Probemaster, Fluke, agilent and other brand name probes, has always been some of the best, if you wanted a probe in real quality, but I have heard some disturbing things about them in the later years.
”Disturbing”? That’s rather melodramatic! Multimeter probes really shouldn’t be causing you emotional distress!
Fluke do now send cheap plastic probes with even the 87V
Depends on what 87V kit you buy, as well as the country you buy it in. Some include TL75 (the ones you’re dismissing as cheap plastic; this isn’t new by the way), some include TL175E (silicone with retractable sheaths, plus removable lantern tips), some include entire probe sets with silicone leads, probes (with permanent sheaths) and clips.
In Europe, the standard 87V includes the TL175E probes.
With that said, I don’t think Fluke probes have ever been the gold standard of quality. They’re very good, but not the best. Probe Master and Stäubli are definitely better IMHO.
Probemasters has several times lost their gold plating
Certainly not a widespread problem, since I’ve never even heard reports of this. Plus they have lifetime warranties… These are my vote.
Agilent should have started making probes where the "tip-protection" is not removable.
1. Agilent? You know they became Keysight 8 years ago, right?
2. ”Should have”? (Suggesting they’re
not doing something they’re supposed to do.) Keysight (and Agilent before them) makes these already, and they’re what are included with their
handheld meters. Unsheathed probe tips are no longer allowed under the CAT III and CAT IV multimeter safety categories (as in, unsheathed tips mean the category is voided and is only compliant to CAT II), so they include sheathed ones. My Keysight handheld meter came with sheathed Agilent-branded probes.
Unsheathed probes are still included with bench meters, and of course you’re free to buy whichever kind you want as accessories. (ALL of Keysight’s current DMM probe sets include
both kinds of probes. The basic set is U1169A. U1168A has both probe types, plus fine probes, plus alligator clips, plus SMD grabbers, plus a single mini-grabber. U1168B is the same, but with two mini-grabbers.) Sounds to me like you’re being too lazy to actually look at their website and see the models they offer.
Besides Fluke/Pomona, Probe Master, and Keysight, Hirschmann and Stäubli both make
excellent probes at reasonable prices.
I think the Fluke TL75 test pen is good, silicone material
Incorrect, TL75 is PVC insulated. Maybe you’re thinking of the TL71 LaurentR mentions above.