I have a basic $10 Chinese frequency counter module that will count to 2.4GHz, and achieve a resolution of 1Hz at 60MHz and below. With it, a 10MHz crystal oscillator yields a reading of 10.000,001 Hz at a gate time of 1 second. My expectations that the "precision" Risepro frequency counter would be better was based on the appearance and published specs, and in particular, the claim of 0.01Hz resolution. I considered the cost of a ready-made counter versus the time and expense of an enclosure, connectors, power supply, etc. for the module, and the choice seemed obvious.
After connecting the 10MHz oscillator to the Risepro, it became painfully clear the Risepro is is an inferior, LOW-resolution counter circuit with non-intuitive controls, packaged in a nice box, and hyped with specifications that are completely misleading. The absolute best resolution I could achieve with the 10MHz oscillator was 10Hz, and that was with an excruciatingly slow gate time. I went through the instructions point by point, and found them inadequate, especially in regards to "Modes 1, 2, and 3." It was easy to get the counter into a state where the reading was 20MHz or some other obviously incorrect value. If I were reading a true unknown frequency, rather than a known oscillator, I would be lost.
I never did achieve even a 1Hz resolution. There is no range setting, that function being tied to the setting of the gate time control. The control lacks graduations, so resolution and gate time are both a guess. I now believe the only way to get 0.01Hz resolution is to measure a very low frequency with the gate control set to maximum, and then wait a minute or two for a couple of count cycles and a stable reading.
This same counter is sold on Amazon under a variety of names, and at wildly differing prices. The listings for all of them are similar, and I suspect the counters all come out of the same factory and are simply rebranded. The unit I received was labeled with a name other than "Risepro."
In all, it became evident this counter and its siblings would be a source of frustration, rather than a tool I can rely on when I need a frequency counter. It came and was returned in the same afternoon.
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Customer Questions & Answers
Customer reviews
Problematic Device - Possibly a Return
Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2019
I have a number of concerns about this product:First, the meter has an 8 digit display, but the maximum number of digits ever displayed appears to be 7 (8th, left-most never used); see Photo #1 of 7-digit display.Second, and more important, is the seemingly arbitrary number of digits displayed; see Photos #2 & #3 which show 2 meter readouts for THE SAME signal generator input.Third, in the 2 Photos noted above, notice that there appears to be a 'rounding' error.Frankly, I have a handheld multimeter that incorporates a 3 digit KHz scale (and cost me only a bit over 1/3rd the price of this meter): so, why do I need this product?
Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2019
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Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2020
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Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2019
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I have a number of concerns about this product:
First, the meter has an 8 digit display, but the maximum number of digits ever displayed appears to be 7 (8th, left-most never used); see Photo #1 of 7-digit display.
Second, and more important, is the seemingly arbitrary number of digits displayed; see Photos #2 & #3 which show 2 meter readouts for THE SAME signal generator input.
Third, in the 2 Photos noted above, notice that there appears to be a 'rounding' error.
Frankly, I have a handheld multimeter that incorporates a 3 digit KHz scale (and cost me only a bit over 1/3rd the price of this meter): so, why do I need this product?
First, the meter has an 8 digit display, but the maximum number of digits ever displayed appears to be 7 (8th, left-most never used); see Photo #1 of 7-digit display.
Second, and more important, is the seemingly arbitrary number of digits displayed; see Photos #2 & #3 which show 2 meter readouts for THE SAME signal generator input.
Third, in the 2 Photos noted above, notice that there appears to be a 'rounding' error.
Frankly, I have a handheld multimeter that incorporates a 3 digit KHz scale (and cost me only a bit over 1/3rd the price of this meter): so, why do I need this product?
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Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2021
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Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2020
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Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2021
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Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2018
Verified Purchase
Accurate and stable frequency counter. Good value.
Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2018
I was optimistic about this counter from the reviews and I was not disappointed. After about five minutes of power up time it is right on frequency and stays there. I hooked it up to a 10 Mhz frequency standard and left it for a few hours. It never deviated from 10.00000 Mhz. This is a good value for the money in my opinion. Differed slightly from the photos. It has a different brand name on the front and a pale green background. Not an issue for me. It is still as advertised specification wise.
Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2018
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Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2017
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