EEVblog #137 - BK Precision 879B Handheld LCR Meter Review

[tonyrueb]

You mentioned that on the PC interface it has more decimal places, but can you trust them? i mean its nice that you can go down to fF but is it really measuring or an error in the floating point calculations? or is it noise of some sort?

[nyehnyi]

I use it in my microchip project..see my channel

[BKPrecisionVideos]

Here's an update for anyone who has either an 878B or 879B that's affected by the Max/Min/Avg bug. We've posted an update for the firmware on our website--type "87xBFirm" into the search bar on the B&K Precision website. You can view the support article, download the firmware update, or view a how-to video for updating your meter. Thanks! -B&K Precision

[EEVblog]

@BKPrecisionVideos Awesome work guys. Good to see companies that are so responsive to issues like this.

[tonyrueb]

@BKPrecisionVideos - Don't own one but it is nice to know that there are responsible companies out there who want to make good products

[jelberth]

Great video, good to see the inside too.

I'm planning to buy one and checked their website. They now have a version 3 of the software to fix the min max avg bug. In europe the meters are all out of stock at the moment :-((

If you know were to buy one let me know

[kd5gua]

To mention the glare, with the protective plastic sheet still on the display, hmm. Good review otherwise. TY

[EEVblog]

@kd5gua The plastic sheet makes very little difference.

[kd5gua]

@EEVblog, I see, I noticed someone else had mentioned it before me as well, oops, lol. That is a good review and gave me lots of info to go on in my decision making, even if on another brand.

[ashsama2]

Just got a reply from B&K they are looking into the recording min/max/avg problem and they will post the fix to these comments (once they figure out what's wrong :) )

[hugos31]

FLUKE is +++++

[santiks]

you are using HTC Desire?

[EEVblog]

@santiks Yep, i like it, apart from the battery life.

[santiks]

@EEVblog

yeah, the battery life sucks...

oh, I am currently thinking of making a usb based camera to connect to it via the microUSB port down there for video calls... =P

[BaCkFiR3]

I cannot believe that in 2011 there are still software with such ugly interfaces. Look at those huge buttons ! And a fixed number of serial ports ? You must be kidding me ! Wake up guys, we're not using Windows 95 anymore !

[EEVblog]

@BaCkFiR3 Yeah, but to be fair it's really only a demo app. The real power comes when you write your own app.

[Vlakpage]

@BaCkFiR3 I can't believe that in 2011 you still type single letters... Now seriously, what's wrong with the app besides the com port selector (and isn't the text actually editable)? It's great and has all what you need for measurement, huge buttons are still easier to use than tiny buttons. Ok, maybe using more radio buttons instead of drop down list would save you some clicking but I don't see point in "cool&shiny look" which serve you no purpose.

[hoppes9]

@BaCkFiR3 I suppose you'd prefer a gratuitously animated Flash app instead. Sometimes simplicity of use and information quality trump slick graphics and custom controls.

[gbowne1]

I use one of HP 4260/4270/4280 series LCR meters on my bench. Be careful, if you get one of these HP's, the 4280 series are usually very expensive.

[ashsama2]

Always liked B&K...

Just purchased the last one from Farnell, thanks for the review Dave :)

[Bushougoma]

The display of this meter kills it for me the digits are thin and unsubstantial plus the contrast leaves something to be desired.

When you put it next to your Agilent meter you really see the difference in display quality.

If BK put as much effort into selecting a display as they did designing the meter it would be a winner for me.

[sepertude]

Very nice Dave!

To bad you dont have set of accurate test components to see how accurate it is.

In Agilent manual are part numbers of those test sets used to calibrate meters.

The only thing I dont like are thiny digits and color of the meter. Agilent has better colors and better looking display, however, im ordering one BK for me :))

Looks like all online stores are out of stock in USA and Canada :(((

Nice review Dave!

I expected that you would instert a charged capacitor... :)))

[EEVblog]

@sepertude I don't understand why people always want me to "test the accuracy" of instruments. It is a measurement instrument from a big reputable manufacturer, there is little doubt it will meet its specifications. And spot testing one random unit for absolute measurement accuracy on a few ranges is kinda pointless in the scheme of things I think.

[igsaturation]

@EEVblog errors happen. Just as you found the MINMAX bug all functions should be tested too ... just the extremes of each range is adequate. I found a cal error on a new big name DMM and yes, its supplied with a calibration certificate. I've already brought it to the attention of the maker. If I cal this formally, I'd have to pay another $100 for the service, so they are investigating and will repair it under warranty.

[NoIsrahell]

@EEVblog While we sure apreciate your time to look and judge physically at the instruments and giving your opinion. Companies give one year or more guarantee on defects. I think the most important thing on measurement instruments is accuracy and that is why people always want to know about accuracy. If we always blindly trust every ¨reputable company¨ out there then it is when they will start to screw us. Scrutiny is something everyone needs nowdays.

[sgajate]

Excellent review as allways!! It's a real shame that BK used that crappy display with such thin digits. At first it didn't seem that horrible, but when you put it side to side with the Agilent one, it was plain to se how awful and hard to read that thing is.(yes, i went into yoda mode). Anyways, Happy new year and I'll be eager to see more awesome blogs on this 2011!!

[DanFrederiksen]

looks like there is a protective film on the display. might make it a bit clearer if you remove it

[alecjw11]

You use 230V do you? I thought you used 120V like the americans... What type of plug do you use?

Nice looking meter :P I was gonna say it seemed strange that the USB port isnt isolated, but then i guess you arent likely to encoutner high voltages or anything dangerous testing resistors/inductors/capacitors

Display guard is a nice touch

[QBMan]

Mine doesnt have relative mode or min/max or something like it. But it was cheep.

The page says the BK costs 300$... Well if the display was nicer and the menu better i maybe would buy it my self.

[ms767210]

It's saying discontinued on sales sites

[EEVblog]

@ms767210 That's probably the old model. This is the new B model.

[skonkfactory]

They probably put the USB port there so that the cable doesn't pull the device off the tilt bail when it's standing up.

[MrTranxistor]

btw i love the Tandy claculator! =]

[MrTranxistor]

no sex on that stick? lol

[barearsed]

If you take the display protector off you may find the display will be better. In the video the reflection on the display is bloody awful.

[JustinRLynn]

Is it possible that max/min/average mode doesn't record until you hit the "rec" button for each sample? I noticed that before it changed the display mode back to the readout in the min/max/avg mode the BK model beeped twice.

[EEVblog]

@JustinRLynn Nope, I tried that, same result.

[herctrap]

nice t-shirt

[EEVblog]

@herctrap You can buy it from my Merch store!