Fnirsi -TC3

[indman]

A tester doesn't need to be precise or advanced, but it’s good if it's versatile. There are plenty of these testers, and they are based on software by Karl-Heinz Kübbeler, which the Chinese have cloned and sell under names like LCR-TC1, TC2, TC7, etc. These are the best cheap devices and are even relatively accurate.

Your statement is only true for the LCR-TC1, TC2, TC7 clones that were on sale before and which are based on the AVR ATmega.
The clones of the LCR-Tx series, which are now sold by Chinese friends, are based in the same way as FNIRSI products on specific controllers and are only a parody in the form of a disposable toy and are not at all similar to the original German project.

[Phil1977]

But the cheapest of these clones just use the architecture of the original Karl-Heinz Kübbeler design and you can often flash them with the open source software.

The devices like the Fnirsi TC3 just implement (probably against all GPL rules) the open source software into a closed proprietary product. If fnirsi stops the support, no one can help you anymore.

Regarding this aspect the cheaper clones are the better.

[indman]

But the cheapest of these clones just use the architecture of the original Karl-Heinz Kübbeler design and you can often flash them with the open source software.

Not exactly, you're wrong. Chinese firmware for such clones is blocked for reading. If the controller burns out, the author's firmware can only be downloaded if you install a new Atmega and if the pinout on the PCB allows it.