recommendations for aftermarket probes/test leads for Fluke DMM

[jjhu...@gmail.com]

I have a few Fluke DMMs that I want to get backup probes for.
My ideal probe is one that will accept screw-on accessories such as various size alligator clips, micro-clips, and mounting lugs.
A 'kit' with all of these accessories would be idea.
Would like the probes to be decent quality. The closer to OEM Fluke or Pomona quality with more reasonable prices is what I have in mind.

Most of the aftermarket stuff on ebay seems to be junk. I did some searching on aftermarket probe sets and found this one which seems to be a good match to what I am looking for.
https://probemaster.com/8000-series-kits/
I've checked some of the electronic suppliers that I know of (Globe, Newark, etc.)
and have found a few options but not sure how good they are.

Suggestions for alternatives or other potential suppliers are welcome.
Thanks
J

[Phil Hobbs]

The Probemaster ones are _gorgeous_, and insanely cheap for what you
get. The wires have very supple silicone insulation, not the cheap PVC
crap you get on the Chinese ones. The gold plating also holds up well,
though it does eventually wear out on the sharp points.

Other than that, they stink. ;)

I don't use anything else on my meters.

Cheers

Phil Hobbs

--
Dr Philip C D Hobbs
Principal Consultant
ElectroOptical Innovations LLC / Hobbs ElectroOptics
Optics, Electro-optics, Photonics, Analog Electronics
Briarcliff Manor NY 10510

http://electrooptical.net
http://hobbs-eo.com

[Trevor Wilson]

**HCK make an excellent range of probes. Dunno if they're available in
your local area though. I've been using them for quite a few years and
have never had a failure (my stupidity excepted). Their hard steel
probes are particularly useful, as they can pierce insulation (and
fingers!).

https://www.wagneronline.com.au/4mm-safety-probe-test-lead-hck-silicone/test-leads-hck-silicone/test-measure/tools-test/6753/fl/

https://www.wagneronline.com.au/4mm-plug-on-test-probe-hck-silicone/test-leads-hck-silicone/test-measure/tools-test/6762/fl/

https://www.wagneronline.com.au/4mm-safety-hook-grip-hck-silicone/test-leads-hck-silicone/test-measure/tools-test/6806/fl/


--
Trevor Wilson
www.rageaudio.com.au

--
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[peterw...@gmail.com]

There is always the Mother Ship:

https://www.fluke.com/en-us/products/accessories/test-leads

I had one (1) that failed, when I was working overseas. I emailed Fluke with a picture, and a complete set of replacements arrived about 10 days later. Not just the one.

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA

[Cydrome Leader]

Simpson still pushes the screw on attachment probes. Their stuff is real
"classic" though and I have no idea what if any safety category they meet,
if any.

Real nice flexible rubber leads and solid probes. None of that modern
stuff that starts to warp or get dirty easy.

[Jeff Urban]

You might want to check ummm...

https://www.tequipment.net

Their front page is fucked up but they do have some nice probes.

[jjhu...@gmail.com]

Thanks to all that posted. I followed up on all the suggestions. For my Fluke meters and my intended use, the 8043s seemed to be the best fit. Also ordered some additional probe tips.
J

[jjhu...@gmail.com]

As a follow-up: Just received the test lead/probe kit from Probemaster...at first blush, they are *GREAT* nice sharp points, 1000V isolation, and the threads for the screw-on attachements (~5 turns) seem sturdy. the attachments seat and snug-up well. Fit and finish are excellent with my Fluke meters.
Just what I was looking for.
Thanks again.
J

[Cydrome Leader]

how flexible are the leads? Are they more rubbery/silicone-like or more
like soft PVC?

The sample size is two, but I noticed my ~5 year old Fluke probes seems
more flexible than the newer ones. Part numbers are the same.

[jjhu...@gmail.com]

That is a hard question for me to answer. I would say they are fairly flexible. I would add that the lead wires are 'supple' and more flexible than the standard lead wires that came with my 2 year old Fluke 179.

The leads on my 30 yo Fluke 77 are more rubbery in texture/feel. The probemaster leads are also more flexible that those of the 77.

Rubber/silicon or PVC. I would say more like silicon. My perception of PCV is that it is stiffer, somewhat plastic-like. (like the leads that came with my cheap extech that I keep in my car repair tool box)
Hope that helps
J

[Cydrome Leader]

They sound like nice leads. I really don't like test leads that feel
stiff, like old crappy automotive jumper cables. cheaper leads seem to
have a memory or sorts. If you bunch or fold them up they stay sort of
bent or kinked, even if you let them hang off a hook to relax.

[Phil Hobbs]

They're nice supple silicone. I use them exclusively--for $17 a pair
they'll change your life (in a small way, admittedly, but a good one).

[Michael Terrell]

Didn't Pomona make some Probes for Fluke?

[jjhu...@gmail.com]

They do.
I think they make high quality products.
Their probe that has the interchangeable tips us the 'banana plug' style arrangement on which one slides on different tips.

From my perspective, the expanded metal gets weak over time and the tips dont maintain contact very well. One can always bend the metal back out and this lasts for some time, the metal has weakened and the probe tip doesn't stay on very long. One can repeat the cycle but each iteration results in a decrease in time the probe tip is securely attached to the lead.

I wanted the screw-on tips. (I think Simpson promoted this style).
J

[Michael Terrell]

I always liked the H.H. Smith probes that held a steel 78RPM needle in a tiny collet. When the point got dull, it was just a few cents for a new needle. The sharp tip would penetrate the surface of the solder joint, and make good contact even if the surface was oxidized. The early ones were machined fiber tubing. Later ones were injection molded. I found some with a sharp, gold plated tip on Ebay, but the tip isn't replaceable. They aren't too bad, and they are handy on fine pitch ICs.