The Peak kit is very nice and just works, not as capable all-round as the DE5000 but lower cost, small and automatic.
The DE-5000 is cheaper than the ESR-70/ESR70+; I have both. The LCR-45 costs even more. I see that PEAK has come down on their prices; but not that much.
Bang/buck the DE-5000 is the best out there by an order of magnitude. I like it better than my ESR-70/ESR Plus, which I've had over a decade. It offers both ESR to several digits and Tan δ, which parameter can be directly compared against a MFR's datasheet. Also, the LO DCR function can be a very useful diag tool.
Get the kit with the TL-21 & TL-22 adapters; optionally the AC adapter if they don't try to rape you on it. I haven't bothered because life of an alkaline battery is awesome with this thing, and the isolation inherent in battery operation is a complete no-brainer to me.
Typically, the DE-5000 can be had for ~US$90 bare, ~US$110 with the TL-21 & TL-22.
There is also a kit with fitted case if that floats your boat; it usually adds aboot $30-40 to the kit price. I've been tempted, but so far I just couldn't stomach that hideous shade of red, which appears to be the only color it comes in.
Cheers,
mnem
Peak has somewhat excellent reputation for support, calibration and repair. Worth paying extra for that in my mind.
Yeah, sure if you live in the UK. The rest of the world, the cost of shipping makes it a moot point. Also... quite frankly... the ESR-70/ESR+ just does't have the resolution or half the features of the DE-5000.
LCR-45 I can't comment on; no hands-on experience. But demo videos quite frankly don't inspire confidence that it is materially better than the usual Cheap & Cheerful Chinese complete Tester; just better calibrated with a more extensive compensation table. Yes, that has value... but I still feel the DE-5000 is a better value overall.
I mean... if you have the money to throw at both, get both. But if only one... the DE-5000 for sure. It'll be your go-to in no time. There's a reason I left the ESR-70 in my trailer and brought the DE-5000, even tho it takes up 4x the space.
mnem
How much resolution do you need for ESR?
As far as capacitance goes 4 digit resolution is no use without accuracy.
Also the prices we have both quoted so far are for copies of the IET DE-5000. These have no proper specification. A genuine IET DE-5000 or even DER one is another matter.
If you have no capacitance meter a genuine DE-5000 is a good choice. If you already have a good LCR meter the ESR 70 is a good option.
EDIT, got distracted while typing and BD139 had made a better response
First off, the IET version is the knock-off or the wannabe or whatever; they are and
always were a rebadge of the DER-EE DE-5000. Once DER-EE started selling directly in appreciable numbers, IET got pissy aboot it and tried to remarket themselves, offering the same unit in a slightly different package as supposedly the "New & Improved" for twice as much.
You can find all this in the threads right here on eevBlog.
Secondly, the DE-5000 is not an ESR meter and you know it. It is a proper LCR meter. That entire part of the argument is irrelevant to this discussion; namely, which one is the better
tool.
I suggest that perhaps you and bd139 should both get one and use it side by side with whatever you have that is better before you make such dismissive statements; I own both and have had their guts in my hands, and I have used them both.
The ESR70 doesn't even really become a usable instrument without modding which adds another 20-30 quid to the cost; the alligators and tiny short leads that come on the stock unit are nearly unusable except for testing loose radial-lead caps and coils with wires or pins sticking out.
Essentially with zero firsthand experience, IMO, statements like yours border on unsubstantiated FUD.
mnem