Which fluke test leads to choose - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: leniwiec
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2012, 12:31:23 am
content: Hi guys!My old fluke tl75 leads are dead and I am about to buy new... but I am little bit confused because there are, in similar prise, few models:1. TL-752. TL-75-13. TL-1754. TL175E5. TL-716. TL-76Can anyone show me the difference between each of them (I mean tl-75 vs tl-75-1, tl-175 vs. TL-175E) and which of them will be better in general electronics use, I was using tl-75 but all of them are in about the same price.Cheers!ps. sorry for my bad english - it is not my native ;-)

author: jamesp15
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2012, 12:37:42 am
content: My favorites are the TL-71, nice soft and supple silicone leads, they don't tangle and aren't too expensive (at least in the US, $23 on amazon with free shipping).TL175E's are nice as well, but the TL-71's are more comfortable to use for me.

author: StubbornGreek
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2012, 12:46:37 am
content: I also like the TL-71's. I wish I could find a 'miniature' set of these...The difference between the TL-75 and TL-175 is the Twist'Lock technology (no experience with them but I'd like to call out gimmick).

author: jamesp15
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2012, 12:55:44 am
content: For low voltage/current stuff, I _love_ the Fluke TL910's... which are kinda like a "miniature" set of the TL-71'sTINY points on them, sewing pin tiny and sharp and the tips are replacable. Silicone leads and all.The hand-grip parts on them are a bit small, but that just helps them get into tight area's.Not a great "primary" leads set, and a bit pricey, but for fine electronics work I find them indispensable.www.amazon.com/Fluke-TL910-Electronic-Test-Probes/dp/B000VRJH0G

author: leniwiec
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2012, 01:03:32 am
content: Quote from: jamesp15 on December 07, 2012, 12:55:44 amTL910's looks nice, but they are about 4 times more expensive here in poland.You are using both TL75 and TL71, besides of the handgrip difference, are the needle at the end are same size in both of them ?

author: FenderBender
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2012, 01:25:22 am
content: I have a set of TL-175s.They have a retractable guard which provides more isolation from what you are measuring...if you need it.Nice silicone leads like all Fluke test leads. Not too expensive. Only thing I wish they had was some more cushioning, but in reality, they are quite nice.

author: StubbornGreek
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2012, 01:30:10 am
content: Quote from: FenderBender on December 07, 2012, 01:25:22 amGood to know. I always wondered whether these were any good.@ jamesp15, oh, I think I found my next set of leads. Thanks for the link.

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2012, 01:47:34 am
content: These Probemasterprobes are very well made and also very competitively priced. This looks like a very comprehensive set but there are lots of other styles and sets on the site.

author: SLJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2012, 02:58:40 am
content: These guys make probe kits here in the U.S. (Ohio):http://www.usprobes.net/index.htmThey look pretty good for the price. I'm going to purchase a kit with the needle probes shortly.

author: jamesp15
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2012, 03:37:16 am
content: Quote from: leniwiec on December 07, 2012, 01:03:32 amThe points on the TL71 and TL75 are the same, the difference is in the composition of the hand grips and the wires themselves. I much prefer silicone insulated wire for their flexibility and how they dont "want" to tangle up when bundling them up like PVC insulated ones usually do.

author: Shuggsy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2012, 06:01:50 am
content: Quote from: FenderBender on December 07, 2012, 01:25:22 amDitto this, got them not too long ago. Put in for a set at work then grabbed one for myself shortly afterward. I've yet to have an issue when them and the retractable guards have been nice for me when I'm probing around mains input terminal blocks

author: leniwiec
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2012, 11:44:23 am
content: Quote from: FenderBender on December 07, 2012, 01:25:22 amBut this retractable guard are comfortable in use ? I mean, is this retractable mechanism solid so after some time will it don;t turn around by it self ?Quote from: jamesp15 on December 07, 2012, 03:37:16 amSo now I am between TL75 and TL-175... ;-)

author: melrel
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2012, 02:28:20 pm
content: Hi leniwiecI have a set of TL175's and I thought they were a bit gimmicky at first. Dave didn't like them much either, I think mostly because of their size. However there are some redeeming factors. Mine came with a set of banana connectors which you screw on to the end of the probe point when they are in the full out position. This is great when using breadboard stuff and I need them to slot into binding posts etc. They also came with a substantial pair of CAT 11/111 alligator clips - beautiful. These just slot on the end of the probes when they are in the out position. I use these for mains applications. Hopes this helps you choose.

author: zaoka
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2012, 04:17:08 am
content: You can byt TL910 from Pomona under different name, they cost about 30% less.I recommend Probe Master, they are better quality than TL910.

author: leniwiec
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2012, 11:39:29 am
content: Quote from: zaoka on December 09, 2012, 04:17:08 amProblem is that Pomona and Probe Master are not available in Poland, and shipping costs will be around 100usd.I think I will finally get tl-175 ;-)

author: zaoka
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2012, 04:55:02 pm
content: You can get them from Conrad or Nedis...

