Disappointed with Fluke TL-71 probes - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: killingtime
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2023, 06:00:15 pm
content: Hi,Bought a new set of Fluke TL-71 probes to replace the set that came with my meter 10 years ago. New in retail packaging.The probe part of these flex very easily. Image attached. The leads are soft silicone, and it appears they've made the probes out of something similar. The worst part is that they stay bent and you have to bend them back after use.... My el-cheapo multicomp / Tenma probes from Farnell are much better than this. The probes don't just bend in one place either. They'll flex right up to the raised guard at the end. Feels cheap, although they do work.Anyone else notice this, or did I just get the Friday afternoon pair.Thanks.

author: alm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2023, 07:34:47 pm
content: My, much older (bought almost twenty years ago) TL-71 probes look quite different, with longer handles that tapers down to the lead diameter. The probes are quite rigid: they never bent under normal use except the strain relief part, although I can't say I tried to bend them. I can't comment on recent production leads.

author: Arts
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2023, 08:13:22 pm
content: Depending on where you purchased them, they may just be a cheap chinese knockoff, even with the genuine looking retail packaging. Cause that's how they roll, eh?Just as an aside, the Probemaster 8000 series probes I use are actually made with this "flexy-bendy" feature. Took a while to get used to, but after seeing how much more comfortable and convenient they are for getting into tight spots, I've never looked back.

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2023, 08:27:10 pm
content: They look counterfeit, there are many fakes out there. The originals are made in china so I would expect it.

author: killingtime
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2023, 09:06:24 pm
content: This guy has done a YT review. Skip to 11.50 for the TL-71 bendy test. Looks like he has a bendy pair as well.

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2023, 09:18:51 pm
content: This pic from Fluke website quite different: banana boots are grey, model "TL71" embossed in the grips, "FLUKE" looks higher quality embossed font.The Cat. rating appears to be embossed as well. These are all details tossed aside in cheaper builds.I think Fortive/Fluke is changing their manufacturing to cheap places so there may be new+old+counterfeit out there.

author: killingtime
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2023, 09:26:51 pm
content: I took a look at the pictures of some TL-71 leads from different fluke retailers (Conrad, Farnell etc) and I'm seeing all sorts of different designs with the same model number. It looks like Fluke has manufactured many different designs under the same model name over the years. This makes it almost impossible to check if an old design is genuine or fake as Fluke don't show their old designs.Will have to wait for someone who has a genuine pair from an authorised retailer to chime in and tell us if theirs are bendy as well. Either way, I'll be buying something different.These are the ones I have (also attached);https://www.tme.eu/en/details/flk-tl71/test-leads-sets/fluke/fluke-tl71/You'd think TME wouldn't stock counterfeit products. They're big enough to play with fluke. Note they aren't CAT2, just 3 and 4. This is what's stamped on mine as well (3 &4). All the other examples of TL-71 have CAT2/3/4 stamped on the side. It's possible Fluke made a version though without CAT2. Who knows.

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2023, 09:42:07 pm
content: Always follow the cheapness. When I looked into making probes, I was surprised to see how many mould sequences are necessary.Non-bendy is an extra injection mould first of harder polypropylene for the probe body, with the two silicone overmoulds - the handle probe tip, and coloured silicone rubber grips.This adds complexity, this costs more money and why not delete the stiff PP tube and just make the body out of silicone kind of reasoning appears.Because outsourcing to lower cost offshore manufacturers, they are less capable, they don't have the tech.

author: mwb1100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2023, 11:56:50 pm
content: My TL-71's look like the OP's (note: I wouldn't swear that mine are genuine, but I believe they are)They do not bend easily - with a significant pressure I can get them to flex maybe a couple mm. The small flex returns to straight as soon as the pressure is released. I'd call them stiff.They are definitely silicone, not PVC. The wires are not marked though.The handles have "FLUKE" on one side and on the other:QuoteI've posted some detail pics including (just the red is in the detail pics - black has the same markings but is less visible):- markings on the red or black "inserts" on the probe handles: a triangle with "!" inside (general attention/warning) and two concentric squares (double insulated).- detail on the banana plug boot: "TL71"I don't know if the OP got a genuine article that shouldn't have passed QC, a genuine article that indicates Fluke is lowing standards (or maybe it's supposed to be an improvement?), or if they are counterfeits.As I mentioned, I believe mine are genuine, but I don't really know. I can't remember where I got them, but almost certainly eBay or Amazon.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2023, 12:21:46 am
content: There are some issue with these, just read the reviews on Fluke's own site.https://www.fluke.com/en-us/product/accessories/test-leads/fluke-tl71The ones that look like the post above are OK AFAIK--mine have been 100% perfect. Even the PVC TL-75 set has been very good. Neither is 'bendy' like the OPs.

author: killingtime
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2023, 04:22:03 pm
content: Update.I registered on Flukes website and sent them a question about my leads. They asked for pictures. They replied that my leads look genuine and that the probes they have (in the USA) also bend. The images attached came from Fluke support.So bendy probes are a feature with Fluke now. It's official. Useful if you need to probe around tight corners and spaces I suppose.