FNIRSI LCR-P1 Component tester review

Component testers are handy for doing a quick check of components grabbed from the junk box. Those little coloured rings get smaller every year and it's easy to pick up the wrong resistor. Some transistors have surprising lead ordering (I'm looking at you BD139s). 

I've been using my multi-meter, a nicer L/C meter, or a cheap component tester that runs from a 9V battery but recently I noticed a very smart looking new tester called an FNIRSI LCR-P1.

It's smaller than my other testers, has a USB-C rechargeable battery and a bright colour screen.

I purchased it in Australia on eBay for AU$44 which seems comparable with prices on AliExpress etc.

It has the ability to measure zener diodes and some sort of decoder for infrared remote control transmitters but I haven't tried either of those features yet.

Accuracy seems the same as my existing testers so while it's not a calibrated piece of lab gear it is handy for not accintally using a component that's out by orders of magnitude.

The infra-red decoding feature is pretty cool. Not sure that I have a use for it but it certainly works.

The zero insertion force component socket can be removed and replaced with a version designed for surface mount components. I kind of wish the ZIF socket was sunken into the body so the whole thing would actually fit in a pocket. Here's what you get in the box:

When plugged in to a computer via the USB-C port it comes up as a serial device. Presumably this could be used to flash the firmware. I tried connecting a serial terminal to it and sending a few return keys but got no response.

Vendor ID 0x1a86 is QinHeng Electronics. Product ID 0x7523 appears on some Arduino serial ports. 

My tester has firmware version 1.0.5. I can see on their page that 1.0.6 is available via a link to Google Drive containing a RAR file. Windows appears to be required to update the firmware.