Component Tester - Good form factor

[PerranOak]

Can anyone recommend a version of those cheapo component testers in a nice, usable and safe package.

I've had one for a while but it's just a bare circuit board and a dangly battery lead and I keep shorting things with it. 

Cheers

[KungFuJosh]

I have the TC1 and the TC3. Both have been fine for component testing. I like the TC3 has extra toys, which is cute. But I really like that it's firmware upgradable. I bought the TC1 in a case super cheap on Amazon years ago. The TC3 is around $50.

[Fungus]

Search for "component tester" on Aliexpress, there's hundreds.

They're all pretty much identical inside.

[Fungus]

I just saw FNIRSI makes one with a built-in oscilloscope+sig-gen...

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005298986096.html

[KungFuJosh]

I just saw FNIRSI makes one with a built-in oscilloscope+sig-gen...

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005298986096.html

That's the TC3 I was referring to. The sig gen and scope are obviously very basic (mostly toys), but I was able to use the scope to test the foil ends of capacitors.

[Phil1977]

The FNIRSI-device is 3-4 times more expensive than the T7-transistor tester. The WaveGen and Scope are not even toys. I recommend saving the money.

The T7 is available in a closed housing for around €15, I think it even was in such a "order 3 at once"-offer for €7. It contains a supertiny lipo-pouch battery that is so small that I don't believe it can set anything on fire. But it powers the transistor tester a long time and is easily recharged by a USB-C port.

[Fungus]

That's the TC3 I was referring to. The sig gen and scope are obviously very basic (mostly toys), but I was able to use the scope...

I've got one of the standalone $30 'scopes and I've used it many times. It's credit card sized and manages to squeeze in my electronics case with all the other junk.

As they say: The very best 'scope is the one you've actually got with you.

I only wish it was two channels.

(I know there's two-channel toy scopes but they're much bigger...)

[KungFuJosh]

I don't call it a toy as a pejorative. I like toys. 😉

[Gyro]

Can anyone recommend a version of those cheapo component testers in a nice, usable and safe package.

I've had one for a while but it's just a bare circuit board and a dangly battery lead and I keep shorting things with it. 

Cheers

Which dangly wire tester do you have? If it's the old bog standard T4 then the basic sheet acrylic cases are very functional, even if not particularly stylish. eg. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/355753267566

[Kim Christensen]

I like this TC1 version. Nice and compact. Just be aware that most of the new ones being sold don't have a genuine ATmega chip so won't be upgradable.

List of tester clones.

[KungFuJosh]

Here's a comparison of the two I own. The TC3 is 1cm wider than the TC1. I like both, I'd buy either again, but with the change in the chips in the TC1, I'd lean towards the TC3 which is updatable.

[Martin72]

I have this one, which has a pleasant form factor.
However, the focus is on testing semiconductors.

[KungFuJosh]

I have this one, which has a pleasant form factor.
However, the focus is on testing semiconductors.

That's the "TSH06F Integrated Circuit Tester" - it ranges in price from like $30 to $70 for the same thing. I'm gonna buy a cheap one. Or try and control myself? Not sure which will win. 😉

[Martin72]

Hehe,
I had paid quite a lot for it, the thing is OK, but you can forget about the auto detection function.
In the meantime, I had built my own tester for OP amps.

[KungFuJosh]

I haven't tried it yet, but a while ago I built this to test audio OAs and DOAs: https://www.fivefishstudios.com/shop/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=69

[PerranOak]

Gyro, mine just says "LCR-T3-H" on the back.

Thanks all, I was just trying to get an idea of the most popular form.

Cheers.

[KungFuJosh]

Thanks all, I was just trying to get an idea of the most popular form.

I think most of us on this site call that a collection. 😉

[Gyro]

Gyro, mine just says "LCR-T3-H" on the back.

Thanks all, I was just trying to get an idea of the most popular form.

Cheers.

A quick look on ebay seems to show that the T3 has the same form factor as the T4, as far as I can tell anyway.

It sounds as if you have what you want anyway, whatever you decide to do.