If I can be so bold: I'd choose the dca55. But: for completely different reasons than those already mentioned: I've already got equivalent equipment for the other functions. L/C meter: I use Neil Heckt's L/C Meter IIB - its a PIC-based LC meter that works really well. US $99 in kit form If you visit Neil's page *and* you are into RF stuff or otherwise need to design passive filter networks, check out his filter software. It used to be shareware (I have a paid-for copy) but Neil released it as freeware some time ago. Quoting his webpage: "AADE Filter Design and Analysis" A FREE Windows filter design/analysis program. Butterworth, Chebyshev, Elliptic, Bessel, Legendre, Linear Phase, Coupled Resonator, Crystal Ladder filters. Both Time and Frequency domain analysis. Download FREE . (12 Mbytes) ESR checker: I use a kit that I *think* was designed by Bob Parker and sold by Dick Smith Electronics. My unit was purchased from a Canadian supplier: John's Jukes Can $69.95 in kit form. I now see that alternatives to that kit are available in Europe: and from the USA: One of the neat things to do with that ESR meter: measure the internal impedance of primary cells (AA, C, D batteries). Its a very quick test that lets you know just how good that used battery is. Why?, you might ask? 'Cus I have access to thousands and thousands of used but mostly good AA and 9V batteries that have been used in professional wireless mics and intercom systems. Typical example: Run time for a new set of batteries is about 14 hours. Most have been used for 3 to 4 hours. However, because this is gear that is used for Broadcast TV, new batteries are fitted before each use. No matter if the batteries weren't even used at all: that pack wasn't used during the previous show and was turned OFF immediately after it was checked. Just doesn't matter: out come the essentially brand-new batteries, in go brand-new batteries. Anyway, I guess that what I'm saying is that I personally found that I had much higher need for a good L/C meter than pretty much anything else. It doesn't matter that I have and use regularly a test jig used for measuring and characterizing inductors that I use for switch-mode supplies - I still reach for the AADE L/C Meter several times each week. Next on my list was a portable ESR meter. If I'm at my bench, I used to use my function generator and O-scope: my function generator has an output impedance of 50R and I'd just use a BNC "T" between it, my scope and the BNC-to-probes test lead. Set the function generator to 100 KHz @ 80mV, scope to 10 mV / division, then touch across each cap. Very fast and very easy. Just not portable. dwayne At 05:23 PM 12/12/2007, Jinx wrote: >Christmas has come early > >I've been offered a free one of these alternatives > >http://www.peakelec.co.uk/acatalog/jz_dca55.html > >http://www.peakelec.co.uk/acatalog/jz_lcr40.html > >http://www.peakelec.co.uk/acatalog/jz_esr60.html > >I'm really undecided as to which one to accept and would >appreciate any opinions (on Peak's meters in general and >their usefullnesses thereof) -- Dwayne Reid Trinity Electronics Systems Ltd Edmonton, AB, CANADA (780) 489-3199 voice (780) 487-6397 fax www.trinity-electronics.com Custom Electronics Design and Manufacturing -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist