SMT probes are fragile beasts as well. The need for a thin needle sharp tip makes them vulnerable to drop damage or just heavy handed use. The ability to change the tip easily is therefore important.
The spring action helps with this, but I've been very careful not to apply side pressure to keep from bending the tips. And so far, so good.
Actually, they actually feel robust for what they are, but I'm not going to push my luck.
Having seen all the pics in this thread as well as the other 2 threads, plus the fact that the black probe is solid all the way around, now makes me think maybe someone else already had these probes and damaged the red probe and so decided to return them.
It appears as if it's from an employee manually trimming off excess flashing before assembling them. As that's a defect, you'd definitely be right to ask for a replacement set (should have been caught during the final QC inspection).
Can you comment on your choice of straight vs. right angle banana plug?
Personally, I prefer the retractable banana (straight) as they're universal.
Their one caveat would be they're a bit more prone to damage if you drop the meter with them plugged in (i.e. hit the plugs first & bend if the impact is hard enough). I've not experienced this, but it is something you'd want to be cautious of IMHO.
Got myself recently a 8000 series DMM lead kit and I must say I am not impressed.
1. The mini grabbers are very hard to thread on the probe. This is also problem that is mentioned on their web site in a review from 2015.
2. The mini grabbers are sticky. When I push them in they often stuck there. Sometimes for a fraction of a second, sometimes indefinitely.
3. I ordered the 8043S end style which is the recommended one for Fluke's DMMs. The metal contact of that plug is ~5mm longer than Fluke (TL71) or Pomona test leads (21mm vs 16mm). This causes it not get inserted all the way and it protrudes above the surface of my Fluke 107 (no such problem with Fluke or Pomona probes).
4. The probes are too short compared to other vendors and don't clear my hands. I am referring to the portion of the probe that you hold in your end, from the resting point of the fingers to the top end of the probe (82mm for the Probemaster vs 102mm for the Fluke TL71).
Considering the reviews here and the fact that this is a small American company that specializes in probes I expected more.
The good points are that they are very responsive (will send me working mini grabbers) and I like the general design of accessories that thread directly over the probe point.
Sorry to hear that.
I'd recommend sending that set back, and replace it with a 9000 series set (I've not had the accessory issues you describe, ever).
- You'll like the probe handles better as they're like traditional probes; hard plastic. They're 90mm from the finger stop to the start of the strain relief on the lead, and they fit my hands well (I'm tall & have hands to match). FWIW, the probe length consists of probe accessory + connector.
- You never have to screw accessories on; truly plug-n-play.
- Never have to deal with the probe body pulling your connections loose.
- More extensive kits available, which are a better value.
I'd also advise getting them with the retractable banana's. I find them far better for bench use, including handheld DMM's as you don't peg the strain relief to it's limits as much, reducing wear.
One thing about the 8000 series probe bodies though; although they do take a little bit to get used to, they work well once you do. For disclosure, I thought they were too small and felt weird too at first, but changed my mind after giving them a few days (a good 15 - 20hrs).
Now I find them
very effective on the Spring Loaded Probes, as they make it easier to get to your test points on densely packed PCB's.
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Topic: SMT probes comparison - Probe Master 8151 Vs Pomona 6341/ TL910 inc X-Ray images (Read 18196 times)