author: mianchen
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2012, 05:48:51 pm
content: Quote from: robrenz on December 07, 2012, 01:47:34 amThose look lovely, but the shipping cost is insane ($84 to the UK)

author: Wartex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2012, 06:02:07 pm
content: Quote from: leniwiec on December 09, 2012, 11:39:29 amI can ship them to you if you send money over paypal.

author: willb
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2012, 06:43:08 pm
content: I have TL-75 leads for my Fluke 45 and 325 and a pair of TL-175 for my 87IV and I like the TL-175 a lot more. The silicone leads feel much nicer, definitely a lot more flexible. I can never get my 75's to coil nicely. I want to equip all my meters with a pair. I also like the twist guard feature, I thought it was a bit of a gimmick at first but I have found it quite handy on a few occasions working on professional grade audio amplifiers which are often cramped.I, somehow, broke my first set of TL-175 leads. The pointy section of one of the leads broke off. I have no idea how I broke them. Fluke Canada was awesome about it. They replaced them right away, no hassle. My second pair is holding up so far.

author: leniwiec
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2012, 10:28:13 pm
content: Quote from: Wartex on December 09, 2012, 06:02:07 pmNice! But it is not the solution, still I will have to pay tax and UE import duty, yh!And I still think that fluke will be better because there is a service in Poland so guarantee is not a problem.

author: leniwiec
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2012, 10:32:04 pm
content: Quote from: willb on December 09, 2012, 06:43:08 pmI see the difference on your photos, this confirms me in the belief that TL175 will be better choice

author: jamesp15
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2012, 11:23:06 pm
content: Dont know if this will be helpful, but here is a close-in of the handles/tips of the TL75/71/910.

author: Shuggsy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2012, 11:50:47 pm
content: Not sure about others, but we go through a fair amount of TL910's at work. I had a pair which I took very good care of (always kept the covers over the tips when not in use, always coiled loosely while keeping the wire right at the end of the probe straight, kept in a case when not in use, etc.) and they died on me after about 2 years of fairly low use. First the black lead died right around the probe and a few months later the red lead died. Still not sure what exactly broke in them, but others at work have had the same problem. In that same time, there's been some pairs of larger leads (don't know the model) that have been in use for 10's of years each.It's one reason I went with the TL175 vs. another set of TL910's... the small probe is very nice, but I can make due with the larger TL175... especially if they hold up better!

author: jamesp15
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2012, 12:58:35 am
content: Quote from: Shuggsy on December 09, 2012, 11:50:47 pmI have 2 sets of the Fluke 910's and 1 of the Pomona version and all 3 have help up well. (1 set is ~2 years old, the other 2 are ~1 year old)I use one set pretty heavily, its on its 2nd set of replacement tips, never had an issue with any of them.That said, they definitely are NOT for everyday "front line" use. For that the TL71's I like the best out of the TL75/TL71/TL175's.

author: leniwiec
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2012, 03:54:55 pm
content: I just get confused when I was to order my new tl-175. There are TL-175-1 and TL-175E and the price is different by about 10Eur, but the specification for both are the same! Can anyone tell me what is the difference between them ?

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2015, 03:16:10 am
content: Quote from: leniwiec on December 11, 2012, 03:54:55 pmhttp://en-us.fluke.com/products/all-accessories/fluke-tl175.html#techspecssays:QuoteI think those are those quasi-banana-plug tips that some people love because they fit in banana jacks, others hate because they're fat.Edit: This page has a picture:http://www.test4less.co.uk/details.asp?productID=1715&product=Fluke_TP175E_TwistGuard%E2%84%A2_Test_Probes_with_4mm_Lantern_Tips#_self

author: RobertHolcombe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2015, 05:18:14 am
content: I use TP175 and TL910. The modular TP175 are very long, unwieldy for most electronics work, which I use the TL910 for anyway.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2015, 05:56:51 am
content: Zombie Thread Alert!Quote from: tooki on March 12, 2015, 03:16:10 amThey're meant for use on EU plugs IIRC.

author: ivaylo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2015, 06:15:52 am
content: Quote from: jamesp15 on December 07, 2012, 12:55:44 amNow, I have a huge problem with these. I have a set with all accessories, gilded tips, etc, but mine measure around 20 ohms when shorted. And it's not only one half defective, each half is around 10 ohms. I suspect it is the connection with the exchengeable tip but never bothered to investigate, just stopped using them. And like others said, all Probemasters I've seen are great...

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2015, 06:41:56 am
content: Yes, I would stay away from the TL910 in the future. They look great, but seem to be very fragile.My new set has a fault in one of the probes.The best 4W resistance I can measure for both probes hooked together is 4 Ohms. At times, depending on manipulation, it goes off into MOhms.If I can't get a working replacement, I will slice the probe open to see where the problem is and perhaps repair it without too much cosmetic damage.