owned a DE-5000 for about a year.  The more I use it the more I like it.  I modified the alligator clip adapter with longer cables and cheap Kelvin clips - a common aftermarket modification that really improves usability.

I was recently sorting several hundred polystyrene capacitors (because like a fool I once dumped them all into a single storage container...).  Some of them were unmarked or had unreadable markings.  The lowest value I had to discern was 20pF but I also had some 22pF.  The DE-5000 was rock solid, even when reading such low values.  No flicker of even the least significant digit - rock solid.  (Of course I ran the probe cal routine first, to null out my test leads)

Sweet little meter.  Highly recommended.

[gnavigator1007]

Thanks for the info!

gnavigator1007: did you also get the USB accessory as well? If so: have you used it at all? That seems to be the one taking the DER EE DE-5000 price a bit up.

I did receive the USB, but have not used it yet. My main concern as far as purchasing all the extras was the usb and ac adapter because this was to be a bench only instrument for me. Still haven't taken the time to make the necessary rearrangements

[ollihd]

I modified the alligator clip adapter with longer cables and cheap Kelvin clips - a common aftermarket modification that really improves usability.

Can you elaborate on that a bit? Where did you buy the clips, what kind of cables (awg), etc? Would love to know! Sounds like a smart modification.

[cvanc]

I modified the alligator clip adapter with longer cables and cheap Kelvin clips - a common aftermarket modification that really improves usability.

Can you elaborate on that a bit? Where did you buy the clips, what kind of cables (awg), etc? Would love to know! Sounds like a smart modification.

I got cheap generic Kelvin clips off eBay; tons of sellers there.  And here on the forum is a gent called Frankie who sells lots of small bits - he sometimes has good Kelvin clips in his stock.  For the cable, it needs to be shielded so I used RG-174 miniature coax.  You can find videos on YouTube detailing this mod, there's nothing to it.

[Neo2199]

I have DER EE DE-5000 and very happy with my purchase. Have You watched Dave's video about it? Mine didn't come with PC accessories but I actually don't miss it. I use it mainly as an handheld to measure RCL...

[cheeseit]

Another vote for the DE-5000. I very much like it and enjoy using it. Definitely worth the money.

[kripton2035]

Bought one DerEE DE5000 one year and a half ago... still nice unit, the original batteries are still inside !
bought the tweezers clips that come with it, thinking of making good 4-wires multimeter probes for it but did not have time until now.

[ollihd]

Thanks everyone. I'm pretty much set on getting the DE-5000. One thing that I'm curious about though. Are people doing the kelvin clip modification to the TL-21 for reach or for accuracy? I would think that the the tweezers (TL-22) would have long enough reach? And for accuracy couldn't one just use the blades on the device?

[kripton2035]

if you have to measure simple components, out of the board, the tweezers tl22 are fine (but a little too short for big capacitors)
but if you want to use it on a board, in circuit, or for pcb wire checks on resistance mode, then you need some like multimeter probes.

[ollihd]

Thanks for the reply. Is there a particular reason one wouldn't use the tweezers on the board (in circuit)? Has anyone done a probe modification on the TL-21?

[danny_isr]

Got the DE-5000 as well with tweezers, and yes still with the original batteries though don't think it's a big surprise. It has auto shut off so it should last long time.
It feels like a quality product when you hold it. And served me well so far. Would buy again if needed 

[kripton2035]

Thanks for the reply. Is there a particular reason one wouldn't use the tweezers on the board (in circuit)? Has anyone done a probe modification on the TL-21?

sorry you can use the tweezers TL22 in circuit, but sometimes you can't reach the component with it, it would be better with multimeter probes (and you have to make them 4 wires)

[Ray.B]

I was wondering on buying a DE-EE-DE5000 but I was hearing of Reversed Battery Protection, input protection, problems, with dying units, ie: eevblog.com/forum/testgear/de-ee-de-5000-unboxing-and-teardown.  PedroDaGr8 had found a possible battery protection, D5, R5, R4 with the D5 being a inline diode/fuse.  I have heard of DE-EE-DE5000 customers having blowing up their meters instantly with a reversed battery.  Most of these low cost meters don't have input protection either, unless you go to Agilent U1733C with older discrete chipsets, with better input protection, MOVs, diodes, resettable fuses, at a twice to three times the costs.  With B&K meters don't have 100Khz, ESR frequency.  I may by the Blue Bob Parker meter instead and use my Heathkit IT-11 and older LC meters for now.  I have heard of people having their DE-EE-DE5000 dying after a year of use, getting what you pay for, China junk.   

