Are all scope probes inflexable? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: level6
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2019, 10:48:40 pm
content: A while back I purchased a Rigol DS1054Z. It came with 4 probes that are very inflexible and difficult to arrange on the bench (other than that they work okay). Is this the case for all probes? Are there better ones available that are more flexible that don't require a 2nd mortgage?

author: blacksheeplogic
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2019, 11:05:58 pm
content: Quote from: level6 on December 30, 2019, 10:48:40 pmFor a basic 200MHz 1x/10x propbe, the Tektronix P2200. Can't think of any other probes in this price range even comparable int his regard. I would think you could get these very cheaply used although they are not expensive even new.Edit: 200Mhz.

author: frozenfrogz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2019, 11:42:33 pm
content: What exactly do you mean by "inflexible"? The cable? The probe bit?In case you are having trouble keeping the cables untangled and neatly organized: I made a 3D printable model for organizing 4 probes and some various cables. You can download two different sized versions here for free.https://www.youmagine.com/designs/oscilloscope-probe-and-cable-organizer

author: nigelwright7557
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2019, 02:00:45 am
content: Scope probes can be expensive.I sold a USB scope and it cost more for two probes than the rest of the scope !

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2019, 02:11:21 am
content: If you expect oscilloscope probes to be as soft as the silicone DMM probes, then no, they aren't. Oscilloscope probes requires shielded cables, that's why DMM probes easily win at flexibility.Other than that, Rigol DS1054Z probes are quite decent at flexibility, not stiff at all.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2019, 02:16:05 am
content: At least some of the oscilloscope probes Rigol uses come from TEXAS and use a pretty thick cable. Not all oscilloscope probes are that inflexible.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2019, 03:18:59 am
content: Old Tektronix's scope probes, even 1/2 century old, the cable is still very-very flexible, almost like wet freshly cooked noodle.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2019, 03:28:54 am
content: Quote from: BravoV on December 31, 2019, 03:18:59 amThe cable jackets on all of my Tektronix P6063B 200MHz x1/x10 probes became brittle and cracked until they fell off in pieces.http://www.barrytech.com/tektronix/probes/tekp6063b.html

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2019, 03:39:37 am
content: Quote from: David Hess on December 31, 2019, 03:28:54 amMy fav probe Tek P6136 as it has really compact probe's body, really handy, dunno about it's age, maybe >40 years ? ->http://www.barrytech.com/tektronix/probes/tekp6136.htmlMine (actual photo below) so far no crack nor becoming brittle, and it's cable still very "noodly" ?

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2019, 05:17:14 am
content: Can't beat my HP 1160A probe, insanely soft and only 2.5mm thick