Shannon ST42 LCR Tweezer Test and Comparison Thread

[KungFuJosh]

Here's the corrected voltages with targets added.

[Martin72]

I would definitely like to discuss the board more before I make another version.

I'll join you soon, once this is done...

[KungFuJosh]

I would definitely like to discuss the board more before I make another version.

I'll join you soon, once this is done...

I'm definitely not holding my breath on that one. 😉😉

[Martin72]

My assortment of chokes arrived today.
A good opportunity to check the speed of the two LCR tweezers.
The winner couldn't be clearer.
Impressive.

[KungFuJosh]

Smaller and faster, nice. 😉

I'm looking forward to getting my new test board and comparing at relatively equal testing voltages this time.

[unmaker]

The more I see of these tweezers, the more I want them. Still, it's disappointing to see that the price has gone up from $133 to $190 for the calibration board option. At that price I don't know if I'd consider these "cost effective" as mentioned on the Shannon website. I'm still really salty I wasn't able to get my order in using the $18 aliexpress coupon when the price was at $133.

[tautech]

The more I see of these tweezers, the more I want them. Still, it's disappointing to see that the price has gone up from $133 to $190 for the calibration board option. At that price I don't know if I'd consider these "cost effective" as mentioned on the Shannon website. I'm still really salty I wasn't able to get my order in using the $18 aliexpress coupon when the price was at $133.

Just go looking for something better.....that I very much doubt are. 
https://smarttweezers-store.com/

[Martin72]

Still, it's disappointing to see that the price has gone up from $133 to $190 for the calibration board option

I haven't tested everything I wanted to test yet, but I can say in advance that even if it cost 190 all by itself, the price would be reasonable.

[tautech]

Still, it's disappointing to see that the price has gone up from $133 to $190 for the calibration board option

I haven't tested everything I wanted to test yet, but I can say in advance that even if it cost 190 all by itself, the price would be reasonable.

While you might have a collection of equipment that can do all ST42 can do, nearly 2 decades ago I went to SMD smart tweezers so to not to clutter the bench with a multitude of gear that each would only provide occasional use.

In all those years for my needs, these useful devices have provided measurements of adequate accuracy at a fraction of the cost of a bunch of other gear and provided more mobility and convenience.

Yes, I was an early adopter and remain a convert.

[Martin72]

If you don't have any major or, better said, other requirements, the ST42 can be perfectly adequate, no question about it.
The Mastech tweezers, for example, which weren't exactly the cheapest either, hardly look like the sun in comparison and I find it hard to believe that other smart tweezers for significantly more money are also significantly better than the ST42.

[tautech]

If you don't have any major or, better said, other requirements, the ST42 can be perfectly adequate, no question about it.
The Mastech tweezers, for example, which weren't exactly the cheapest either, hardly look like the sun in comparison and I find it hard to believe that other smart tweezers for significantly more money are also significantly better than the ST42.

So do I and my experience with SMD tweezers supports this.

2 decades back when I was looking for LCR test solutions ST3 was about the only solution available from https://smarttweezers-store.com/ and we sourced these locally and slightly discounted as there were few back then that could see the value in such a device.

ST42, a much more capable device costs no more that we spent on ST3 all those years ago.
Even Daves now old review of ST3 was quite unflattering of a device we had already been using for years. 

[Martin72]

Here are the results of the comparison test with 4 other LCRs.
I only used one frequency because the LC option of the reference was only measured with this 10kHz.
Now one important test/comparison is still missing and that is the one Shannon also uses for advertising:
Measuring in Circuits....
I'll do that, then I'll be done with the tweezers and then there will be a conclusion.
A little tip, it won't be negative, that's for sure.
Edit: Fu...forgotten to enter the 1µF values...

[unmaker]

The more I see of these tweezers, the more I want them. Still, it's disappointing to see that the price has gone up from $133 to $190 for the calibration board option. At that price I don't know if I'd consider these "cost effective" as mentioned on the Shannon website. I'm still really salty I wasn't able to get my order in using the $18 aliexpress coupon when the price was at $133.

Just go looking for something better.....that I very much doubt are. 
https://smarttweezers-store.com/

I was thinking more along the lines of the DE-5000. With the included tweezers I think it's a cost effective option though I would rather have the ST-42 tweezers for the smaller size.

[unmaker]

Here are the results of the comparison test with 4 other LCRs.
I only used one frequency because the LC option of the reference was only measured with this 10kHz.
Now one important test/comparison is still missing and that is the one Shannon also uses for advertising:
Measuring in Circuits....
I'll do that, then I'll be done with the tweezers and then there will be a conclusion.
A little tip, it won't be negative, that's for sure.
Edit: Fu...forgotten to enter the 1µF values...

That's impressive. Would you be able to take capacitance measurements more in the pF range?

[Martin72]

Hi,

I saw earlier that I still have a 0805 SMD capacitor collection, with values from 15pF, so yes, I'll measure it later.

I was thinking more along the lines of the DE-5000. With the included tweezers I think it's a cost effective option though I would rather have the ST-42 tweezers for the smaller size.

Not so long ago I would have agreed with you, as I think the DE5000 is the best meter in its price range.
However, this has changed somewhat with the testing of the ST42.
I will go into this in more detail in the conclusion when I have finished my tests.

[Martin72]

Here we go...
0805 types, 5% tolerance

[KungFuJosh]

I won't have the V5 boards in for a few days, but I got the parts.

Here's 1pF on the ST42.

[Martin72]

Take the same capacitor and measure it in Cp mode...

[KungFuJosh]

Take the same capacitor and measure it in Cp mode...

On my bench meter?

[Martin72]

No, with the ST42 like I did..
I am curious whether the value will then be lower.

Edit:
Cp....Cs mode seems to be "automatic" somehow, where is the user manual to be found?

[KungFuJosh]

I remeasured both:
Rs 1.230pF
Rp 1.216pF

[Martin72]

Thanks, I would have hoped for more of a difference.
Regarding the display of C:
Do you have a different firmware?
Mine says Cp or Cs.

[KungFuJosh]

Which fw do you have? Mine says 1.5.4.

[Martin72]

Hi,

1.5.5. from May2024

[KungFuJosh]

Ohh, looks like Shannon might need to update the OTA fw. I'll email him and ask about it.