What do other guys think.  Later Ray.B

[joeqsmith]

With B&K meters don't have 100Khz, ESR frequency.  ....
What do other guys think.  Later Ray.B

They used to offer one for 100KHz.  Surprised to hear they no longer offer one.  Does appear you can still get the old 886. 

https://www.amazon.com/Precision-886-Synthesized-Circuit-Frequency/dp/B0000WTXF6

Looks like they offer some new ones as well.  Guessing you just missed them was all.  Check their website.  Not bad meters for the price.  I think I bought my one new about 18 years ago.  I have never had a problem with it and it still works fine.

http://www.bkprecision.com/products/component-testers/880-dual-display-handheld-100khz-lcr-meter-with-esr.html

[shteii01]

Like another gent I bought my DE-5000 for the bench, so I plug mine into the wall.  Kinda hard to put batteries in reverse when you don't use batteries. 

[joeqsmith]

Like another gent I bought my DE-5000 for the bench, so I plug mine into the wall.  Kinda hard to put batteries in reverse when you don't use batteries. 

I plug in my first BK as well.  Not because the reason you mention or because the meter draws a lot, I just seldom use it and rather than pull the battery to avoid it leaking over time I just have always plugged it in. 

[Specmaster]

If your main usage is going to on the bench then I would personally recommend one of the Chinese testers such as the excellent albeit a little crude in the fit and finish depots but it is really very accurate and does it all the XJW01 is the one I have and it the screen provides a multitude of useful information all at the same time, including ESR. This link shows the new versions http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Auto-LCR-Digital-Electric-Bridge-Resistance-Capacitance-Inductance-ESR-Meter-NEW-/181367473225?hash=item2a3a580449:g:q3AAAOSwH09ZEpjZ 

You will also find threads on this forum about it and I cannot fault this at all, for the money it produces results far above its price range and is on a par with units costing many many times its cost. It is also vey small and lightweight so if you need to take it with you, its easy to do, just needs a power point to power it up thats all.

[Paul Moir]

China junk.   

Made in Taiwan...

[PedroDaGr8]

I was wondering on buying a DE-EE-DE5000 but I was hearing of Reversed Battery Protection, input protection, problems, with dying units, ie: eevblog.com/forum/testgear/de-ee-de-5000-unboxing-and-teardown.  PedroDaGr8 had found a possible battery protection, D5, R5, R4 with the D5 being a inline diode/fuse.  I have heard of DE-EE-DE5000 customers having blowing up their meters instantly with a reversed battery.  Most of these low cost meters don't have input protection either, unless you go to Agilent U1733C with older discrete chipsets, with better input protection, MOVs, diodes, resettable fuses, at a twice to three times the costs.  With B&K meters don't have 100Khz, ESR frequency.  I may by the Blue Bob Parker meter instead and use my Heathkit IT-11 and older LC meters for now.  I have heard of people having their DE-EE-DE5000 dying after a year of use, getting what you pay for, China junk.   

What do other guys think.  Later Ray.B

There were a few cases of this, but I believe that has been solved in later revisions. Honestly, it's pretty hard to install the battery backwards anyways.i have heard of no other reports of random meter death, save people don't stupid stuff like inserting charged capacitors. My meter is still going strong and damn accurate. I can't say enough good about it.

Your comment calling these China junk is highly inaccurate. First off, these are made in Taiwan by a highly reputable manufacturer. Secondly, they are so high quality that IET Labs (makers of loads of high precision equipment) rebrands these for their DE-6000.

Sent from my LGLS992 using Tapatalk

[Macbeth]

China junk.   

Made in Taiwan...

and primarily sold in and then exported from Japan...

[GreyWoolfe]

I modified the alligator clip adapter with longer cables and cheap Kelvin clips - a common aftermarket modification that really improves usability.

Can you elaborate on that a bit? Where did you buy the clips, what kind of cables (awg), etc? Would love to know! Sounds like a smart modification.

I did the same modification.  this is what I bought: http://www.ebay.com/itm/LCR-Meter-Test-Leads-Lead-Clip-Cable-Terminal-Kelvin-Probe-Wires-w-4-BNC-/382098078502?hash=item58f6d1fb26:g:69IAAOSw3gJZJQHR

Much better than the little wires with the alligator clips.  Be careful and check that the 2 halves of the clips aren't shorted together.  One of mine were and I didn't notice it until I tried to cal them.  It was an easy fix but better to check sooner than later.