Discount Fluke TL71 Probes (probably US only)

[christopher.robot]

Hi all, long time lurker - hope this is the right place to put this.

I was looking for a new set of test leads to replace the Pomonas I recently mangled (don't ask), and found a third party seller on the walmart website selling them for $20 a pair. 

What arrived appears to be the older style (without the silicone molded over the banana connectors), despite the newer style being pictured in the ad - but for the price I can't complain. 

Picked up two pairs for the cost of one anywhere else.  Arrived today and appear to be genuine, especially when compared to the knock-offs I found on fleabay and ali. 

The packaging is dated 2013, so that seems to jive with the "old stock" theory.  Measured 0.1 ohms on my DMM (2-wire measurement) and continuity checks seem plenty reactive. 

I actually like them better than the Pomonas they replaced - the jacketing seems less prone to attracting every dust particle in the known universe, unlike the Pomonas...

Anywho.  $20 a pair, currently.  I've avoided posting links cause that's usually a no-no, but theyr'e easy enough to find.  I may pick up a few more pairs myself...

[duckduck]

I never seen anyone here have a problem with links as long as they are plain links as opposed to affiliate links. Is there even an affiliate program for Walmart.com? No relation to the seller and I sold all my Walmart stock years ago 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Fluke-TL71-Premium-Test-Lead-Set/2957458549

[Veteran68]

I grabbed a set of these, as they're still available at this price which is nearly half off regular price. I really disliked the OEM Fluke leads that came with my new 117. The PVC is much stiffer and remembers kinks & coils much worse than the leads that came with my 87V or even my 101. I have many aftermarket leads including a few sets of Probe Masters, but would just prefer to keep Fluke leads on my Fluke meters, so thought I'd "upgrade" to these.

I think they're either fake, or gray market Fluke's made to a lower grade and not meant for US sale, for several reasons:

* Checking resistance compared to stiff OEM leads, the value was jumping around a lot and would never settle. Tried in continuity mode and no matter how firmly you touch the leads together, every touch is 3-4 distinctly separate beeps for a couple of seconds, followed by solid beeping that cuts in and out if you slide the leads together. Not quit scratchy but almost. Tried cleaning with iso and was no better. Short of sanding with some fine grit paper I don't think it's a coating or oxidation issue. The OEM leads don't do this on the 117. I haven't tried them yet in another meter.

* Back of legit-looking Fluke package has the printing "Made in USA" but is overlaid with a big white sticker exclaiming "MADE IN CHINA" in bigger than necessary font.

* Despite having Fluke stamped on the probes, they look like that cheap gray plastic with red/black dots you find with the cheapest Chinesium leads. I actually have some $3 unbranded Aliexpress leads that look and feel to be higher quality than this

On the plus side, at least the cables feel like like silicone or at least a very pliable PVC compared to the OEM leads. But I don't think I trust them given their resistance behavior. So guess I'll go with Probe Masters or look for some extra Brymen leads on eBay.

Did anyone else get these and notice the same issues?

[bdunham7]

Tried cleaning with iso and was no better. Short of sanding with some fine grit paper I don't think it's a coating or oxidation issue.

Try cleaning them with a barely-moist paste of Bar Keepers Friend.  The TL-71 is probably not anyone's favorite set of test leads, but the generally do work. 

[Veteran68]

Tried cleaning with iso and was no better. Short of sanding with some fine grit paper I don't think it's a coating or oxidation issue.

Try cleaning them with a barely-moist paste of Bar Keepers Friend.  The TL-71 is probably not anyone's favorite set of test leads, but the generally do work.

Thanks. Don't have Bar Keeper's Friend but do have something similar, as well as an abrasive cream my wife uses on the ceramic stove top. Also considered a Magic Eraser. I'll give it a try when I get home.

In the meantime, I just ordered 2 sets of Brymen leads from eBay for $44 shipped. Beats most any Fluke leads any day, and aren't as bulky and "ugly" as Probe Masters. I mean I love my Probie's, especially the springy needle probe model, but for bench meters, not so much for handhelds.