GM328A Component Tester Review

After seeing one of these cheep component testers on Julian’s youtube Channel i decided to get one and here’s my short review.

 

Prices seem to range between £9.60 – £12 depend where you purchase it from.

Available here 

or Ebay

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hardware
First of you will notice its very basic device, its just a PCB and doesn’t come with any enclosure of any sort and operated from just one button!
Power is supplied via a 9v pp3 battery which is monitored when using the device for low battery warnings ect.

There is a ZIF connector for easy connections to components and some PCB pads for just simply touching components on. Also there’s a 3pin PCB socket for custom test leads or maybe in circuit testing.

The Green back-lit graphical LCD is very clear and very easy to read. Unfortunately mine arrived all scratched but Ive just most likely been unlucky .

**UPDATE it was only a protective covering film that was damage and removing it to reveal a flawless display**

Operation
As mentioned earlier due to only having 1 button , this control everything from powering on to testing a component or  selecting a menu option.  It seems to be accurate enough for the average hobbyist

Transistor testing:

20151216_192458.jpg

The b,e,c labels on diagram makes it easy for the pin-out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resistor measuring:

20151216_193142.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capacitor measuring:

wp-1450295012940.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other extra functions include a basic frequency generator , Rotary encoder tester , 10 bit PWM generator  RC servos ?:

wp-1450297181519.jpg

Frequency generator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pros

  • Loads of functions
  • Good price
  • Nice easy read display
  • Portable size

 

Cons

  • Only one button makes extra functions and menu navigation not always so easy
  • No manufacture enclosure available to buy ( User 3d print versions are on net) needs a case really to contain the loose battery.

 

Conclusion

Overall i think this a good little tester and ideal for the hobbyist electronics tool box.  I think i will design and 3d print a case at some point to contain the battery and protect everything.

In my opinion would give  4/5

 

My 3d printed case coming soon !

COMMENTS

David

I thought my LCD was scratched, but closer inspection proved it was only a protective covering film, which can be peeled off to give a flawless display!

    Luke

    Hi David , Your right it was the protective covering film, feel slightly silly but happy its scratch free, will amend my post. Thanks for your message.

LastRene

I have noticed you don’t monetize your website, don’t waste your traffic, you can earn additional bucks every month because you’ve got hi quality content.
If you want to know how to make extra bucks, search for: Mertiso’s tips best adsense
alternative

Todd Marshall

I’ve had one of these for over a year and it’s a great tool and great value. But I can’t find a manual. So I was groping through the menu to see what else it does. In the process I arrived at the “contrast” selection. I pressed the button. It displayed a two digit number. I pressed it again; it dimmed and display a smaller number. I did it again and again thinking it would roll around to full contrast. It didn’t. So now it looks like I’ve bricked the device. With no contrast is displays nothing. Anybody have any ideas?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.