Probes for the Rigol DS2072A - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: synic
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 07, 2014, 04:05:39 pm
content: Hi all!I've recently purchased a Rigol DS2072A. I really like most everything about it, except the probes that came with it. The retractable hook tip adapter comes off of the probe if I breathe on it too hard. I've used other probes and they seemed much more snugly fitted, and these two just drive me nuts.Is there a recommended upgrade for these probes?Thanks!

author: JDubU
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2014, 04:10:37 pm
content: This has been discussed before.Did you push them on hard enough 'click' them in place?

author: synic
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 07, 2014, 04:15:12 pm
content: Quote from: JDubU on October 07, 2014, 04:10:37 pmYes, I don't think they can go on much more than they are. The click is really soft, it doesn't seem like there's much there. Almost like it's worn out on both of them.

author: JDubU
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2014, 04:19:14 pm
content: Mine (RP3300A) snap on solidly and don't fall off at all. Maybe you got some bad ones.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2014, 04:28:16 pm
content: You have to push them on fairly hard. It takes some force.They should click if you press hard enough.

author: Dongulus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2014, 05:15:08 pm
content: Mine are fairly solid in this respect, but I do find that they slip off more than I'd like.My problem with the probes is that the hook at the end never seems to want to go back in correctly. There's some slop in the movement of the probe tip which causes the hook to catch the lip of the plastic housing almost every time I let go of the spring. This is infuriating whenever I think I've latched on to a wire only to find that it slips off immediately when I lay the probe down.

author: synic
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 07, 2014, 06:18:35 pm
content: Quote from: Dongulus on October 07, 2014, 05:15:08 pmYes, this is another issue I have with them. Half the time the hook doesn't detract on it's own, and on one of them the spring is very crunchy and is basically worthless.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2014, 06:42:19 pm
content: There are lots of inexpensive probes which will work fine at 100 MHz and below and do not suffer from a loose hats. I like the Texas probes which Agilent/Keysight also uses but the Aidetek ones are not bad either.The Rigol lacks readout support so you do not need to worry about that.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2014, 07:07:53 pm
content: Quote from: David Hess on October 07, 2014, 06:42:19 pmIs there much difference between an official probe and an eBay cheapie at 100MHz?

author: Creep
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2014, 07:56:34 pm
content: Quote from: JDubU on October 07, 2014, 04:10:37 pmNow I just feel silly. This was driving me nuts with my DS1054Z probes before reading this. Thanks a lot.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2014, 08:55:15 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on October 07, 2014, 07:07:53 pmThere is no difference if you compare the probes Agilent/Keysight sells versus the ones Texas makes. For the smaller Agilent/Keysight subminiature probes, they sell the same ones PMK makes.Some people do not like the stamped spring hooks on the very inexpensive AideTek 100 MHz probes. The Texas probes use wire hooks but cost a little more. Both work fine at 100 MHz and below.

author: synic
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 07, 2014, 09:20:02 pm
content: K, I think I'll order some of the inexpensive probes, and see if I can't get tequipment to at least replace the one with the bad spring. Wish I could order just the "hat", that seems to be the problem part.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2014, 06:13:26 am
content: Quote from: Creep on October 07, 2014, 07:56:34 pmI figured it out after the third or fourth time they fell off... I was, like, this CAN'T be right.

author: synic
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 08, 2014, 04:20:26 pm
content: Just an update. Emailed tequipment yesterday, and this morning Rigol called me. They are sending me new probes.I can't really argue with that sort of customer service. a++++ would buy again and all that.