Oscilloscope Probes

What is everyone's favorite 'scope probes? We've gone through a
handfull of Oldacker & Cal Test probes, both keep getting intermittent
connections with the coax cable where it is crimped. Anyone had
better luck with better brands?

We've looked at Tek's probes, but it seems the actual tip isn't
replaceble (not the hook tip, I know you can get those).

We don't need anything over around 100MHz, X1/X10 switchable is
preferred.

Thoughts?
Steve

 

On May 1, 10:15 am, eletl...@gmail.com wrote:

What is everyone's favorite 'scope probes?  We've gone through a
handfull of Oldacker & Cal Test probes, both keep getting intermittent
connections with the coax cable where it is crimped.  Anyone had
better luck with better brands?

We've looked at Tek's probes, but it seems the actual tip isn't
replaceble (not the hook tip, I know you can get those).

We don't need anything over around 100MHz, X1/X10 switchable is
preferred.

Thoughts?
Steve

How about ProbeMaster's 4902-2, anyone have experience with that
brand?

Steve

 

[Eeyore]

eletlabs@gmail.com wrote:

What is everyone's favorite 'scope probes?

In the UK you used to be able to get Coline brand probes but I think
they've gone bust. Shame as these were the nicest I ever came across and
had replaceable service parts for just about every bit of them.


Graham

 

[sck0006]

On May 1, 2:52 pm, Jean-Yves <no-pub-for-jypoc...@free.fr> wrote:

In article
6ba3d018-abcb-4f14-a4a9-aee281709...@8g2000hse.googlegroups.com>,

eletl...@gmail.com wrote:
What is everyone's favorite 'scope probes? We've gone through a
handfull of Oldacker & Cal Test probes, both keep getting intermittent
connections with the coax cable where it is crimped. Anyone had
better luck with better brands?

We've looked at Tek's probes, but it seems the actual tip isn't
replaceble (not the hook tip, I know you can get those).

We don't need anything over around 100MHz, X1/X10 switchable is
preferred.

Thoughts?
Steve

I bought nice 100mhz tek probes on ebay. they are switchable x1 x10
and I found them nice.
here is their web sitehttp://www.aidetech.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code...
ategory_Code=Probes

they also sell on ebay.

--
Jean-Yves.

We may just give those a shot. At that price, can't complain even if
they don't last more than a year.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Robert Baer]

You wrote:

Looking through eBay there appear to be a lot of 'scopes
being sold without probes. Is it critical to find probes
specific for a particular 'scope, or can I just pick up
pretty much any kind of probe and expect it to work
without significant deviations in what I see?

The specification of the probes (especially X10) should match the
input capacitance of the scope.
From that set of probes, select those that have a bandwidth spec at
least what you would be looking at 95% of the time, but not more than
the scope BW rating (to save $$).

 

[Harvey White]

On 21 Aug 2003 18:11:45 -0700, You <thorn@fool-dsl-only.net> wrote:

Looking through eBay there appear to be a lot of 'scopes
being sold without probes. Is it critical to find probes
specific for a particular 'scope, or can I just pick up
pretty much any kind of probe and expect it to work
without significant deviations in what I see?

The probe bandwidth needs to be equal to the scope's bandwidth. If
you can find a probe that is recommended for the scope, then pick the
same specs, you should be OK as long as the connector matches.

Some tektronix probes have an additional pin which carries a signal
telling the scope that you have switched on a 10 x attenuator or have
hit the ground reference or the identify button.

Harvey

 

[Lance Morgan]

Harvey White wrote:

On 21 Aug 2003 18:11:45 -0700, You <thorn@fool-dsl-only.net> wrote:

Looking through eBay there appear to be a lot of 'scopes
being sold without probes. Is it critical to find probes
specific for a particular 'scope, or can I just pick up
pretty much any kind of probe and expect it to work
without significant deviations in what I see?

The probe bandwidth needs to be equal to the scope's bandwidth. If
you can find a probe that is recommended for the scope, then pick the
same specs, you should be OK as long as the connector matches.

snip

Harvey

It's okay if the probe's bandwidth exceeds the scope's bandwidth, as
long as the probe is comp'ed?

Lance

 

[Robert Morein]

"Lance Morgan" <alancemorREMOVE@yahooCAPS.com> wrote in message
newsM0003C579E7B28AF1@unknown.unknown.dom...

Harvey White wrote:
On 21 Aug 2003 18:11:45 -0700, You <thorn@fool-dsl-only.net> wrote:

Looking through eBay there appear to be a lot of 'scopes
being sold without probes. Is it critical to find probes
specific for a particular 'scope, or can I just pick up
pretty much any kind of probe and expect it to work
without significant deviations in what I see?

The probe bandwidth needs to be equal to the scope's bandwidth. If
you can find a probe that is recommended for the scope, then pick the
same specs, you should be OK as long as the connector matches.

snip

Harvey



It's okay if the probe's bandwidth exceeds the scope's bandwidth, as
long as the probe is comp'ed?

Lance

Yes, except that as the bandwidth increases, the maximum scope input
capacitance it can compensate decreases.
So a very high bandwidth probe, such as for a 2465, may not work on an older
scope.

