Review: Peak Atlas ESR70 Capacitance and ESR meter

A review of the Peak ESR70+ ESR and capacitance meter.
A comparison to the following multimeters: Fluke 287, Agilent U1272A, UNI-T UT71D, Fluke115, Fluke 8846A and Fluke17B
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The Atlas ESR PLUS is even better

This new model introduces new features including "Audible Alerts" and enhanced measurement range. Every measurement of ESR will be shown on the display as usual of course, but the unit will also produce a variety of tones depending on the value of ESR. And the tones themselves are surprising pleasant, including "Bell-like" pings (a couple of different types for ESR that is below certain values), and also a "Beep-Barp" type tone for ESR that is likely to be too high. There is also a reassuring "Blip" when the measurement has started and completed.

The ESR measurement range has also been enhanced, now doubled, measuring from 0 to 40 ohms with a resolution as low as 0.01 ohms. This remarkably fine resolution is great for assessing large capacitors and even allows you to use the Atlas ESR+ for tracing short-circuits and finding the precise area of a PCB that has that invisible wisp of solder.

Great Service Aid
Measuring a capacitor's ESR (equivalent series resistance) is a great indicator of capacitor condition. The Atlas ESR PLUS offers instant results, if the instrument is switched on then just connect the probes to your capacitor and the analysis starts automatically. You can even use the Atlas ESR PLUS in-circuit, saving you the trouble of removing capacitors. When testing capacitors out-of-circuit, the unit will also display the capacitance.

Features

Measure capacitance and ESR.
Suitable for any capacitor type between 1uF and 22000uF including motor capacitors, smoothing capacitors, electrolytics, polypropylenes, in fact any dielectric type.
Automatic analysis start when applying probes to capacitor.
New enhanced dynamic range of 0.00 to 40.0 ohms.
Audible alerts for various ESR levels.
ESR Resolution as fine as 0.01 ohms.
Supports capacitors from 1uF to 22000uF.
Capable of In-Circuit measurement of ESR.
Polarity free, connect any way round.
Protected against highly charged capacitors.
Great for low DC resistance checking too (such as PCB short checking).
Supplied complete with 2mm male test leads and 2mm compatible gold plated crocs.
Test leads are ultra-durable and 45cm (18") long with 2mm plugs.
Enhanced software compensation of cable resistance.
Complete with comprehensive user guide.
Capacitor reference table included.
Tests at the industry standard 100kHz.
Long life alkaline battery fitted.
Just 100mm x 70mm x 20mm

[NunYa]

"honey, have you seen my multimeter?"
"Did you check the shelf"?

[craigtrojan]

Just want to say thank you, great video. I ended up buying this unit and can tell you already the ESR function has saved me tons of time and money already. I have already found brand new caps with way over 40 ohm ESR, saved me the time of replacing them and then finding out it didn't fix the problem. Keep up the great reviews and thank you again.

[keep]

I have this meter and I love it.  I also can recommend the LCR40 and LCR45. The semiconductor analyzer model DCA55 is extremely useful for identifying unknown semiconductors!  For needle probes I use small pins with a plastic colored ball at one end so I can find it when I drop them.  The official Peak needle probes are about $30US.  Pins are cheaper.

[mjlorton]

Good point but that compensation did not change the results in this case as I think it must have been done at the factory. It's very handy when say changing the croc clips for the probes.

[mjlorton]

Thanks for the feedback. I have just received another LCR meter that does ESR so I will be doing comparisons as more meters come in.

[mjlorton]

Very good point Dan...I was going to note values but then thought the video would run too long...could have got around that in editing...noted! Excellent point about the scope...will do that in a follow-up.

[michaelgamble]

Well thought out and shown, giving very useful information for those contemplating purchase of a Peak ESR70. Always enjoy your videos - including your hilarious 'Dumpster' series which gives courage to those who might otherwise be intimidated by the prospect of bringing dumped equipment back to life! Well done. Michael UK

[agmbass]

I also have one of this and i do a very quick check on the board and if i see a high esr reading then i take out the cap and recheck it ... so its very useful ! :)

[michaelgamble]

Thanks for this great review! As I already have one of these PEAK ESR70 meters it is good to know it tests out well against all competition - and good competitors at that. Mine is the ESR70 - not the ESR70+ and I've had it for some time - the battery is still good!

[mjlorton]

My pleasure, thanks very much for the feedback.

[mjlorton]

Thanks for the feedback Bob...let me make a note of that as something to cover in the tutorial on capacitors...I'm also about to review an LCR meter so I'll try note it there too. Cheers, Martin.

[capleaker]

Martin, loved the ESR meter review. I found out that the ESR meter is best to find small bad caps with. On numerous occasions I found small bad electrolytic caps with it that the Fluke 289 and my Agilent 1253B didn't. Matter effect my Agilent U1733C showed that the small cap on half it's original value and high ESR. The 289 and the 1253B showed original value as printed.

[BryanByTheSea]

Thanks, seems perfect for a means of holding components steady while soldering. A third hand, without the hassle of a vise.

[johncunningham]

A very informative presentation, "thank you" I happen to own the older version with the identical model number. It comes with the fixed gold plated crocks and not detachable, I solved that problem by purchasing a size 14 sewing machine needle set that allowed me to do precise in circuit testing that speeded up my servicing dramatically. Even with the extra one and half inches the firmware was able to compensate for the difference without a problem.

[mjlorton]

Valid point...I hope to get the 612 so we can make those comparisons and see where the value is.

[mjlorton]

Good question...I will follow-up with a video and the oscilloscope to confirm....

[mjlorton]

Thanks Bob, appreciate your feedback. Cheers, Martin.

[coldshiner]

Hello Martin. Excellent for the price. I've used the ESR60 to check in circuit old lytics in 1960s - 1970s jukeboxes. About 90 percent of the time it works perfect. Sometimes it will show the uF as IN CIRCUIT but give a correct ESR measurement. When I remove the cap it will give the correct uF and interestingly the ESR remains the same. It saves a lot of time and expense when troubleshooting an old solid state amp. Con: Will not measure under 1 uF caps. Compare to CapWizard Please.

[philipacovington]

You should do a video showing a close-up of the actual components (ICs, microcontroller) used on the board.

[ronettreker]

22:30 The package did look kind of strange for a Googled the number. It's actually a piezo buzzer.