Anyone use these cheap testers?

[WadeLanham]

Multifunctional Electronic Component Tester

Simplify your electronics workflow with the ultimate All-in-One Component Tester. Whether you're a seasoned pro, a hobbyist, or repairing a circuit board, this device gives you fast, accurate readings for nearly any component, saving you time and guesswork. ⚡ Smart One-Button Testing No more...

voaty.com

Saw a video of this, and it looked great. Been poking around and considering getting something like this.

Same thing is on ebay for $25:

Pardon Our Interruption...

I'm been pleasantly surprised by some other super cheap chinese tech recently. Is it finally possible to get some tools to help with this hobby, without spending hundreds?

If anyone has experience with the above, or something similar, please share!

 

[ArcadeTechGW]

Nope, I got my stuff from others.

I don't trust the stuff coming out of China. Much like their parts they sell, it tends to be dicey.

 

[VectorCollector]

Many individuals who repair boards seem to have this cheap tester. I have one to compliment my more expensive digital and analog ones.
This cheap one, which has been around for years, seem to work well enough but not perfect. YMMV

So that was mainly good for ICs. For discrete components, this one is also common ->
I have one of these too. Works well. When I'm too lazy to bring out my expensive ESR tester, I use this cheap one.
I've also used it to test transistors.

 

[Glitch]

Ton of reviews on YouTube. For $25, it'll do the job - no harm in getting one.

If you find it's something you're using on a regular basis down the road and it comes up short - upgrade later.

 

[bobbyb13]

Only caveat would be make sure you know what range of values you believe you need to address vs. what the device can measure.
I've had similar devices that worked fine but wouldn't manage the scale required for some tasks.

 

[Azure Oz2]

If you do get one that measures capacitance/ESR remember to discharge (short) the cap before connecting it to the tester.

Most testers do not discharge the capacitor and only test it at a low voltage. If there is any reasonable charge (voltage) in the capacitor when you connect it, it will damage (kill) those testers.

 

[mecha]

If you do get one that measures capacitance/ESR remember to discharge (short) the cap before connecting it to the tester.

Most testers do not discharge the capacitor and only test it at a low voltage. If there is any reasonable charge (voltage) in the capacitor when you connect it, it will damage (kill) those testers.

aha. another ask me how I know. LOL

yeah I wound up frying the control chip on my component tester not discharging a filter cap first. my 2nd tester was a different breed of Chineseum, it failed a different way for no explainable reason thinking a thyristor is always connected. sucks cause it had a better screen. I'll post pictures and a link of the one I use.

 

[WadeLanham]

Many individuals who repair boards seem to have this cheap tester. I have one to compliment my more expensive digital and analog ones.
This cheap one, which has been around for years, seem to work well enough but not perfect. YMMV

View attachment 861178

So that was mainly good for ICs. For discrete components, this one is also common ->
I have one of these too. Works well. When I'm too lazy to bring out my expensive ESR tester, I use this cheap one.
I've also used it to test transistors.

View attachment 861180

One of the reasons I'm thinking about this is to test some bottlecap transistors needed for the power supply of some monitors I have that I think may be close to working. Can you use leads and this tester to do that?

 

[VectorCollector]

For bottlecap type TO3 transistors, I guess you could make three test leads and insert those leads into the ZIF socket. Then clip to the transistor pins.
Most tend to test bottlecaps with DMM. But if you want to see the transistors parameters, you'd also need to use a real tester.

With any tester, it all comes down to how much you want to pay and what expectations for functionality and accuracy will meet your needs.

I own a couple of FNIRSI handheld oscilloscopes. I find their quality and accuracy to be very good (as do other reviewers).
So, I would suggest, for $25, the FNIRSI LCR-P1 you linked to would be a nice "more modern" unit to try out. YMMV

 

[cwilkson]

test some bottlecap transistors needed for the power supply of some monitors I have that I think may be close to working. Can you use leads and this tester to do that?

I would never trust that with power transistors. You need to test them under load and a cheap tester is not going to provide the needed 5-10 amps.

Most tend to test bottlecaps with DMM.

This will catch open and shorted transistors. I recommend it over a cheap tester.

But it won't catch gain problems, and it won't show excessively leaky devices. Because it isn't checking the transistor action. It also won't show counterfeit devices that will quickly fail under load. But a cheap transistor tester is not much better. (even a good quality transistor test on a DMM won't do it for power devices).

If you want to check a power device (diode, transistor, SCR, whatever…) you need a high power curve tracer. And they're too expensive for this hobby.

Or just use your DMM to make sure it isn't shorted then plug it into your actual circuit and try it and see.

 

[JukeboxJon]

https://a.co/d/cLRf2vd

I use this cheapy, same one Zenomorph uses in his monitor chassis videos. It has come in handy before using along side my fluke. Mostly use it for monitor chassis transistors and poly caps. I mean it seems to do what its suppose to for 20$.

 

[Mojodog333]

Saw a video of this, and it looked great. Been poking around and considering getting something like this.

Same thing is on ebay for $25:

I have this exact model. It's worked find for the handful of times I've had to use it. I was given advice to avoid buying expensive tools until you have had a cheap tool and proved to yourself that you actually need it frequently and understand/appreciate the differences between the cheap version and expensive version. (Yes, cheap tools are often of poor quality and break, so I only buy cheap things I can return)

 

[ArcadeJason]

what vector collector said it works but you can only trust it 90% of the time . but i would still recommend it

 

[in99flames]

Many individuals who repair boards seem to have this cheap tester. I have one to compliment my more expensive digital and analog ones.
This cheap one, which has been around for years, seem to work well enough but not perfect. YMMV

View attachment 861178

So that was mainly good for ICs. For discrete components, this one is also common ->
I have one of these too. Works well. When I'm too lazy to bring out my expensive ESR tester, I use this cheap one.
I've also used it to test transistors.

View attachment 861180

I use both of these and a few other Atlas testers. As far as these 2 testers go, None have steered me wrong.... yet. They are cheap but are definitely helpful. Id say worth the price.