 

[Harvey White]

On Fri, 22 Aug 2003 21:00:34 -0400, "Robert Morein"
<nowhere@nothing.com> wrote:

"Lance Morgan" <alancemorREMOVE@yahooCAPS.com> wrote in message
newsM0003C579E7B28AF1@unknown.unknown.dom...
Harvey White wrote:
On 21 Aug 2003 18:11:45 -0700, You <thorn@fool-dsl-only.net> wrote:

Looking through eBay there appear to be a lot of 'scopes
being sold without probes. Is it critical to find probes
specific for a particular 'scope, or can I just pick up
pretty much any kind of probe and expect it to work
without significant deviations in what I see?

The probe bandwidth needs to be equal to the scope's bandwidth. If
you can find a probe that is recommended for the scope, then pick the
same specs, you should be OK as long as the connector matches.

snip

Harvey



It's okay if the probe's bandwidth exceeds the scope's bandwidth, as
long as the probe is comp'ed?

Lance

Yes, except that as the bandwidth increases, the maximum scope input
capacitance it can compensate decreases.
So a very high bandwidth probe, such as for a 2465, may not work on an older
scope.

OK, this was not a problem when I was buying probes, but good to know.

Thanks...

Harvey

 

http://probemaster.com/
The above link is a very good source for probes.




"You" <thorn@fool-dsl-only.net> wrote in message
news:Xns93DEB90D57C79thorndslonlynet@207.149.238.154...

Looking through eBay there appear to be a lot of 'scopes
being sold without probes. Is it critical to find probes
specific for a particular 'scope, or can I just pick up
pretty much any kind of probe and expect it to work
without significant deviations in what I see?

 

Don't know what you are looking for or the price but this one shows to work
and it is 4 channel.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2552917653&category=45005



"You" <thorn@fool-dsl-only.net> wrote in message
news:Xns93E074324C727thorndslonlynet@207.149.238.154...

Thanks to all for the advise and the sites. Now I just need
to gamble on getting a good scope from eBay.

 

1. look at the sellers ratings
2. read the feedback on the seller
3. Pictures showing it working is a plus.
4. If seller states it is in full working condition and they have a high
approval rating...probably is..
-Gary

"You" <thorn@fool-dsl-only.net> wrote in message
news:Xns93E074324C727thorndslonlynet@207.149.238.154...

Thanks to all for the advise and the sites. Now I just need
to gamble on getting a good scope from eBay.

 

Tried to inform you via email but as you well know that was not possible.

<gavrett@sbcglobal.net_> wrote in message
news:9DZ1b.14999$Ih1.4616641@newssrv26.news.prodigy.com...

Don't know what you are looking for or the price but this one shows to
work
and it is 4 channel.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2552917653&category=45005



"You" <thorn@fool-dsl-only.net> wrote in message
news:Xns93E074324C727thorndslonlynet@207.149.238.154...
Thanks to all for the advise and the sites. Now I just need
to gamble on getting a good scope from eBay.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2552225047&category=45005





<gavrett@sbcglobal.net_> wrote in message
news:5GZ1b.15000$Ih1.4617001@newssrv26.news.prodigy.com...

1. look at the sellers ratings
2. read the feedback on the seller
3. Pictures showing it working is a plus.
4. If seller states it is in full working condition and they have a high
approval rating...probably is..
-Gary

"You" <thorn@fool-dsl-only.net> wrote in message
news:Xns93E074324C727thorndslonlynet@207.149.238.154...
Thanks to all for the advise and the sites. Now I just need
to gamble on getting a good scope from eBay.

 

Here is another 4 channel scope like the first one..with a buy it now....


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2553139324&category=4677



<gavrett@sbcglobal.net_> wrote in message
news:5GZ1b.15000$Ih1.4617001@newssrv26.news.prodigy.com...

1. look at the sellers ratings
2. read the feedback on the seller
3. Pictures showing it working is a plus.
4. If seller states it is in full working condition and they have a high
approval rating...probably is..
-Gary

"You" <thorn@fool-dsl-only.net> wrote in message
news:Xns93E074324C727thorndslonlynet@207.149.238.154...
Thanks to all for the advise and the sites. Now I just need
to gamble on getting a good scope from eBay.

 

[You]

<gavrett@sbcglobal.net_> wrote in
news:Sf92b.15123$Ih1.4741539@newssrv26.news.prodigy.com:

Tried to inform you via email but as you well know that was not
possible.

Usually I've a tagline on munging the mail-to. But I just reloaded
the newsreader.

Here is another 4 channel scope like the first one..with a buy it
now....


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2553139324&category=
4677

That does look pretty good.

I also noticed some scopes by a company called "Kikusui" I believe...
"5 channel 12 trace". Trying to find some reviews online for them now.
The price is good enough to worry me...


--
---- Remove the "fool-" to email one.

 

[You]

gavrett@sbcglobal.net_> wrote in
news:Sf92b.15123$Ih1.4741539@newssrv26.news.prodigy.com:
Here is another 4 channel scope like the first one..with a buy it
now....


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2553139324&category=
4677

I went ahead and purchased that one. Thanks for the heads-up on it.


--
---- Remove the "fool" to email one.